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FG bans SSS1, SSS2 students from taking external WASSCE, NECO, NABTEB

The Federal Government has banned students in Senior Secondary School one and two from applying for and taking external West African Senior School Certificate Examination, the National Examination Council, and National Business and Technical Examinations Board.

This was contained in a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Education to principals of federal unity schools.

It was titled In the circular with no: FME/DBSE/US/DOC/III/16 and signed by the ministry’s Director Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir.

The circular was confirmed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ben Bem Goong, on Friday.

“Yes, that is true. It is aimed at making them concentrate. You also know that it is not the right thing to do,” he said.

When asked if the ban extends to private school students, he replied, “It is not about whether private or public. We are after class. The aim for doing that is clear.”

In the circular, the government threatened to expel any SSS One and Two students who sat the exams.

This, the education ministry, said would help to maintain decorum and boost standards of education in schools.

A copy of the circular obtained by our correspondent on Friday read, “The ministry’s attention has been drawn to the flagrant disregard to its directive on (the) writing of external examinations such as NABTEB (NTC and NBC), WASSCE, NECO (SSCE) by SS1 and SS2 students.

“Students who are involved in the practice find it difficult to settle down on serious studies. They become unruly and distract other students from achieving their goals.

“Any student caught to have written any of the above examinations in SS1 or SS2 classes will be expelled from the college. All students must write these examinations after they have been duly registered for the examination by the college.

“All students of Federal Unity College should adhere strictly to the content of this circular. And Principals are advised to bring the content of this circular to the knowledge of all parents of the college.”

Despite Evidence in handbook, NYSC Makes U-Turn denies express advice for corpers

In what appears to be a tardy disposition to the review of official documents, the management of the National Youth Service Corps has denied an express advice in the handbook issued to youth corps members.The handbook is titled, Security Awareness and Education Handbook For Corps Members and Staff.

The handbook, on page 56, had advised corps members travelling on “high-risk” roads to alert their “family members, friends and colleagues to have someone on hand to pay off the ransom that could be demanded” in case they are kidnapped.

The Scheme listed such roads as “Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja-Lokoja-Okene, or Aba-Port Harcourt” roads.

Page 56 of the handbook stating the reason for ransom
The NYSC denies giving the advice, even when each corps member has the handbook, which has also been obtained by The PUNCH from a youth corps member currently undergoing the mandatory one-year national youth service

in the Batch B Stream 1 cohort.

Source: The Punch

Insecurity: Tell Your Families To Prepare Your Ransoms When Travelling – NYSC Advise Corp Members

Society gazette Reports that the National Youth Service Corps have told Corp members to tell their parents and guardians to prepare for their ransom whenever they are to travel on high risk roads.

This is due to the rising insecurity situation of the country where people get kidnapped on the high way while travelling.

In the NYSC booklet, Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja-Lokoja-Okene-Oba-Portharcourt roads were listed as the high risk roads by the commission.

See post below

https://www.instagram.com/_u/ubifranklintriplemg/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=79245fe4-539f-4653-9334-1d172b36c5d5&ig_mid=4C0105BD-9FF1-4EB3-806D-C74295FF335D

See Full List Of 45 Names Of Individuals Allegedly Sponsoring Boko Haram/ISWAP

A list containing the names of 45 suspects allegedly sponsoring operations of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the country have been revealed.
Recall that the United Arab Emirates had recently released names of terrorism sponsors which included six Nigerians.

Following the release, Nigerians called on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to follow his UAE counterpart by naming and shaming the 400 Boko Haram financiers his government claimed to have arrested in March.

But Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina had in an interview stated that the present administration was only focussed on prosecuting and not shaming terrorists.

This was following an earlier refusal to name Boko Haram Sponsors by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Also speaking from New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami stated that the country would not name sponsors of terrorism.

He however revealed that government has commenced steps to investigate, prosecute and bring to justice 285 Boko Haram financiers.

“Naming and shaming of suspects is not embarked upon as a policy by the federal government out of sheer respect the constitutional rights of Nigerians relating to presumption of innocence,” Malami had said in a statement.

