Just In: Abducted Zamfara Speaker’s father dies in captivity
Alhaji Abubakar, the father of the Speaker, Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon. Nasiru Magarya who was recently abducted by bandits, has died while in captivity.
Recall that the victim who was the District Head of Magarya village, was alongside other residents of the area, including family members, abducted in early August by armed men suspected to be bandits terrorizing parts of the State.
However, 16 victims, including a three-month old baby Khadija Muazu, and her mother Hauwa Muazu, were rescued by the State police command on Saturday.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ayuba Elkanah who confirmed the rescue, said the victims were abandoned by their abductors who are fleeing the forest following offensives been unleashed against them by security operatives.
The commissioner stated that the speaker’s father was still missing as he could not be found amongst the rescued victims.
Subsequently, the elder brother of the deceased, Malam Dahiru Magarya who was among the released kidnapped victims told newsmen in the State that the Speaker’s father had died of heart attack while in the abductors’ den.
“One of the bandits’ kingpins popularly known as Kachalla informed me that my brother died due to heart failure while in captivity.
“We were separated when they kidnapped us, they took my brother to another camp but it was Kachalla, one of the commanders of the bandits that told me about the death of my brother which was a result of a heart attack hours before our rescue,” he said.
The State’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Muhammed Shehu could not be reached as of the time of filing this report. His phone line was not reachable at the moment.
Don’t Be Afraid of COVID-19, Adeboye Tells Church Members
General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye yesterday urged the members of the Church not to be afraid of the COVID-19, pointing out that only people whose time had come would die of the pandemic as the Lord had said.
He encouraged the members of the RCCG not to be frightened by the pandemic because they would not die before their time according to God’s words, warning however that “don’t be afraid does not mean be careless.”
He made these remarks Friday night during October Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption Camp, Km 46, Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Mowe, Ogun-State.
He explained how many people had bombarded him with questions about his stand on COVID-19 vaccination.
He said he declined to comment on the subject on the ground that it bordered on the issue of national interests.
According to him, only the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) or Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) should respond to such issues.
“I am a man under authority. So, I keep my mouth shut. What I am saying now does not necessarily represent the view of CAN or PFN. It is just my view vis-à-vis RCCG. I am not talking to Nigeria, but to my children, who are members of the RCCG.”
He held that safety “is of the Lord. It is of the mercy of the Lord that we are not consumed. If we are to go by what scientists said, we should by now be counting the number of deaths in Nigeria in hundreds of thousands. That is what the scientists projected then.
“But there is a God who answers prayers. When He told me on January 1, 2020 that the world would behave like a child in convulsion, I told you. When He said later the whole world would have a compulsory holiday, I did not know all the details then because we only know in part. We only know what He tells us. God is not talkative.
“When it became clear that we were for very serious trouble, scientists began to say what would happen to Africa now. But I cried to God. I reminded Him of the prayers of the elders. I also reminded Him that it is only God that can chase away flies for a cow that has no tail.”
Adeboye explained that he would only receive COVID-19 vaccine for the sake of the gospel, noting that he had never told his congregation not to be vaccinated.
“You have never heard that from me. Rather than live in fear or doubt, get vaccinated. If you believe that getting vaccinated will put your mind at rest, then go ahead.
“Daddy, are you saying that you too could be vaccinated? If there are nations in the world that say that I cannot come to preach the gospel there because of vaccination, I will do anything for Jesus Christ.
“If vaccination or no vaccination is going to hinder me from doing the work God has called me to do, even if they ask me to be vaccinated 100 times, I will be vaccinated. So, don’t ever say that you heard from me that I said that you should not be vaccinated.”
Adeboye, however, described as laughable the move by some governors who made COVID-19 vaccination compulsory before people could attend church gatherings.
The pastor noted that such leaders were missing the point, saying the number of vaccine jabs available in the country was not enough to go round.
He said, “The number of doses available in the country is not even enough for 10 per cent of the total population of the nation. How do you then say whoever does not take the vaccine will not be able to go to the bank and church?
“It means 90 percent of the population will not be able to access their money. We will need to go back to the olden days of keeping money, I hope you know. Well, I believe they just want to make us laugh. You know in Nigeria, we need things to make us laugh.”
Anambra loses N19.6bn on every sit-at-home – Soludo
Former Central Bank Governor and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the forthcoming governorship elections in Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has said the State loses N19.6 billion every day that it is locked down.
Soludo stated this at an enlarged meeting with Anambra State Elders and Stakeholders Forum, and Forum of Heads of Broadcast Media Stations in Anambra State.
