Arrested Kaduna Kidnap Kingpin Discloses Identities Of Gang Members, Gives Breakdown Of Ransom Collected
Goma Samaila, leader of a kidnap gang in Ragachucku axis of Kaduna State, has disclosed the identities of his gang members.
The 47-year-old suspect, who has reportedly been into crime for many years, spoke about some of his operations and amounts received as ransom.
In a viral video, Samaila was seen pleading for mercy while being grilled by one of the security operatives who arrested him.
“I am pleading for mercy and forgiveness; I will never commit such offence again,” he said.
On some of the operations he was involved in, he said, “The first person we kidnapped is Abdul; they paid a ransom of N200,000; on Alhaji Umaru, we collected N500,000, Another person is Alhaji Birau; they paid the total sum of N3 million and the other person is Alhaji Ibrahim who paid N700,000.”
Samaila also disclosed the identities of some of the gang members.
“In Ragachucku axis, there are Yusuf, Sale, Gomi, Nasiru, Tukur, Banki, Magaji.
“Then in Kirama axis, there are Musa, Kadi, Oria, Ibrahim, Bala, Rebo, Gaia, Malan, Osama, Babangida, Abubakar and Sule. I can’t remember the name
of the other one who left us to join Babangida, Suleiman and Sule.”
El-Rufai condoles Ecwa Church as gunmen kill one, injure others During Church Service
Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai has condoled the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) as gunmen on Sunday morning attacked worshippers during the church service, killing one and leaving others injured.
The incident occurred at the ECWA Church, Gabaciwa in Kachia local government area.
Confirming the incident, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said El-Rufai condemned the attack in the strongest term, describing it as a divisive intent of the criminals leveraging religious sensitivity.
According to him: “Security agencies reported to the Government that the attack occurred at ECWA Church, Gabaciwa in Kachia local government. According to the report, a life was lost and some worshippers were seriously injured, who have been rushed to a medical facility.
“The security agencies are obtaining further details, on which the government will update the public in due course.
“The Governor, who expressed sadness over the incident, described it as an evil act targeting innocent citizens exercising their constitutional and universal rights to religious freedom.
“The Governor added that the attack on the worshippers was a divisive intent of the criminals leveraging religious sensitivity.
“The Governor condoled the ECWA Church and the family of the deceased in particular, and prayed for the repose of the soul of the worshipper.
“The Governor who is awaiting further reports on the incident has directed the Kaduna State State Emergency Management Agency to assess the area and provide succor to the victims receiving medical attention.
“Similarly, the Governor has condoled the family of one Nasiru Abdullahi of Gobirawan Kamacha in Bina general area of Igabi local government who was killed by armed bandits. The Governor also prayed for the repose of his soul.
“As of the time of this update, government is awaiting other situation reports from security agencies.”
Ganduje’s Son Flees To Egypt With His Family After Dragging Mother To EFCC Over Fraud
Abdulazeez Ganduje, the first son of Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, is said to have fled to Egypt with his family after his mother was accused of corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to people acquainted with the case, the young man had taken his mother, Hafsat Ganduje, to the EFCC, indicating a pattern of corruptly exploiting family influence for personal gain.
Governor Ganduje has yet to make a statement on the matter.
According to a daily Nigerian newspaper, the governor’s son fled the country soon after filing the petition to avoid his parents’ “wrath.”
A source was quoted as saying, “Abdulazeez left Nigeria for Egypt with his family immediately after filing the petition. He told us he would remain there until the father leaves office. He has avoided his parents and gone underground since the beginning of the crisis.”
His mother had shunned an invitation extended to her by the anti-graft agency, to report for questioning, over a bribery and land fraud case reported by her son.
Ganduje, the governor, had previously been involved in a corruption-related scandal.
He has struggled to untangle himself from the public perception that he is a corrupt public servant since 2018 when Daily Nigerian published a series of videos that showed the governor collecting money from a government contractor.
Abdulazeez reported to the anti-graft agency that he was approached by a property developer to help facilitate the acquisition of some plots of land in Kano with some hundreds of thousands of US dollars and at least N35 million as “facilitation commission.”
It was further learnt that Abdulazeez said he paid the sum in dollars to his mother, Ganduje.
“But three months later, (the property developer) discovered that the plots of land he wanted and had paid the first family for had been allocated to other buyers and he then requested to be refunded,” a source was quoted as saying.
