The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to visit troubled states in Nigeria, especially, Katsina, Kaduna, Borno and others affected by Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers, and herdsmen.

The opposition party made the call while faulting the President’s trip to Mali.

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Buhari had traveled to Mali on a peace-making mission with his predecessor, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

However, according to PDP, Buhari’s trip to Mali when Nigeria was facing issues of insecurity was indication that the president was not ready to tackle the challenges confronting the country.

In a series of tweets on its verified Twitter handle, PDP urged the President to address the issue of insecurity in the country.

PDP wrote: “@OfficialPDPNig says President @MBuhari’s choice of a photo-op trip to troubled Mali while failing to find solution to the myriads of political, economic and security crisis ravaging our nation has once again called to question his determination to face the challenges of our country under his incompetent watch.

“The @OfficialPDPNig asserts that since President @MBuhari has shown that he can leave the comfort and safety of the Presidential Villa, he should respond to the distress calls by Nigerians and immediately visit Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Adamawa, Sokoto, Yobe and other states of our nation being daily pillaged by bandits, insurgents, kidnappers and marauders.”

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Pay a visit Katsina, Kaduna, Borno! – PDP challenges Buhari

The  leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of “pampering” terrorism in Nigeria.

Kanu stated this following the news of the graduation and reintegration of 601 repentant Boko Haram members into the society. It was gathered that the ex-fighters reintegrated into the society included those from Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

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This announcement was made by the Coordinator, Operation Safe Corridor, Major General Bamidele Shafa on Saturday.

In his reaction, Nnamdi Kanu lamented that Nigeria keeps rewarding terrorism.

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In a tweet, Kanu wrote: “No nation ever PAMPERS terrorists. @MBuhari’s Nigeria not only pampers terrorists but it gives them scholarships and sends them to mix with those they’ve terrorized and slaughtered.

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Nigeria is the only nation that rewards terrorism- Kanu

The Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello has ordered the cancellation of all festivities during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. 

Governor Bello gave this directive in a statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chairman, Niger State Task Force on COVID-19 Pandemic, Ahmed Matane on Friday in Minna.

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It was however gathered that  according to the statement, Bello granted permission for the conduct of Eid congregational prayers in Jumma’at Mosques across the state. The statement also stressed that the prayers should be conducted under strict compliance to COVID-19 safety protocols.

Matane explained that the decision to ban the festivities was part of Government’s efforts to curtail the spread of Coronavirus as well as consolidate on the successes achieved in the fight against the pandemic.

He urged Muslims to use the Eid-el- Kabir celebrations to increase supplications and prayers for Almighty Allah to bring an end to the coronavirus pandemic as well as the .security challenges bedevilling the state and the country.

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Matane stated that the 2020 Eid-el-Kabir had come at a trying moment occasioned by the debilitating effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the World.

The SSG said in order to get rid of the virus completely, residents must adhere strictly to physical distancing, wearing of face masks, regular handwashing with soap and water and the application of hand sanitisers, and other sanitary measures.

He stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic had necessitated unprecedented changes to the lives of people, thereby affecting the socio-economic wellbeing of humanity.

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Niger Govt cancels Eid-el-Kabir festivities

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called for the immediate resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari. PDP made this urgent call over an increase in alleged cases of corruption in federal agencies, and the President's failure to deliver on his promises of fighting corruption during his campaigns.

The call was made by the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus,during a media parley in Abuja.

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Secondus pointed out ongoing investigations of corruption allegations levelled against the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, IMC, NEDC, NSITF, EFCC and other agencies.

According to Secondus, under Buhari's watch Nigeria is on ventilator, and gasping for breath. The PDP Chairman said, “corruption has become a way of life among Nigerians while Buhari plays the ostrich.”

The co-convener of the advocacy group, BringBackOurGirls (BBOG), Aisha Yesufu, has mocked President Muhammadu Buhari over his recent trip to Mali. According to Aisha Yesufu, Buhari has now become a ‘travel blogger’ who enjoys hopping around the world.

She made the remark while berating Buhari for travelling to Mali while his country Nigeria is plagued with issues of insecurity .

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The activist, who spoke via a video on her Facebook page, said the President should have known that leaving for Mali is the least expectation of Nigerians who look up to him for result-driven leadership.

She said: “Our travel blogger is back in business as he has jetted out to Mali. Anything that will make him be on the plane and anything that has to do with travelling outside the country, President Muhammadu Buhari will do it.

“He is there to talk about the political situation, unrest and everything in the Francophone country. Meanwhile, his country is boiling, his country has practically fallen but that doesn’t concern President Buhari.

“All that concerns him is an opportunity to stand on the steps of the Presidential plane and wave. They are already sending the pictures to us and that is all that matters!”

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The BBOG co-convener lamented that Buhari was more concerned about the perks of the Presidential office than ensuring the security of Nigerians.

