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Niger Junta vows to prosecute deposed Bazoum for ‘high treason’; says coup was to avert threat against Nigeria, Niger

Niger’s coup leaders that toppled Mohamed Bazoum said late Sunday they would “prosecute” the ousted president for “high treason” and “undermining the security” of the country.

This is contained in a statement read out by a member of the junta on national television.

“The Nigerien government has so far gathered… evidence to prosecute the deposed president and his local and foreign accomplices before the competent national and international bodies for high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger,” said Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane.

Bazoum, 63, and his family have been held at the president’s official residence in Niamey since the coup on July 26, with international concern mounting over their conditions in detention.

According to Al Jazeera the charges against Bazoum were likely to “increase tensions between the military in Niger and the international community.

“This statement is an indication the military isn’t about to let Bazoum go. The charges they’ve announced could result in very serious repercussions for Bazoum.

“This could be an attempt by the military to further strengthen their hand in future negotiations.”

The spokesman for Niger’s military, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, in his statement on Sunday, dismissed concerns over Bazoum’s health, saying the deposed leader had seen his doctor the previous day.

“After this visit, the doctor raised no problems regarding the state of health of the deposed president and members of his family,” he said.

Abdramane went on to slam ECOWAS sanctions on Niger, saying the “illegal, inhumane and humiliating” measures were making it difficult for people to access medicines, food and electricity.

The military regime said the people of Niger “have been hard hit by the illegal, inhumane and humiliating sanctions imposed by ECOWAS,” according to one of the members of the regime, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane, who added that people were being deprived of medicines, food and electricity.

ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger in response to the coup and has not ruled out using force against the army officers who toppled the democratically elected Bazoum on July 26.

Meanwhile, six Niger soldiers and 10 “terrorists” were killed on Sunday during fighting in the west of the country, authorities said.

Suspected jihadists on motorbikes ambushed the troops near the western town of Sanam on Sunday, according to a statement issued by the National Guard High Command.

Sanam is in the Tillaberi tri-border area where Niger meets Mali and Burkina Faso, a region where jihadist attacks are common.

COUP: We struck to avert threat against Nigeria, Niger — Gen Tchiani

Leader of the military junta in the Republic of Niger, General Abdourahmane Tchiani

Leader of the military junta in the Republic of Niger, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, said weekend that the coup in which they overthrew President Mohammad Bazoum was well intended and was carried out to avert an imminent threat that would have affected not only the Niger Republic but also Nigeria.

General Tchiani said it was painful to the coup leaders that the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government leaders did not hear their side of the matter before issuing an ultimatum to them to quit office.

Speaking when he received Nigeria’s intervention team, comprising prominent Islamic scholars in the country in Niamey, the coup leader and the Nigerian team agreed to intensify the option of dialogue in resolving the political crisis in his country.

A statement by the leader of the Islamic Ulamma, Sheik Bala Lau, stated that General Tchiani, who accorded the team warm reception, welcomed their intervention.

According to the statement, the military leader said their doors are open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.

He apologised for not according the team sent by President Bola Tinubu, led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, rtd, the required attention because they were angry about the ECOWAS ultimatum.

While tracing historical ties between the two nations, he said Niger Republic and Nigeria are not only neighbours but also brothers and sisters who should resolve issues amicably.

The statement explained that the Islamic Ulammas met with General Tchiani for several hours in Niamey during which they deliberated on all the issues, including the demand by ECOWAS leaders that former President Bazoum be reinstated.

Bala Lau, National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, said the clerics were in Niger on behalf of President Bola Tinubu who accepted their request to intervene.

Sheik Lau said the team had earlier told President Tinubu who is also the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government that their position was that the political impasse in Niger is resolved through dialogue.

He, therefore, told General Tchiani that the visit to Niger was to engage in constructive dialogue to encourage him and other military leaders behind the coup to toe the path of peace, instead of war, to resolve the crisis.

Speaking with journalists in Niamey after the meeting, another member of the intervention team and Chief Missioner of Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Ahmad Abdulrahman, said contrary to reports in some sections of the media, the team was well received by General Tchiani and both parties had fruitful discussions.

