1. MACRON TO BUHARI: FRANCE ‘LL SUPPORT NIGERIA WITH EVERYTHING TO OVERCOME SECURITY THREATS.
PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron of France has assured President Muhammadu Buhari that his country is willing to support Nigeria with everything to overcome security threats. The two Presidents made the commitment of working together to fight insecurity bedeviling the Lake Chad basin area and entire stretch of the Sahel region at a bilateral meeting hosted by Macron on the sidelines of the Financing Africa Summit in Paris on Tuesday. A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu stated that the France President pledged his steadfast support for Nigeria and its people as they confront the security challenges facing the country. The statement quoted President Macron as saying that “the French government will absolutely be there on the side of Nigeria and it is willing to support with everything to assist the country to overcome the security threats.”
2. INSECURITY: ARMY DESIROUS OF MEETING EXPECTATIONS OF NIGERIANS — COAS.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt- Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, said the Nigerian Army under his leadership was desirous of meeting the expectations of Nigerians in addressing security challenges in the country. Attahiru stated this on Tuesday in Ibadan Oyo State while declaring open the First Senior Command and Leadership Seminar for Brigade Commanders and General Officers Commanding 2021. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day seminar with the theme: “Enhancing the Capacity of Nigerian Army Senior Level Field Commanders for Optimal Performance in a Complex Operational Environment” holds at the 2 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters in Ibadan. The COAS said challenges were part of lives that organizations or countries passed through that would definitely be overcome based on the determination of all stakeholders. Attahiru assured Nigerians that the country would surmount her security challenges based on the renewed determination of the Nigerian army and other security agencies in the country.
3. IGP LAUNCHES OPERATION RESTORE PEACE IN SOUTH-EAST.
The acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali on Tuesday launched an operation codenamed Operation Restore Peace (Operation RP) in the Southeast geo-political zone. Speaking while launching the Operation RP at the Okpara Square in Enugu in the company of the Southeast Governors led by Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the acting IGP, Alkali said the operation was customized to bring back the cherished peace that the southeast was known for. According to him, the operation would boost the efforts of police to change the narrative to what the Igbo man used to be and ensure that “all live in peace in this part of the country.”
4. GUNSHOTS, TEARGAS AS THUGS DISRUPT NLC PROTEST IN KADUNA.
Some hoodlums wielding matchets and sticks have disrupted the ongoing Nigeria Leaders Congress (NLC) protest in Kaduna. The hoodlums stormed the protest scene along Nepa Roundabouts to chase away the NLC protesters who gathered to protest the Kaduna state government’s decision to sack workers. Policemen however dispersed the hoodlums with tear gas. Our correspondent gathered that security agents are still at the protest scene to maintain law and order.
5. ARMY DESERTER, 33 OTHERS ARRESTED FOR SUSPECTED INTERNET FRAUD IN OSOGBO.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Office, in the early hours of Tuesday, May 18, 2021 arrested a former soldier, Adebisi Jamiu and 33 others for suspected internet fraud. The suspects were picked up in different locations in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. The 22-year-old former soldier, Jamiu and the other suspects were arrested on the strength of verified intelligence on their alleged involvement in cybercrime. The other suspects include Muritala Olaniyi Lateef, Wasiu Olajide, Wasiu Sadiq, Olaniran Abiodun, Ayodeji Tosin, Olaniran Tayo, Oginni Oluwaseun, Oginni Olatunde, Ojuade Oluwafemi, and Ibrahim Wande. Others are Oladiran Olayinka, Akinjobi Akinwunmi, Abayomi Aderohunmi, Olaoluwa Temitope, Idowu Olawale, Lawrence Taiwo, Ojo Gbenga, Tiamiyu Farouk, Oladele Seun, Akiniyi Boluwatife, Olaoluwa Mutiu, Olakunle Omolofe, Olalere Samad, Edbadon Johnson, Oketunbi Kayode, Gbeyide Tomiwa, Oluwanisola Elmuqsit, Bathlomew John, Ibikunle James, Olamide Oluwaseyi, Yusuf Mohammed, Adebola Ibrahim, and Ajayi Muyiwa.
6. CARRY ARMS, DEFEND YOURSELVES NOW –ORTOM TELLS SUBJECTS…says Nigerians suffering under Buhari’s govt.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday spoke against the rampant killing of his people by armed Fulani militants, advising the people of the state to carry arms to defend themselves from their attackers. He said the killing of innocent people in the state had gone on for too long and that the people can no longer sit and watch aliens invade, massacre the people and go scot free. Governor Ortom, who spoke with journalists in Makurdi, shortly on arrival from the PDP governors’ meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State, said he had upgraded all women to be men to join in the battle to fight the worsening insurgency bedeviling the state. The governor was reacting to pockets of killings in Guma, Gwer-West, Gwer East and Makurdi Local Government Areas, where dozens of people were massacred by invading armed herdsmen.
