Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam

The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam on Thursday vowed that the federal government will bring to book perpetrators of the Christmas Eve killings in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

Armed militia had invaded communities in the two LGAs on Sunday, killing over 150 persons.

In a statement on Thursday, Gaidam said,

“The loss of innocent lives is a tragedy that touches us all, and we stand united with the people of Plateau State during this difficult time. In line with the directives of Mr. President, we will leave no stone unturned in apprehending both the collaborators and prime suspects involved in this crime against humanity. Our collective resolve is to ensure that those responsible face the full force of the law.

“We also pray for the quick recovery of the injured citizens and the security agencies that bravely worked to secure the affected villages. It is our firm belief that by standing together, cooperating with security agencies, and providing vital information, we can assist in arresting these callous criminals who are currently on the run.

“We understand the gravity of the security challenges facing Plateau State and the entire country, and we assure you of our continued collaboration with other stakeholders to address these issues.

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“Despite this tragic incident, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ongoing reforms within the police, aimed at enhancing professionalism and the delivery of top-notch service to the Nigerian people. We will not allow such incidents to deter us from our mission,” the minister stated.

The Nigeria Police Force, Imo State Command has arrested 23-year-old, Amanda Uchechi, for allegedly killing her police lover on Tuesday night.

This was confirmed in a press statement released by the command spokesman, Henry Okoye who revealed that the suspected murder incident occurred at the Ezinihitte-Mbaise area of the state.

According to the statement, the deceased identified as Corporal Cosmas Ugwu was met in his pool of blood after a gun was shot thrice from the Area Command’s Barracks on Tuesday night, adding that Ugwu was rushed to a nearby medical facility where he was eventually confirmed dead.

The statement reads:

“On Tuesday, 26/12/2023 at about 18:32hrs, operatives of Ezinihitte-Mbaise Police Area Command, heard three gunshots emanating from the Area Command’s Barracks and tactically maneuvered to the scene where they met Corporal Cosmas Ugwu ‘m’ in his room with gunshot injuries on his chest and hand, lying helplessly on the floor in his pool of blood,”

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“He was immediately rushed to an Evergreen Hospital in Ezinihitte-Mbaise where he was certified dead by a medical practitioner. His corpse has been deposited at the morgue for preservation.

“In a swift follow-up to the unfortunate incident, Amanda Uchechi Ugo, ‘f’ 23yrs, of Umumbiri in Ahaizu Mbaise LGA of Imo State, who was seen at the scene of the crime, was arrested by the operatives and a pistol with breach number 5199225 assigned to the deceased officers was tactfully collected from her.

“On interrogation, she volunteered a confessional statement admitting that the deceased police inspector was her boyfriend and that she shot him with the pistol over a serious altercation she had with him.”

According to the police spokesman, the suspect is now at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Owerri, and will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.

Russia on Thursday reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso after a gap of nearly 32 years after the West African nation fell out with former colonial ruler France.

The Burkinabe foreign ministry confirmed in a statement that “Russia formally reopened its embassy this Thursday in Ouagadougou.”

Russia’s ambassador to Ivory Coast, Alexei Saltykov, said he would head the mission in Burkina Faso until the new ambassador is named and described Burkina Faso as “an old partner with whom we have solid and friendly ties.

“Despite our physical absence here, bilateral cooperation in the political and economic fields have never ceased,” he said.

Burkina Faso suffered two military coups last year, both triggered in part by discontent at failures to stem a raging jihadist insurgency.

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Since coming to power in September 2022, the ruling junta has distanced itself from France, its historic partner, and moved closer to Russia.

Moscow has pledged to deliver free grain to the African country, which is one of the world’s poorest.

Russia has grown more isolated since its Ukraine offensive and has in recent months discussed greater military cooperation with Burkina Faso.

In October, Burkina Faso signed a deal with Russia for the construction of a nuclear power plant to increase the energy supply to the Sahel country where less than a quarter of the population has access to electricity.
(AFP)

Ebony state governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru has described as shocking the passing away of the governor of Ondo state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.

Chief Nwifuru in his verified Facebook page on Thursday said the late Governor Akeredolu was an astute politician, a legal icon and affable philanthropist who will be greatly missed.

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“It is with rude shock that I received the news of the death of a dear colleague, and former Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu. It is indeed a sad development losing a patriotic leader who has stopped at nothing at rendering best services to his people.”

“He was an astute politician, a legal icon and affable philanthropist who will be greatly missed. The transformation which he brought when he presided over the affairs of the State will remain indelible. Worthy of mention is his commitment towards improving infrastructure, human capital development and stamping on insecurity.”

“The death of former Governor Akeredolu has created a vacuum not only in the political space, but in the legal circle where he served as President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and has continued to offer wise counsel to the younger ones in the profession.”

“On behalf of the Government and people of Ebonyi State, I extended my heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Ondo State at this moment of grief.”

“To the immediate family, my prayers and thoughts are with you, as I pray for the repose of his soul.”

BEING AN ADDRESS BY THE NEWLY SWORN-IN GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE, HON. LUCKY ORIMISAN AIYEDATIWA HELD AT THE COCOA CONFERENCE CENTRE, OF THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE ON MONDAY, 27TH DECEMBER, 2023

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It is with a heavy heart that I accept this onerous responsibility of taking over the reins of governance and affairs of our State following the unfortunate loss and passing of our beloved Governor, leader and dear boss, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

The death of our Governor is indeed a devastating shock to us all, as we have all been praying earnestly for his quick recovery and subsequent safe return to Ondo State, having embarked on another medical leave on Wednesday, 13th December 2023. Indeed, there is no armour against fate, death lays his icy hand on kings.

