Category: News

NEC also yesterday endorsed the implementation of the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises, i-DICE, programme in the 36 states and the FCT.

This is even as Office of the Accountant-General of Federation disclosed that several months after the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari granted states and FCT N1.72 trillion budget support grant, they were yet to refund the money.

At its 140th meeting held virtually yesterday, chairman of the council, Vice President Kashim Shettima, said only 16 states have submitted their report on state police, despite the fact that all the state of the federation expressed their support for it.

He also declared the firm resolve of the renewed hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunity for all Nigerians.

He told state governors to nominate persons to represent each geo-political zone at the zonal level and focal persons to lead the implementation of the programme in their respective states.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Sen. Shettima assured that the administration will not rest on its oars until the citizens began to bask in the opportunities they were promised, noting that it was the reason the government was prioritizing skill acquisition and job creation.

He said: “But two things are clear. One, we won’t ever regret paving the way for the acquisition of skills that meet the needs of the global markets. Two, our actions today will shape the economic landscape of tomorrow, and so it’s incumbent upon us to ensure that we leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunity for all Nigerians.

“When we empower entrepreneurs and small business owners, we unlock the potential for innovation, job creation, and economic growth. By providing access to financing, training, and mentorship programs, we unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that lies within every Nigerian, catalysing a wave of economic prosperity that benefits us all.”

Shettima implored governors and other council members to remain constant in executing initiatives that would help wriggle the citizens out of their present condition.

In his presentation on the i-DICE programme, the Executive Director in charge of SMES at the Bank of Industry, Mr Shekarau Omar, said the programme, a special intervention by government, was designed to deliver on the promise by the Tinubu administration to create millions of jobs in the technology space.

He listed African Development Bank, AfDB, the French Development Agency, AFD, and the Islamic Development Bank, IsDB, among organisations that will fund the programme, giving a breakdown of how the funds will be sourced as follows: AfDB, $170million; IsDB, $70 million; AFD, $116 million; Bank of Industry (BoI) on behalf of Federal Government, $45.50 million; Fund Manager (For Equity Fund only), $8.70 million, and private investors, $205 million.
On the impact of the programme, Omar said 1,269,757 youths would be trained and certified in ICT skills, with at least 25,000 youths trained in each state of the federation and the FCT.

He noted that while at least 100,000 jobs will be created per state, about 5,581,231 indirect jobs will be created through i-DICE interventions nationwide.

The Excess crude account, ECA, was $473,754.57, the Stabilization Account N33,808,342,662.88, while the current balance of natural resources stands at N113,925,600,918.68.

Vanguard

This was as the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta State, Maj. Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, declared that his troops would remain in the creeks until the suspects were arrested and the weapons of the killed soldiers were recovered.

At least 17 military personnel were killed by irate youths during a communal clash over a land dispute in Bomadi and Okuoma communities in Delta state.

The personnel attached to the 181 Amphibious Battalion were responding to a distress call when they were ambushed and killed on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Many residents of Okuama in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and Okolaba in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, fled the communities, as soldiers took over the area and reportedly set some houses ablaze in reaction to the killing of the soldiers.

It was reported that 15 bodies of the deceased military men were recovered by soldiers of the Joint Task Force under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, at the Okuama community.

Some of the recovered corpses had their heads severed off, while the stomachs of others were ripped off with some of the vital organs missing.

At the NDDC jetty in the community, the bodies of the commanding officer and two Majors were seen floating by the river bank as others were separated on land.

The neighbouring communities have been engaged in a communal land dispute since January 27, 2024.

Governor Oborevwori, while addressing monarch on Thursday, said such killing was alien to Delta State, describing it as barbaric, inhumane and unacceptable, and vowed that those who committed the evil act must be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He said no kingdom should shield the perpetrators of the dastardly act, adding that Delta was governed within the tenets of the rule of law and human decency.

Oborevwori said, “On February 7, we summoned the people of Okoloba and Okuoma communities in Bomadi and Ughelli South Local Government Areas, including the members representing the two constituencies in the State House of Assembly, the council chairmen and their presidents-general, where we advised them that a lot has been happening in their area and they signed a peace accord.

