We will march naked over killing of our husbands, children by herdsmen – Igbo women

 

 Igbo women socio-cultural organization, Ndinne Igbo, has lamented the waste of lives of Igbo indigenes by killer herdsmen and condemned in strong term the recent attacks in Enugu and Ebonyi States by the dreaded herders.

The group stated that many Igbo children have become terrible victims of the nefarious herdsmen attacks, calling for stronger and more proactive measures by the government

Ndinne Igbo disclosed that it has concluded plan to march round Igbo land naked to protest the killings of their children and husbands by suspected herdsmen and the alleged raping of women.

The Igbo women organization, in a statement signed by its President, Mrs. Beatrice Chukwubuike, and issued to  on Saturday, further called on Nigeria and Igbo leaders to take urgent measures on the matter before it degenerates into anarchy.

In the same vein, the Coalition of Christian Leaders in the South East zone have threatened to March to all Government Houses in the South East to show their displeasure on the way the killer herdsmen issue is being handled by the South East Governors.

Pastor Okey Idika, the spokesman of the coalition, noted that the Christian community in the South East would be abdicating its duties if it’s unable to make the world know its feelings on the matter, vowing to mobilise all men and women of God to show their anger on the wanton killings in the zone by the suspected killer herdsmen.

Boko Haram’s claim, video : Missing jet Nigerian Air Force responds to Boko Haram’s claim, video

 

The Nigerian Air Force has dismissed claims by Boko Haram that it shot down the missing Alpha jet – NAF 475.

The aircraft went off the radar on Wednesday during an operation around the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.

NAF Director of Public Relations, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said the footage in circulation could be from a previous incident.

Gabkwet, in a statement on Friday, stressed that there was nothing to prove that the aircraft belonged to NAF.

The spokesman noted that the lush vegetation in the video suggests it was not in the Northeast.

“Until we get all these details straightened out, we are not going to go into speculation.

“Unless they did something and they are releasing the clips bit by bit, we are waiting,” he said.

Gabkwet added that the pilots have families and the military would only go to their family with “concrete evidence”.

The video Boko Haram released showed an insurgent standing on the wreckage of an aircraft.

It showed the Nigerian flag and number NAF 475 on its fuselage. A charred corpse in military uniform is seen.

“This is the pilot of your aircraft, whom you sent to harm the servant of god,” the militant said.

“This is what god did to him. He fell from the sky, and if you do not repent, this will be your reward.”

Nigeria, Brazil meet to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation

 

Defence Minister, Bashir Magashi, hosted a six-man delegation co-led by the Nigerian Ambassador-designate to Brazil, Ahmed Makarfi and his Brazilian counterpart Ricardo Guerra De Araujo.

During the meeting at the Ministry of Defence headquarters, the retired General highlighted Nigeria and Brazil’s common constitutional, cultural and historical affinities.

The minister assured that the pending draft documents of a Memorandum of Understanding will be reviewed to reflect the current reality in the defence sector.

Magashi emphasised the need for robust joint training, research and development, strategic partnership on intelligence management and shared technology transfer.

In separate remarks, Ahmed and Araujo expressed confidence that the ratification and implementation of the MoU will boost the interests of the militaries of Nigeria and Brazil.

Araujo presented documents to drive what to expect from the technology elements in the proposed defence cooperation.

The Brazilian envoy said the guide will will be a force multiplier in Nigeri’as counter terrorism and anti banditry operations.

Araujo was accompanied by the Deputy Ambassador Ronaldo Lima Vieira and the Defence Attache Col Claudia Mandine.

Nigeria Customs Service : Customs intercept cannabis sativa with worth of N694m

 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command (WMC), has intercepted cannabis sativa with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N694, 575, 000.

Comptroller Olugboyega Peters of the WMC made this known to newsmen on Friday in Lagos, NAN reports.

Olugboyega said that the command also intercepted other items such as rice and bales of clothing with a DPV of N687, 446 000, in the first quarter of 2021.

According to him, in 2020, the command seized over 10 tonnes of cannabis sativa (marijuana) valued at over a billion naira.

“Here we are today showcasing another feat of arrest of marijuana by officers and men of the command.

“On March 27, our operatives of Coastal and Harbour Patrol (Bar-Beach), on credible intelligence along Ibeche Beach on the high sea, accosted, intercepted and arrested two wooden boats laden with sacks suspected to contain marijuana (HS Code 0602.90 of Common External Tariff (CET).

“The goods together with the suspects were brought to WMC.