He said: “We will now go back home and report to President Tinubu what we have discussed and press it on him that war is not an option in resolving the political crisis in his country.

“We believe that war is an ill wind that will not blow any good and that peaceful resolution should prevail.”

Confirming Sheik Lau’s statement, Niger Republic’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, said General Tchiani gave the green light for talks with ECOWAS and was optimistic that the talks would take place in the next few days.

‘’We have agreed and the leader of our country has given the green light for dialogue. They will now go back and inform the Nigerian President what they have heard from us.

‘’We hope in the coming days, they (ECOWAS) will come here to meet us to discuss how the sanctions imposed against us will be lifted,” he said.

Among those on the delegation were Sheik Kabiru Gombe — Secretary, Jamatul Izalatul Bida Waikamatul Sunnah; Sheik Yakubu Musa Hassan Katsina, Director Daawah, JIBWIS; Sheik Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, who represented Sheik Ibrahim Bauchi; and Dr Khalid Aliya- Secretary General, Jammatul Nasril Islam, JNI.

Others are Sheik Karibullah Nasiru Kabara, leader of Khadriya Group Nigeria; Sheik Ahmad Abdurahman; Professor Salisu Sheri, Deputy Secretary-General Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA; Sheik Nasiru Abdul Muhayuid, Director Admin, JIBWIS Jos; Professor Mansur Sokoto; and Alhaji Mele Kyari.

Daily Trust/Vanguard

August 14, 2023
Abia’s Otti places ban on ‘Okada’ In Aba, Umuahia

The Abia State Governor Alex Otti has directed the ban on the operation of commercial motorcyclists better known as okada within the Umuahia and Aba metropolis.

According to Governor Otti’s Chief Press Secretary Kazie Uko, this directive takes effect immediately.

“The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has directed the immediate ban on the operation of commercial motorcyclists, otherwise known as Okada, within Umuahia, the State capital, and Aba Metropolis,” the statement read.

“Effective Monday, August 14, 2023, any motorcycle seen on the streets of Umuahia and Aba townships being used for such purpose will be impounded by the security agencies.

“Also, security agencies have been directed to arrest any individual caught violating this order, for possible prosecution. This directive takes immediate effect.”

Channels TV

August 14, 2023
Enugu Lands Commissioner, Ezeh, vows to increase IGR; sanitize, digitalize ministry

The newly appointed Enugu State Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Prince Ezeh has assumed office with a pledge to sanitize and digitalize the ministry with the aim of boosting the state’s internal generated revenue.

Prince Lawrence Ezeh who came to the ministry Friday promised to work assiduously to ensure that the State attains greater economic stability.

The Commissioner, who arrived the ministry at exactly 4:.27pm, was welcomed by cheerful and elated staff whose expressed their readiness to cooperate with him to achieve his target in the ministry.

The new Commissioner was ushered into his office by the Permanent Secretary, Rev. Sr. Josephine Aniagolu, accompanied by other directors.

In a meeting with the staff shortly after his resumption, the Commissioner told them that in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s mandate, every staff of the ministry must be diligent with his/her duty so that collectively, the state would be better for it.

“With the Governor’s marching order to expand the State’s IGR, I urge you to work hard to exceed the target. That is one way to justify the confidence that he reposed in all of you.

“In line with Governor’s vision, the State must generate revenue that can settle workers’ salaries without waiting for the monthly Federal Allocation. His Excellency, the Governor has directed all the revenue-generating agencies to prioritise the compelling need to have more revenue for the state to ensure the state’s overall economic growth”, Prince Eze tasked them.

He also charged them to deliberate on strategies to shore up the Internally Generated Revenue from the ministry by leveraging on the Governor’s planned digitalization of the ministry with a view to stimulating the economy and good governance in the State.

“We have very serious revenue challenges and it is up to us to make sure we shore up the revenue base of the State. The Governor has a lot of confidence that we can do this if we work together. You are working for the Governor and at the end of the day you are working for the benefit of Ndi Enugu,” Eze said.

