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Presidency: “Nigeria Is Not Constructing Rail Line Into Niger”

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Presidency: "Nigeria Is Not Constructing Rail Line Into Niger"

The Presidency has debunked the impression making the rounds that the Kano-Katsina-Jibia-Maradi railway line will be built by Nigeria and extended into the territory of the neighbouring Niger Republic.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Wednesday, approved $1.96 billion for a rail project, starting from Kano and terminating at Maradi.

However, explaining the scope and form of the project in a number of tweets on his verified Twitter handle, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the Nigerian end of the rail line would terminate at the country’s end of the border with Niger.

According to the spokesman, Nigeria and the Niger Republic signed an agreement in 2015 to build a track from their ends, explaining that the two works, named the ‘Kano-Katsina-Maradi Corridor Master Plan (K2M)”, would meet at the border.

“Nigeria isn’t building rail line into Niger but, only to the designated Border point,” Shehu said. “An agreement between Nigeria and Niger in 2015, coordinated by the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission for Cooperation has a plan for “Kano-Katsina-Maradi Corridor Master Plan, (K2M)” as it is called.

“Going by this, the two nations would each build a rail track to meet at the border town of Maradi.

“Nigerian delegates to that meeting comprised officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Boundaries Commission, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Water Resources as well as those of Kano & Katsina states.

“The objective of the rail is the harnessing of raw materials, mineral resources and agricultural produce.

“When completed, it will serve domestic industries and play the role of a a viable transportation backbone to the West African subregion, starting with the neighboring Niger Republic for their export and import logistic chain,”Shehu said.

Botched Operation: Gunrunners Kill DSS Agent In Plateau State

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Botched Operation: Gunrunners Kill DSS Agent In Plateau State

An officer of the Department of State Services in Plateau State, Barrister Muktar Modibbo, has died after armed gunmen in a gunrunning ring opened fire on him and other officers during an operation.

A top security source within the DSS told SaharaReporters on Thursday that the incident occurred during a raid on the criminals’ hideout in Shendam Local Government Area of the state.

The gunrunners, who supply illicit weapons to sinister groups that perpetuate violence within the state, were initially traced to Qu’anpan Local Government Area by the secret police but the operation was aborted after it was discovered that intel had leaked to the gunrunners, who then swiftly changed location.

The security source said after receiving new intelligence that the arms smugglers were in Shendam, a team was constituted to burst their operation.

The operation was, however, met with heavy shooting from the criminals, who were well equipped with sophisticated firearms and seemed to have had prior intel about the raid.

The resulting gunfire led to the death of Modibbo, who also worked with the legal department of the security outfit.

“They (gunrunners) also took his weapon, a Galil Automatic Rifle, and a few other things,” the source added.

SAHARA REPORTERS

BREAKING: Gas Tanker Explodes At Ajuwon, Iju Ishaga, Lagos

By
Akintomide Aroso
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BREAKING: Gas Tanker Explodes At Ajuwon, Iju Ishaga, Lagos

A gas explosion occurred at Iju- Ajuwon road, Iju- Ishaga area of Lagos on Thursday afternoon, injuring many people and destroying properties worth millions.

Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said operatives of the agency are enroute the scene. At the time of filing this report, they have arrived the scene.

Scene of another gas explosion in Lagos

Details later…

Troops Angry As Army Fails To Recognize Soldiers Killed With Colonel

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Troops Angry As Army Fails To Recognize Soldiers Killed With Colonel

Troops of the Nigerian Army are furious at the authorities for not recognizing other soldiers killed alongside Dahiru Bako, a colonel and Commander of the Brigade.

Bako was Commander of Sector 2, Operation Lafiya Dole, the team combating terrorism in the North-East region of the country before he was killed.

The senior military officer lost his life on Monday in an ambush set up by the insurgents, according to a report by HumAngle.

Three other soldiers killed alongside Bako were not recognized nor given any respect or befitting burial.

The identities of the three fallen soldiers are Lance Corporal Oluwaseyi, Lance Corporal Nwobuji Desmond and Private Aliyu Ibrahim.

It was reported that their family was not also given any official condolence by the military.

An insider, who spoke with HumAngle, stated that by this, authorities continually alienate their subordinates and fail to show patriotic examples in leadership.

SAHARA REPORTERS

Workers Stripped Naked On Ex-minister’s Order Demand N1bn, Apology

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Workers Stripped Naked On Ex-minister’s Order Demand N1bn, Apology

FOUR former employees of Signatious Hotel, Warri, Delta State, who were reportedly stripped on the order of the chairman of the hotel and former Minister of State for Education, Mr Kenneth Gbagi, have demanded N1bn compensation and public apology from him.