“Upon physical counting, it was found to be 147 sacks of marijuana with an average of 45kg per sack, giving an estimated total of 6,615kg with a DPV of N694, 575, 000.

“No amount of distraction will deter us from enforcing Federal Government’s fiscal policies; we will remain resolute no matter whose ox is gored.

“I urge the NDLEA to invite us during the destruction of this marijuana and a copy of certificate of destruction issued to the NCS for record keeping,” he said.

 

kidnappers : Police rescue three from kidnappers in Ogun

 

Three persons who were earlier kidnapped along Siun/Ajura road in Ogere-Remo axis of Ogun State have been rescued by the police.

The three victims, Mr Jibril Afolabi, Alhaji Amusat Taofeek, and Ms Balikis Mohammed, were reportedly coming from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Their vehicle was heading for Owode Egbado, when it was double-crossed at about 3am Friday, by some unknown gunmen, who dragged the victims into the bush as other passengers escaped.

As he received the information, the Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun had directed the Sagamu Area Commander to mobilize men from all divisions within the area to embark on a search for the victims and to go after the hoodlums.

He equally ordered the command’s anti-kidnapping unit as well as SWAT to move to the scene.

A statement by Abimbola Oyeyemi, the State Police Public Relations Officer, said the entire bush was cordoned off, combed thoroughly with the assistance of hunters, local vigilantes and men of the state So-Safe Corps.

“The heat on them made them abandon the victims and took to flight,” Oyeyemi told adding that all the victims were rescued without any ransom paid.

“They have been escorted to their destination at Owode Egbado,” Oyeyemi concluded.

accident : Train crash kills 50 in Taiwan

 

A train accident in Taiwan on Friday killed 50 people, the worst rail disaster in seven decades.

The government said there were 496 people on board, 120 without seats.

Most of the passengers were tourists and people heading home for the traditional Tomb Sweeping Day holiday.

The train was travelling from Taipei, the capital, to Taitung. Some carriages ripped apart and others crumpled.

The train derailed in a tunnel in northeastern city of Hualien after hitting a truck that had slid down onto the track.

Feng Hui-sheng, the Taiwan Railways Administration’s deputy director, told reporters that the vehicle wasn’t braked properly.

“It slid for around 20 metres along the site access road and entered the eastern trunk line”, Hui-sheng said.

The Police took in the manager for questioning, the Central News Agency reported.

 

PDP and APC : Kashamu loyalists dump PDP for APC in Ogun, say Amosun is their leader

 

Some loyalists of Late Senator Buruji Kashamu have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, saying they want former Governor, Ibikunle Amosun to be their leader. MAKE MONEY IN BLOGSPOT

 reports that the PDP defectors were received into the APC by Amosun at his Ibara, Abeokuta residence on Thursday.

The PDP leaders, led by Chief Ibilola Solaja, held a meeting with Senator Amosun, pledging their support.

Speaking on behalf of other decampees, Chief Olu Azeez from Ijebu North, told our correspondent in an interview that they chose to join the APC under Amosun’s leadership because it is the best option.

Chief Azeez said he and other defectors were with Kashamu until his death, stressing that they have all decided to work with the former Governor as their leader.

“I was a known leader of the PDP in Ijebu North. I was with late Senator Buruji Kashamu until his death. You know Kashamu was the one that was holding the PDP in Ogun State; but when there is no life, there’s nothing more anyone can do. So, we decided to join the moving train, which is the APC, under the former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

“Before aligning with Amosun, we looked at what he did when he was the governor and we were so much impressed. I am an old man; I know how Abeokuta and the state in general used to be before he came to power, and when he came in, we know what he did,” Azeez said.

Asked why they aligned with Amosun instead of the incumbent Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Azeez retorted: “Amosun is a leader in that party. He was known before Dapo Abiodun and he did well. I don’t have any grudge against any of them. In fact, I wish Gov Abiodun all the best in office. But to me, I know Amosun is the leader there, and he performed creditably well while in office as the governor.”

On their expectations as new members of the APC in Ogun, the politician said, the decampees would continue to seek the progress of their new leader.

“Once a leader is progressing, it will affect the followers. Our belief is that Amosun will become what we want him to become. I will not say anything yet.

“When we are talking of politics, everybody would like somebody to be his own leader, we people went to meet Amosun because we love him. We want him to lead us and we will support him in anything at all that he wishes to do.

“I believe that the APC has many chances, and it is now the only party any politician can join presently,” he submitted.