“The victim was taken through Igben waterways when community youths including hunters and vigilantes blocked the waterways with a larger boat and gun battle ensued between them and the community youths.”
metro
Blasphemy: 1 Killed, Many Injured As Protesters Go Berserk In Sokoto
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Demonstrators Demand Release Of Suspects
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Tambuwal Declares 24-Hour Curfew
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We’re On Top Of The Situation – Police
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Kaduna Bans Religious Protests
At least one person was killed and many others injured yesterday as police quelled violence that erupted after a mob seized a protest in Sokoto in demand for release of suspects arrested in connection with the lynching of a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto, Deborah Samuel over blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.
Some youths took to the major streets of Sokoto metropolis Saturday morning demanding the release of the two suspects arrested by the police in connection with the killing of the sophomore.
Deborah was killed by fellow students on Thursday over the alleged blasphemy.
The protest, which was initially peaceful, started at the Zabirah Mall roundabout around 9am, and the protesters who were few in number at the time were armed with placards with different inscriptions.
Some of the placards read “Release our Muslim Brothers”, “Muslims Are not Terrorists”, among others.
However, as the protest lingered, the number of protesters swelled with some of them riding on their motorcycles, chanting “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is great).
Our reporter learnt that information about the planned protest circulated on social media platforms on Friday night.
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From the roundabout the protesters headed to the palace of the Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar but were blocked by a team of joint security operatives who used tear gas canisters to disperse them.
Our reporter, who went to the area, saw the road leading to the palace littered with broken bottles and stones, just as bonfires were set in different places along major metropolitan roads by the protesters.
Daily Trust on Sunday also gathered that well-armed security operatives were drafted at strategic places to maintain peace and order and they were led by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Kamal Okunlola.
One of the protesters told Daily Trust on Sunday that many people sustained gunshot injuries around the Sultan’s palace with many shops looted at the popular Emir Yahya Road. Some vehicles were also destroyed by the mob.
The Catholic archibishop of Sokoto, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah last night debunked rumours that his house was razed by the protesters. Speaking to The Cable, The cleric said the social media rumour was not true.
Teams of policemen were also seen guarding religious places and other important places in the metropolis with shops around Ahmadu Bello Way and other parts of the state closed down.
Tambuwal declares 24-hour curfew
In response to the violent protests, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has announced a 24-hour curfew in the state’s metropolis.
In a state-wide broadcast, the governor noted that the decision was necessary in order to restore law and order in the state.
The statement read “following the sad incident that happened at the Shehu Shagari College of Education on Thursday and sequel to the developments within (Sokoto) metropolis this morning till afternoon, by the powers conferred on me by sections 176(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and section 1 and 4 of the Public Order Act; and, also Section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law, I hereby declare, with immediate effect, a curfew within metropolis of Sokoto township for the next 24 hours.
“I appeal to the good people of Sokoto State to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down (on the) restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.
“Everyone should, please, in the interest of peace go back home and observe this measure, with a view of the reestablishment of peace, law and order in the state.
“It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint; and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law. Thank you very much,” he concluded.
How to avert blasphemy – Clerics
Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that during the governor’s meeting with the Chief Imams of Juma’at Mosques on Friday, the clerics unanimously advised the government to make a law at the national and state levels which would prohibit any act of blasphemy in the country.
One of the clerics privy to the meeting, said the clerics also suggested that the law should stipulate a capital punishment like death sentence for violators, saying this would discourage people from making blasphemous comments.
The clerics also advised that students admitted into tertiary institutions must write an undertaking to respect one another’s religion.
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We’re on top of the situation – Police
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Kamal Okunlola, who spoke with Daily Trust on Sunday said the security agencies were on top of the situation.
“We are working assiduously to restore order across the metropolis. This is why our men are everywhere,” he said.
He appealed to the general public to give peace a chance and to remain indoors due to the curfew imposed in the state.
Kaduna bans religious protests
Kaduna State Government has banned religious protests following the breakdown of law and order in Sokoto State after the killing of a student of Shehu Shagali College, Deborah Yakubu l for alleged blasphemy.
Daily Trust on Sunday reports that the Kaduna State Government on Saturday said the State Security Council, had placed a ban on protests related to religious activity throughout the state with immediate effect.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affaiirs, Samuel Aruwan said the prohibition becomes imperative in view of moves by some unpatriotic elements to organize series of for-and-against protests related to a security development in one of the Northern Nigerian States.
“Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai who has been briefed of the development, has charged security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of this ban against any form of religious protest in the State,” he said.
He said the governor also charged religious leaders, community leaders and traditional rulers throughout the state to complement the efforts of government and security agencies towards the maintenance of peace and stability.
“Security agencies have thus resolved that any attempt by individuals or groups to disrupt the peace and stability of the State, by way of religious protests, will not be condoned. Such protests will be promptly halted, and conveners prosecuted.”
CAN call for national protest over killing
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for a nationwide peaceful protest over Thursday’s gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto State.
