JUST IN: Amid pregnancy rumours, Aisha Buhari orders staff to proceed on indefinite leave – Newstrends
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JUST IN: Amid pregnancy rumours, Aisha Buhari orders staff to proceed on indefinite leave

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Aisha Buhari with the President, Major General Muhamamdu Buhari (retd.), after a trip from Turkey on Sunday

Amid pregnancy rumours, the wife of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Aisha, has ordered all members of her staff to proceed on indefinite leave.

This was announced in a terse statement on Tuesday by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Health and Development Partners in the First Lady’s office, Mohammed Kamal.

Buhari, 79, was in Turkey with Aisha, 50, between December 16 and 19, 2021 when they attended the 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit.

Photos of the President’s wife released by the Presidency after the trip had sparked pregnancy rumours as she was pictured to have cradled what looked like a bump.

PUNCH‘s efforts to get the comments of Aisha’s spokesman, Aliyu Abdullahi; and another aide working with the President’s wife, Suleiman Haruna, proved abortive on Monday. While Abdullahi’s phone was unreachable and a text sent to his line was not responded to as of press time, Haruna declined comments on the matter when our correspondent contacted him.

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But in a statement on Tuesday, Kamal said the First Lady ordered the staff in her office to proceed on indefinite leave and continue work virtually.

The statement, posted on the verified Instagram handle of the President’s wife, read, “This serves to inform all staff that the office of the First lady will be closed for the upcoming festive period of Christmas and New year.

“To this end, all staff are requested to proceed on leave, until further notice.

“Please note that official engagements and work can also continue virtually as it was done previously.

“Her Excellency appreciates and thank all staff for their commitment and hard work and wish all a happy festive period ahead.”

The PUNCH had earlier reported that Aisha, who is reportedly a mother of five children, was away in Dubai for about six months till March 2021 when she returned to the country.

She had been vocal in her criticism of the regime of her husband, especially regarding the insecurity ravaging the country.

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.

The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.

A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.

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Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.

“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”

The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.

 

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.

During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.

It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.

In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.

He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.

The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.

He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.

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Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.

He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.

“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.

Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.

“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.

“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.

 

94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.

A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.

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The statement reads:

“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.

“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”

Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

 

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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