The new commissioner promised to establish a sustainable land information system that will make the acquisition of land rights, structures and procedures of registration easy and provide economic empowerment as well as poverty eradication.

He promised to operate a smooth land administration system that is people-friendly and one that is capable of enhancing and promoting the socio-economic growth of the State.

August 14, 2023
JUST-IN: ECOWAS orders immediate deployment of standby force against Niger junta

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has ordered its standby force to restore constitutional order in NIger Republic.

The President of ECOWAS, Omar Alieu Touray made the declaration while reading the resolution of ECOWAS on the Niger coup at the ECOWAS Extraordinary meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

It also called on the African Union, AU, partner countries and institutions to support the resolution taken by the sub-regional body.

ECOWAS said all efforts made to dialogue with Niger Republic military junta have been defiantly rejected by coup leaders as they condemn continuous detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family members.

The resolution partly reads, “Direct the committee of the Chief of Defence Staff to activate the ECOWAS stand-by force with all its elements immediately.

“Order the deployment of the ECOWAS stand-by force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.

“Underscore its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”

Vanguard

August 10, 2023
Former Kano Emir, Lamido Sanusi, meets Putschists in Niger, briefs Tinubu on outcome of meeting

Sanusi meets junta leaders

A former Governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank, Lamido Sanusi, is in Niger to meet with the junta leaders.

Mr Sanusi, a former Emir of Kano, was seen in a picture standing beside the leader of the junta, General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

It is not clear in what capacity Mr Sanusi visited Niger. However, the former monarch is a close ally of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu who is also the ECOWAS leader.

Mr Sanusi is also the spiritual leader (Khalifah) of the Tijaniyah Islamic movement in Nigeria, a movement with millions of members across West Africa, including Niger.

Mr Sanusi was accompanied on the visit, believed to be yesterday (Wednesday), by the Emir of Damagaram in Zinder, in the Maradi region of Niger.

Since regional body ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger following last month’s coup, Mr Tchiani has refused to meet most of the official delegations sent to the country.

Mr Tchiani also refused to meet a joint delegation of the UN, AU and ECOWAS.

Mr Tchiani also declined to meet with an ECOWAS delegation led by former military leader Abdulsalami Abubakar. He also refused to meet with the US Acting Deputy Secretary of State, Victoria Nuland.

ECOWAS leaders will meet Thursday (Today) to review the situation in Niger following the expiration of the one week ultimatum given to the coup leaders to relinquish power back to President Mohamed Bazoum.

Sanusi briefs Tinubu on outcome of meeting

Shortly after returning from Niger Republic, Sanusi met last night with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He arrived the Villa at about 8:25pm immediately after a high delegation of the Nigeria Islamic Ulama met with the President.

Asked about his visit to Niger, the former Emir said, “I came to brief him on the details of my discussions with leaders of Niger.“

“We’ll continue to do our best to bring the two parties together to improve understanding. This is not the time public diplomacy is left to governments alone. All Nigerians, all Nigeriens need to be involved to find a solution that works for Africa, a solution that works for Niger, that works for Nigeria, and a solution that works for humanity.

Asked to respond to the reports that he took the initiative by himself and not government’s delegation, he said, “No, I was not sent by the government. Government officials were aware I was going, but it was my personal initiative, using my personal contacts to get there and I will continue to do my best. It is my duty as a leader to do that.”

He said that he was well received by the military juntas in Niger.

Premium Times/Vanguard

August 10, 2023
Internal resistance erupts in Niger as former Niger rebel launches anti-coup movement

Members of a military council that staged a coup in Niger attend a rally at a stadium in Niamey, Niger, August 6, 2023 [Mahamadou Hamidou/Reuters]

A former rebel leader and politician in Niger has launched a movement opposing the military government that took power in a July 26 coup, a first sign of internal resistance to army rule in the strategically important Sahel country.

In a statement seen on Wednesday, Rhissa Ag Boula said his new Council of Resistance for the Republic (CRR) aims to reinstate overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum who has been in detention at his residence since the takeover.

“Niger is the victim of a tragedy orchestrated by people charged with protecting it,” the statement said.

