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President Tinubu To address Nigerians Today by 7pm

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will make a broadcast to the nation at 7 pm on Monday, July 31, 2023.

Dele Alake, presidential spokesman, announced this in a statement on Monday morning.

“Television, radio stations and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast,” the statement read.

It is unclear what the broadcast is about but it comes at a time when the masses are complaining of nationwide hardship as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, leading to hike in petrol price.

The president has repeatedly appealed for calm, saying his government is working hard to ensure that Nigerians live comfortably.

Tinubu attributed the current state to labour room pain, saying the gains are on the way.

His address comes on the eve of the nationwide protest of organised labour and amid the strike by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) who rejected the 25% increment in basic salary recently announced by the federal government.

In a communique issued Saturday after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, the association said , it ” vehemently rejects the paltry 25% increment in the basic salary of doctors as well as the accouterment allowance”.

The association said that its earlier demand is for full restoration of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to its right value as at the time of the approval of the structure in 2009.

The communique was signed by the president of the association, Dr Orji Emeka Innocent, secretary-general Dr Chikezie Kelechi, and publicity and social secretary Dr Umar Musa.

NARD said it would continue the ongoing nationwide total and indefinite strike action until reasonable progress is made by the government to address her demands as contained in the ultimatum issued to the federal government earlier this month.

It demanded the immediate release of the circular on the One-for-One policy for the replacement of exited clinical workers for implementation, saying it could not continue to watch her members lose their lives and break down under the weight of work overload occasioned by massive depletion of clinical staff due to brain drain.

Daily Trust

July 31, 2023
Niger Coup: ECOWAS gives military 7 days to give up power, threatens financial sanctions, force

West African leaders on Sunday gave the military junta in Niger one week to cede power, warning they did not rule out the “use of force”, and imposed immediate financial sanctions.

The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded the “immediate release and reinstatement” of Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held by the military since Wednesday.

“In the event the authorities’ demands are not met within one week (ECOWAS will) take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force,” the bloc said in a joint statement after its emergency summit in Abuja, Nigeria.

“For this effect, the chiefs of defence staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately.”

ECOWAS announced the “suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger”, which is part of the bloc, as well as halting energy transactions.

It said it was freezing Niger’s assets in ECOWAS central and commercial banks and imposing a “travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt”.

“The same applies to their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by these military officials,” said the statement, which was read out at the end of the crisis meeting by Nigerian president and ECOWAS chairman Bola Tinubu.

Channels TV

July 31, 2023
In handwritten note, Kanu orders Simon Ekpa to end sit-at-home in South-East

LEADER of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has ordered Simon Ekpa to end all sit-at-home in the South-East.

Kanu, currently in the Department Of State Services (DSS) custody, also directed Finland-based Ekpa to stop antagonising South-East governors or politicians from the region.

In a hand-written order, Kanu asked Ekpa, his self confessed disciple, to immediately terminate the flagrant sit-at-home orders that have paralysed the South-East region.

He warned that anyone enforcing sit-at-home in the South-East is not his disciple and should be made to face the wrath of the law.

Kanu issued the directive in a message made public on Friday, July 28, in Enugu, by his Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor.

“Simon, this is a direct order from me. I hereby instruct you to desist from calling for any sit-at-home henceforth. Equally, refrain from antagonising governors or persons in political positions because you are not in a position to know what they are doing on my behalf.

“I am ordering you to make a public announcement to the effect that you are in receipt of a direct order from me to cancel any pending sit-at-home in place at the moment.

“I embarked on this movement to liberate our people, not to enslave them. I despise and will despise any person or entity that wishes to inflict unnecessary hardship on our people. I have authorised Aloy to issue a press statement if you fail to make this announcement on your platform,” the order reads.

Kanu added that anyone still engaging in sit-at-home is not his disciple.

“Haters of Biafra and mindless murderers in uniform are hiding under the cover of combating enforcers of sit-at-home to unleash mayhem against the same people we swore to defend.

