LGBT: FG vows to sue Daily Trust over alleged incitement

The Federal Government says it will file a lawsuit against the Daily Trust newspaper over its report on signing of the Samoa agreement.

The agreement, which has some clauses that compel underdeveloped and developing nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community for recognition, as a condition for getting financial and other support from advanced societies, has sparked a chain of reactions.

Daily Trust reports that some clerics, rights activists, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria are furious over the decision of the federal government to sign the controversial agreement.

Named after the Pacific Island Samoa, where it was signed, the agreement has gained traction.

In his initial reaction to the story, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information, had said any provision in the agreement that is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be invalid.

“It is instructive to note that there is an existing legislation against same sex relationship in Nigeria enacted in 2014,” he had said.

But at a media briefing in Abuja, on Saturday, Idris said the government found the report as “baseless and sensational.”

“The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has maintained an open arm relationship with the media. It is in line with the philosophy of the President as an avowed democrat who spent a lifetime fighting for the entrenchment of democracy and human rights.”

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“This administration has remained very tolerant of media criticism and guaranteed citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. It is however disheartening that some elements are abusing this free environment guaranteed by the Government. We are alarmed by the level of reckless reporting and statements by some media organisations and individuals that border on national security and stability.

“While we sometimes view and treat those occasional reporting as part of media’s normal work, we have now seen a pattern that is difficult to be wished away as normal journalism.

“We however did not envisage that Daily Trust and people behind it could descend to the reckless level of attempting to set the country on fire by falsely accusing the government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQ. We found that despicable and wicked because the allegation is nowhere in the document signed. Surprisingly, the paper put forward no evidence nor provided the agreement allegedly signed to prove their point.

“On the part of the Government, we continue on the honourable path of civility by restraining ourselves from taking self-help or draconian measures. While past governments clamped down on the media for infractions much lower than this, we are however toeing the path of civility and the rule of law.

“The Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the NPAN Ombudsman on this irresponsible reporting. In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law.

“The Federal Government once again restates its friendly policy towards ethical media and free speech. We would however not take fake news and disinformation that would injure the peace of our country and it’s national security lightly.”

LGBT: FG vows to sue Daily Trust over alleged incitement

Niger Gov Bago stirs controversy, orders assault, arrest of cleric

The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has been caught on camera ordering his security details to assault and arrest an Islamic cleric.

The governor gave the order during the 3-day Fidau prayer for the wife of his deputy, Hajiya Zainab Yakubu Garba, who died after a brief illness in Minna on Monday.

The cleric had volunteered to offer closing prayers during the event but Bago got angry over his request.

In the video, the governor while addressing  sympathisers said, “We can all pray for the repose of the deceased from mosques within our areas. May Allah forgive her shortcomings and grant her eternal peace. So, let’s get a cleric to pray for us.”

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When the cleric came forward, the governor became furious, saying, “Did I talk to you? Are you an Imam?”

He then ordered the security personnel to deal with him.

“Slap him. I say slap him very well,” Bago ordered, “Oya, go and arrest him, deal with him very well, and bring him back.”

“Everybody, should be careful with me, because I can be sweet and bitter at the same time,” the governor said amidst cheers and applause from the sympathisers who were seated.

He subsequently passed the microphone to another cleric to offer the prayers.

The governor, it was learnt, also ordered the arrest of another yet-to-be identified cleric.

Niger Gov Bago stirs controversy, orders assault, arrest of cleric

Army kill 11 ISWAP terrorists in Sambisa forest

Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for a special clearance operation in Sambisa Forest, have eliminated 11 Islamic States of West Africa Province terrorists.

The Nigerian Army, in a statement on its official X Handle, disclosed this on Saturday.

It said the feat was achieved in coordinated special clearance operations with a hybrid force on terrorists’ enclave in Jongo Village within the notorious Sambisa Forest.

It said that the troops targeted the enclave, and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, killing some while others fled in disarray.

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The army said its troops further conducted exploitation ahead of the enclave, leading to the capture of some arms.