“We hope that you will take immediate action to address this issue and restore the trust of Nigerian students in the leadership of NANS.”
Edo LG chairman, 8 councillors, defect to APC
THE quest by the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) to take over the 18 local government areas in Edo State assumed a new dimension on Friday as the Chairman of Ovia South West local government area, Hon Edosa Enowoghomenma defected to the APC with eight elected councillors including the Leader of the House, Hon. Nosakhare Edobor.
In another development, the chairman of Owan West local government area Hon Dickson Ahonsi and five elected councillors also defected to the APC as the face-off between the councils and Governor Monday Okpebholo continues.
Ahonsi said their decision to join the APC was influenced by the steps taken so far by Governor Okpebholo to develop the state. They were received by the State Secretary of the party, Engr. Lawrence Okah and other members of the state executive committee.
He said “Firstly, his activities on the assumption of office were impressive as he made important appointments, unlike the previous government. Soon the list of commissioners will be released and it is a welcome development.
“The projects that he has embarked upon show clearly that Edo is in safe hands and that is why I am here to join the party.”
Okah, while receiving the suspended chairman and councillors into the party said the doors of the party are open to receive more defectors.
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“We have long been expecting you to join us . APC now has five Councilors and more will come. Use the broom to mobilize other people to join the party”.
Meanwhile, the defectors from Ovia South West were received by the chairman of the party, Emmanuel Ogbomo who told them that they would not regret joining the ruling party in the state.
According to him, “There is nothing new about what you are doing today, I was in the PDP for 20 years before I left and now I am the LGA chairman of the party which means that in the APC everybody is treated equally and you will not regret your action, we will join to protect you and your office.”
Speaking earlier before he was presented with the paraphernalia of the party, Enowoghomenma said they decided to join the APC to support Governor Monday Okpebholo and their son, the deputy governor, Hon Dennis Idahosa to develop the state.
Boko Haram kills five soldiers in attack on Borno military base
Boko Haram terrorists have overrun a military base in Damboa LGA of Borno State, killing dozens of soldiers, vigilantes and carting away military weapons.
Security and local sources confirmed the incident to Daily Trust on Monday.
One of the security sources said the fighters in large numbers carried out the attack around 4pm on Saturday at the Forward Operating Base, Sabon Gari area.
He said the military put up a good fight but they were overwhelmed by the terrorists.
“The base had suffered over 100 terrorist attacks in the past, but what happened yesterday was a devastating one, many soldiers and vigilantes were killed and all the armament in the base carted away.
“Operation vehicles and buildings were also burnt this time around,” he said.
Narrating how the incident happened, he said, “They (insurgents) initially sent a big drone, which we all thought was a military surveillance before they later attacked the base.
“I cannot tell you the exact number of the soldiers and vigilantes or the identity of the officers killed but we have recovered over 12 dead bodies,” he said.
He said the insurgents were said to have coordinated their attack from the Mandara Gau in Biu Local Government Area, about 25 kilometers away from the Sabon Gari base.
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“They forcefully took over a mango plantation owned by a former commissioner in Borno State, where they currently lived as a hideout,” he said.
Another security source, who corroborated what happened, revealed that the insurgents used surveillance drones to scan their location before the deadly attack.
He said between Chibok and Damboa, in the last two weeks, Boko Haram has been using drones to do surveillance.
“In one of our bases, a day before Xmas, they attacked us and injured six soldiers.
On 24th December 2024, the terrorists launched a drone attack on the Forward Operating Base inside the Damboa LGA and injured at least six soldiers.
However, the spokesman for Defence Headquarters, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, had during a media briefing in Abuja, described the attack as a harassment, saying it was not qualified to be called an attack.
He said the fighter drones used by terrorists in the bombardment of the Nigerian military base were “toy drones.”
Terrorist fleeing Chad onslaught regroup in Sambisa
A local source, who prefers a single name, Adamu, said that most of the terrorists that carried out the attack were fleeing insurgents dislodged by the joint military operations in Lake Chad.
“When the onslaught became unbearable to the terrorists in Lake Chad, most of them escaped and joined the terrorists here, loyal to the late Abubakar Shekau. It’s these people terrorising us now, “he said.