CAN’s General Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola, on Saturday in a letter on Saturday said the peaceful protest would take place on Sunday 22 May.
The letter was addressed to all block leaders, zonal chairmen, state chairmen, local coordinators, denominational and church leaders.
“I have been directed by the CAN President, Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, to request all Church leaders, through your various churches to organize a peaceful protest in honour of one of our daughters, Deborah Yakubu who was gruesomely murdered on Thursday, 12 May, 2022 at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto in Sokoto State by some Islamic extremists.
“The protest will take place on 22 May, 2022 in the afternoon by 3:00 Pm in every Secretariat of the Christian Association of Nigeria nationwide and not on the streets in order to avoid further loss of lives. Those without CAN’s Secretariat may use any church with big premises.
“We are to hold placards with some succinct message like ‘we demand justice 4 Deborah’, ‘no more killing in God’s name’, ‘Enough is Enough, ‘Police, stop unprovoked killings in Nigeria’, ‘Christians are not second-class citizens’, ‘Killers of Deborah must be prosecuted’, ‘we condemn religious killings’,” the letter reads in parts.
He also urged Nigerian Christians in diaspora to join the peaceful protests using the nation’s embassies all over the world.
He said, “The occasion can also be used to pray for Deborah’s family and friends, peace for the country, victory for the Church and godly political leaders in the coming general election.”
Auto
Luxury bus owners: Count us out of planned mass protest
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Luxury bus owners: Count us out of planned mass protest
Long distance road transport owners and operators whose buses ply various routes across Nigeria have dissociated themselves from the ‘Days of Rage’ nationwide protests planned to commence on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
The transporters under their national umbrella body, Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), disclosed this at a press conference in the Utako area of Abuja on Thursday.
They described the planned protests as an ill wind that would blow anybody no good.
Briefing the press on ALBON’s position after a meeting in their Abuja office, the association’s leadership led by the President, Mr. Nonso Ubajaka, said experience had shown that such protests are usually infiltrated by hoodlums using the opportunity to unleash violence.
He said members reasoned that if held, the protests could lead to loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties.
He said the resolution of the members of his association had been conveyed to the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, making it clear that they would not be a part of the planned protests.
The association acknowledged that there is economic hardship in the country, with Nigerians feeling the impact of rising food prices and high cost of living.
The ALBON leadership, however, urged those planning to protest to have a rethink and seek more peaceful ways of getting the government to address the problems, including making themselves available for peaceful dialogue.
The ALBON president drew attention to the fact that members’ vehicles operate from Utako to other parts of Nigeria, as well as from other cities and towns to various destinations across the country, which could make their vehicles vulnerable.
Ubajaka said ALBON members could not afford to risk making their buses the targets of violent protests.
He sued for meaningful dialogue while the government works towards finding solutions to the identified problems.
He said, “We don’t want to put our businesses at risk and expose the lives of the people we serve to danger through protests.
“The government has taken steps to mitigate the several national challenges that we are having.”
He called on ALBON members to disregard the planned action, which he continually referred to as a product of “social media” resolve.
metro
Kano bakers summoned over bread price hike
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Kano bakers summoned over bread price hike
Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), summoned flour dealers from Singer Market and the chairman of the bakers’ association over what he described as an arbitrary bread price increase in the state.
He issued a stern warning to the state’s bakers against arbitrary bread price increases.
Rimin Gado reported that the commission has received numerous consumer complaints about high bread prices, despite a decrease in flour costs.
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The price of flour, a key ingredient in bread production, has dropped to around N63,000 from N70,000.
At a press briefing in Kano, Rimin Gado stressed that the PCACC has a dual mandate; combating corruption and serving as an ombudsman. He stated that it will not remain passive in the face of unjustified price hikes on essential goods.
“We have been monitoring price increases for essential items and investigating whether these increases are justified. We are also identifying those responsible for any arbitrary price hikes,” Rimin Gado explained.
He assured that the commission will take necessary legal actions to address the rising cost of bread.
Kano bakers summoned over bread price hike
metro
Abducted Edo pastor regains freedom, police kill kidnapper
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Abducted Edo pastor regains freedom, police kill kidnapper
The Edo State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the rescue of the abducted pastor, Solomon Ativiel, in Benin, the state capital.
The command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed this to our correspondent, said that one suspected kidnapper was killed while two others were injured during the rescue operation which was carried out on Tuesday.
Nwabuzor also said the suspects were transferred to the state police command headquarters on Wednesday.
“I can confirm to you that the pastor has been rescued while one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised during the rescue operation.
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“The other suspects have been transferred to the state force headquarters and an investigation is ongoing,” Nwabuzor added.
A source familiar with the case who pleaded anonymity, in an interview with our correspondent, said, “The victim, Pastor Solomon Ativiel was kidnapped by a seven-man kidnapping gang in his farm at Urhobo Camp of Iguelaiho Community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.
‘The victim was returning from his farm on Monday evening when the suspected kidnappers accosted him and whisked him away.
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