The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that the Air Component of Operation Thunder Strike has neutralized several armed bandits in airstrikes on their camps in the Kuduru and Kwaimbana forest areas of Kaduna State.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said the successes were achieved through separate airstrikes carried out on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

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Enenche explained that the attacks were launched on the heels of credible intelligence reports indicating that the two locations were being used as staging areas by the bandits.

According to him, the attack on the Kuduru Forest hideout was executed after aerial reconnaissance missions observed a significant number of armed bandits around some compounds in a small settlement within the forest.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, Buhari receives 5 days ultimatum to reverse fuel price, electricity tariff

According to him, the Air Component dispatched the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets and helicopter gunships to attack the location.

“The attack aircraft took turns in strafing the target area leading to the neutralization of several of the bandits as well as damage to their dwellings.

“At the Kwaimbana Forest where some bandits were seen along with many rustled cattle around some huts and makeshift structures, the NAF jets and helicopter gunships engaged the area in successive passes, taking out some of the bandits,” he said.

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Nigerian military airstrikes hit bandits’ hideout in Kaduna forest

The government of President Muhmammdu Buhari has received  5-day ultimatum to reverse the hiked fuel price and electricity tariff or witness a revolt. 

The Coalition of Civil Societies, Osun State and National Associational of Nigerian Students (NANS), gave the Federal Government of Nigeria the ultimatum to reverse the petrol pump price and electricity tariff.

The protesters in Osogbo, the state capital of Osun on Friday, demanded the government to reverse the pump price to its original N130 and also reverse other anti-human taxes and tariffs increase.

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It will be recalled that the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had earlier announced an increment in the pump price of petrol to N151.56 per litre.

The chairman of Osun Civil Societies Coalition, OCSC, Comrade Waheed Lawal, who led the protest, lamented that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari has failed Nigerians over unfulfilled promised he made during the electioneering process.

According to him, “Nigeria belongs to all and the masses voted for President Muhammadu Buhari because of the promises he made during his campaign, but Buhari has failed Nigerians.”

They, however, give the President Buhari five days ultimatum to reverse electricity tariff and petrol pump price or see a riot of the masses.

Buhari receives 5 days ultimatum to reverse fuel price, electricity tariff

A coalition of human rights organisations operating under the umbrella of Centre for Liberty on Wednesday protested against the alleged plan by the Senate to secretly pass the Social Media Bill despite its widespread rejection by Nigerians.

According to members of the coalition, Nigerians will not accept a sneaky passage of the SMB, as such action will drastically  damage the confidence of the public in the 9th Senate.

HAVE YOU READ THIS? Nigerian Students Reject Fuel Fee Hike, Call for Buhari's Resignation

The Centre for Liberty was reacting to reports that plans had already been concluded to pass the bill without delay, hiding behind the COVID-19 pandemic and other national issues.

The protesters displayed placards with inscriptions such as ‘Social Media Bill, Hate Speech Bill are anti-democratic’, ‘#InternetNoBeEnemy’ ‘Social Media Bill, Hate Speech Bill a misplacement of priority’, ‘1999 Constitution (as amended) in danger, #SayNoToSocialMediaBill’, ‘Kill the Social Media Bill, Hate Speech Bill Now’, and ‘#InternetNoBeEnemy’, to ventilate their grievances.

Among those who led the protest were the Co-Convener of CFL, Raphael Adebayo; Executive Director of LEX Initiative for Rights Advocacy and Development, Augusta Yaakugh; Executive Director of Tap Initiative, Martin Obono and Amarachi Ogwuma of Global Rights.

Activists decry planned secret passage of social media bill

Hundreds of aggrieved residents of Apete, Ajibode, Awotan, Araromi, Arola and other communities in Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday, took the streets in a peaceful protest to express their displeasure at what they termed “erratic supply of electricity” in their various communities.

The protesters said that they were not happy with the long hours of darkness caused by poor electricity supply and  the outrageous bilsl the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) charged them nonetheless.

