The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali reportedly rejected a report by a panel setup to investigate the indictment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.
According to Punch, the IGP rejected an earlier report submitted by the four-man Panel led by Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike.
It was earlier reported that Kyari got into trouble after a US court issued a warrant for his arrest over his alleged involvement in a $1.1m Internet fraud allegedly perpetrated by an Instagram influencer, Abbas Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi and four others; AbdulRahman Juma ; Vincent Kelly Chibuzo (Kelly); Rukayat Motunrayo Fashola; and Bolatito Agbabiaka.
The FBI claimed that Kyari detained Chibuzor at the behest of Hushpuppi for one month to enable the latter and his co-conspirators to fleece their Qatari victim of over $1m.
However, Kyari has appeared before the panel several times since it was setup and has fiercely defended himself against the allegations.
The Panel submitted a report to the IG last week but was rejected for being to ‘lenient’ on the Super Cop.
The panel resubmitted another report on Monday after the IGP expressed discomfort with panel’s earlier findings and recommendations.
Taliban Renames Country Islamic Emirate Of Afghanistan As US Evacuates Citizens, Others
The Taliban who recently seized power in Afghanistan has renamed it the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’.
The media had been filled with reports that many Afghans in a bid to leave the Middle East country had ran alongside a US military plane as it taxied on the runway while several clung to the side as the jet took off with Senior US military officials.
This online highlights the chaos the country is presently rocked with.
The US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 that ousted the insurgents from power did not succeed in completely removing the Taliban’s who had ran the country in the late 1990s.
According to CNN, hundreds of people poured onto the tarmac at Kabul’s international airport, desperately seeking a route out of Afghanistan on Monday after the Taliban’s sudden seizure of power sparked a chaotic Western withdrawal and brought to a crashing end the United States’ two-decade mission in the country.
Speaking yesterday, US President Joe Biden had stated that his country cannot continue to fight a war that Afghanistan are not ready to fight.
According to the president, measures are been put in place to ensure the safe evacuation of US officials and those residents that have been of great help to the US.
He disclosed that additional troops would be deployed to secure the Kabul international airport.
‘I Stand Firmly behind my decision’, Biden defends U.S. Decision To Pull Out of Afghanistan
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, on Monday, defended his administration’s decision to pull out of Afghanistan.
Mr Biden, a day after Taliban militants seized control of the country, said he stood firmly by his decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, adding that there was never going to be a right time to do that.
He argued in a televised address that he was faced with a choice to either follow through with the drawdown or escalate the conflict into its third decade and ultimately sacrifice more American lives.
“I stand squarely behind my decision,” the 46th American president said. “After 20 years, I’ve learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw U.S. forces. That’s why we’re still there.”
“Afghanistan political leaders gave up and fled the country; the Afghan military collapsed, sometimes without trying to fight,” Mr Biden said. “If anything, the developments of the past week reinforce that ending U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan now was the right decision.”
He said the 20-year mission was not meant to be about “nation building” or “creating a unified, central democracy”, but was designed to prevent a terrorist attack on American soil.
In Kabul, the Taliban seized power on Sunday following President Ashraf Ghani’s departure from the country, bringing an end to the two decades war.
Less than 24 hours after the Taliban takeover, chaos erupted at Kabul’s international airport as thousands of Afghans raced to flee the country.
A harrowing video on the internet showed Afghans storming the military side of the airport and clinging to a U.S. Air Force plane as it attempted to move down the tarmac. In the video, some people appear to fall to their death as the aircraft took off.
The U.S. president appeared to be caught off-guard by the Taliban’s rapid rise saying
things unfolded quicker than anticipated.
“The truth is, this did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated,” Mr Biden said, noting that his administration was prepared for all scenarios but that the Afghan government and military were unwilling to defend their own country.
“American troops cannot and should not be fighting in a war and dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves,” he said.
BREAKING: Ex-Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu Is Dead
A former Deputy Senate President and chieftain of the PDP, Ibrahim Nasiru Mantu, is dead.
Naija News gathered that the former Plateau Central Senator died in the early hours of Tuesday (today) after a brief illness.
It was learned that the former legislator fell ill about nine days ago and was receiving treatment at home until he was rushed to the Diff hospital in Abuja, where he eventually passed on.
Speaking with Daily Trust, a source said the funeral prayer would be held today in Abuja, and that necessary funeral arrangements are being made.
Early life
Alhaji Ibrahim Nasiru Mantu was born on February 16, 1947, in the present Plateau State. Mantu is one of the few Nigerians who take politics seriously and had from the onset decided to make it a full-time vocation.