“It is a product of constitutionalism and the law. It is rooted in the law and the names of the suspects will accordingly be made public at the point of judicial arraignment while the. Trials are judicial processes and not about media sensations. Naming and shaming in the Nigerian context must be rooted in constitutionalism. We must strike a balance between constitutional presumption of innocence and evidential proof of reasonable ground for suspicion in making disclosures associated with terrorism funding and financing.”

Sources have now revealed to Sahara Reporters, that only 45 of 400 are being prosecuted by the government before the court based “on prima facie cases of terrorism.”

They include Saidu Ahmed, Ibrahim Sani Bello, Mustapha Musa Adamu, Abubakar Sadiq Garba, Hussein Adamu, Muhammed Sani Adam, Abdulrahman Ibrahim, Ghazali Yusuf, Yusuf Ali Yusuf, Abubakar Adamu Yellow, Zahuraddeen Bashir, Haruna Garba Garo, Ibrahim Aliyu Usman, Hassan Idris, Musa Emma, Alhashim Mohammed Almashim, Baba Samaila, Bulama Tahir, Abubakar Ali, Mohammed Ambare, Danlami Hassan Nadabo, Danladi Talle Inuwa, Bashir Ali, Mansur Muhammad Usaman.

Others are Musa Tasiu Ya’u, Auwalu Ali Alhassan, Sadi Saidu Abdullahi, Suraj Adamu, Muhammed Auwalu, Ismaila Abdullaziz Mohammed, Munzali Ashiru Gambo, Yazid Muhammad Usman, Nabil Zakari, Gambo Auwalu, Muhammed Abba, Bashir Idris Shuaibu, Mohammed Yahaya, Auwalu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Umar Usman, Dahiru Umar Mohammed, Abdullahi Mohammed, Abubakar Yahaya, Hussaini Lawali Idrisu, Ladann Ibrahim, Nurudeen Gani Aliyu.

Source: Naija News

Nigerian Army reacts to video of Soldier dehumanizing Corper

The Nigerian Army (NA) says it has taken cognizance of a video clip currently making the rounds on social media, where a commissioned female officer, Lt. Chika Viola Anele was videoed dehumanising a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ezeiruaku Ifeyinwa Fidelia. Fidelia was serving at 13 Brigade Headquarters in Calabar, Cross River State. The harassment happened after an argument between the duo.

The Army in a statement on Thursday by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, its Director Public Relations, condemned the “unprofessional” act and stated that it is “against established precepts of discipline in the NA”. Apologetic Nigerian Army also noted that Lt. Anele has been sanctioned.

The Nigerian Army’s statement reads: “The NA therefore, condemns in strong terms, this act of gross misconduct. Undoubtedly, the officer’s actions has caused the NA monumental embarrassment and is highly regrettable. This unfortunate act of indiscipline does not in anyway represent the NA and will not be condoned in its entirety.

“For the records, the ugly incident happened in 13 Brigade, Calabar. The Brigade Commander immediately instituted an investigation and the officer involved has been identified and sanctioned on the interim and would be made to undergo regimental orders (trial) in line with the extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act. The submission that the Brigade attempted covering up was therefore misleading, as the NA remains a professional force that has zero tolerance for indiscipline amongst its personnel.

“The NA wishes to reiterate and assure the general public that such infractions would not be tolerated from its personnel. The NA also reassures that the rights of the citizenry is sacrosanct and must be respected by all personnel of the NA, as any form of infraction will be severely dealt with.”

“Therefore, the general public is enjoined to continue to report such infractions, as Human Rights Desks in all formations of the NA are emplaced to deal decisively with such erring personnel.”

“The NA further wishes to tender unreserved apology to the victim, her family members, friends, National Youth Service Corps and to Nigerians in general for the unwholesome treatment meted out to the Corps member.”

BREAKING: One policeman killed, scores wounded As Task Force, Okada Riders Clash In Lagos

Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, also known as Lagos Taskforce, on Thursday clashed with commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada in Ajao Estate, Airport road, Lagos.