The announcement comes as diplomatic efforts to reverse the coup have stalled after the military government rejected the latest diplomatic mission from the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Niger’s coup leaders denied entry to African and United Nations envoys on Tuesday, resisting pressure to negotiate before a summit on Thursday at which heads of state from the ECOWAS will discuss the possible use of force.Ag Boula’s statement said it supports ECOWAS and any other international actors seeking to restore constitutional order in Niger, adding that it would make itself available to the bloc for any useful purpose.

Another CRR member said several Nigerien political figures had joined the group but could not make their allegiance public for safety reasons.

Ag Boula played a leading role in uprisings by Tuaregs, a nomadic ethnic group present in Niger’s desert north, in the 1990s and 2000s. Like many former rebels, he was integrated into government under Bazoum and his predecessor Mahamadou Issoufou.

While the extent of support for the CRR is unclear, Ag Boula’s statement will worry the coup leaders given his influence among Tuaregs who control commerce and politics in much of the vast north. Support from Tuaregs would be key to securing the military government’s control beyond Niamey’s city limits.

Democratic ECOWAS member states such as Nigeria want the reinstatement of the civilian government that had been relatively successful in containing a deadly campaign by armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) which has devastated the Sahel region.

Mutinous soldiers detained Bazoum and seized power on July 26, claiming they could do a better job at protecting the nation from the violence.

The coup comes as a blow to many countries in the West, which saw Niger as one of the last democratic partners in the region against the expansionist threat of armed groups. Niger also matters to the global market on various fronts, including its 5 percent share of the global supply of uranium.

Complex diplomatic picture

The coup has already led to border and airspace closures that have cut off supplies of medicine and food, hampering humanitarian aid in one of the world’s poorest countries.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said late on Tuesday that he had spoken to Bazoum to express continued efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

“The United States reiterates our call for the immediate release of him and his family,” he posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Nigeria’s President and ECOWAS chairman Bola Tinubu imposed more sanctions on Niger on Tuesday, aimed at squeezing entities and individuals involved in the takeover, and said all options were still on the table.

ECOWAS has said the use of force would be the last resort. The bloc’s defence chiefs have agreed on a possible military action plan, which heads of state will discuss at their summit on Thursday in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

But Mali and Burkina Faso, ECOWAS members that have rejected Western allies since their own military took power in coups in the past three years, have promised to defend Niger’s new army rulers from any forceful attempt to remove them.

In a letter to the UN, they called on the Security Council to prevent any armed action against Niger, saying it would have unpredictable consequences such as the break-up of ECOWAS, a humanitarian disaster, and a worsening security situation.

Accusing Western powers of using ECOWAS as a proxy to conceal a hostile agenda towards Niger, they said they were committed to finding solutions through diplomacy and negotiation.

Mali and Burkina Faso previously said they would treat any military intervention in Niger as an act of war.

Further complicating the diplomatic picture is the influence of Russia in the Sahel region, which Western powers fear could grow stronger if the military government in Niger follows Mali’s example by throwing out Western troops and inviting in Wagner mercenaries.

Niger currently hosts US, French, German and Italian troops under agreements made with the now-deposed civilian government.

Al Jazeera

August 9, 2023
Anti-LGBTQ Law: World Bank To Stop New Loans To Uganda

Ugandans bearing Anti LGBTQ placards

The World Bank has announced its intention to stop new loans to Uganda over the country’s controversial anti-LGBTQ law.

Earlier this year, the Ugandan government passed an anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) law.

The Washington, DC-based lender said on Tuesday it would pause project financing pending a review of measures it introduced to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in its projects.

The World bank in a statement, said “Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values.

“We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality. This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world.

“Immediately after the law was enacted, the World Bank deployed a team to Uganda to review our portfolio in the context of the new legislation.

“That review determined additional measures are necessary to ensure projects are implemented in alignment with our environmental and social standards.

“Our goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in the projects we finance. These measures are currently under discussion with the authorities.

“No new public financing to Uganda will be presented to our board of executive directors until the efficacy of the additional measures has been tested.