She said: “The Commander-in-Chief that is not concerned that Boko Haram insurgents have just murdered some Nigerians whose lives and properties he is supposed to protect and it doesn’t matter that citizens are being killed every day. It doesn’t matter that security agents are being killed all over Nigeria.

“His being a President is to enjoy the perks of office and never to take any responsibility. Do you remember those aid workers taken by Boko Haram and so many Nigerians that have been executed? They send gruesome videos hoping that can shock Buhari but they are mistaken.”

Aisha mocks President Buhari over Mali trip, calls him a travel blogger

The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has tested positive for Covid-19. Fayemi disclosed this in a tweet on Wednesday, and added that he would be handing over to his deputy, Adebisi Egbeyemi till further notice.

“I took my third Covid-19 test yesterday and it came back positive. I’m generally ok and I’m already self-isolating at home and receiving the best of care from my medical team. I’m delegating critical tasks to my deputy but will continue routine duty from home,” the governor tweeted.

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Fayemi, who is the Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, is the eighth governor to test positive for Covid-19. Others who have tested positive in the last four months include Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and his Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir el-Rufai.

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi; Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu had also contracted the virus.

Five aid workers abducted last month in Borno State have reportedly been killed by jihadists. Boko Haram terrorists on Wednesday released a video showing the killing of the five humanitarian workers who were recently abducted in Nigeria's restive Borno state. 

The workers, who represented Nigeria's State Emergency Management Agency, Action Against Hunger, Rich International, and International Rescue Committee, were all executed, the video showed. The insurgents had earlier demanded about 500,000 U.S. dollars ransom before the abducted workers could be released. 

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President Buhari on Wednesday condemned the murder, vowing that the government would continue to do all it could to "wipe out the remaining vestiges" of the Islamist group, which has dominated the region. Boko Haram's decade-long insurgency has left thousands dead, displaced many more and resulted in a humanitarian crisis in north-eastern Nigeria.

The Boko Haram insurgents, who seek an Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria, have been carrying out attacks on civilian and military facilities in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe despite the efforts of security agencies. This has resulted in the deaths of more than 30,000 people since 2009 and displaced millions of others, mainly in northeast Nigeria. 

Aid workers have frequently been targeted, especially by a Boko Haram splinter group affiliated to the so-called Islamic State group.  The killers posted a 35-second video of the executions.

According to the online newspaper Premium Times, in the video of the killings, five hooded armed men stand with the blindfolded hostages. An unidentified voice delivers a speech to "the infidels" telling them to "repeat and turn to God" before one of the gunmen orders the others to shoot their captives.

In strongly worded statements both Action Against Hunger and the International Rescue Committee paid tribute to the workers who were killed. Action Against Hunger said it deeply regretted that its calls for their release had not been answered. International Rescue Committee condemned the killings as "senseless" and "barbaric".

Paying tribute to its staff member Luka Filibus who, it said, had been "forced to flee his home and was still compelled to alleviate the suffering of children", they demanded the return of his body.

UN humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria Edward Kallon said "it is unacceptable that those who are trying to help are being attacked and killed. This incident will not deter the international community from providing aid to millions of Nigerians who desperately need assistance in the north-east," he said in a statement.

Boko Haram kills 5 aid workers in Borno state

Suspected ritualists have once again struck in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, with the murder of another teenager. It was gathered that the 16-year-old teenager known as Toke was murdered on Monday night along the Ibadan-Oyo Road in Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.

It will be recalled that Akinyele Local Government has been in the news lately for a series of killings suspected to be carried out by ritualists.

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Five people including an 18-year-old teenager, Barakat Bello were killed in the local government in June this year. However, even though the Oyo state police command had paraded three persons in connection with several killings in the local government area, there have not been further developments on the cases.

Toke’s corpse was found in a bush on Tuesday, after her parents made several attempts to locate her. According to sources, Toke had been sent to purchase petrol by her parents on Monday night, but she did not return home. It was later discovered that she had been  killed by yet to be identified persons.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the state Police Command, Olugbenga Fadeyi confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday. He said that investigations had commenced to fish out and arrest the killers of the deceased teenager.

“A 16-year-old body was found inside the bush at Onikoko along Ibadan-Oyo express road, at past 9 am, on Tuesday. When the police from Divisional Police Officer, Moniya division, visited the scene, it was later discovered that the parents sent her, yesterday, at about 9 pm to go and buy petrol.

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“In the process, she was attacked by some assailants who are still at large and the corpse was discovered in the morning. It is a case of suspected murder.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered an investigation to find out what happened again in that area. The investigation has started and soon we will arrest the perpetrators of that act.”

Suspected ritualists murder another teenager in Ibadan

The Yoruba entertainment industry has once again been thrown into mourning as yet another movie actor, Yusuf Satia passes away.

The news of the actor's passing was announced by another actor, Kunle Afod, who shared the sad news via his Instagram page on July 21, 2020.