He called on the people spilling blood in the State to have a re-think as such actions do not define who Anambra people are.
“Anambra State economy loses an estimated sum of N19.6 billion every time the sit-at-home directive is enforced in the state.
“Such actions do not define who we are. That is why we are calling on those responsible to stop because we are hurting ourselves.”
Professor Soludo while calling on Ndi Anambra to be watchful, praised Governor Willie Obiano for what he called outstanding achievements.
“Governor Willie Obiano has delivered sustainable legacy projects to Ndi Anambra including the Anambra International airport, the International convention centre, Awka and the Awka stadium.”
He said the governor has done well despite overseeing two recessions and the state suffering dwindling federal allocations.
Koeman’s woes compounded as Atletico Madrid beat Barcelona Again
Suarez did not celebrate his goal as a sign of respect to his former club
Reigning champions Atletico Madrid went level with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and inflicted further damage on Ronald Koeman‘s struggling Barcelona with a deserved win in Spain’s capital.
Thomas Lemar scored the opener, finishing well at the end of a move involving Joao Felix and Suarez.
Suarez then slotted in against his former club to put Atletico in charge.
Antoine Griezmann also featured against his former club as a late substitute as Atletico basked in their superiority.
For all the woe surrounding Barca this season, this loss was actually their first in La Liga – but it leaves them eighth in the table on 12 points, five behind Diego Simeone’s side, who are second only on goal difference but have played a game more than rivals Real.
Prior to this, Barca had three wins and three draws to their name, with back-to-back chastening 3-0 losses in the Champions League doing most to harm Koeman’s position at the club.
Barca had chances on Saturday, especially at 1-0, with Philippe Coutinho volleying an effort just wide and Frenkie de Jong just inches away from converting from close range following Memphis Depay’s header across goal.
Coutinho also had a great chance to get the visitors back into the game in the second half but saw his shot from inside the box saved by Jan Oblak.
Despite having much more of the ball, Barcelona were second best at the Wanda Metropolitano, falling to a defeat that may well test president Joan Laporta’s assertion from earlier on Saturday that Koeman would continue at the club regardless of the result in Madrid.
“It’s important and well done for his part – because if everything isn’t clear in this sense, then it’s difficult to work and have the kind of calm you need to try to make the changes we are trying to implement,” Koeman said after Saturday’s game.
“We know how it is from today moving forwards… We spoke last night on the phone and then again this morning.”
Barca now have a two-week break from action for internationals, with their next fixture at home to Valencia on 17 October.
“There’s a solution [to what is happening], but it can’t be done overnight,” added Koeman. “We have to work hard, give time to the youngsters and get back our injured forwards.”
Abducted Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Smith Regains Freedom
Abducted Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Smith has been released by kidnappers.
It was learnt that the retired General was released in the early hours of Saturday.
The spokesman for the Police in Lagos State, Adekunle Ajisebutu also confirmed that he has been released.
Smith, who is currently the Chairman of Double Wealth Ventures Limited – a dredging and engineering firm – was supervising work on a site in the Ajah area of Lagos State on Monday when masked gunmen invaded the place and shot into the air to scare away people.
The gunmen were said to have whisked him away in a waiting speedboat, after which they sped off.
APC postpones Anambra campaign in honour of Akunyili, others
APC has postponed the flag-off of its Anambra governorship campaign scheduled for Saturday in Onitsha, Anambra, in honour of victims of various attacks in the state.
Governorship election holds in the state on Nov. 6.
The governorship candidate, Sen. Andy Uba, announced the postponement in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
He noted that there had been several attacks by gunmen in Anambra over the past weeks, leading to destruction of properties and killings.
This, he stated, included the recent murder of Dr Chike Akunyili, widower of late Dora Akunyili, ex-minister of Information and Communications among others.
“As a mark of respect and honour for all those who have lost their lives I, in consultation with the leadership of our party and campaign council, have decided to cancel the campaign flag-off rally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 in Onitsha.
“You will all agree with me that our culture and tradition hold lives sacred.
“It follows, therefore, that the safety and preservation of lives of our people must at all times take precedence over any political interest, activities and or associations.
“I, Sen. Andy Uba, will be the very last person to sacrifice or play politics with the lives of our people. Neither will I allow anybody to do so under my watch,’’ he stated.
He added that like every other well-meaning member of the public, he had followed with much sadness and grief, the recent unfortunate and mindless state of violence and insecurity in Anambra.