7. WIKE REDEEMS N280M PLEDGE TO FAMILIES OF SECURITY AGENTS KILLED BY GUNMEN.
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has redeemed his pledge of N280 million to families of the 14 security personnel murdered by unknown gunmen during a recent attack on security formations in parts of Rivers State. The governor had during a condolence visit to the Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka and officers of the state police command last week Monday, announced the donation of N20 million to each family of officers killed by the gunmen. The cheques were presented to 11 widows of police officers at the state police command, two bereaved family members of the Nigerian Airforce at the Nigerian Airforce Base, and one widow of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NCDC) official in Port Harcourt, respectively on Monday. The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, said the gesture is in fulfillment of the governor’s earlier promise to alleviate the plight of the widows and their children.
8. IG ORDERS POLICEMEN TO BE RUTHLESS WITH SECESSION AGITATORS.
Acting Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali yesterday ordered policemen to deal ruthlessly with criminal elements and secessionists who attempt to test their will. He spoke against the background of a breakdown of security in many parts of the country. In the Southeast and Southsouth, policemen are being killed in attacks on their stations, which are also most of the time burnt. Policemen on checkpoints are being wantonly killed by gunmen. The Owerri correctional centre was attacked and inmate freed. The violent activities of the separatist body of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) have heightened. In the Southwest, the voice of separatists have grown louder with Prof. Banji Akintoye and Sunday Igboho, spearheading it. Yesterday in Enugu, the acting IG launched special operation codenamed Operation Restore Peace (Operation RP) at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu, the state capital.
9. NAF AT 57: NAFOWA DONATES PALLIATIVES, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO ABUJA COMMUNITY.
As part of activities marking the Nigerian Air Force 57th Anniversary, the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA) has embarked on medical outreach to Zamani community in the FCT, Abuja. NAFOWA also donated palliatives to military widows and medical equipment to 063 NAF Hospital. The national president of the association, Mrs. Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao, said the medical outreach is part of her desire to reach out to military widows in commemoration of the 2021 NAF Day celebration. She added that NAFOWA is committed to ensuring that the plights of military widows did not go unnoticed.
10. INSECURITY: EZUMEZU ISINWEKE HOLDS SECOND SUMMIT.
Following the rising level of insecurity in Ihitte Uboma LGA of Imo State, the Ezumezu Isinweke, the umbrella body of sons and daughters of the community, will on Sunday 23 May hold the second edition of her general monthly summit with the topic: ‘The impact of Agriculture and Rural Development in tackling social disorder in Ihitte/Uboma. The program will feature Sir Sam Korie, from Lowa as the resource person. Sir Korie a Consultant Biometrician with previous working experience with the World Bank assisted Agricultural Development Projects in Nigeria, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan and Cotonou.
11. HISBAH CORPS ARRESTS COUPLE FOR ALLEGEDLY TRAFFICKING BABY FROM DELTA TO KANO.
The Kano State Hisbah Board says its officials arrested a 40-year old woman, Salomi Jerome, and her husband, Igina Salomi, 50, for allegedly trafficking a baby from Delta State to Kano State. The Commander General of the board, Dr. Harun Ibn-sina, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued to newsmen by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Lawan Ibrahim, on Tuesday in Kano. Ibn-Sina said the suspects were arrested on Monday by Hisbah officials attached to motor parks after careful observation in Kano metropolis. According to the statement: “Before confessing to the crime, Salome had claimed to have given birth to the baby.
12. GOVERNOR SUSPENDS AIDE NABBED BY FBI IN US FOR ALLEGED $350,000 WIRE FRAUD.
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has suspended his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Abidemi Rufai, who was arrested in the United States of America for alleged involvement in $350,000 unemployment fraud. The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Rufai on Friday evening at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York based on criminal complaint. The 2019 House of Representatives aspirant for Ijebu Central Federal Constituency of Ogun State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress was subsequently charged with defrauding Washington State Employment Security Department of over $350,000
13. EL-RUFAI DECLARES NLC LEADERS BANDITS, SACKS NURSES, KASU LECTURERS.
Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai has declared Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders who coordinated the shutdown of the state in protest over mass sack of workers as bandits. He vowed they will be prosecuted, accusing them of unwanted destruction of public properties and disruption of peace. Their actions, according to the Governor, were equivalent to the actions of bandits terrorising the state. He also ordered the sack of all nurses in the state below Grade Level 14 and lecturers of the Kaduna State University (KASU) for joining the five-day warning strike.
14. KIDNAPPERS SETTLE FOR N30,000 RANSOM TO RELEASE ABDUCTED BENINOISE IN OGUN.
ome kidnappers collected a ransom of N30,000 before the release of a Beninoise, who was abducted in Imeko/Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State. The kidnappers were said to have initially demanded the sum of N200,000, but they ended up going away with N30,000 when they realised the abductee could not raise the money, a source from the palace of the Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamen Olanite, told our correspondent. It was gathered that the man was kidnapped on Thursday along Imeko-Matale road, Okuta Wewe area of the town. The Balogun of Imeko Isale, Chief Ganiu Akinleye, who confirmed the incident to Newsmen, said the Beninoise had visited the Ogun border community for menial jobs during the last Eid-el-Fitri.