The victims’ legal team, led by Mr Kunle Edun of Tri-Lex Partners law firm, made the demands, among others in a September 23, 2020 letter sent to Gbagi, who is also a lawyer, on Wednesday.

The letter was titled, ‘Trial by ordeal, torture, stripping naked and bestial conduct of Signatious Hotel and yourself in an organised show of shame and animalism: Notice of intention to seek full legal redress’.

Edun stated that their clients, Mr Victor Ephraim, Gloria Oguzie, Mrs. Precious Achibong, Roselyn Okiemute Diaghwarhe, because of the tips a guest who lodged at the hotel for four days gave to them on his departure on August 20, 2020.The letter read in part, “That after the guest’s stay, he gave our clients the sum of N105, 000 as tips for the good time that he had at the hotel.

“This again, is not unusual in the hospitality business. That the hotel did not lose any money neither was any alleged to have been stolen.

“You told our clients menacingly that they are not entitled to tips, as all tips belong to you. As a matter of fact, you categorically stated that they were not supposed to have monies in their accounts as long as they were working for you.”

The letter added that on September 17, 2020, Gbagi allegedly forcibly took the victims, one of whom was a married woman to the hotel warehouse in the presence and assistance of the armed mobile policemen and at gunpoint ordered them “to pull off their clothes”.

The letter stated that with “the threatening presence of the armed policemen who willingly did your bidding, you directed your son of 15 years old (a minor) Master Egba Gbagi, to film and take photos of our clients’ nakedness” and then “summoned the other staff of the hotel to see the nakedness of our clients”.

The lawyers gave the ex-minister five days to among others, pay their clients N1bn “as modest damages and compensation for the unmitigated actions of yours.”

Kingmakers Demand Oluwo’s Dethronement For Alleged Misconduct

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Kingmakers Demand Oluwo’s Dethronement For Alleged Misconduct
Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanni

A group of 12 chiefs in Iwo town have demanded the removal of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, for allegedly engaging in acts unbecoming of a traditional ruler.

The group, under the aegis of the Concerned Kingmakers of Iwoland, made the demand in a petition to the Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

The letter, dated September 9, a copy of which was obtained by The PUNCH on Wednesday, was titled, ‘Petition for the removal of Oba Adewale Akanbi (Oluwo of Iwo) from the throne of Iwoland.’

The chiefs said Akanbi, after his coronation in 2016, declared himself ‘Emperor,’ a title they said was unknown to Iwo history, adding that in July same year, the royal father stirred another controversy when he declared that all Yoruba men were entitled to the stool of the Ooni of Ife.

The petitioners also accused him of engaging in a fight against some notable personalities within and outside his domain.

“Oba Adewale Akanbi has penchant for fighting notable personalities within and outside Iwoland. At the moment, Oba Adewale fought Chief Abiola Ogundokun, Imran Adio, (a leading Islamic cleric) whom he removed as Otun Ajanasi. He insulted the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Orangun of Ila, and other prominent Obas in the state,” the petition added.

But the Press Secretary to the Oluwo, Alli Ibrahim, in a statement, said some of those who signed the petition were pressured into doing it by “a detractor.”

He said, “The detractor has gone beyond many times to discredit Oba Akanbi and failed serially. The recent was to divide the kingmakers, but it was dead on arrival. The achievements of Oluwo endeared him to Iwo (people) more. You can’t run down what your children may benefit (from) in the future.”

When contacted for more clarifications, two of the chiefs who signed the petition, Yekeen Bello, Osa of Iwo; and Raufu Olorunlampe, Balogun of Iwo, refused to confirm or deny signing the petition.

The PUNCH

Edo Election: I Am Not Down As Nigerians Think – Oshiomhole

By
Akintomide Aroso
-
Edo Election: I Am Not Down As Nigerians Think - Oshiomhole
Former APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole

A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday said he was not affected by the party’s defeat in the September 19 governorship election in Edo State.

Oshiomhole disclosed this while granting his first interview since the party’s humiliating defeat at the poll to GEE Africa TV.

He said, “I want to thank everybody. I am sure a lot of people think comrade is down but I am not down. When God says you are not down, you are not down and I am not down.

“No matter the outcome of an election or a particular edition of the process, have faith in God and have faith in our country. God bless you all.”