Months back, Chadian troops entered the Lake Chad area avenging the killing of its over 40 soldiers by the terrorists.
Also, President Mahmat Deby has stationed at least two thousand troops that are currently involved in ongoing operations in the Lake Chad general area, including on Nigerian soil.
The decade-long Boko Haram conflict, which had spread to the neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon has killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions from their homes.
Distribution of CNG buses tears NANS leaders apart
The leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, is currently grappling with a crisis over the distribution formula of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, buses to higher institutions nationwide.
The faction has also passed a vote of no confidence on the two leaders.
The accusation was contained in a petition jointly signed by the Deputy Senate President, Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, Kano State; Comrade Huzaifa Sabo Usman, National ex-officio; Comrade Anderson Chimezie Uwakwe of the Federal College of Land and Resources Technology Owerri, Imo State, Vice President Special Duties; Egbo Johnpaul Nnamchi, Enugu State College of Education; Comrade Gundu Mimidoo Joy, Public Relations Officer, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Abdulkaman Muhammad; Comrade Muhd Muazu; Mamuna Bello; Paul Edoh Gabriel; Kabiru Saminu; and Okafor Ernest Obinna made available to newsmen Monday in Awka.
In the statement, a copy of which was also sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Director-General, Department of State Services, DSS Headquarters, Abuja; Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Force Headquarters, Abuja; EFCC; ICPC; SSA to the President on Students Affairs; Minister of Transportation; NANS Zonal Coordinators; NANS JCC Chairmen; as well as all SUG Presidents, asking particularly President Tinubu to urgently intervene to avoid a breakdown of law and order and to save his political integrity in the country.
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The petition read in part: His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dear Sir, Petition against unequal distribution of CNG buses by the President, National Association of Nigerian Students, and a vote of no confidence on Lucky Emonefe and Babatunde Akinteye Afeez. On behalf of the Nigerian Students, we write to express our utmost indignation and disappointment at the egregious unequal distribution of the CNG buses recently donated to the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS.
“This decision, made by the President of NANS, Comr. Lucky Emonofe, in collaboration with the Senate President, Comr. Babatunde Akinteye Afeez is a flagrant disregard for the principles of equity, justice, and transparency.”
“The buses meant to benefit all Nigerian students have been selectively distributed, leaving many students without access to this vital resource. This unequal distribution will inevitably lead to a shortage of transportation options within our campuses, causing undue hardship and economic challenges for Nigerian students.”
“The economic implications of this unequal distribution cannot be overstated. Many students rely on affordable transportation to commute from campuses, and the shortage of these buses will only exacerbate the economic challenges facing Nigerian students. This will lead to increased costs for alternative transportation, which will further burden students who are already struggling to cope with the situation”.
*Mr. President, we urge you to take immediate action by addressing this issue, as it will inevitably have far-reaching consequences on your political integrity. The unequal distribution of the buses will not only tarnish the image of NANS but also undermine the trust and confidence of students in your leadership, particularly during these economically challenging times across the country”.
Gunmen kill 3 sons of Anambra native doctor
Gunmen have killed three children of a native doctor at their home in Nise community of Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The killers were said to have carried out the act on Saturday night by scaling the fence to gain entrance to the building.
It was learnt that the suspects dumped the corpses in a parked Mercedes Benz car in the compound before exiting.
Spokesman of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, told newsmen on Monday that a manhunt for the killers had begun.
“The assailants entered the compound, killed the victims and dumped their corpses inside a parked Mercedes Benz in the compound. The incident happened on Saturday, but we got the report late on Sunday.
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“We are trying to unravel the circumstances behind the killing, whether it was due to the negligence of their father or the motive of the suspect and as soon as we conclude our investigation, the report will be made public,” he said.
A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the bodies of the three boys, aged between six and two, were found with their mouths tied.
The source claimed the native doctor had a habit of locking up his children and wife in the house while he is out.
“The father of the victims was reported to have been having issues with some unconfirmed individuals. However, it cannot be determined if these conflicts led to the deaths of the three children or not,” the source added.
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