“I have sent countless messages to those purportedly enforcing sit-at-home that they are not doing so in my name. I am not begging anybody to release me, just that Nigeria should have the decency to obey their own laws.

“The main issue which our people should address their minds to is the unconscionable delays in hearing the government appeal at the Supreme Court, which is a situation not amenable to any sit-at-home. Therefore sit-at-home is a waste of time, resources and energy,” Kanu added.

Ejimakor stated that the direct order issued to Simon Ekpa was personally handed to him by Kanu when he visited him on July 24, 2023, at the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.

“Later that day, I tried to contact Mazi Simon Ekpa via his WhatsApp number but could not reach him until 1:44 am the following day (25th July 2023), whereupon I snapped the Direct Order as written and sent it to him. He thereafter acknowledged receipt, and we spoke briefly on it and exchanged a couple of text messages thereof.

“Since that early 25th July 2023 (when I conveyed the Order to Mazi Ekpa and he duly acknowledged it) he has not implemented the Order or otherwise made such announcement on his media platform. Nonetheless, I made a conscious decision to give him the benefit of doubt and thereby accord him more time to do the needful.

“Then, late yesterday (Thursday), further written Instructions was issued by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to me, referring to the extant Direct Order to Mazi Ekpa and, in addition, instructing me that given that Mazi Ekpa has not carried out the Order, I must, as of today, being 28th July 2023, proceed to make the Order public through a Public Announcement/Press Statement. In the said further Instructions, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu added more pertinent details and instructed that I must equally make them public,” Ejimakor said.

Ekpa recently announced that there will be a two-week sit-at-home in Nigeria’s South-East region from July 31.

In a tweet on Tuesday, July 11, Ekpa also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Kanu, who was arrested and detained for charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, and publication of defamatory matter.

“Following the demand by the Biafra people for more sit-at-home civil disobedience, the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRGIE) and Biafra De Facto Government In Homeland wish to notify Biafrans that there will be a sit-at-home civil disobedience starting from 31 July 2023 to 14 August 2023,” Ekpa said.

Ekpa warned that failure to comply with the order will attract ‘heavy consequences’.

“From Monday, 7th August to Friday, 11 August, there will be total lockdown in Biafraland, while on Saturday, 12 August and Sunday, 13 August 2023, there will be a break as all Biafran markets will open.

“On Monday, 14 August, there will be lockdown in Biafraland. We hereby call on all market leaders to strictly adhere to this order and treat it with utmost seriousness.

“We also call on all oil companies operating in the Biafran territory to shut down oil exploration on these dates to avoid the anger of the Biafran people, which may come with heavy consequences,” he added.

Several lives were lost and properties destroyed in parts of the South-East during the just concluded one-week sit-at-home ordered by Ekpa’s faction of IPOB from July 3 to July 10.

The spokesman of IPOB, Emma Powerful, had distanced the group from the sit-at-home ordered by Ekpa, but hoodlums who enforced the directive attacked persons who ventured out for work and business during the period.

On Monday, July 24, Enugu residents protested against the sit-at-home orders in the South-East.

The protesters, mostly youths and middle-aged persons, gathered at Okpara Square, close to the government house, from where they marched around the Enugu metropolis.

As the protesters marched through major streets in the Coal City, they chanted solidarity songs, expressing their frustrations over the weekly Monday sit-at-home orders, which had taken a huge toll on personal and business activities in the South-East region.

ICIR

July 29, 2023
Coup in West Africa: Liberian Army Chief Makes Case for Scrapping of Presidential Guards

Military interregnum in West Africa is a direct consequence of politicians meddling in affairs of the military and security agencies which has thrown organisational discipline out of the door on the altar of political patronage, the Chief of Staff to the Liberian Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Charles Johnson III has complained.

Maj. Gen. Charles Johnson III

Responding to journalists question on rising military coup in West Africa on Thursday at the sidelines of the joint delocalized meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Joint Committees on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and the African Peer Review Mechanism, Judicial Affairs and Human rights, Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment in Monrovia, he said the military has strong structure that most politicians come in to destabilize and cause disaffection that often result indiscipline that snowball into coup d’etat.