Some of the representatives of the communities including Awotan, Adaba, Alakuta, Oloya Ajibode, Fanawole, Ariyibi Alapata, Akere, Yidi, Papa Olorunsogo, Araromi, Adeosun, Akufo, Waja, Jeje, Onigbodogi, Aiyegun Osaji and Idi Oro among others, were part of the protest, which culminated at Awotan junction.

The protesters, who were armed with placards bearing different inscriptions, which expressed their thoughts on the irregular supply of power to their areas, accused the management of IBEDC of crippling their businesses and subjecting them to attacks by hoodlums, particularly in the night.

Speaking to journalists, President of Awotan Community Landlord Association, Engineer Rasaq Fabayo, said that it is sad that over 50 communities have been subjected to long hours of darkness by the IBEDC.

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He said, “They don’t give us light in the day and at night when they give us, it is just 2 hours at times less than 30 minutes and at the end of the month, they bring crazy bill.

“Because of this most of the artisans especially those who cannot afford to buy generators have moved out of the community, the impact on the economic situation is negative because of the electricity situation.

“We have written several letters to the management of the IBEDC, and National Electricity Regulatory Company NERC, they are yet to reply us, this protest is a kind of warning protest to sensitize them on the plight of the residents of communities in Apete.

“The feeder that supplied the area is not enough and the only solution to the problem is to get more feeders that will be enough to serve the transformers in Apete”.

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Also another resident, Mr. Umar Abiodun, while speaking, said, “We have been on this for many years and instead of engaging in continuous war that yields no positive results, the IBEDC should stop their operations in Apete and its environs, let them stop their supplies and stop generation of money from these areas, we don’t want to fight them, they should stop cheating us.”

In his reaction, the IBEDC Regional Communication Manager, Oyo Region, Mr. Frank Williams, said that the affected communities should select few representatives to meet the firm management in order to resolve the issues.

Williams said, “There is no need for them to protest. They should select six of their leaders. We are going to look into that, but, I must tell you that instead of protesting, they should send a delegation to meet the management. Let them seat down with the management and find a way around the whole thing. Power supply is a big issue.”

Ibadan residents protest erratic power supply

The National Association of Nigerian Students (Zone D) has rejected the new pump price of petrol announced by the Nigerian Government from N148 to N151.56k per liter.

This development was made public by Kowe Odunayo Amos, Coordinator of NANS (Zone D), in a statement in which the association described the increment as punishment to Nigerians, given the prevailing economic hardship in the country due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The students’ body on Wednesday, demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari and his cabinet members reverse the pump price or resign.

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The statement reads, “We find it most embarrassing to read of the increment in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N163. This is in addition to the 300% increment in electricity tariff. It is on record that this same President Buhari and his anti-people government increased stamp duty; devalued the Naira to the extent that a dollar is almost N500 now.

“No doubt, this government has worsened all the crises it has inherited from the last administration. In fact, the Buhari government is a clear example that we the students must go back to our revolutionary days as we cannot continue to lament. Today, education underfunding has become a norm, healthcare under the pandemic is undergoing cuts officially from government at all levels while the rich run to private hospitals and dash abroad through chartered flights leaving the plebeians to self-medicate.

“As an association, we hereby declare that the Buhari government should all resign or immediately do the following; reverse petrol price to N97, and stop deregulation of the Oil Sector. Stop the devaluation of the naira now. Increase budgetary allocations to education to 35%. Return to the old stamp duty price now.

“Give 500% increment to healthcare budget to reflect the pandemic era. Pay #100,000 cost of study allowance to all students. Stop the Anti-Social Media bill now. As a students' body, we want to state finally and categorically that we have nothing to dialogue or debate on the above demands. The suffering we are going through have made us gone pass that stage. We shall be announcing action venues; dates, and time soon if the government should fail to meet these demands.”
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Nigerian Students Reject Fuel Fee Hike, Call for Buhari's Resignation

A former  Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Anthony Sani, has urged President Buhari to also wear a face mask in order to ensure compliance of COVID-19 guidelines that he advises. 

According to Sani, one way of enforcing compliance to safety measures and curtailing further spread of COVID-19 is for the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), all the 36 state governors, as well as traditional rulers, to lead the way by wearing face masks.