Apart from his profession, which he read, at the Professional School of Saksmanship, Lagos and the London University U.K, he was variously at the vanguard of the leadership of most of the political parties of his time.
Mantu was Deputy National Chairman, defunct Liberal Convention, Director-General Defunct National Republican Convention, Presidential campaign 1993; National Chairman, defunct Peoples Democratic Alliance, National Publicity Secretay defunct United Nigeria Congress Party.
He was a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Plateau CentralConstitueny) under the Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP) and appointed DeputySenate President, 2000. Alhaji Mantu was also the General Patron of the Nigerian Youth Organisation; Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Journalism and General Patron Bida Hall, University of Lagos.
Late Mantu was also honoured as the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Just In: Police Delares Two Princes Wanted As Olu of Warri Crown Goes Missing
The Nigerian Police Force has declared two sons of the Late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko, wanted for stealing the royal crown.
It was gathered that Prince Onyowoli Emiko and Prince Omatsuli Emiko are currently wanted for breaking into the Private apartment of HRM Olu of Warri and stealing the Royal Crown.
Warrants of Arrest have been issued for both men by a Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo state. POLITICS NIGERIA is in possession of the special police gazzette bulletin declaring both men wanted.
It was issued by the Force Criminal Investigation Department Zone ‘5’ Headquarters, Benin City on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday congratulated the President-elect of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, on his victory in the presidential election of August 12, 2021.
Buhari applauded the people of Zambia who came out in their numbers to exercise their civic rights, voting candidates of their choice, signposting that the prospect of a united, stable and prosperous Africa lies in the power of the people to freely elect their leaders.
He also commended President Edgar Lungu for accepting the outcome of the election and a peaceful transfer of power.
Buhari noted that their patriotic disposition deserves the praise of all lovers of democracy.
His message was confirmed in a statement sent to DAILY POST signed by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President.
Highlighting the close and historic relationship between Nigeria and Zambia, the Nigerian leader looked forward to working very closely with the Zambian President-elect for the peace, development and prosperity of both nations.
Three Victims Of Zamfara College Abduction Escape From Kidnappers
Three persons comprising two staff and a student have escaped from their abductors who kidnapped them from the Zamfara College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Bakura.
The Deputy Provost of the College, Ali Atiku confirmed the development while speaking with newsmen on Monday morning.
He added that the escapees returned to the school premises early on Monday morning.
Atiku further disclosed that in total, the gunmen abducted 15 students (all males) as well as three women and one other person.
The abductors also killed two of the security guards in the school.
According to him, “Two staff and one student escaped from the bandits after they kidnapped them and returned to the school early this morning.
“As I am talking to you now, we have formally discovered that the bandits have kidnapped 15 students all of them male, three women and one person who are also our staff and killed two of our security watchmen.”
It will be recalled that the kidnap of some students and teachers of the College of Agriculture and Animal Health in Bakura, Zamfara State.
The abduction was confirmed by the Deputy Registrar of the college, Aliyu Bakura while speaking with BBC Hausa.
Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops, under the Ecclesiastical Province of Kaduna, yesterday accused northern governors of formulating policies and programmes geared towards a particular religion, alleging that this was responsible for attacks on Christian faithful in the North
In a statement jointly signed by Archbishop of Kaduna, Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso and Archbishop of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province, John Namaza Niyiring, the bishops, lamented that “Church leaders have been kidnapped, tortured and in some cases, gruesomely murdered for no reason other than that they bear the Cross of Christ”.
NDLEA Arrests Italy-Bound Woman With Heroin Concealed In Hair Cream Relaxer
Society gazette reports that Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said they have arrested an Italy-Bound woman With 100 wraps of heroin at the Lagos airport.
The agency said the suspect, Mrs. Nnadi, was arrested on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, during an outward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways flight to Florentine, Italy. The drugs found on her were concealed in five containers of hair relaxer cream.
In a statement signed by the Director, Media & Advocacy of the agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said the agency have sustained their nationwide offensive action against drug traffickers with strings of arrests and seizures.
Babafemi also added, “On Thursday, 12th August, 2021, operatives of the MMIA Command of the agency intercepted a United Kingdom bound consignment of illicit drugs at the NAHCO export shed of the airport. Further investigation reveals the consignment contains 66.600kg of cannabis sativa; 1.600kg heroin and 1.450kg of cocainewithacombinedweight of 69.65kilograms, all concealed inside cosmetics.
“Earlier, precisely Thursday, 5th August, narcotic officers on routine patrol intercepted another consignment of 25.8 kilogrammes of cocaine and cannabis concealed inside food items going to London, U.K. at NAHCO export warehouse. When the export package was opened and examined, 2.3kg of cocaine and 23.5kg of compressed cannabis were discovered inside.