One policeman has been confirmed dead and several wounded.

It was gathered that Task Force officers seized bikes and it turned violent.

More to follow…

Breaking: Police Arrest Masterminds Of Bethel Baptist School Students Kidnap

The long arm of the law has caught up with three of the criminal masterminds behind the abduction of over 100 students of Bethel Baptist school, Kaduna State.
The criminals were arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police and were paraded on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba at the headquarters of defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), in Abuja.

The three suspects identified as Adamu Bello, Isiaku Lawal, and Muazu Abubakar told journalists on ground that 25 of them executed the abduction of the students.

Speaking on why they kidnapped the students, the suspects, dressed in military camouflage, confessed it was because of money.

“Twenty-five of us carried out the operation. We kidnapped 136 students and I got N100,000 share from the money,” 27-year-old Abubakar said.

More details later…

Source: Naija News

Fresh Trouble For Abba Kyari As Court Orders Police To Pay N50 Million Fine Over Illegal Arrest By Embattled Super Cop

A Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Gudu Judicial Division Abuja, per Adebiyi J. has ordered the Nigerian police force to pay a fine of N50 million over the ‘illegal arrest and detention’ of Mrs. Ngozi Umeadi by officers of the Intelligence Response Team, IRT when it was being led by embattled police chief, Abba Kyari.

Umeadi is being represented by IPOB lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor. He had instituted a case against the police over the illegal arrest, torture and continued detention of Mrs. Umeadi since February 2021 till date.

In a Judgement delivered on Thursday morning, Hon. Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi of Court No. 28, Gudu Judicial Division, Abuja, declared Umeadi’s arrest and continued detention by the Operatives of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Unit, hitherto led by Abba Kyari ‘illegal and a gross violation of her fundamental Human Rights’.

The Court further directed for her immediate and unconditional release from custody, and consequently awarded exemplary and aggravated damages of N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira Only) against the Police as reparation.

The Court further directed in her Judgement that the Police should tender an unreserved apology to Mrs Ngozi Umeadi, which apology will be published in two National Dailies. Speaking on the case, her lawyer, Ejiofor said;

“We shall leave no stone unturned to ensure that the terms of this judgment is carried out to the letter.”

“We shall also be speedily following up on prompt compliance with these terms of judgment, while other pending applications affecting others still in this category are being addressed in Court. Do not lose hope.”

“However, be assured that justice can only be delayed but not denied. All persons illegally arrested and still being detained by the lawless Nigerian Security Agencies shall get justice. We are not relenting.”

Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Kidnap Pregnant woman, two others in Ogun forest, demand N30m Ransom

Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Kidnap Pregnant woman, two others in Ogun forest, demand N30m
Ransom

Suspected Fulani herdsmen have abducted three persons, including a pregnant woman, and demanded N10m ransom for each of them.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Sunday along the Igbo-Ora-Sokoto Road while going to visit their friend in Rounda, in the Abeokuta-North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

A source close to one of the victims told our correspondent that the kidnappers laid ambush for the victims around the area, known as Karigo.

The source said among the victims was a woman with eight months’ pregnancy.

He said the kidnappers reached out to the family members of the victims two days after and demanded N10m from each of them.

While narrating the incident, the source said the residents were five that embarked on the short trip, but two escaped from the kidnappers.

“The victims went to greet someone at Karigo Bus-stop at Rounda.

“The road was bad and so they parked their vehicle somewhere in the area and headed to their destination on foot.

“The two persons that escaped said the kidnappers were Fulani herdsmen, known as Bororos; the husband of the pregnant woman escaped,” he added.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident.

Oyeyemi, however, described the victims as worshippers who went into the forest for a special prayer before they were abducted.

He said, “Since that very day, our people have been on their trail. Our tactical team has been trying to rescue them.

“But our people should also be careful; they should stop organising ‘prayer mountain’ inside the forest.

“This is not the best time to be doing that. We also want to warn our people that if they are coming from a journey and their car breaks down in an isolated area, they should leave that place and go to the nearest police station in that area to inform them so that the police will stay with them pending the time that they would finish repairing the vehicle.