That way, the nation would break the transmission chain and prevent subsequent return of COVID-19, while saving the health infrastructure, lives and the economy.

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The ACF chieftain said this in a statement in Kaduna on Tuesday. He said, “With the current downward trends in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria, given the absence of vaccine and cure for the COVID-19 for now, and the fact that we have not been able to enforce social distancing measures, the only choice left for us in Nigeria is for everybody to wear face masks in crowded places like markets, motor parks, public gathering, worship places and public transport for at least 14 days.

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“One way for forcing compliance is for President Buhari, all the governors and all traditional rulers to lead the way by wearing face masks. That way, the nation can break the transmission chain needed for curbing the coronavirus pandemic, and prevent subsequent come back of COVID-19 and save the health infrastructure, more lives and the economy.”

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Mr President, wear a face mask too: ex-ACF secretary

Yahaya Sharif Aminu, Kano-based musician who was sentenced to death for blasphemy, has had his numerous attempts to appeal frustrated in different ways. The most recent attempt was stalled again on Tuesday as officials of the Upper Sharia Court in Kano State refused to make available certified true copies of the judgment.

Sharif-Aminu, who was sentenced to death on August 10, 2020, for blaspheming Prophet Mohammed, was given a grace of 30 days by the court to appeal the judgment. The grace period would lapse on Wednesday, September 9.

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In order for the appeal to be accepted at the Court of Appeal, the convict is expected to personally sign the notice of the appeal, while certified copies of the original judgment will be attached to it.

It was however learnt that Sharif-Aminu had been denied access to his lawyers and the Sharia court officials had also failed to provide copies of the judgment.

Confirming the development to journalists on Tuesday, Human Rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), said he has continued to make efforts to get the judgment. He stated there was a need for things to move quickly since Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, had said last week said he would sign the convict’s death warrant once the time for the appeal lapsed.

READ UP HERE, Blasphemy: I'll not hesitate to sign death warrant: Ganduje

“They have not released the judgment and time is running out. And if we cannot obtain copies of the judgment, we cannot appeal. They have just been saying the judgment is not ready and the days are counting,” Falana said.

It will be recalled that the musician was accused of committing blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed in a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March 2020. The song, which was said to elevate Inyass over the Prophet, sparked a lot of outrage across Kano metropolis. Consequently, angry youths burnt down Sharif Aminu’s family home and led a protest to the Sharia Police, Hisbah, demanding his death.

Some human rights activists in Kano told newsmen that many lawyers had refused to take up Sharif-Aminu’s case because of the volatile nature of the state.

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An activist said, “Most of the human right lawyers in Kano that I have asked to take up the case have refused because they are afraid that their chambers could be burnt down or they could be attacked or killed for defending a blasphemer.

“And of course, when it comes to such sensitive religious matters, the police usually look the other way. The political leaders also keep mute or come out to support Sharia because they want to remain popular among their people.”

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The Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria, which is very active in Kano and other states practising Sharia, had endorsed the death sentence, stating that the trial was fair.

However, global rights group, Amnesty International, had said in a statement that the musician, from all indications, was not given a fair hearing, and urged the governor to reverse the musician's death penalty.

Despite that, the governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, stated that he would not hesitate to sign the death warrant. 

Blasphemy: Court officials frustrate musician’s death penalty appeal

The Osun State Government has declared that September 21, 2020 has been set as the tentative date for the reopening of schools in the state.

This was disclosed by the state government in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, at the end of  the State Executive Council meeting.

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Egbemode also stated that stakeholders are expected to continue to put protocols in place towards the reopening of schools according to the guidelines set by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The statement read in part: “Having conducted an assessment of schools within the State to ascertain the level of preparations for reopening, the government has scheduled schools to resume from the COVID-19 break on September 21st for an abridged third term of the 2019/2020 academic session, which is expected to end on October 30, 2020.

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“To make up for lost grounds caused by the COVID-19 induced lockdown, a new academic session (2020/2021 session) is scheduled to commence on November 9, 2020.”