“During a patrol operation along Akure-Owo road, a team of operatives from Owo Area command of the Agency also intercepted a bus from Lagos en route Owo to Ibilo, Kogi State on 7th August. Recovered from the vehicle were six parcels of skunk weighing 3.6kg; 30 pinches of Crack Cocaine weighing 87grams and six sachets of Arizona weighing 265grams. Two suspects have been arrested in connection to the drug trafficking,” he said.
In the same vein, Benue State Command of the agency on Friday 13th, August, arrested an interstate trafficker, Eze Victor Ezenwanne, at Apir- Aliade Road, Makurdi with 65.436kilogrammes of diazepam tablets. Same day, a suspected fake soldier, Adeyemi Segun Olamide was arrested in Maiduguri, Borno State with 650 grammes of skunk while a Nigerian Army ex-staff sergeant, Muffat Ekong, and one Frank Iredia Obamwonyi were arrested on Wednesday 11th August with 286.3 kilogrammes of cannabis at Ogwashi Uku, Delta State on their way to Enugu State.
‘Our Members Are Not killers’ – Irigwe Youths Deny Involvement In Plateau Killings
Irigwe Development Association has denied its involvement in the killing of over 20 travellers in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Recall that a militia group had attacked some commuters killing over 20 Muslims and injuring scores on Saturday morning, along Rukuba road, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Following the killing, Governor Simon Bako Lalong imposed a 24-hour curfew in Jos North and dusk-to-dawn in Bassa and Jos South local government areas.
In a statement on Sunday by its Secretary-General, Danjuma Dickson Auta, Irigwe youths condemned the gruesome massacre of the Muslim travellers, saying that its members are not killers.
He denied reports from the police and other security agencies alleging that the killing was carried out by Irigwe youths and their sympathisers.
Auta berated the spokesperson of the state police command, ASP Ubah Gabriel, for accusing the Irigwe group of killing the religious faithful.
Auta, however, appealed for calm even as the government is doing everything possible to restore peace in the area and the state at large.
The statement reads: “We observed with dismay the unfortunate incident around Rukuba road where some hoodlums attacked innocent commuters which led to the loss of many lives and properties.
“As a nation that is known for peaceful coexistence, we hereby condemn such act and disassociate ourselves from it, as it was carried out far from where our onwards journey was proceedings and was not carried out by any of our members.
“We read with dismay, press statement from the police and other security agencies alleging that the act was carried out by Irigwe youths and their sympathisers. We wish to make it clear that today the Irigwe nation had declared it a day of mourning and it is not in our culture to be involved in anything of such while we’re mourning.”
“On Saturday we had to bury the last six residents killed last week in the village of Bassa in an attack by herdsmen.
“Therefore, we distance ourselves from the act and appeal for calm even as the government is doing everything possible to restore peace in the area and the state at large.”
Few hours after imposing a dusk-to-dawn curfew on three Local Government Areas of Jos North, Jos South and Bassa in Plateau State, Governor Simon Lalong yesterday declared a 24-hour curfew in Jos North to contain escalating security threat.
The governor, in a statement signed by his Director of Press, Simon Macham, urged citizens to abide by the curfew and remain indoors to allow security agencies maintain law and order and deal with those bent on causing chaos, adding that the 24-hour curfew on Jos North Council will remain in force until further notice.
The statement read in part: “From 2:00p.m. of today (Sunday), a 24-hour curfew will come into effect in Jos North Local Government Area. This is necessitated by security reports, which indicate rising threats to the safety of lives and properties within the Local Government. If necessary measures are not taken, there would be a breakdown of law and order in the council, which would spread to other parts of the state.”
It was gathered yesterday that rioters had attacked some worshippers in churches at Faringada and Terminus areas of the city, destroying properties and causing mayhem in reaction to weekend’s killing of 23 persons at Bassa.
Also, the management of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) has suspended the ongoing second-semester examinations for the 2019/2020 academic session with immediate effects following security threats in the state.
In a statement yesterday, the Deputy Registrar, Information and Publications, Abdullahi Abdullahi, said: “Following the unfortunate security breach that occurred in some parts of Jos Metropolis, which has led the Plateau State Government to impose a 24-hour curfew in Jos North, the management of the university has approved the suspension of the ongoing second semester examinations.
“Consequently, all examinations earlier scheduled between Monday, August 16 and Saturday, August 21, have been suspended until further notice.”
It added: “All students residing in the various hostels are hereby strongly advised to remain within their hostels of residence and avoid unnecessary movements as management is working round the clock in close collaboration with security agencies to ensure that lives and property of members of the university community are adequately protected. Students that are resident outside the campuses are also advised to remain at home during this period.”
