Slain Borno rice farmers didn’t get military clearance to go to farm – Presidency - Newstrends
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Slain Borno rice farmers didn’t get military clearance to go to farm – Presidency

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The Presidency has blamed the 43 rice farmers killed in Borno on Saturday for not getting military clearance before going to their farms.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, told BBC on Monday that the farmers should have waited for military clearance before proceeding to the farms.

He explained that though the military was in full control of all parts of Borno, the farmers and residents ought to get clearance before visiting certain areas.

About 43 rice farmers were killed by Boko Haram in Zabarmari, some 20 kilometres from Maiduguri.

The attack was described by the United Nations as “the most violent attack” targeted at civilians in 2020.

Shehu, however, said the farmers shouldn’t have gone to the farms without clearance.

He said, “People need to understand what it is like in the Lake Chad area. Much of those areas have been liberated from Boko Haram terrorists but there are a number of spaces that have not been cleared for the return of villagers who have been displaced.

“Ideally, all of these places ought to probably be allowed to pass the test of military clearance before settlers or even farmers resume activities on those fields.”

Although Shehu told the BBC that he was exactly blaming the farmers for the attack, he noted, “the truth has to be said. Is there any clearance by the military which is in total control of those areas? Did anybody ask to resume activities? I have been told by the military leaders that they had not been so advised.”

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Adeleke Orders Arrests After Associate Ajagungbade Is Reportedly Killed in Ife

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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.

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Police Arrest Two in Delta, Recover Guns, Daggers and Battle Axe

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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.

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Tinubu Arrives Paris for Second Phase of European Vacation

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Tinubu approves 25 new cancer treatment machines, FG begins wider cancer-care expansion

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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