 “Because of the Yuletide, schools will be expected to take a brief recess from December 24, 2020, to resume on January 4, 2021, for the concluding part of the first term of the new session which is scheduled to end January 22, 2021.”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, NLC to National Assembly: Drop water bill, don’t ambush Nigerians

Osun to reopen schools September 21, releases operational guidelines

The Nigeria Labour Congress has warned the leadership of the National Assembly against resurrecting or passing the Water Resources Bill into law because it portends danger to national unity. 

According to the NLC, the National Assembly surreptitiously bringing back the bill, which seeks to vest the control of all water sources across the country in the President, amounts to ambushing Nigerians.

It will be recalled that there was outrage over the bill in 2018 when the eighth National Assembly was divided over it. However, the bill resurfaced at the present National Assembly on July 23, 2020, as the House of Representatives referred it to a “committee of the whole,” for third reading and passage.

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The actions of the National Assembly to bring back the bill received a lot of backlash from different angles. For instance, Nobel laureate and social critic, Prof Wole Soyinka cautioned the FG against sneaking in the bill. 

In addition, organisations such as Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Middle Belt Forum, also warned the Federal Government and the National Assembly against bringing back the bill.

In his contribution to the national resistance to the bill, the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, noted that the bill was earlier rejected in 2018 with good reasons.

In a statement released in Abuja on Monday, titled, ‘Do not ambush Nigerians,’ Wabba said the nation had enough challenges than to court fresh and costly controversy.

He stated, “Information in the public domain has it that the National Assembly leadership is working surreptitiously with vested interests outside the assembly to pass the bill without due legislative process. Although the National Assembly is constitutionally vested with law-making, we warn against the National Assembly ambushing Nigerians.

“We equally warn against legislative abuse or betrayal of Nigerians as this is what it will amount to if the bill is passed or caused to be passed without public engagement and scrutiny. Already, the sentiments expressed against this bill are too grave to be brushed off.”

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Against the backdrop of the strong sentiments expressed against the bill from nearly all sections of the country, the NLC president strongly advised that the bill should not be resurrected.

He said, “In the light of this, we state unambiguously that the National Assembly should listen to the voice of reason by resting this bill.

“As a pan-Nigerian organisation, we would continue to work assiduously for unity, development, justice and accountable leadership,” the statement noted.

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The Akwa Ibom State Government has declared that it is totally and completely opposed to the water resources bill.

The state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, in a chat  with The PUNCH, said the state government  had instructed members of  the National Assembly to reject the bill

On his part,  Benue State  Governor, Samuel Ortom, vowed to sue the National Assembly members if the bill was passed.

Ortom lamented the recycling policies aimed to help herdsmen.

He stated, “Let me say this, if the National Assembly passes the Water Resources Bill which was sent as an executive bill by the President, I will take them to court. Water Bill will not be accepted here in Benue State.”

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NLC to National Assembly: Drop water bill, don’t ambush Nigerians

EDO State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Godwin Obaseki, has called on voters to come out en masse on September 19, 2020, to exercise their franchise without fear of harassment or intimidation, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari has assured him of a free, credible and peaceful election in the state.

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Obaseki gave the assurance weekend while addressing party faithful during his reelection campaign rally in Ovia South West Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. According to the governor, “President Buhari has assured me that the Edo election will be peaceful. There will be peace in Edo; don’t be intimidated by the opposition, before, during and after the election.

“They are not more than us in number; vote and make sure your vote counts. Stay back in your polling units to ensure they count your vote in your presence. “To start with, after my reelection, I will construct the Udo access road, the Ofunama Road and the Nikorogha Road. The construction of these roads was hindered by godfathers who were disturbing me to share taxpayers’ money for their selfish interests.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, Policemen should be made to pay damages for rights violations – Femi Falana

“The forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state is about setting me free from the hands of those godfathers who never meant well for Edo people. These godfathers were hounding me over money meant for Edo’s development, they never wanted me to work for the people. Even with them on me, I still spread infrastructural projects across the state. Imagine me as governor without any godfather. 