He wrote, “So sad to hear this …RIP Yusuf satia Is gone… Tried so much to see you this year and celebrate you but it was aborted… Continue to rest on.”

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The deceased was not very  active on social media. His last post on Facebook was on 4 March, 2013, when he invited fans to his birthday, scheduled for 9 March.

Prior to that, he had put up a post in September 2012 announcing the death of his mother on September 27.

Satia was known for his role in an old Yoruba movie titled, Ijinle Pam Pam. Other actresses like Toyin Adewale and Bose Alao also expressed shock and sadness over his passing.

The cause of Satia ’s death is not yet known.

Unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Sunday invaded Kukum Daji village in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing no fewer than 21 residents.

The attackers stormed the community on motorcycles around 10:30 p.m., shooting sporadically during a wedding event. 

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It was gathered that more than 30 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries. According to an eyewitness 17 persons, mostly youths that attended the wedding party, died on the spot, while others were later confirmed dead at the Kafanchan General Hospital. 

The eyewitness also said that the attackers shot indiscriminately as they approached the village, and added that some villagers are still missing. He also stated that some of those that sustained injuries during the attacks were taken to the Kafanchan General Hospital for treatment.

The president of the community association, Yashen Titus, told journalists on Monday that the victims were shot dead at an after-wedding party in one of the houses in the village.

Titus said the gunmen invaded the community around 10.35pm on Sunday and shot indiscriminately, killing 17 people on the spot while several others sustained gunshot wounds.

He said, “Some of the villagers are still missing and we don’t know their state. We cannot even search deep into the bush because security agents have yet to be deployed in the community.”

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, while condemning the fresh attack on Kukum Daji, also alleged that five persons including children, were killed on Friday by suspected Fulani militia.

The Public Relations Officer of the SOKAPU, Luka Binniyat, also condemned the inaction of the state government in seeking solution to the massacre of the Southern Kaduna people.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the fresh attack of Monday. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mohammed Jalige, who confirmed the incident, however, said the Command had yet to ascertain the casualty figures. Jalige also added that security had been beefed up in the village and its environs.

“Yes, there was an attack on Kukum Daji Village of Kaura Local Government area yesterday night.

“The area has been fortified, but we have yet to confirm the number of casualties.” the police spokesman said.

Unknown gunmen again invade Southern Kaduna, kill 21

The Police Command in Niger State have arrested one Umar Ahmed, 46, of Anguwan Gwari Suleja, for keeping about 15 children in a dehumanizing condition in the guise of Almajiri School.

The command’s Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, said in a statement in Minna on Monday, that the suspect was arrested by Police Operatives attached to ‘A’ Division Suleja, following a tip-off.

“On July 18, at about 2 pm, acting on reliable information received, Police Operatives attached to ‘A’ Division Suleja arrested one Umar Ahmed.

“Preliminary investigation has revealed that the children who are of ages ranging between 2-10 years were on several occasions, physically abused by the suspect which made them to have scars all over their bodies,” he said.

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The spokesman said that the suspect used to chain the children by their legs when they misbehaved. He then added that the victims had been handed over to the Niger State Child Right Agency pending the time the investigation will be concluded.

Abiodun said the operatives recovered from suspect, three chains, adding the matter would be charged to court after investigation.

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The founding Managing Director of The Democrat Newspaper and former President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua, is dead. The late elder statesman, who was 76, reportedly died of cardiac arrest Monday night. 

In a statement titled, ‘President Buhari mourns friend, political associate, Isma’ila Isa Funtua,’ the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Monday, said the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), received the news of the death of his political associate, Funtua, with “deep sadness.”

Funtua, who was believed to be one of the power brokers behind Buhari’s regime, hailed from Katsina like the President. The business tycoon was among those referred to as “cabal members” by critics of the Buhari regime. Funtua, along with the late former Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; and the President’s nephew, Mamman Daura; were described as powerful members in the ‘kitchen cabinet’ of the President.

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The statement released by Shehu read, “President Muhammadu Buhari received with deep sadness on Monday evening, information on the passing of his long-time friend and associate, Malam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, who was Life Patron of International Press Institute and Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria.

“The President condoles with family members, government and people of Katsina State, and all associates of the former President of NPAN, especially the media industry, on the loss, describing him as ‘greatly admired and respected.’

“President Buhari believes the demise of the publisher and businessman has created a huge gap as Mallam Funtua consistently stood by him in his political journey.

“The President prayed to Allah for the repose of Malam Funtua’s soul, and to grant the family strength and fortitude to bear the loss.”

Until his death, Funtua was the Chairman, Bullet International Construction Company. He is expected to be buried today, Tuesday according to Islamic rites. In the 1990s he set up a newspaper known as ‘The Democrat’ which was headed by the late Kyari.

The deceased served as the Minister of Water Resources in the defunct Second Republic during the administration of the late President Shehu Shagari.

Buhari's friend, political associate, Isa Funtua, dies

Nigerian newspapers,on one page.