He said one of the ways to put an end to military interregnum in West Africa is by abolishing the Presidential Guards which has become a monster in some countries as they are not placed under the control of military command.

Johnson III said it was wrong to give power to any military the country’s military command, insisting that every soldier should be made to take instruction from the Chief of Defence Staff and not directly from the Commander in Chief.

The military commander who was reacting to the coup in Niger Republic and growing military seizure of power in parts of West Africa, said ECOWAS member states must be mindful of how much control the military has, and if not abolished, the Presidential Guards of the Commander in Chief must not be allowed to wield so much power.

Johnson III who had addressed members of the ECOWAS Parliament on the topic: “The Role of the Armed and Security Forces in Political Government: The Cases of Mali,Burkina Faso, and Guinea, Lessons to be Learned and Prospects,” said: “My second recommendation was the issue of Presidential guard or elite forces that has direct control on the commander in Chief.

“So, if you look at what is happening even in Niger yesterday (Wednesday), it is the Presidential Guards. And look at our history in Liberia, we have seen the issue of Presidential Guards being misused.

“The Peace and Reconciliation report of 2008 that says that, the Special Anti-Terrorism Unit was involved in a lot of alleged atrocities according to the report.

“That is why I emphasized that we need to be mindful and allow the military to have this control.

“When you have this political interference into the command and control of the military, like having a Presidential Guards, the Commander in Chief selecting somebody to head it instead of allowing the CDS, Chief of Defense Staff to go through that process or having somebody to control, then it becomes a problem.

“Because the CDS or the Chief of Staff has no control over the unit because he takes direct control from the Commander in Chief.”

Johnson III said that there is no justification for any military coup no matter the situation, advising members of ECOWAS Parliament to advise their governments against interfering with military deployments.

He said: “Most of them are Parliamentarians, most of them are close to the power or they will soon be close and these are some of the advices they need to give their respective leaders, that do not get involved in the military.

“No justification for all the military coups that have been happening, absolutely not. We Military are yet to protect society not to be on to defend ourselves so indeed it is totally wrong.”

The Liberian Major General also advocated for dialogue with the embattled countries, noting that sanctions were not the best ways to resolve such crises.

He said that terrorism will not be adequately fought if the countries are kept aside, adding that suspending them poses more threats especially with border countries.

He noted that: “So, my last recommendation is that we need to dialogue. We cannot fight terrorism if we suspend these countries.

“I have a border with Guinea, we need to protect the land border between Liberia and Guinea. If our heads of states go ahead to sanction them, can you still allow countries with borders with Guinea to work with her.

“Because if I am not working with Guinea it is going to be difficult. That is why I made a recommendation that we still need to dialogue and use the committee of the Chief of Defense Staff to be the ones engaging some of these activities that we have in our region”.

Johnson III said that the military must stick to its mandates of protecting the nation and not interfere in governance.

Arise News

July 28, 2023
Coup: Nigerien Army Pledges Loyalty To Coup Plotters

The military command of Niger announced on Thursday that it supported the coup that was started on Wednesday by members of the presidential guard, stating that maintaining national stability was its top concern.

According to a press release from the army chief of staff, the army needed to “preserve the physical integrity” of the president and his family and prevent “a deadly confrontation that could create a bloodbath and affect the security of the population.”

As western sources said the status of the coup attempt was unknown, President Mohamed Bazoum and Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou earlier encouraged democratic forces in the country to rebuff the effort at a takeover.

The soldiers said in a latenight televised address that Bazoum had been removed from office and the republic’s institutions suspended, indicating the seventh coup in West and Central Africa since 2020.

They earlier cut off the presidential palace in the capital Niamey, with the president inside.

Bazoum pledged to defend “hard-won” democratic advancements in a nation that serves as a key partner for Western forces fighting an insurgency in the Sahel area in a social media post on Thursday morning.

According to a post on X, the website that replaced Twitter, Massoudou also urged “democrats and patriots” to prevent the “attempted coup” from succeeding.