“Third-party monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms will significantly increase, allowing us to take corrective action as necessary.”

The lender will also increase third-party monitoring and grievance redress mechanisms “allowing us to take corrective action as necessary,”

The World Bank Group, despite its position on the new law, said it still maintains a longstanding and productive relationship with Uganda.

“We remain committed to helping all Ugandans, without exception, escape poverty, access vital services, and improve their lives,” the bank added

Arise News

August 9, 2023
Presidential Tax C’ttee Advocates For FIRS To Collect Revenues For Customs, Other MDAs

Chairman of Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, August 9, 2023

The Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms says the Nigeria Customs Service and 62 other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government should not collect revenue directly.

The Chairman of the Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily breakfast programme on Wednesday, said the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is best suited to collect revenue for the MDAs.

Oyedele, a former Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), said Nigeria’s revenue collection from taxes is one of the lowest in the world but the cost of collection is high.

“Ironically, our cost of collection is one of the highest. And the reason for that is that we’ve got all manners of agencies. The Federal Government alone, we have 63 MDAs that were given revenue targets last year, no; actually in the 2023 budget,” he said.

“And two things that would come up from that: on one hand, these agencies are being distracted from doing their primary function which is to facilitate the economy. Number two, they were not set up to collect revenue, so, they won’t be able to collect revenue efficiently.

“So, move those revenue collection function to the FIRS. It has two advantages: the cost of collection and efficiency will improve, these guys will focus on their work, and the economy will benefit as a result.”

Asked for clarity on his comments, Oyedele said, “If you are Customs, focus on trade facilitation, border protection and if you are NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission), just regulate telecommunications. You are not set up to collect revenue.

“It can be your revenue and someone else can collect it for you. There will be more transparency because you see what is being collected and is accounted for properly. It is also a way of holding ourselves to account as to how we spend the money we collect from the people.”

The committee chair said there will be pushbacks from stakeholders and others benefitting from the process but the committee’s sole objective is to not to take what belongs to anyone but what should come to the government.

Oyedele also described the Treasury Single Account (TSA) initiative as a step in the right direction but it has not been fully developed. He said the TSA will help his committee’s work but there are more to do to maximise the initiative.

Furthermore, Oyedele also said the presidential committee would look into excess bank charges. He said businesses pay as high as 65 to 70 levies and taxes but the committee’s plan is to reduce the number of taxes to about 10.

N20trn Tax Gap

Oyedele, chair of the committee inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, said Nigeria’s tax gap is estimated around N20trn as many members of the elite evade paying the exact taxes they should remit to the government.

“As of today we have significant tax gap estimated in the region of 20 trillion or even more naira. If you focus more on the few major taxes – Value Added Tax, Corporate Income Tax, Personal Income Tax, a lot of people are not (tax) compliant, particularly the middle class and the elite, some of them are in the tax net with one or two fingers, you pay a thousand naira as tax when you should have paid N10m,” he said.

The tax expert said all of the revenue not captured before would be brought into the tax net.

“In fact, our plan is to repeal many of the taxes that currently make doing business difficult without introducing new ones and yet collect more,” he said.

Channels TV

August 9, 2023
Coup: Group drags ECOWAS, Nigeria to court over planned attack on Niger

Civil rights group, Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), has dragged the Economic Community of West African (ECOWAS) to the bloc’s court over the proposed military intervention in Niger Republic.

The group asked the court to invoke ECOWAS protocols to stop the planned military action against Niger.

The suit was instituted by a Nigerian lawyer Kayode Ajulo.

According to the suit marked ECW/CCJ/APP/3/23, ECOWAS treaties prohibit aggression among member states.

The group wants the regional court to invoke relevant ECOWAS treaties and international laws to stop the military invasion of Niger.

It said any military intervention in Niger would be tantamount to aggression between ECOWAS member states, stressing that the planned military invasion would run foul of the obligations in the ECOWAS treaties.

Apart from EMA, other plaintiffs in the suit are a former director-general of the Nigerian Institute of the Internal Affairs (NIIA), Bola Akinterinwa and Hamza Dantani, a lawyer.