Asked to comment on the matter, a spokesperson for Kano State Government, Mohammed Garba, said, “I am not aware” and, so, he could not comment.
EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, did not comment on the matter when contacted.
Arsenal Defeats Tottenham 3-1 To Complete A Miserable September For It’s London Rival
Arsenal tore Tottenham apart with three goals in the opening 34 minutes in a 3-1 victory on Sunday that extended its early-season recovery and completed a miserable September for its north London rival in the Premier League.
The goals from Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka completed a third successive league win for Arsenal which lost its opening three games.
In a reversal of fortunes, Tottenham has now lost three in a row in the league after opening with a trio of successes.
The opener came in the 12th minute after Martin Odegaard spread the ball wide to Saka, whose low cross reached the unmarked Smith Rowe to sweep into the net.
Arsenal pounced on the counterattack in the 27th with Smith Rowe squaring for Aubameyang to add the second goal.
Things would get even better for the Gunners as Saka got on the scoresheet.
Thomas Partey stole the ball off Harry Kane and Arsenal again broke behind the Spurs defense with three passes. Smith Rowe found Saka, who ran into the box and was challenged well by a backtracking Kane, only for the loose ball to roll back into the path of his England teammate. Saka then finished low past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Tottenham gave itself a chance to make an unexpected comeback as Son Heung-min turned in a cross from Sergio Reguilon in the 79th. But there would be no recovery for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
We Are Working Tirelessly To Ensure APC Remain In Power For 50 Years – : Ali Modu Sheriff
A former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) bigwigs must work together and build bridges for the party to remain in power for 50 years.
Addressing newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, Sheriff, a three-time Senator who is also a contender for the APC national chairmanship, said critical stakeholders of the ruling party must unite to sustain the party at the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure in 2023.
Former governors and other APC stalwarts have commenced politicking; consultations and horse-trading for the party’s apex office, amid zoning controversy.
Sherif, who has been consulting critical stakeholders, including governors, senators and founding fathers of the APC said, “Today, as a party we are only six years in government, our aspirations are for the APC to be in government in the next 50 years.
“He (Buhari) brought that to the table and what are we going to face after the exit of His Excellency, the President? It is we the APC members that will tell the world that we are capable of getting their trust even when he finished his tenure.
“Doing that, you need everybody. You need people who know the history of the party, where we are coming from, who know the history of this country, someone who has been in different aspects of life and we need to work together, we need to build bridges across the country.
“Doing that doesn’t come on the platter of gold, we need to put in hard work. Therefore, I believe it is important for me to reach out to all leaders of our party; the youths, the women, different organizations to tell them that we must come together to get our party to run for the next 30, 40, 50 years by the grace of God.”
Lai Mohammed Bags Chieftaincy Title As ‘Kakakin Kebbi’
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has been honoured with the title of Kakakin Kebbi, by the Emir of Argungu, Alh Sumaila Mera.
The turbaning which took place at the forecourt of the Palace of the Emir in Argungu town, Kebbi State was on the sideline of the 2021 World Tourism Day to be celebrated in Birnin-Kebbi on Monday.
Speaking at the event, the Emir said the title was conferred on the minister because of his “courage and strength of character in projecting the image of Nigeria locally and internationally”.
Specifically, the Emir said the emirate honoured the minister with the title as a show of appreciation for his effort in promoting the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival to attain international status.
The annual festival which attracts local and international participants and tourists was in 2017 listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Emir also commended past Ministers of Culture and Tourism for their efforts in promoting the festival nationally since 1970.
“Traditionally, Kakakin is an instrument which attracts attention. From the authority of the Emir and the entire people of the emirate, it has now been handed over to the recipient.
“The bearer of the instrument is the trumpet of the Argungu Emirate and he will be traditionally referred to as Kakakin.”
“This gesture will be permanently recorded in the annal of our history that the minister is the Kakakin Kebbi.
“On behalf of the entire people of the emirate, I welcome you most warmly and I want to assure you that we will involve you in all matters of importance in the emirate,” he said.
The traditional rulers charged the minister to reciprocate the gesture by continuing to promote the cultural heritage of Kebbi and Argungu emirate in particular. He assured that the emirate and the country at large would benefit from the wealth of experience of the minister. The minister thanked the Emir and the entire people of the emirate for their affection and generosity in bestowing the honour and title of Kakakin Kebbi on him.