“The killing of these Army officers and soldiers came as a rude shock to us, and when this thing happened, I immediately called the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Army Staff because I was in Abuja. I came back and issued a press statement.

“On Monday, I went to Bomadi to meet with all the security chiefs, where we had our security council meeting and I got briefings from the Brigade Commander. In attendance were the GOC, 6 Division Nigeria Army, Maj Gen Jamil Abdussalam, and the JTF Commander, Rear Admiral John Okeke.

“After the meeting, I went to Abuja to meet with Mr. President to brief him on what happened. I also went to see the Chief of Army Staff to discuss with him. I also met with the National Security Adviser and the Inspector-General of Police.

“I felt that it is also proper that I brief you people even though you may be aware. Those people who committed that evil act must face the wrath of the law. No kingdom should shield those criminals, because Delta state is governed by the tenets of the law and human decency.”

The governor said the state would not tolerate such killings, adding that “it has never happened in this state; to kill one Lt. Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 soldiers. We need to fish out those involved.”

Warning the monarchs, the governor said, “Do not hide or shield anybody. The Chief of Army Staff and Mr President have assured me that innocent people will not be victimised; unless you connive with the killers of the soldiers.

Days ago, Okuama women cried out that they fled into the forests when soldiers allegedly opened fire on villagers in the town hall after the community refused their attempt to take away the community leaders.

As of yesterday, Okuama was out of bounds as only the military could go in and out of the town as the place is deserted.

Even the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, confirmed he could not visit the place because of the situation.

Vanguard learned that the neighboring communities to Okuama refused to take in fleeing residents from Okuama as refugees in their homelands because of fear of persecution by soldiers who come around searching for perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Because of how they escaped into the forests, the women could not take food items with them, and haven’t been able to return to the community as soldiers have taken over the town.

One indigene of a neighbouring community in Ewu Kingdom said the situation of the victims of the military onslaught at Okuama is pitiable.

“Hunger is taking a toll on them, especially the children they are carrying. This is a humanitarian crisis, and the government has to open a refugee camp for these people and provide them with food.

“Soldiers molest innocent people in neighbouring communities of Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area. As I am speaking with you, soldiers are still at Orere community in Ewu kingdom in search of the perpetrators, molesting innocent people.

“The fact is that neighboring communities in the Ewu Kingdom are not receiving fleeing indigenes of Okuama who are mostly women and children, for fear of harassment and molestation by the military.

“As we speak, neighboring communities are living in fear because the military is using drones to watch over all communities,’’ the local said.

A resident of Orere community said people in neighbouring communities are having sleepless nights over the presence of soldiers in their domain.

“We are having sleepless nights over what happened at Okuama because the military is after the perpetrators fleeing from the scene of the incident. To be candid, nobody is happy over what happened to the soldiers at Okuama.

“But, the issue has degenerated, and we are all affected. They would come to your community, brutalizing innocent people.

“I want to use this medium to call on the Federal Government to consider setting up refugee camps for women and children displaced from Okuama community, who nobody wants to accommodate because of fear of the rampaging soldiers in neighbouring communities.

“This is a clarion call on the Federal Government to save these victims. The government should set up internally displaced persons, IDP, camps to accommodate these vulnerable victims so they can be identified and avoid the harassment of neighbouring communities.

“I want to conclude by saying that nobody supports the killing of soldiers at Okuama, and the Federal Government should do something to save these innocent victims.”

Punch/Vanguard

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu transmitted the bill to the House for consideration and passage on Tuesday.

The approved bill provides a total monthly package of N5,385,047.26 for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

According to the bill, other Justices of the Supreme Court are to earn a total package of N4,213,192.54, while the President of the Court of Appeal is to earn a total monthly package of N4,478,415.78.

Also, justices of the Court of Appeal are to earn a total monthly package of N3,726,665.40, while the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Grand Khadi, FCT Sharia Court of Appeal, President of Customary Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of State High Court and Grand Khadi of State Sharia Court of Appeal and President of State Customary Court of Appeal are to earn a total monthly package of N3,527,022.61.

According to the bill, the monthly package covers their basic salaries and all regular allowances, which include motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance, among others.