Defendants in the matter are the ECOWAS, Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, president of ECOWAS Mission, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Republic of Niger.

He said the military intervention would specifically violate Articles 1, 5, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 24 of the African charter on human and peoples’ rights and others.

According to him, Article 22(2) of the protocol on the community court of justice mandates that when a dispute is brought before the court, member states should refrain from any action likely to militate against its settlement.

No date has been fixed for hearing in the suit.

A military group led by Gen. Abdourhamane Tchiani had on July 26 toppled the civilian and democratic government of President Mohammed Bazoum who has since been clamped into unlawful military detention.

ECOWAS on Tuesday imposed fresh sanctions over the coup in Niger Republic.

The regional bloc had given the Niger junta seven days to reinstate Mr Bazoum or risk sanctions, including potential military attack. But the coupists called the bluff of ECOWAS and vowed to resist any foreign intervention on its soil.

It also severed ties with Nigeria, Togo, France and the U.S., and shut down Nigerien airspace indefinitely.

At the end of the ultimatum, the bloc scheduled a meeting for Thursday to review the situation in the West African nation.

President Bola Tinubu, ECOWAS chair has vowed to do everything possible to reinstate the ousted Mr Bazoum.

NAN

August 9, 2023
Enugu: Mbah Lauds Army Over Improved Security, Peace in State, as 82 Division GOC Says “Things can only get better”

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has commended the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Army for improved security and end to sit-at-home in the state, assuring that his administration would not let down its guard.

This was even as the Army has reiterated that security could only get better given the level of resources and manpower deployed in the state, assuring citizens of their safety as they go about their businesses.

The governor gave the commendation when he received the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General Hassan Dada, at the Government House on Tuesday.

He said the improved security would aid his administration’s promise to grow the state’s economy in an unprecedented manner, as the growth was going to come from the private sector investment.

“But one thing that is key is that private sector investment will not happen if we do not have peace and security. That was why when we took over, we immediately identified the security challenge and the sit-at-home as the big elephants in the room. We recognised that the continual Monday sit-at-home was not only creating this perception of insecurity in our state, but it was also doing so much damage to our psychology as a people, our social wellbeing and our economy. We moved against it and made a pronouncement to put an end to Monday sit-at-home.

“So, I want to immediately put on record our profound appreciation and our immense gratitude for the support, dedication, and commitment we have continued to receive from the military, particularly the army, in our quest to have a peaceful and secure Enugu State.

“I also want to put on record that we have enjoyed tremendous support in not only getting the various security agencies to buy into this end to sit-at-home, but also in practice getting them to deploy enough security to ensure the protection of lives and property, particularly with respect to the enforcers of the illegal sit-at-home.

“We want to thank you in particular because of the sort of dedication and commitment we have witnessed in you and we must also by extension express our profound gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff for bringing you here because we can see that not only have we been able to escort this big elephant called sit-at-home out of our state, but we are also enjoying a relatively peaceful and secure environment in our state today”.

Mbah, however, enjoined the military and the security agencies not to rest on their oars, adding that having lost the battle the criminals that hitherto terrorised the people have now resorted to social media propaganda.

“We cannot at this point rest on our oars. We cannot assume that these opportunistic foes will just sit back and relax. We enjoin you and your team to remain vigilant because it is not yet time to Uhuru. We are still at our highest alert level until we are completely sure that these criminals are nowhere close to our state.

“On our part, we want to assure you that as a government, we are going to continue to collaborate with you and other security agencies to ensure that we sustain this relative peace and security”, he concluded.

Speaking earlier, General Dada commended Governor Mbah for leading the charge against insecurity and illegal sit-at-home, saying the Army and the security agencies, had restored security in Enugu State through the governor’s support.

The GOC, who was accompanied by the Army high command in the South East on the familiarisation visit said: “Let me assure you that with the support of my bosses, the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff, things can only but get better”.

August 9, 2023
Resident Doctors Suspend Planned Protest, Says Strike Continues

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned protest scheduled to hold today (Wednesday), August 9, 2023.