“As the cultural ambassador of Kebbi, I will endeavour that we develop all the festivals in the four emirates in the state in a manner that they will be globally recognised.”
“I will also work assiduously to ensure these festivals become magnet to unite Nigeria and make the state a global tourist destination,” he said.
The minister said the choice of Kebbi for the 2021 celebration of the World Tourism Day was not just by coincidence but well planned and thought out. According to him, Kebbi state is one of the frontline cultural and tourism destinations and all the four emirates in the state have sellable cultural heritages.
“The Argungu fishing and cultural festival is known not just in Nigeria but all over the world and I am proud to say that it is one of the five festivals that have been ascribed intangible heritage of UNESCO.”
“The festival should not be seen from the view point of fishing and entertainment alone. rather it should be seen as a symbol of unity,” he said.
Mohammed said the Hottungo festival in Gwandu emirate of Kebbi is celebrated annually by the Fulani tribe to thank Allah for the safe return of their cattle. He said the Regatta Carnival, celebrated in Yauri Emirate of Kebbi started way back as a measure for protecting bridal trains which were being attacked on the river in those days.
The minister said the Uhola festival in Zuru Emirate is celebrated annually at the end of harvest to thank God for bountiful agricultural produce.
“I am glad that a lot of these cultural practices have been largely modernised.
“In particular is the practice where a prospective bridegroom have to stay seven years in the farm of a father in-law before he can be given his bride,” he said.
The minister said Nigerians are people with history and past and all their festivals are element for unity and oneness. He appealed to the private sector to invest in culture and festivals, stressing that they were the heritage that would be handed over to the children unborn.
The highlights of the event included the hiding of the minister from the crowd shortly after his arrival at the palace with his entourage.
He was later brought out by the Galadima Argungu, Alhaji Murtala Umary who offered prayers and led the minister to a prepared mat on a platform where he sat with Ulamas.
While sitting on the mat, the minister was adorned with his traditional regalia comprising a long red royal cap, a big gown, another chieftancy long gown and turban on his head.While the decoration was going on, the citation of the minister was read and he was later lifted up by the Galadima who presented him to the Emir.
The Emir offered the minister with his instruments of office, a long trumpet and another short one which he said symbolised what he would use in projecting the virtue, culture and traditions of Argungu and Kebbi.
Former French Midfielder Samir Nasri Retires From Football
Former France international Samir Nasri has announced his retirement from football, Naija News reports.
The 34-year old announced his decision on Sunday on Canal+, a media outlet where he is now a pundit.
Nasri came through at Marseille and transferred to Arsenal in 2008, spending three years at Emirates Stadium before he joined Manchester City.
At Manchester City, Nasri won two English Premier League (EPL) titles, a League Cup and a Community Shield.
He joined Sevilla on loan in 2016/2017 and seemed to have revitalised his career in La Liga, though the move was not made permanent.
A short spell in Turkey with Antalyaspor followed, but Nasri mutually terminated his contract in January 2018, before he received a six-month ban from football by UEFA.
This was for breaching WADA rules in December 2016 by receiving an intravenous drip of 500 millilitres of water containing nutrients.
Nasri returned to play with West Ham on a short-term contract in 2018/2019, playing five league games in total.
He linked up with ex-Manchester City teammate Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht the following season, though it was another ill-fated spell and he was released in 2020.
Nasri impressed at Arsenal, scoring 18 league goals and setting up a further seven across during his three seasons at the club, though injuries often kept his appearances down.
He never quite lived up to the billing at Manchester City, though he did help the club to their first-ever Premier League crown in 2011/2012.
In 2013/2014, he scored seven goals and created as many as Manuel Pellegrini’s side clinched the title.
His appearances dwindled later in his Manchester City career, and he played just 12 times in the league in his final full season at the Etihad Stadium.
Nasri started on only four occasions before he was loaned out by Pep Guardiola in 2016.
BREAKING: US Govt prepares 6,700 page documentary evidence for Abba Kyari’s
Embattled police cop, Abba Kyari’s woes are far from over as the United State Government has gathered over 6,700 pages of documentary evidence and 2,700 electronic files from trial in a $1.1 million fraud case involving him and disgraced fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abass a.k.a Hushpuppi.