Already, tension has gripped Jos, the Plateau State capital, over the mass burial of victims killed during the attack.
It was gathered that the people of Irigwe were on their way to Bassa for a mass burial after retrieving bodies of those killed in clashes between July 29 and August 9, when trouble started at Rukuba road axis Jos. Hoodlums had blocked natives on their way to burying their loved ones in the ensued fracas, which led to killing at both sides of Rukuba axis of Jos North council.
Confirming the incident, the Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Gabriel Ubah, said security personnel have taken charge of the area. “At the moment, the area is calm and residents are going about their lawful businesses.”
However, troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) yesterday morning, rescued seven more victims of the attack on commuters in Jos. Major Ishaku Takwa, the military Information Officer said: “The victims have been taken to a safe place for medical attention and care. The troops are still on search operation to find the remaining missing victims.”
The victims were said to be returning from the annual Zikr prayer in Bauchi State and heading for Ikare in Ondo State when they ran into irate youths mourning their kinsmen earlier killed by suspected herdsmen.
No fewer than 20 suspects have been arrested in connection with the massacre of 23 travellers. A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, noted that besides the arrests, “33 victims were rescued.”
He said the Inspector-General, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the immediate deployment of a Police Intervention Team to Plateau to carry out an on-the-spot assessment and ensure an enhanced coordinated response to protect the community and boost public confidence in the affected areas.
The Police Intervention Team is led by Sanusi N. Lemu, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, who is also the coordinating DIG, North-Central geopolitical zone.
REACTING, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed displeasure over the tragic incident that led to the loss of 23 travellers. The governors, in a statement, noted that “the killing has all the colourations of several others like it where locals in particular parts of the country have become inhospitable and unwelcoming to other Nigerians living in or passing through their domains.”
The statement signed by the Head, Media and Public Affairs of the NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, said: “The dastardly actions of Nigeria’s once peaceful locals, which have resulted in unwarranted and needless deaths, diminish us all as a people and pulls our country down to the deepest recesses of the absence of civilisation.”
The NGF called on all aggrieved ethnic nationalities and their militia to avoid needless killings of this nature by always seeking the assistance of law enforcement agencies.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State chapter, has equally expressed concern over the rising incidences of violence in the state as well as deep pain over the recent attacks in Riyom, Jos North, Barakin Ladi and Irigwe Chiefdom in Bassa council.
A statement signed by state chairman, Very Reverend Father Polycarp Lubo, said every life is precious and the unlawful killing of any human regardless of their identity and affiliation is unacceptable.
Father Lubo conveyed the association’s condolences and sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as those displaced or suffered harm of any kind. The Plateau CAN is also praying that the needless killings are quickly brought to an end.
ALSO, Muslim groups such as the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), National Council of Muslim Youth Organisation (NACOMYO), Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and Muslims Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) have condemned the Jos killing.
NSCIA, in a statement by the Director of Administration, Arc Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, appealed to Muslims to be calm and not take laws into their hands. NSCIA said it was monitoring the development and would ensure justice is done.
While commiserating with the victims and the host, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, the council urged security officials to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.
Secretary of the Plateau chapter of NACOMYO, Malam Ali Ali, called on the state government and security agencies to look into the series of criminal attacks against individuals and communities in the state to come out with a lasting solution.
Director of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, condemned the massacre, saying “it is barbaric. We reject the crocodile tears of Governors Lalong of Jos and Akeredolu of Ondo State, who claimed that the attack was a case of mistaken identity. This excuse is the first sign of executive conspiracy. It is a shame that Akeredolu will trivialise the massacre of citizens of his own state simply because the victims happen to be Muslims.”
Meanwhile, the MMPN has demanded immediate probe of alleged killing by Christian militias in both Plateau and Sokoto states. In a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, president of the group in Abuja, called for probe of the incident and punishment of the offenders.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has also asked for calm and understanding among the people of Plateau amid violent attacks and killings. In a statement by spokesman of the Forum, Emmanuel Yawe, yesterday, he said, “last month, there was an attack on over 20 farms in Miango, Bassa council. Unknown terrorists, suspected to be herdsmen, attacked and destroyed maize farms.
“Governor Lalong, who visited the destroyed farms, was visibly angry and called on security agents to apprehend these criminals. There is no evidence that they have been fished out until we had this latest killing.
“What is happening in Plateau is a clear indication that hostilities have resumed and the bad old days of ‘tit for tat’ are back again on the Plateau. We call on the people of Plateau to remain calm. Religious and traditional leaders must impress on their people to exercise restraint and not take the laws in their hands.”