NARD President, Innocent Orji, made this known on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily breakfast programme on Wednesday.

According to him, the industrial action by the association, however, continues.

Orji said, “Yes, we put on hold the protest that was supposed to start this (Wednesday) morning but the strike is continuing. We’ll review again in 72 hours; that’s the position of the National Executive Council.”

The NARD President said his colleagues have eight major demands including the need for the government to recruit new hands to replace those who have left the system through migration (brain drain) or death.

“Our members are suffering. Nigerians are suffering too. When you don’t have the right number of doctors in the hospital, there is no way it is not going to affect the healthcare service delivery system. And nobody has come out to tell us that what we are saying is not true,” he said.

“The government on its own set up a ministerial committee that came up with a guideline since February this year, why hasn’t that guideline been circularised?” he quizzed, saying the circular would help to reduce the brain drain as doctors would be immediately recruited upon the completion of their education.

Orji said the government has not shown commitment to meeting the demands of the Association.

The suspension of the planned protest followed a meeting between NARD executive and that of the Senate led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The Association on July 25, 2023 declared a “total and indefinite strike action” over the replacement of doctors who have exited the system and demand that the salary structure of its members be increased by 200%, amongst other demands.

Channels TV

August 9, 2023
Nigeria’s Tinubu Directs CBN on Financial Sanctions Against Individuals, Corporate Bodies Doing Business with Niger Putschists

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to initiate a series of financial sanctions against individuals and entities associated with the leaders of the coup that truncated the democratic order in Niger Republic.

Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, who made this known on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen at the State House, Abuja, while not giving details of the sanctions, however, maintained that they are being instituted under the authority of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

This move is in addition to electricity transmission already cut by Nigeria to Niger, its northern neighbours to pressurize the military to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

According to Ngelale: “The news is that Mr. President has directed the acting CBN governor to levy another slew of sanctions against entities and individuals associated with the military junta in Niger public.

“I said that intentionally. I didn’t make a mistake, because I was given permission to make that statement and I emphasize that this is not an individual action taken by an individual President on behalf of individual nation.

“This is an action taken. Yes, by ECOWAS chairman who is the president of Nigeria but standing on the authority provided by the consensus resolution of all ECOWAS members and heads of state with regard to financial sanctions being levied by ECOWAS Member States against the military junta in Niger Republic.

“There is an authority that we are standing on. It is not Nigerian government authority, it is the authority of the resolution passed in public before now.”

The Media Adviser explained that the actions against Niger being coordinated by President Tinubu are not personal as they are under the auspices of the ECOWAS where he is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

His words: “Concerning the ultimatum given to the military Junta in Niger Republic, the ECOWAS mandate, and ultimatum is not a Nigerian ultimatum. It is not a Nigerian mandate.

“And the office of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also serving as the Chairman of ECOWAS, seeks to emphasize this point, that due to certain domestic and international media coverage, tending toward a personalization of the ECOWAS sub regional position to his person and to our nation individually.

“It is because of this that Mr. President has deemed it necessary to state unequivocally that the mandate and ultimatum by issued ECOWAS is that of ECOWAS’ position.

“While his Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assumed the ECOWAS chairmanship, the position of ECOWAS conveys the consensus position of member heads of state. And a coup will not occur in one’s backyard, without one be particularly aware of it.

“The president in recent days, particularly following the expiration of the ultimatum given by ECOWAS has widened consultations internationally but most especially domestically, including interfaces with state governors in Nigeria, who govern states bordering Niger public on the various fallouts and outcomes of the unfortunate situation that has unfolded in Niger Republic.

“But President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, wishes to emphasize to this distinguished audience that the response of ECOWAS to the military coup in Niger has been and will remain devoid of ethnic and religious sentiments and considerations.

“The regional bloc is made up of all sub regional ethnic groups, religious groups, and all other forms of human diversity. And the response of ECOWAS, therefore, represents all of these groups, and not any of these groups individually.”

According to him, Thursday’s extraordinary summit of ECOWAS in Abuja will come up with far-reaching decisions on the recent developments in Niger Republic.

Arise News

August 9, 2023