It was reported that there was no proof on the ground that the military forces backed the coup attempt, despite Massoudou’s claim that not all of the army was participating in it.

Arise News

July 27, 2023
Coup: Soldiers in Niger Republic overthrow President Mohamed Bazoum

Soldiers in Niger claimed to have removed President Mohamed Bazoum from power late on Wednesday, hours after members of the presidential guard detained the politician at his official residence.

Niger army spokesman Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane speaks during an appearance on national television, after President Mohamed Bazoum was held in the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger, July 26, 2023 [ORTN via Reuters TV]

In a statement broadcast on national television, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said that “the defence and security forces … have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with”.

“This follows the continuous deterioration of the security situation, the bad social and economic management.”

The soldier said the country’s borders were closed and a nationwide curfew was in place. All institutions of the country were also suspended, he added.

Abdramane was seated and flanked by nine other officers wearing fatigues as he read out his statement. The group, which is calling itself the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, warned against any foreign intervention.

The announcement came after a day of uncertainty as Niger’s presidency reported that members of the elite guard unit were engaging in an “anti-Republican demonstration” and news agencies reported that Bazoum was being held at the palace by the mutinous forces.

It was unclear where the president was at the time of Abdramane’s announcement or if he had resigned.

The United States immediately called for Bazoum’s release.

“I spoke with President Bazoum earlier this morning and made clear that the United States resolutely supports him as the democratically elected president of Niger,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in New Zealand.

“We call for his immediate release,” he said.

The military takeover, which marks the seventh coup in the West and Central Africa region since 2020, could further complicate Western efforts to help countries in the Sahel region fight against armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS (ISIL).

Niger, a land-locked former French colony, is a pivotal ally for Western powers seeking to help fight the armed groups and is also a key partner of the European Union in the fight against irregular migration from sub-Saharan Africa.

Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna, reporting from Washington, DC, said the developments in Niger were of great concern to the US and its allies.

“The US has two drone bases in Niger. They also have about 800 troops, some of whom are understood to be special forces who have been training the Nigerian military,” said Hanna.

“Essentially, Niger is the last US ally left standing in that particular region of the world. Governments in neighbouring Mali [and] Burkina Faso have been toppled in military coups, and both of these countries have expelled the French soldiers who were there and have turned to Russian-backed forces for protection. So this is something that the US knows and has been watching with great concern, and that this could possibly be the next step in what is happening in Niger,” he added.

The United Nations meanwhile denounced the apparent coup.

Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he “condemns in the strongest terms any effort to seize power by force and to undermine democratic governance, peace and stability in Niger”.

He also called on all actors involved to exercise restraint and to “ensure the protection of constitutional order”.

France too “strongly condemned all attempts to take power by force” in Niger.

Earlier on Wednesday, commissions of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) described the moves against Bazoum as an effort to unseat the politician, who was elected president two years ago in the nation’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who was selected this month as the ECOWAS commission’s chairman, said the regional bloc’s leadership would resist any attempt to topple Niger’s government.

“It should be quite clear to all players in the Republic of Niger that the leadership of the ECOWAS region and all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situation that incapacitates the democratically elected government of the country,” Tinubu said in a statement he issued in Abuja.

“We will do everything within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region.”

The president of neighbouring Benin, Patrice Talon, flew into Niger on Wednesday afternoon to assess the situation after meeting with Tinubu in Nigeria.

“All means will be used, if necessary, to restore constitutional order in Niger, but the ideal would be for everything to be done in peace and harmony,” Talon told reporters in the Nigerian capital.

Al Jazeera

July 27, 2023
DSS begins probe of officers clash with prisons official over embattled Emefiele

The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has begun investigation on the clash that happened within the premises of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday.

Recall that DSS operatives and prison officials clashed at the court during the arraignment of the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, yesterday, Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

Spokesman of the secret police, Peter Afunanya, described the clash as “unfortunate”, disclosing that the incident was being probed.