Daily Trust

The military confirmed the killing of the soldiers on Saturday. On Sunday morning, the Okuama community was attacked and many houses there were burnt. It is that Sunday morning attack that the military has now denied.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, a major general, in a statement on Monday, said the community was already deserted even before troops arrived there.
Mr Buba advised those peddling the news of reprisal attacks on the community by soldiers to desist from further “dishonouring the fallen heroes.”

He said it behoves on the community leaders, elders and the people of Delta to identify the perpetrators of the murder, so that they could be brought to account for the heinous crime.

Mr Buba then suggested that the burning of the Okuama community could have been carried out by the rival Okoloba community. It was the fighting between the two communities that soldiers were sent to resolve before they were killed on Thursday.

The defence spokesperson said as long as the dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities remained, it “implies that there could be untoward activities not initiated by the military.

“Overall, there is no doubt, that this (killing of the soldiers) is an extremely sad development and untoward activity by members of the Okuama community against troops that were there to protect them.

“We urge the public to resist the temptation of allowing any videos of the incident of the killed personnel from going viral.

“It would be a dishonour to the fallen heroes to allow such ugly videos of their demise go viral.

“Above all, as the military mourns, it remains ever determined to ensure safety and security of citizens across the country,” he said.

Mr Buba said it was tragic, senseless and barbaric to have killed the officers and soldiers in such a dehumanised and unspeakable manner.

According to him, while the armed forces mourns the loss of the gallant troops, there will be measured responses and consequences for the perpetrators.

He consoled their families, colleagues and loved ones over the tragic incident.

Mr Buba reminded Nigerians that the armed forces consist of citizens from every nook and cranny of the nation who had taken oath of allegiance to put themselves in harms way to defend the country.

The defence spokesperson said it was in line with this, that troops were deployed on internal security operations in about all the states of the federation to intervene, deescalate and contain security breaches.

“The ugly incident in Okuama Community in Delta is indicative of the dangers our gallant troops experience in order to secure our nation.

“The military assures that there would be measured responses and injurious consequences for the perpetrators of these dastardly act.

“Nevertheless, the armed forces being a disciplined force that complies with rules of engagement, laws of armed conflict and the respect for human rights would be tempered by these provisions.

“We would not be led by emotions, but by the rule of law,” he added.

Premium Times

The court, however, ordered accelerated hearing of the case involved in the embattled IPOB leader who is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony.

Kanu, who was brought to the court on Tuesday, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his arrest in June 2021.

Delivering ruling, Justice Nyako held that the court would only grant an accelerated hearing in the matter and ordered the prosecution to call its first witness.

Counsel for Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, expressed his displeasure over the ruling. He said the IPOB leader’s legal team cannot go on with the proceedings if not given an opportunity to speak with their client.

Ejimakor added that it has been difficult to have a meeting with Kanu in the custody of the DSS, as their conversations was always monitored and Kanu is still wearing the same outfit which the court ordered to be changed.

He alleged unfair treatment of his client, which he said contravened the Nigerian Constitution.

He expressed the dissatisfaction of Kanu’s team of lawyers and asked a stand down of the case to enable them to consult with their client, which the court has granted.

Kanu asked to address the court and his request was granted. He told the court that he is suffering from Cognitive Heart Disease and has not been getting the best treatment in the custody of the DSS. He asked to be moved to Kuje prison or place on house arrest but his pleas were rejected by Justice Nyako who subsequently adjourned the case to April 17, 2024 for commencement of trial.

Channels TV

Troops of the Nigerian Army, I Division, have rescued 16 abducted victims in Kajuru, Kaduna State.

They also averted a kidnap attempt by an extremist group.

“The Nigerian Army troops deployed in 1 Division area of responsibility in Kaduna State have successfully averted a kidnap attempt by a violent extremist and insurgent group and rescued the abductees in Tantatu Community of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State,” the Director of Army Public Relations Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said in a late Monday statement.

According to him, the troops were responding to intelligence on Sunday night when they tracked the insurgents who had abducted some persons in the village.

“On arriving at the scene of the incident, the troops tenaciously pursued the insurgents, engaging them in a ferocious exchange of fire and consequently rescuing 16 kidnapped victims,” the statement read.

