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BREAKING: Six youths killed as protest turned violent in Niger
BREAKING: Six youths killed as protest turned violent in Niger
Six youths have been killed and several others got injured during a hunger protest in Suleja, Niger State, which turned violent when police tried to disperse the protesters.
The youths began their protest around 11am, but things got out of hand when riot police, led by the Police Area Commander, tried to disperse them.
The police used tear gas to disperse the defiant youths, who retaliated by throwing stones, sticks, and other objects, resulting in the vandalization of a police vehicle.
The situation intensified, leading to the police firing live ammunition, which caused the deaths of six people, including Nda Isah.
In the Tafa Local Government Area, some youths attempted to burn down the secretariat, damaging its gates and fence. They however set ablaze a vehicle inside the secretariat while trying to loot the place.
They were said to have been prevented from looting by the soldiers and police mobilised to the scene.
Travellers were stranded for hours on the Suleja axis of the Abuja-Kaduna highway as the protesters blocked the road while carrying out their protest.
A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, did not confirm the shooting and the death of the protesters.
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But Abiodun confirmed the vandalization of the Tafa local Government secretariat in Sabon-Wuse.
He said two cars were burnt; two others were vandalized and the secretariat was looted, adding that 11 persons were arrested over the vandalization.
“Following the nationwide protest slated to commence today 1st August 2024, unfortunately, this morning at about 0930hrs, some miscreants of Tafa area of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State and that of Hayin-Diko Gurara LGA of Niger State mobilized and stormed Tafa LGA Secretariat of Niger State located along Abuja-Kaduna expressway, Sabon-Wuse Niger State.
“The hoodlums vandalized the Secretariat, partly set ablaze, two cars were also burnt and two others vandalized.
“They further looted valuables there-in, while the Police and other security agencies responded to the scene, and arrested eleven violent miscreants with different dangerous weapons, including firearms as others were dispersed from the scene and some of the looted items were recovered.
“The police and other security agencies responded to the blockage of the Kaduna-Abuja expressway and old toll-gate, and the hoodlums were dispersed. “Presently, the expressway has been reopened for motorists and there is a free flow of traffic along the highway. However, investigation into the violent act has commenced to arrest other fleeing miscreants,” the statement said.
In Minna, the Niger State capital, residents deserted shops, markets, and roads in fear of the adverse effect of the protest. As at the time of filing this report, shops, plazas, and markets were not yet opened and there were few cars and people on the roads.
The popular Kpakungun Road and Mobile Road had little or no vehicular traffic on them.
The majority of the filling stations were not selling fuel.
All the banks within the Minna metropolis such as Access Bank, Heritage Bank, Zenith, FCMB and UBA were closed.
There was a heavy security presence at the Minna branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The security presence was heavy at every point. At Kpakungun roundabout which is known to be one of the hotspots in Minna had the presence of police, NSDC, and the Immigration Service operatives.
On Shiroro road, some eateries were available for service but the majority of the plazas on the road were shut.
The state and federal secretariats were opened but only a few civil servants were seen in their offices.
The Kure ultramodern market and the Kasuwan Gwari market were shut as no trader was seen in the market.
The Kasuwan Gwari which is a weekly Thursday market had no trader or goods on the ground.
BREAKING: Six youths killed as protest turned violent in Niger
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
News
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
The Federal Government has defended its decision to borrow to address budget deficits, despite surpassing revenue targets in 2024.
Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu clarified this position during a session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance, Budget, and National Planning. The meeting focused on the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Last week, the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion loan request to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit in the 2024 budget partially.
During the session, key agency heads, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari, Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji, presented their revenue reports.
The agencies reported exceeding their 2024 targets.
- Customs Service: Generated ₦5.352 trillion by September 30, surpassing its ₦5.09 trillion target for the year. For 2025, the agency projects ₦6.3 trillion, with a 10% increase planned for 2026.
- NNPCL: Achieved ₦13.1 trillion in revenue, exceeding the ₦12.3 trillion projection for 2024. Kyari announced a ₦23.7 trillion revenue target for 2025.
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- FIRS: Surpassed multiple tax collection goals, including ₦5.7 trillion from company income tax against a ₦4 trillion target. Education tax collections also exceeded expectations, reaching ₦1.5 trillion compared to a ₦70 billion target.
Overall, ₦18.5 trillion of the ₦19.4 trillion 2024 revenue target had been achieved by September, indicating the goal will be exceeded by year-end.
Despite these surpluses, the government insists borrowing remains essential to cover budget gaps and support vulnerable populations.
Bagudu explained, “Even with agencies exceeding revenue targets, borrowing is necessary to address deficits and boost productivity, particularly for the poorest. This aligns with Agenda 2050, which aims for a GDP per capita of $33,000.”
Edun also reiterated that loans were critical for adequately funding the budget.
The committee, led by Senator Sani Musa, questioned the rationale behind the borrowing and demanded further transparency. The Immigration Service was specifically asked to provide documents regarding an “unacceptable PPP arrangement” before the end of the week.
The session underscored the government’s balancing act between increased revenues and fiscal challenges requiring external borrowing.
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
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