NEWS: Imo residents keep vigil as armed robbers take over streets

Residents living on Douglas road, Ama-JK, Ikenegbu, Royce, Njamanze, Orji, Amakohia, Akwakuma and MCC road in Owerri, the Imo State capital, are now keeping vigil against unknown gunmen whose activities had wreaked havoc in the state.

 correspondent who interacted with some of the residents reports that the crisis-prone areas seemed to have experienced relative peace as residents now thread with caution.

A provisions seller who lives in Amakohia said, “you can see that people are now closing their shops early for fear of the unknown gunmen. Because no one knows when they will strike.

“I used to close my shop by 11pm but not anymore. This time around, I close by 8pm. I have to save my life.”

The woman who refused her name in print recalled the series of armed robbery and kidnapping incidents that had taken place in the past couple of weeks.

She said, “my neighbour was recently kidnapped. She was released just last week after the family paid a huge sum for ransom.

“There is virtually no day that passes without any case of robbery or kidnapping in Owerri. We are really scared of the situation.

“The government, on its own, is not doing well in arresting the situation. They should know that peoples lives are involved and beef up the security architecture.”

A survey along the Orji, MCC and Douglas areas of the state capital revealed that traders occupying the busy roads have taken the same step of closing up their wares on time because, according to them, the bandits often strike at night.

 

NEWS: Nigeria’s satellite cannot effectively monitor bandits – Space Agency DG, Shaba

 

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) says Nigeria’s satellite cannot effectively monitor bandits and other criminals.

The Director-General, Halilu Shaba spoke to reporters after a meeting with staff of the agency in Abuja.

Shaba said bandits have become sophisticated, adding that they no longer use Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) phones, but walkie-talkie.

The official disclosed the satellite is not static where the insurgency is taking place. He noted that one satellite is insufficient.

“We have a High-Resolution imaging satellite and Medium Resolution imaging satellite.

“The activities of the bandits could be when the satellite was away from Nigerian borders, so that is why we are advocating for more satellites for Nigeria,” he said.

Shaba advocated stronger collaboration between the agency and security agencies on information sharing to forestall attacks.

NEWS: Fani-Kayode commends Buhari, El-Rufai over release of 27 Afaka students

 

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has commended the Federal Government and the administration of Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State over the rescue of the 27 abducted students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka.

The students abducted few weeks ago were released on Wednesday.

According to a source, the students’ freedom was facilitated by Sheikh Ahmad Gumi-led committee, in collaboration with former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Reacting, Fani-Kayode also commended the Nigerian Army for the rescue of the students.

He, however, vowed to attack and rebuke the government when necessary.

In a series of tweets, the former minister wrote: “I commend the Kaduna State Government, the Federal Government and the @HQNigerianArmy for the rescue of 13 kidnapped persons from evil and barbaric terrorists in Gwagwada, Chikun LGA of Kaduna state earlier today after a fierce gun battle.

“Way to go! More of this! I am proud of being a Nigerian again.

“We must give credit, commend and applaud where and when it is due and we must attack, condemn and criticise where and when it is necessary.

“I pray that they continue in this way. If they do we shall commend and applaud them. If they do not we shall attack, condemn and criticise them.”

NEWS: Pastor Adeboye’s son, Leke reacts to brother’s death

 

Leke Adeboye, the last son and Senior Personal Assistant of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has reacted to the death of his brother, Dare Adeboye.

 had reported that Pastor Dare died in his sleep on Wednesday night at his home in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

He was a Youth Provincial Pastor and was described as a miracle child by his father.

The deceased who was said to have ministered the previous day and never complained of any ailment was 42-years old and married with two kids.

Reacting on Facebook, Leke Adeboye posted a scripture which speaks about the death of the ‘righteous.

He posted Isaiah 57:11 that reads, ” “The righteous man perishes(at the hand of evil), and no one takes it to heart, Faithful and devout men are taken away, while no one understands. That the righteous person is taken away(to be spared) from evil and disaster.”

NEWS: Again, gunmen raze police station, kill two officers in Anambra

 

The Police Command in Anambra State have confirmed the killing of two of its personnel by unknown gunmen who attacked and razed the Divisional Police Station in Obosi, Idemili North of the state.

NAN reports that DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, who confirmed the attack to newsmen said the attackers had after burning down the station, moved to the quarters where they killed the two personnel in the early hours of Thursday.

Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Chris Owolabi had dispatched a tactical team for on-the-spot assessment of the incident.

“The tactical team led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police was directed to have an on-the-spot assessment of the place.

“The team was equally told to possibly identify and apprehend the hoodlums that perpetrated the attack,” he said.

Ikenga further revealed that the bodies of the two policemen had been deposited at a nearby morgue, adding that investigation into the matter had began.

FOOTBALL: 2022 World Cup qualifiers CAF confirms new date for Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal matches

 

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the new international calendar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

Countries in the continent were billed to commence the series in June 2021.

However, CAF has now moved it, because of “current challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic”.

In a statement released on Thursday, the football body confirmed the World Cup qualifiers will now begin in September 2021.

“The qualifiers will now take place in the existing windows of September, October and November 2021, and March 2022.

“CAF is reassessing its protocols and processes to enhance the implementation of COVID-related protocols, including specifically focusing on pre-match testing which had been the source of some challenges in previous windows. Full details on the updated match schedule will be provided in due course,” it read in part.

The third round will see the 10 group winners from the second round drawn into five home-and-away ties.

The winners of each tie will produce Africa’s five representatives for the 2022 World Cup.

NEWS: Pastor Adeboye’s son, Dare is dead

 

Pastor Dare Adeboye, son of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye is dead.

Pastor Dare reportedly died in his sleep on Wednesday night at his home in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

Before his death, Adeboye was a Youth Provincial Pastor in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

He was said to have ministered the previous day and never complained of any ailment.

G.O Adeboye had sometime last year during his 42nd birthday described the deceased as a miracle child.The Church’s media unit has confirmed his death.