“So, if a vehicle breaks down in an isolated area and you are standing by that vehicle, you are making yourself an easy prey for kidnappers, especially all those areas where we have thick forests.”

Family begs as kidnappers demand N5m for 68-year-old Rivers victim
In a related development, the family of a 68-year-old retired civil servant, Tamunokro Ibisikiminapaka, from Kaliama in the Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, has appealed to his kidnappers to release him unconditionally.

Ibisikiminapaka was abducted in the wee hours of Wednesday, September 15, 2021, when some gunmen broke into his residence in Borikiri, Port Harcourt, and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, one of his children, Osimiepreye Kalio, said the kidnappers had contacted the family and demanded N5m to free him.

While pleading for his release, she said her father had health challenges, including diabetes, which needed regular checks and medication.

In an emotion-laden voice, Kalio said the incident had devastated the family, especially as they had not heard from him or the kidnappers for the past three days.

“Please release him so that he can come back to us. We are pleading,” she added. ,,

Source: The Punch

Time Is Not Yet Ripe To Disclose names, shame sponsors of terrorism For Purpose Of Investigation — Malami Reveals

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, assured yesterday that no stone would be left unturned in the prosecution of Boko Haram financiers, saying it wasn’t yet time to name and shame their sponsors.

Malami, in a statement signed by his media aide Dr. Umar Gwandu, said investigation to unravel those behind activities of insurgents in the country hadreached advanced stage.

According to the statement, the AGF, who spoke during an interview with journalists in New York, in continuation of the ongoing 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, stressed that time was not ripe for holistic disclosures, so as not to pre-empt the investigation process.

He said FG would take all steps to ensure a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, adding that the public “would be properly and adequately informed about the investigation and prosecution process at the appropriate milestones as they unfold”.

“The position, as it stands, is that investigation has reached advanced stage and the Government will make statement in that direction in due course.

“Time is not ripe for holistic disclosures so as not to pre-empt the investigation process. The prime object remains the attainment of peace and security of our dear nation.

“As far as terrorism funding and financing is concerned, we have succeeded in identifying those that are allegedly responsible for funding same and we are blocking the leakages associated with funding while embarking on aggressive investigation that is indeed impacting positively in terms of the fight against terrorism.

“The truth of the matter is that investigation is ongoing and advancing. For the purpose of investigation I would not like to be pre-emptive in terms of making disclosures that will have effect of undermining the successes we are recording.

“One thing I can tell you for sure is that whatever we do in terms of detention and arrest is indeed backed-up by judicial processes.

“We have acquired and obtained legitimate court orders taking into consideration the facts and material proof of evidence presented before the court on account of which the court eventually exercises its discretion in terms of granting orders that we can have the suspects in custody pending the conclusion of the investigation,” Malami stated.

He said the FG, through the Complex Case Group of the Department of Public Prosecution of the Federation in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, reviewed over 1000 Boko Haram Case files, out of which 285 have been filed before the Federal High Court based on prima facie cases of terrorism against them.

“The delay witnessed in prosecution process was occasioned by COVID-19 lockdown, Judiciary Staff Union (JUSUN) Strike and court vacation.

“Naming and shaming of suspects is not embarked upon as a policy by the federal Government out of sheer respect the constitutional rights of Nigerians relating to presumption of innocence.

“Naming and shaming in the Nigerian context must be rooted in constitutionalism.

“We must strike a balance between constitutional presumption of innocence and evidential proof of reasonable ground for suspicion in making disclosures associated with terrorism funding and financing.

“Where reasonable grounds are established, suspects must be naturally taken to court at which point their identity must be disclosed and the naming become apparent. ’’

“Shaming, on the other hand, is the product of conviction at which point the public are equally judicially put on noticed.

“In essence naming and shaming within the context of Nigerian law are judicial functions which commence with arraignment and terminate with convictions.

“Naming and shaming is not unguided and unregulated process. It is not like a discarded ship left at the mercy of winds and tides”, the statement further read.