It can be recalled that Kyari entered hot water earlier this year after he was indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI over his role in a massive $1.1 million fraud carried out on a Qatari businessman by Hushpuppi and a few others.
According to Premium Times, US prosecutors are currently scouring through investigative reports and “new discoveries” including documents obtained from foreign law enforcement. Prosecutors have asked the U.S. District Court for Central California to postpone trial from October 2021 to 17 May, 2022.
The parties jointly filed the application on Friday, citing various reasons for asking for trial postponement.
Apart from the need for additional time by the defence lawyers to prepare for the case, U.S. prosecutors also asked for more time to process troves of documents, including those obtained from foreign countries.
According to the application, the U.S. government has already handed to the defence approximately 2.31 GB of data consisting of 2,707 electronic files. The files contain, among others, exported chat logs, Cellebrite reports, WhatApp messages, audio recordings, etc.
It added that prosecutors were processing approximately 6,773 pages of additional discovery expected to be produced in two weeks’ time.
“Defendants are charged with violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud); § 1956(h) (Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering); and § 1028A(a)(1) (Aggravated Identity Theft).”
“The government has produced discovery to the defense, including approximately 2.31 GB of native data consisting of 2,707 files including exported chat logs, Cellebrite reports, WhatApp messages, audio recordings, and other social media content.”
“The government is currently processing approximately 6,773 pages of additional discovery including investigative reports and documents received from foreign law enforcement agencies for production and anticipates those materials will be produced within approximately two weeks,” the document reads, in part.
Three ready for trial in May, Abba Kyari, two others ‘at large’
The Media Office of the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has urged well-meaning people to disregard the invitation of some Groups, operating under The Nigeria Project 2023, purportedly to the inauguration of a Support Group for the Minister and the Governor of Borno State over the 2023 elections.
The social media was awash at the weekend with a poster from the Group allegedly presenting the Honorable Minister and the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum as Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates respectively of an unnamed political party.
Ordinarily, the poster and the various social media reports almost instantly orchestrated on its account would have been ignored as the handwork of mischief makers. However, it became necessary to issue this disclaimer for two key reasons.
The first of such was to answer with a strong negative to the numerous inquiries from right thinking and well-meaning Nigerians on whether the Honorable Minister had been contacted or if the Groups had his consent in issuing the invitation.
Without equivocation, no individual or Group has contacted the Honorable Minister for or on behalf of The Nigeria Project 2023. As Honorable Minister, Mr Fashola is currently focused on leading his dedicated Team in the Ministry of Works and Housing to deliver on the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari for an expanded and upgraded road transport infrastructure; and affordable Housing nationwide in order to achieve economic growth and prosperity for the citizenry.
Secondly, is the fact that entities unknown to a political party cannot present candidates on behalf of such a political party. As a ranking and loyal member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the individual and groups cited as promoters of The Nigeria Project 2023 are unknown to the APC and the Honorable Minister.
Against the backdrop of the foregoing, the Honorable Minister of Works and Housing , Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN urges members of the public to be wary of the antics of unsolicited individuals and Support Groups whose real intentions remain questionable. Every support possible should be given to the efforts of the current administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver a better nation for all.
BREAKING! CNN discovers location of ‘Radio Biafra’ in London
For years now, Nigerians have asked for the location of ‘Radio Biafra’, a network of internet-based amateur radio stations broadcasting the agenda of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Yesterday, the Cable News Network, CNN, discovered a tucked away down a quiet, leafy street in Peckham, southeast London, the registered address of the group.
CNN described the place as a suburban spot, saying that it is the unlikely location of Radio Biafra.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu founded IPOB in 2012 and established Radio Biafra in 2009. The group was created to restore an independent state of Biafra.
Radio Biafra was also created to disseminate, enlighten, educate, inform and criticise the activities of the Nigerian government by Kanu.
IPOB was banned by the Federal government in 2017. However, in October 19, 2015, Kanu was arrested for treasonable felony, sedition, and ethnic incitement. He was released on bail in 2017 and fled to the UK.
IPOB has criticized the Nigerian federal government for poor investment, political alienation, inequitable resource distribution, ethnic marginalization, heavy military presence, extra-judicial killings in the South-Eastern, South-Central and parts of North-Central regions of the country.
He was re-arrested in Keyan and brought back to Nigeria to face his charges.