“The troops are still exploiting the bushes in continuation of the search and rescue operations to extricate other victims and balk the nefarious activities of the insurgents.”

Following the rescue, the Chief of Army Staff Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja lauded the troops for the successful outing and charged them to remain vigilant in the conduct of ongoing counter-insurgency operations to liberate all troubled areas in the country.

Channels TV

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, on Monday, condemned the heinous killing of 16 military personnel in the Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State last week during a rescue mission.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), however, faulted the alleged burning of the village by the military in what can be described as a reprisal.

Falana, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, experienced sympathy with the bereaved families of the slain soldiers but said the military authorities could have prevented a reprisal because of the country’s past experience in Zaki Biam, Gbaramatu and other places.

The slain military personnel responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities, both in Delta State, before they were killed on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

The beheaded corpses of the slain soldiers were later recovered from a neigbouring rivers, while the stomachs and hearts of others were ripped off.

President Bola Tinubu, the Senate, the host Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as well as civil society organisations have condemned the gruesome murder of the soldiers and called for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.

However, over the weekend, some angry soldiers patrolling the creeks allegedly razed the village after their colleagues were killed, even as residents of the coastal community fled to neighboring Ughelli.

Falana said the reprisal was avoidable if the military commands and the Federal Government had cautioned soldiers early enough not to embark on any act of retaliation and gave them assurances that justice would be served immediately.

“On the night of the 16th (of January), angry soldiers stormed Okuama village and set it on fire. For me, it is unavoidable,” Falana said. “You can’t blame soldiers alone because there is a general notion in the society because of loss in the judicial system, everybody embrace mob justice.”

“Even the statement of the President yesterday (Sunday). We are in a democratic system of government. The President cannot order military authorities to fish out civilians involved in a heinous crime. That is the duty of the police,” the senior lawyer stated.

Falana said those arrested should be handed over to the police and arraigned immediately as this action would have doused tension in the coastal village.

He faulted the idea collective punishment, saying that it contravened the Geneva Convention and other international laws which Nigeria is a signatory to.

“There are innocent people in Okuama who are as angry as the government in ensuring that the criminal elements are brought to justice but when you go and set their houses on fire and attack innocent people, you have offended domestic laws because it is right in our country that there is no vicarious liability in criminality.

“Nigeria domesticated the Geneva Convention in 1960 and under Article 33 of the the Geneva Convention, collective punishment is prohibited. Innocent people cannot be attacked, even in a war situation,” he said.

Channels TV

The bandits were said to have looted some shops and houses located in the community.

The attack occurred on Sunday night, just a day after 14 people were kidnapped by bandits at Dogon Noma community also within Kajuru Local Government.

Police authorities in Kaduna State are yet to confirm the latest attack,  however, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area,  Ibrahim Gajere told our correspondent that bandits invaded Kajuru station community at about 9: 00 pm on Sunday night, and took away many residents.

He lamented that the constant attacks on Kajuru have left many residents in fear and panic.

In recent times, Kajuru and Chikun Local Government Areas in Kaduna Central Senatorial District have come under heavy attacks, including the abduction of 287 students at Kuriga community in Chikun.

Following an upsurge in the kidnap cases, the Chief Of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa arrived at the state government house on Monday, to meet with Governor Uba Sani.

While speaking during the meeting which also had representatives of the Kuriga community in attendance, General Musa assured that the abducted students, and those who were recently kidnapped by bandits at Kajuru, would soon be rescued.

According to him, the military and other security agencies are working tirelessly to free the hostages

He vowed that all those behind the kidnappings and attacks in Kaduna and other states in the North West zone would soon be apprehended.

“We are here to show solidarity to this community so that you would know that whatever you are going through, we are also going through it. We assure you that God Almighty is on our side, and whatever we are going through is just temporal. And the problem is as a result of people who don’t want development for this country so that development would take place. We are working tirelessly to make sure that all those kidnapped will be safeguarded and brought out as quickly as possible,” he said.

While speaking earlier, Governor Sani said the state was getting support from both the army and police.

“We will ensure that we beef up security in Kuriga community. We are getting a lot of support from security agencies, from both police and army,” Governor Sani said during the meeting.

Channels TV