Permit me to use this opportunity to condole with the immediate and extended family of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, HRM Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the Olowo of Owo, the people of Owo and indeed the entire people of Ondo State over this monumental loss.

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The demise of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON is indeed a great loss to me as an individual as our relationship dates back to many years ago, having closely worked with him when his gubernatorial journey started in the Year 2012. The loss then did not affect our relationship as we continued to maintain a close political and personal relationship which climaxed in Year 2020 when he graciously picked me as his running mate for his Second Term as Governor of Ondo State.

Governor Akeredolu was a man of courage and conviction who always stood for the truth even to his detriment. I remember vividly when we had a case in court challenging our second-term victory. He still pursued the matter of emplacing a strong security network for the people of the Southwest codenamed ‘Amotekun Corps’. The People of Ondo State and the entire people of the Southwest will be eternally grateful for this bold act which has greatly improved the security architecture in the Region and reduced incidents of kidnapping, banditry and other acts of criminalities to the barest minimum especially in Ondo State. His many legacies in the health sector, infrastructural development, education, and industrial development as symbolised in the Ondo-Linyl Industrial Hub, Ore, his innovation in Ondo State Entrepreneurial Development Agency, his Tech Hub, etc will be difficult to surpass.

The events which culminated in today’s ceremony is a watershed in the history of Ondo State as this is the first time we are having a transition in an administration. Today’s event has placed a burden on all of us to pull together and stay together as one because we have the onerous responsibility to continue to sustain the legacies of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, which was good governance, properly called. Our leader and Governor, during his time, embarked upon several landmark projects, many of which have been completed and several ones ongoing. We now have the responsibility to complete them. It is to the credit of Arakunrin Akeredolu, that the State now has a flyover in Ore, while the one in Akure is ongoing. We must acknowledge with pride the wonderful achievements and legacies of Arakunrin Akeredolu. His records of performance are monumental and unprecedented.

I want to assure the people of Ondo State that under my watch, this administration shall continue to advance the welfare of the people. We shall always place the people first in every decision we take. It is my prayer, once more, that God Almighty shall grant the family and the people of Ondo State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Let me use this opportunity to convey our deep appreciation to Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the National Chairman of our party, His Excellency Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the leaders of the party both at the National and State levels, the elders of our State, for providing succour and support to our State at this critical time.

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to urge the people of Ondo State to continue to remember us in their prayers as we continue to place good governance in our dear State.

May God continue to bless the people of Ondo State.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has raised an alarm over the operations of the Special Police Constabulary nationwide.

PSC said the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun has already been contacted on the need to overhaul the organisation and operations of the outfit.

PSC said there have been several reports of unprofessional conduct by officers of the outfit, a quasi-police formation created to assist in community policing.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the PSC Head, Press, and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani:

“The Police Service Commission is no longer comfortable with the organisation and operations of the Special Police Constabulary nationwide.

“Reports of their unprofessional conduct range from high-handedness in dealing with citizens and bare-faced extortion on our roads and communities.

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“The Commission calls for an entirely different set of uniforms for Officers of the outfit that should be easily differentiated from that of the regular Police Officers.

“This, it noted, will help to track appropriately the conduct of men of the outfit and that of the regular Police Officers and free the Nigeria Police Force from blame associated with the misconduct of men of the outfit.

“The Commission further calls for the disbandment of the outfit in states where they are not salaried and taken care of.

“It noted that it was dangerous to arm a group of people and license them to provide security, maintain law and order in states and communities across the country without basic financial remuneration.

“The Commission has observed that these set of men have descended on innocent Nigerians for their daily upkeep through forceful extortion and intimidation.”

The chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, said the Commission will work with the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to sanitize the organisation and operations of the outfit.

He said there is an urgent need to differentiate the Special Constabulary from regular Police Officers and clearly define their operations, including uniforms and rules of engagement.

The Executive Chairman of Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi state, Hon. Zayyanu Muhammad has passed on.

This was revealed in a statement by the Spokesperson for Kebbi State Governor, Ahmed Idris, on Thursday.

Idris stated that Bello died after a protracted illness.
The late council chairman passed away in the early hours of Thursday at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, according to the statement.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Hon. Zayyanu Muhammad Bello, Executive Chairman of Maiyama Local Government.

“He died early this morning at UDUTH Sokoto after a protracted illness,” the statement read.

It added that the government would provide information about his burial preparations to the public in due course.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has urged the military to ensure speedy justice for the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) driver allegedly killed by a soldier along Gambarou international road, Borno State.

The governor, who addressed a press conference through the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Bukar Tijjani, said the excesses of soldiers killing and extorting money from drivers on the road would not be tolerated.

He noted that the state government had engaged the leadership of the military and an investigation was launched into the matter.

“We clearly told the military that it’s not a matter of consoling the deceased’s family, because the theatre commandant told me that the soldier was arrested in Dikwa and currently detained in Maiduguri, and we are both investigating the matter.

“All these drivers plying the road are struggling to earn a livelihood, it’s cruel to stop them and force them to give bribes to not only soldiers but other security operatives that are drafted to protect their lives and property.

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“Therefore, we are calling on the leadership of the security operatives to warn their men against extortion and to allow our people to carry out their legal businesses.

“On behalf of His Excellency, the governor, I want to extend his condolences to the family of the deceased, while appealing to the leadership of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to free the road for business activities to resume on the Gambarou road,” he said.

Responding to the governor, the Secretary of the NURTW, Ahmed Musa, said the driver was transporting humanitarian goods to N’djamena, Chad when the soldier killed him during a stop and search at a checkpoint.

Meanwhile, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the 7 Division, Maiduguri, Lt Colonel Ajemusu Y Jingina, confirmed receiving a complaint on the killing of the truck driver.