Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the reported secret burial of 1,000 Nigerian soldiers killed by Boko Haram and ISWAP.

A statement he signed Thursday said the Wall Street Journal report on the matter was saddening and that the attempt to hide the true state of the war on terror was heartbreaking and shocking.

He said: “Heartbreak for the families and friends of those soldiers who, if the report is true, have lost their loved ones, without being allowed to bury them or even to have any sense of closure as regards their fate.

“Shock, that such a thing could happen under a democracy, such as Nigeria is supposed to be. I shudder to think that the cover-up of such an event of epic proportions can be true.

“The men and women of our armed forces are our first, second and last defence against our domestic and foreign enemies and should be treated with love, respect, dignity and appreciation for the invaluable service they render to Nigeria.

“I cannot fathom that in the space of a year, 1000 of these great patriots were killed and buried secretly without their families being told. I hesitate to believe that deceit on such a grand scale is even possible.

“To ensure that we get to the bottom of this matter, I urge that a Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by a non-partisan and reputable jurist, be inaugurated to investigate the findings of the Wall Street Journal.

“While this is occurring, I also strongly urge that a panel of inquiry comprising distinguished former military officers be set up to investigate and report to Nigerians the true state of the war on terror and what must be done to ensure Nigeria brings a speedy end to the ongoing insurgency.

“Nigeria must ensure prudent use of finances, so we can redistribute national resources in such a way that ensures that our military and security forces are well armed and well remunerated.

“Even the death of one soldier affects me. But the alleged cover-up of the deaths of one thousand soldiers is a national emergency that should shock all statesmen and leaders of thoughts into action to save Nigeria.”

The Lagos State Government has allayed the fears of motorists over the planned four-month repair works on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, saying that adequate measures have been put in place by the present administration to effectively manage the impending traffic situation.

The Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Taiwo Olufemi Salaam, who disclosed this today in Ikeja, stated that in the project brief made available to the State Government, the repair works will narrow both Lagos and Sagamu bound traffic into two lanes on both carriageways respectively and is planned for two months each for inward and outward traffic from the State.

He emphasised that Lagos is well prepared and ready for the attendant traffic situation through extensive traffic management and control for the repair works which commences on Saturday, 3rd August 2019 and is envisaged to trigger and compound traffic along the corridors.

Salaam affirmed that the State has identified four locations to redirect traffic through, while the personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) as well as Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will be on ground to provide towing vehicles and other necessary support for evacuating unexpected breakdowns.

The Permanent Secretary explained that the area undergoing repairs will have floodlights and flashing lights placed in strategic places to aid vehicular movement at night, adding that having the whole area lit at night, apart from safety purposes, is also to ensure that Julius Berger completes the repair work within the stipulated period.

He also highlighted other measures already planned by the State government to include the display of advance warning signs; day and night emergency response crew; dummy flagman to direct motorists and slip road provided on both sides of the carriageway.

While assuring motorists of the readiness of the Lagos State Government to effectively manage the traffic situation during the period, the Permanent Secretary solicited for the understanding and cooperation of all road users and urged everyone to obey all traffic officials and signs for the entire duration of the reconstruction.

Following the proscription of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria by a Federal High Court in Abuja last Friday, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the arrest of the members and their leaders nationwide.

He stated that the Shi’ites “will be treated like terrorists and enemies of state,” and prosecuted under the Terrorism Act, including anyone associating with them in any way that could advance their activities in the country.

Speaking at the monthly conference with senior police officers in Abuja on Tuesday, the IG stated that “all forms of procession or protest by IMN is now illegal and thus banned.”

Details later.

The Senate presided over by Ahmad Lawan has confirmed the 43 ministerial nominees appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, only 20 were actually grilled while 23 were confirmed without being asked a single question.

This is a new record in modern Nigerian history.

The 23 nominees, who were not questioned include Chris Ngige, Hadi Sirika, Muhammad Bello, Gbemisola Saraki, Pauline Tallen, Sharon Ikeazor, Lai Mohammed, Rotimi Amaechi, Timipre Sylva, Zainab Ahmed, Godswill Akpabio, Sa’adiya Umar Farouk and Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo.

Others include Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, George Akume, Olorunnimbe Mamora, Tayo Alasoadura, Maryam Katagum, Abubakar Aliyu, Mustapha Shehuri, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, Emeka Nwajiuba and Maigari Dingyadi.

The PUNCH reports that the Senate tradition is that former federal lawmakers be exempted from questioning.

Based on that tradition, only eight nominees ought to enjoy such a privilege and they include Ngige, Mamora, Sirika, Alasoadura, Akume, Nwajuiba, Saraki and Akpabio.

The Senate President, however, extended the privilege of ‘bow and go’ to former state lawmakers, women and ‘special’ nominees.

Some lawmakers, especially members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, had expressed concerns over the ‘bow and go’ syndrome as well as the manner in which some senators were showing public support and showering encomiums on some nominees.

During the screening exercise, Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe, who observed the take-a-bow syndrome in the chamber, raised a constitutional point of order (Order 147)(2), noting that the exercise had turned out to be an endorsement screening.

He said, “Mr. President of the Senate, this is a confirmation hearing and not an endorsement hearing.”

Abaribe’s observation didn’t change the trend rather the caucuses of the Senate from different states of the federation continued to request their colleagues to allow their nominees to take a bow.

Kogi-West lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye, also questioned the refusal of the President to attach portfolios to the nominations and kicked against the attempt to make the Senate a “rubber stamp”.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Sunday, he said, “I will tell you categorically that Nigerians are not happy especially with the way the proceedings of the screening have been conducted and I can tell you that it is more of adoption than a screening.

“I am not a presiding officer of the National Assembly, I cannot speak for either of them but as long as some of us remain there, our voices will be heard and we will always insist on doing the right thing.”