News
Katsina schoolboys abduction draws blood from citizens, says Soyinka
Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has said the recent “abduction once again of the nation’s children” in President Muhammadu Buhari’s terrain draws blood from every sensing citizen.
He described the kidnapping of scores of students from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State as “a slap across the face of the Commander-in-Chief”.
His comments on the security challenges confronting the country are contained in a statement on released on Monday titled “INFRADIG – A presidential comeuppance.”
The playwright said the nation was at war considering the latest abduction of pupils reminiscent of the kidnap of Chibok schoolgirls in Born State on April 14, 2014.
Soyinka said, “If only this latest outrage were a personal contest of slights between insurgency and power – alas, its resonance is felt far beyond! It is merely the latest in the serial stinging slaps across the face of the nation, and it draws blood from every sensing citizen. Over five years since Chibok, we have yet to anticipate, and to guard against a repeat. We continue to hand over innocent wards cheaply, en masse, to the agents of darkness and despair.
“A government refuses to accept that, as indicated several times over, the nation is at war. At war within itself, and that it requires drastic measures, away from spasmodic responses after the dread deed, if there is any will left over to salvage what is left of nationhood. The appropriate expression here is “thinking outside the box.”
He also condemned the usual responses to genuine calls on government for action against insecurity.
He said, “When others do, they deserve better than to be rewarded with banalities such as: The government will not be stampeded. The presidency will not be blackmailed. Stop politicizing the issue. The president is committed to preserving the integrity of the nation. We will not be bullied into abandoning our commitment to national unity The sovereignty of the nation is non-negotiable…. and so on and on, ad nauseam.
“Has anyone been detected marching to a contrary tune? Sure, we are assailed with such minority rhetoric from time to time but, is “unity” what is profoundly at stake? Does such predictable rhetoric remotely touch upon the existential anxiety of millions of humanity? Or are we confronted, at its most primary level, with a growing question of the ability of the nation to even feed herself?
“When defenceless farmers are set upon – what does it matter if it is fifty or a hundred? – are butchered in one fell swoop, harvesting their crop, does the sheer suggestion that they met their deaths because they did not seek military cover not speak to the parlous state of a nation, and her need to urgently “think outside the box”? What is tragically demonstrated daily in all departments of citizen survival is the need to overhaul the nation’s structural existence – beginning, obviously, with the imperative of guaranteeing that very existence. The rest is waffle. Vaseline massage on malignant tumour. National Infradig! Again, the nation laments – and waits.”
News
Adeleke Orders Arrests After Associate Ajagungbade Is Reportedly Killed in Ife
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed security agencies to arrest anyone found to have been involved in the reported killing of his associate, Olamilekan Ajagungbade, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade.
Ajagungbade was reportedly shot dead in Ile-Ife on Sunday amid a dispute connected to the leadership of a motor park.
Reacting to the incident, Adeleke ordered Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Zungura to take immediate action against those responsible. The directive was disclosed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
The governor also ordered rival groups involved in the park dispute to leave the motor parks while security agencies work to restore calm.
“There will be no sacred cows as all culprits will be brought to book” Adeleke said, while urging residents to remain calm.
As part of his response, the governor announced plans to bring back the Park Management System across the state, saying an Executive Order would soon be issued to provide the legal backing for the arrangement.
The renewed system is expected to regulate the operation of motor parks and garages and address disputes over their management.
Ajagungbade was described in the report as a close associate of the governor and a member of the Accord Party.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting and the identities of those responsible had not been fully disclosed at the time of reporting.
News
Police Arrest Two in Delta, Recover Guns, Daggers and Battle Axe
Two suspects are in police custody in Delta State following separate raids that resulted in the recovery of firearms, ammunition and other items, the state police command has said.
The latest operation involved the arrest of Chukwuka Nzete, also known as “Ododo”, in Isupe Community, Ndokwa West Local Government Area.
Police said Nzete was suspected of dealing in illegal firearms and alleged that he ran a shrine used to fortify suspected criminal elements.
Items recovered during a search of his residence included a pump-action gun, four dagger knives, a battle axe and pots containing substances suspected to be charms.
The command said detectives were investigating to establish the extent of Nzete’s activities and whether he had links with other criminal groups.
A separate operation also led to the arrest of Joel Iwomi, 36, in Umuebu, Obiaruku.
According to the police, Iwomi resisted attempts by operatives of the Command Anti-Cult Unit to enter his residence before officers eventually gained access and conducted a search.
The search allegedly produced a pump-action gun and 18 live cartridges.
Both suspects have been taken into custody while investigations continue.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Samuel E. Erale, said the command would continue efforts to keep illicit firearms away from criminal elements and prevent weapons capable of threatening public safety from circulating in the state.
He urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements, illegal firearms and other criminal activities.
The police said information supplied by members of the public would be handled confidentially.
News
Tinubu Arrives Paris for Second Phase of European Vacation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Paris, France, as he continues his three-week annual vacation in Europe.
The President was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Ayodele Oke, following his arrival in the French capital on Sunday.
Tinubu began the holiday in London after departing Abuja on August 30. The Presidency had announced before his departure that the President would spend three weeks in Europe as part of his annual leave.
The move to Paris marks the second phase of his European vacation.
In the statement announcing the trip, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said London would be Tinubu’s first destination and that he was expected to return to Nigeria after the working vacation.
The Presidency said his return would coincide with preparations for the January 2027 general election, as political activities intensify ahead of the polls.
Tinubu is seeking another term in office on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
No detailed public itinerary has been released for the President’s stay in Paris.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria after completing the three-week vacation, in line with the schedule earlier announced by the Presidency.
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