“Your turnout today is an indication that you are going to vote massively for the PDP, and when I return as governor, I will construct more roads, extend electricity to you, build more schools and employ and train more teachers from this locality,” he said.

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The Deputy Director-General of Edo State PDP Campaign Council, Mr. Gideon Ikhine, charged the electorate to be on the alert and report strange faces in their communities to the security agencies. He further urged them to come out en masse on September 19, 2020 to vote for the PDP so as to return the governor to office to continue with his administration’s people-centric programmes and policies.
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Buhari has assured me of free and fair, peaceful election ― Obaseki

Mr Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has said individual police officers responsible for violation of human rights should be made to personally pay damages imposed by the court.

According to Falana, human rights abuses remain prevalent in Nigeria because when victims of rights violation get court judgments, it is the Nigeria Police Force, and not the individual officer responsible for the violation that pays the damages imposed by the court.

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The human rights lawyer declared this while speaking at a recent virtual symposium, with the theme, ‘Human rights violations in Nigeria: Time to end impunity and way forward’, organised by Legal Touch Initiative. 

Also at the symposium was the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu; labour lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Femi Aborisade; a former special adviser to the FCT Minister, Henry Shield; and a human rights lawyer, Mr Tope Akinyode.

Falana said, “Arresting people in lieu of criminal suspects has been prohibited but still goes on everyday and the other painful one, and we must make this clear to the public; why is the Nigeria Police Force paying damages for the responsibilities and negligence of its officers?

“I have been pleading with the human rights community; if your client is detained, don’t sue the police alone, sue the police officer involved and ask for specific damages against him.

“If by the time the judgment is delivered, he has retired, let them take part of his pension; that will serve as a lesson for people. But right now, they detain illegally, some get killed, the officers involved get promoted, retire with their benefits. For me, that should not be allowed.”

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Falana stressed that the parade of criminal suspect was illegal, saying it was discriminatory against poor people.

“The parade of suspects, I have argued repeatedly, is a class matter. You only parade the poor; nobody will parade a permanent secretary or minister who has stolen N10bn. But those who have robbed people of a few thousand naira are paraded by the police.

“The parade of suspect is illegal; it is against the right to dignity of persons because every suspect is still presumed innocent,” He said.

On his part, the NHRC Executive Secretary, Ojukwu, said the human rights situation in Nigeria had improved compared to what obtained during the military era.

Policemen should be made to pay damages for rights violations – Femi Falana

410 members of the Darul Salam terrorist group have surrendered to the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke and other security agencies deployed at Uttu in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, who disclosed in a statement on Thursday, said that those taken into custody on Tuesday included women and children.

He also added that the security forces also recovered several weapons and explosives from the suspects.

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The statement, which was titled, ‘Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke bust terrorist cell, recover explosives, arms as 410 members of Darul Salam terrorist group surrender', read in part, “Following intensive kinetic operations at identified bandits’ enclaves, not less than 410 members of the Darul Salam terrorist group, including women and children, surrendered to the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke and other security agencies deployed at Uttu in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. This development took place on August 25, 2020.”

The DHQ also disclosed that the troops stormed a Darul Salam bomb-making factory on Wednesday, following actionable technical and human intelligence on the activities of the terrorists in the general area.

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In the course of the operation, troops reportedly recovered several Improvised Explosives Device materials at the location including two scales; six rocket launcher bombs; one bag of fertilizer; half a bag of gun powder; 10 locally-made hand grenades; one rocket-propelled grenade bomb fuse, one locally-made Rocket Launcher; two IEDs and 13 improvised rocket bombs, among others.

The camp was subsequently destroyed while the troops combed the surrounding forests for fleeing members of the sect.

“The Military High Command commends the gallant troops of Operation Whirl Stroke for their professionalism and dexterity in achieving this notable feat and also urges them to sustain the tempo in the push to decisively curtail the activities of bandits and other criminals operating in the North-Central zone,” the statement said.

 Troops smash terrorist cell in Nasarawa, 410 insurgents surrender

Nigerian newspapers,on one page.