“The public will recall that Mr Godwin Emefiele, suspended CBN Governor, was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on 25th July, 2023. The Service has noted the incident that took place between its staff and those of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and wish to state as follows:

“The incident was unfortunate and does not in any way reflect the professional disposition of the DSS; The Service did not and would never encourage the incident under reference. The Service has tremendous respect for the Judiciary as an Arm and Institution of Government and will not go out of its way to undermine it. The DSS recognises the Judiciary as a critical component in nation building, national development and security management. Also, the Service has robust working relationship with sister Security and Law Enforcement agencies including the NCoS;

“While noting that the personnel from both Agencies exhibited undue overzealousness, the Service has further initiated detailed investigations into the matter. This is with a view to identifying the role played by specific persons as well as undertaking disciplinary actions if necessary and drawing some lessons going forward.”

Afunanya said the secret police did not break any law with the way Emefiele’s case is being handled, alleging that some persons were trying to discredit the leadership of the agency.

“For emphasis, the DSS has not broken any laws in handling the Emefiele Case despite efforts by some elements to skew the narratives to the contrary. The Service had since alerted the public of sinister plots to discredit its leadership. In pursuit of its assignments, it will strive to remain professional, maintain ethical standards and high sense of discipline. The Service will ensure that it will not be used for clout and fame chasing or delusional heroism.

“It will, however, remain focused on its national security mandate and, therefore, enjoin well-meaning Nigerians to support it in achieving the desired security goals for the nation. It is imperative to note that we have no other country but Nigeria. We should join hands, with love and tolerance, to build it.”

Daily Trust

July 26, 2023
NLC threatens indefinite nationwide strike from August 2

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to reverse all perceived anti-poor policies or face an indefinite nationwide strike from August 2nd.

A collage of the NLC President and NLC logo

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to reverse all perceived anti-poor policies or face an indefinite nationwide strike from August 2, 2023.

NLC is particularly concerned with the recent twin increase in the price of petrol from N197 per litre to N617.

The Congress says workers nationwide will commence an indefinite strike by next Wednesday should the government fail to heed its call for a policy reversal.

Though a statement from the NLC is still being awaited, the Spokesman of the Congress, Benson Upah, confirmed the resolution to TVC News in a telephone chat.

It was learnt that the decision to shut down economic activities nationwide was taken at the National Working Committee meeting of the Congress on Tuesday.

TVC

July 26, 2023
Senate Blows Hot, Condemns South-East Sit-at-home, Tasks FG To Extradite Simon Ekpa

The Senate, on Wednesday, condemned the Monday sit-at-home in the South East geopolitical zone and asked the Federal Government to collaborate with the Finnish Government and extradite a pro-Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa, for prosecution.

The upper chamber also resolved to invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs (when appointed) and relevant stakeholders to carry out thorough investigation as well as bring other sponsors of the act to book.

More details later…

Channels TV

July 26, 2023
Tinubu to Nigerien Soldiers: ECOWAS won’t condone coup

President Bola Tinubu has said the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, would not tolerate actions that incapacitate democratically-elected government in the sub-region, a direct message to soldiers who have held Niger Republic’s President, Mohamed Bazoum, hostage at the palace.

President Tinubu gave the warning in his capacity a the ECOWAS Chairman in a statement on Wednesday, described the blockade of the presidential palace in Niamey by soldiers as ‘unpleasant developments’.

A source said disgruntled members of the guard sealed off access to the President’s residence and offices, and, after talks broke down, they “refused to release the president.

“The army has given them an ultimatum,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Tinubu’s statement read: “I wish to say that we are closely monitoring the situation and developments in Niger and we will do everything within our powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well rooted and thrives in our region.

“I am in close consultation with other leaders in our region, and we shall protect our hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism.

“As the Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I state without equivocation that Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.”

Vanguard

July 26, 2023
Mohamed Bazoum, President of Niger Republic, ‘Detained By Guards’

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday was being held by disgruntled members of the elite Presidential Guard, who in turn were given an “ultimatum” by the army, a source close to Bazoum said on Wednesday.

Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum. (Getty Images)

The West African bloc ECOWAS condemned what it called an “attempted coup” and called on the “plotters” to release Bazoum immediately and without condition.

A close ally of France, Bazoum was elected in 2021, taking the helm of a country mired in poverty and burdened by a history of chronic instability.

Members of the guard on Wednesday morning sealed off access to the president’s residence and offices, and after talks broke down “refused to release the president,” the presidential source said.

“The army has given them an ultimatum,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In a message on Twitter, which is being rebranded as X, the president’s office said “elements of the Presidential Guard (PG) had a fit of temper… (and) tried unsuccessfully to gain the support of the national armed forces and the national guard.”

“The army and national guard are ready to attack the elements of the PG who are involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to a better disposition,” the presidency said.

“The president and his family are well,” it added.

The reason for the guards’ anger was not disclosed.

Access was blocked off to the presidential complex in Niamey, although there was no abnormal military deployment or sounds of gunfire in the area, and traffic was normal, an AFP journalist saw.

The bloc and the international community at large will hold all those involved to be responsible for the safety of Bazoum, his family, members of the government and public, it warned.

– Coup-prone –
The landlocked Sahel state has experienced four coups since independence from France in 1960 as well as numerous other attempts on power, including against Bazoum himself.

The country’s last coup occurred in February 2010, overthrowing then president Mamadou Tandja.

There was an attempted coup just days before Bazoum’s inauguration in April 2021, according to a security source at the time.

Several people were arrested, including the suspected ringleader, an air force captain named Sani Gourouza.

He was arrested in neighbouring Benin and handed over to the Niger authorities.

Ousmane Cisse, a former interior minister under a military government of transition that ran from 2010-2011, was detained in April 2022 for his suspected role.

He was acquitted in February this year, but five others, including Gourouza, were jailed for 20 years.

A second bid to oust Bazoum occurred in March this year “while the president… was in Turkey”, according to a Niger official, who said an arrest was made.

The authorities have never commented publicly on the incident.

In January 2018, nine soldiers and a civilian were sentenced by a military court to jail terms ranging from five to 15 years for having attempted to topple Bazoum’s predecessor, Mahamadou Issoufou, in 2015.

Those convicted included General Souleymane Salou, a former army chief of staff and a member of the junta that had forced out Tandja in 2010.

– Poverty and jihadism –
Lying in the heart of West Africa’s arid Sahel, Niger is two-thirds desert and persistently ranks at the bottom, or near it, in the UN’s Human Development Index, a benchmark of prosperity.

It has a surging population of 22.4 million, driven by a birthrate averaging seven children per woman.

The country is struggling with two jihadist campaigns — one in the southwest, which swept in from neighbouring Mali in 2015, and the other in the southeast, involving jihadists based in northeastern Nigeria.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, stoking a humanitarian crisis and further straining the economy.

Niger’s military has received training and logistical support from the United States and France, which have military bases there.

The country is also the hub of France’s anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel, which were reconfigured after French forces quit Mali and Burkina Faso following political bust-ups with those countries.

Channels TV

July 26, 2023
Enugu Police Command reacts to protest by traders over sealing of shops

The Enugu State Police Command has reacted to the protest by traders over sealing of their shops by the state government.

In a statement released by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, he revealed that normalcy have been restored by men of the state police command.

While stating that the peaceful protest turned violent, he noted that a full scale investigation had commenced by the command.

The statement reads in full:

“Normalcy has been restored at Ogbete Market Enugu and its surroundings, following the report of protest by some traders over the sealing of their shops by the State Government and their attempt to force others, whose shops were not sealed, to close theirs and the entire market closed. The initially peaceful protest was hijacked and made to become violent.

“Traders in the market and citizens alike have been pleaded with to remain law-abiding, peaceful and cooperative, while using approved channels to express their grievances.

“Full-scale investigation has been initiated on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, while further development, especially as it concerns reports of casualties being circulated, will be communicated as soon as possible, please.”

July 26, 2023