15. PROTEST: WE’LL NOT BE DETERRED BY ATTACK FROM THUGS, NLC VOWS.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) says it will not be deterred by attacks from thugs in carrying out their lawful procession against Kaduna State government on mass disengagement of staff in the state. The Deputy President of NLC, Mr Ameachi Asugwuni said this while reacting to an attack by thugs on peaceful protesters on Tuesday in Kaduna. Asugwuni alleged that the attack was to deter them from their legitimate rights of actions toward bringing the government to order. “The thugs used weapons and threw stones on our peaceful protesters, as I speak to you now, we have taken some of them for treatment resulting from serious injuries. “We will continue with the warning strike and protest, the injured ones will be treated and will continue the struggle heavily. ” As a matter of fact, the sponsor or sponsors only made us more determined. “The only and best way to addressing issues is engagements and dialogue, using violence to address issues of industrial-related matters will not yield results,’ he said.
16. FCT POLICE RESTORE CALM AT KABUSA FOLLOWING MOB ACTIONS, Commissioner of Police launch an investigation into the incident.
The Police Command of the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday, 18th May 2021 said it restored calm at Kabusa axis following a violent protest by some residents of the area. According to the police, the protesters were agitating over a suspect who was earlier rescued from an angry mob for knocking down two (2) passengers on Monday 17th May 2021 leaving them with fatal injuries. FCT Police Spokesperson, ASP Yusuf Mariam, disclosed this in a statement. She said, “Unfortunately, the suspect who had been beaten to a pulp by the angry mob as result fell ill and was rushed to the hospital for treatment where the doctor certified him dead.
17. GUNMEN KIDNAP UNIJOS FEMALE PROFESSOR, HUSBAND.
Unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have reportedly kidnapped a professor with the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Jos, Grace Ayanbimpe and her husband. According to a report by the Daily Post, the gunmen invaded the lecturer’s residence behind Haske Quarters, Lamingo in Jos North Local Government Area of the state, shooting sporadically before whisking the couple to an unknown destination. Sources revealed that the incident, which created tension in the area, occurred at about 12 am on Monday morning. Details of the incident is still sketchy as at the time of filing this report as the University management is yet to issue a statement on the incident.
18. SEN. KABIRU MARAFA SPONSORED KILLINGS IN ZAMFARA-COL. GARBA.
A retired Army Colonel and past Security Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Zamfara State, Col. Rabiu Garba has mentioned Senator Kabiru Marafa as the sponsor of the killings of three people in ‘Yandoton Daji during the 2019 General elections cycle. He mentioned the murdered victims as Alhaji Yusuf AG Yandoto, Mallam Bala Yakubu and Mallam Abdullahi Halliru.
He alleged that Sen. Kabiru Marafa hatched the plans and provided the assailants of the dastardly acts with guns with which they murdered the victims. The retired Army Colonel pleaded on President Buhari. and Governor Bello Matawalle to prevail on the matter so that justice is served against the perpetrators and their sponsor. According to him, petitions and a lawsuit are already in court against Marafa, however, the process is facing delay and the deceased’ families are beginning to lose hope.
19. 723 KILLED, 407 ABDUCTED IN NIGERIA IN ONE MONTH – REPORT.
At least 723 people were killed in violent attacks across Nigeria in April 2021, a report by a non-governmental organisation, Nigeria Mourns, has shown. The report titled “Violent Incidents Report: April 2021″ was published on Monday. The figures, according to the group, were gathered through the use of newspaper reports and family sources. Of the 723 people killed, 590 were civilians and 133, security personnel. The report also showed that 407 people were abducted in the same month. The report stated that 425 people were killed by suspected bandits; 117 people killed by persons suspected to be members of Boko Haram or its breakaway faction, ISWAP; 22 killed in isolated attacks and 52 by cult clashes. Also, it said six people died through extra-judicial killings, communal crises led to the death of 53 people, and 47 people were killed by herdsmen.
20. EXPLOSION IN EX-GOV DANIEL’S HOTEL KILLS TWO IN OGUN.
Less than a week after a gas explosion in Abeokuta, another explosion happened on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, killing two persons and injured three others. The incident which occurred in conference hotel owned by former governor Gbenga Daniel, reportedly happened around 12pm when a technician was filling an automatic door at the entrance of the hotel. Our correspondent gathered that the technician and one other believed to be one of the workers died instantly, while three others reportedly sustained varying degrees of injury. The injured were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, while the remains of the dead were deposited at the general hospital morgue in Abeokuta. The hotel’s facilities manager, Tunde Oshunnubi, said, “During the routine maintenance of the automatic revolving door at the hotel reception, the maintenance technician used gas to weld the door hinges.