In the build-up to last Saturday’s election, Oshiomhole had boasted that he was going to teach Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and incumbent governor of the state, a lasting lesson in politics.

But by the time the result of the election was read by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday, Obaseki won the contest convincingly, silencing Oshiomhole and other stalwarts of the APC including a former governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who predicted defeat for him.

Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to defeat Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the APC, who secured 223,619 votes.

The governor was disqualified from contesting the APC primary election after he fell out with Oshiomhole over the running of Edo State.

But Obaseki defected to the PDP where he ran for the election and won.

SAHARA REPORTERS

British Lawmakers Report President Buhari To The Commonwealth Over Killings In Nigeria

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
British Lawmakers Report President Buhari To The Commonwealth Over Killings In Nigeria

Some lawmakers in the United Kingdom parliament have reported President Muhammadu Buhari to the Secretary-General of Commonwealth over the unabating spate of killings in the country.

The British lawmakers wrote the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland QC, over widespread violence in Nigeria.

These lawmakers include Caroline Cox, David Alton, Jin Shannon and Helena Kennedy.

According to them, thousands of civilians in Nigeria had been killed and elements of the Nigerian Government may be complicit in the violence.

Others, who signed the letter, are Lord Williams, Lord Carey, Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Phillip Mounstephen, Lord Stoddart, Lord Anderson, Lord Cormack.

Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, Ayo Adedoin, Ewelina Ochab, Mervyn Thomas, Dr Khataza Gondwe, Nevile Kyrte-Smith, Dr John Eibiner and Ann Buwalda.

The lawyer sought intervention on the killings in Nigeria, highlighting the helplessness of the current administration.

Atiku Finally Breaks Silence On He And His Family Being Under Surveillance By The US Government

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
Atiku Finally Breaks Silence On He And His Family Being Under Surveillance By The US Government

The Media Office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday dismissed reports that the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Candidate in the 2019 General Elections and members of his family were under surveillance by the United States of America.

Media reports had stated that the former presidential candidate and his wives were placed under international banking surveillance for suspicious financial dealings.

However, a statement titled, ‘Atiku, Family Not Under Surveillance, Have Not Breached Any Laws…These Are Recycled False Allegations,’ signed by Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, dismissed the reports as “recycled and regurgitated lies about the person of Atiku Abubakar.”

The statement read, “For the avoidance of doubt, Atiku Abubakar is not under any US watch list, neither has he been charged, or will ever be charged by the United States Justice Department or any other in a foreign jurisdiction.

“Recall that these recycled lies were re-unearthed just before the February 23, 2019 Presidential election, and to put paid to them, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, applied for and received a US visa, whereupon he embarked on a visit to the United States on January 17, 2019. He stayed at a hotel just miles to the United States Department of Justice.

“Atiku Abubakar in the course of that trip was also received in audience, by officials of the United States Government.”

Ibe further stated that “these new reports are a desperate gambit to recast these discredited accusations. They are meant to divert the attention of Nigerians from the recent statement by the Secretary of State of the United States, M. Mike Pompeo, announcing visa and travel bans for certain unnamed but notorious individuals.”

“Moreover, the timing of this report, less than 24 hours after the Edo state gubernatorial elections, should give some thought to thinking people.”

Ganduje Reveals Details Of Meeting With Buhari On Kano Blasphemy Saga

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
Ganduje Reveals Details Of Meeting With Buhari On Kano Blasphemy Saga

The Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Ganduje, on Tuesday briefed the President on the case of a 22-year-old man sentenced to death by hanging by the Kano Upper Shari’a Court for blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.

The Presiding Judge, Khadi Aliyu Muhammad Kani, had given the judgment after finding Yahaya Sharif-Aminu guilty as charged.

Sharif-Aminu, a resident of Sharifai in Kano metropolis, was accused of committing blasphemy against the Prophet in a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March 2020.

Ganduje told State House correspondents after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja that he briefed Buhari on the development that has attracted criticism to the state.

The governor said the house of the father of the accused was burnt by locals “but the boy was secured, charged to court and sentenced to death.”

He said the boy had appealed the judgement.

He however did not disclose the position of the President on the matter.

Ganduje said his state has flattened the curve of COVID-19 despite the position of the Presidential Task Force.

He said, “On COVID-19, I came to thank Mr. President for assisting Kano state with N5bn to fight the pandemic. That has assisted the state. We have opened five testing centers which are functional, the curve is now flattened.”

The governor said he updated the on the security situation in the state, especially the military training facility his government has set up at the Falgore Forest for over N500m.

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