“I have also watched with disdain, obvious breakdown of institutional capacity and inability of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-led state government to address security challenges and prevent the state from further descent into anarchy and chaos.
“My sincere condolences to all who have lost loved ones in the on-going politically motivated killings in Anambra.
“To `Ndi Anambra’ who are living in fear of their lives and property as a result of the on-going mayhem, I bring you a message of hope.
“Hope in God under whose divine protection as Christians we go about our daily activities; hope in our collective capacity and republican nature to resist all forms of evil,’’ he stated.
Uba, however, charged residents of the state to go about their normal lawful businesses, adding that they should be vigilant and take necessary precaution to ensure that their lives and property were not put in harm’s way.
He assured that he would ensure that politically-motivated killings in the state were brought to an end to enable the people of Anambra to go about their lawful businesses without fear of any sort.
Shocking! 52-Year-Old Man Arrested For Defiling Biological Daughter In Ogun (Photo)
A 52-year-old man Adebayo Akinrinoye was on September 23rd arrested by men of Ogun state police command for unlawfully having carnal knowledge of his 16 year old daughter (name withheld).
The suspect, a resident of no 11 Kabiru close, Matogun Agbado Ogun state was arrested following a report via a written petition brought to Agbado divisional headquarters by the victim.
In the petition, the victim alleged that her father had been sexually abusing her since she was 14. She stated further that all her efforts to stop her father from this ignoble act fell on his dead ear hence her report.
Upon the report, the Dpo Agbado division csp Kehinde Kuranga quickly detailed his detectives to the scene where the suspect was promptly arrested.
On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime but pleaded for forgiveness from his daughter.
Uncover the identity behind every number that calls you.
Zoning may leave us with useless presidential candidates in 2023 – Sanusi
Former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi has expressed fear of zoning leaving Nigeria with two “useless presidential candidates” in 2023.
In an interview with Arise TV, Sanusi stated that he has always opposed the idea of rotational presidency. He noted that what Nigeria needs at the moment is a President who can deliver.
The former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor said;
“I have always objected to this idea that we should focus on where the president comes from. We have got southern governors saying we want the presidency and some northern governors saying that they want it in the north. Have you noticed that nobody has given the name of what they want?
“This whole thing is to corner the presidency to one part of the country and the big masquerade will come out. And that is why at the end of the exercise, you end up as Nigeria… presented with two useless candidates. Those who want to be president should show their face either from the north or the south.
“Meanwhile, we have before us very serious issues. You have a simple issue of electronic transmission of results which is designed to make the electoral process fairer and you have people saying that they do not want it, shamelessly announcing to the country that they want to rig. Why are we not talking about these issues?
“The greatest weakness we have as a country is that we do not think. We are very smart when it comes to making money by doing our work but we do not apply critical intellect to and these guys just take the entire country for a ride.
“Give me a president from any part of the country who can deliver and we should vote for him. He is not taking the presidency to his hometown.”
On distribution of funds, Sanusi noted that though he is an advocate of less money at the centre, governors are also guilty of not distributing funds to the local government.
He said;
“I don’t want to talk about this matter because it’s in court but what we need is to learn how to distribute our resources properly.
“I’m a strong advocate of less money at the centre because this puts too much concentration on money from Abuja but the bulk of this Tax problem comes from not implementing what we have.
“These governors fighting for VAT are extremely undemocratic they hold on to money meant for the local government yet keeps complaining.
“The state governors complain what federal government do to them but don’t care about what they do to the local government, thereby ignoring the constitution.
“If we really want to put in for federalism we need to respect our constitution and do it at all tiers of government then I believe our constitution can work.
“ Let’s make what we have work and we’ll see this constitution is not that bad.”
‘Fani-Kayode Is Not Real, He Is Practicing Stomach Politics’ — Gov. Wike
Nyesom Wike, the Governor of the Rivers State has played down the significance of the defection of a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, Fani-Kayode is ‘not real’.
Recall that the former minister had recently defected to the APC and was warmly received by President Muhammadu Buhari in the company of some top APC members at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. He is expected to be formally received into the APC in Abuja next week. But Wike is not troubled by the PDP’s Fani-Kayode’s loss.
“I don’t know why people are shocked by Fani Kayode’s defection. People make the mistake of taking anyone who is vocal serious. Some people talk just for people to find them something to eat, some people talk because of the problems they have, so that they can be saved — if they will be saved. Femi Fani-Kayode and I are not friends. I don’t like something that is too artificial,” Wike told BBC News Pidgin on Friday.
He added: “Stomach politics is not good. Nothing beats integrity.”
