Soldier to face firing squad for killing officer – Newstrends
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Soldier to face firing squad for killing officer

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The Nigerian Army court martial has sentenced a soldier, Private Azunna Mmadu-Abuchi, to death by firing squad for shooting his superior officer to the death.

The soldier was arraigned before the 7 Division General Court Martial sitting in Maiduguri for killing Lt. Babakaka Ngorgi.

He was found guilty of the offence and subsequently sentenced to death.

In his judgment on Tuesday, the President of the Court, Brig. Gen. Arikpo Ekubi, said the prosecutor had proved his case beyond any reasonable doubt that the accused intentionally shot and killed Ngorgi, who was the adjutant of 212 Battalion, Bama.

He said, “You intentionally opened fire and emptied your magazine of nine rounds of ammunition on the deceased officer, Lt. BS Ngorgi, who was the adjutant of 212 Battalion, Bama, which led to his instant death.

“You betrayed the trust and confidence reposed in you by the Nigerian Army to ensure dignity and respect for human life.

“Your action is therefore viewed with displeasure and as affront to efforts of the present leadership of the Nigerian Army, which emphasised the protection of human rights and professionalism in the discharge of its constitutional roles.

“While condemning your action of unlawfully killing the deceased officer in a gruesome manner, this court considers the plea in mitigation punishment by your counsel, the General Court Martial takes cognisance of all your counsel has said and the fact that you are involved in the Theatre of Operation.

“However, the gravity of the crime that you have committed against the innocent officer, which by application is a crime against humanity and an attempt to drag the good name of Nigerian Army into mud, must be sanctioned appropriately.

“The punishment for the offence of murder as provided by Section 106 of the Armed Forces Act is death. This sentence is to be carried out by firing squad.”

Ekubi also convicted four soldiers for manslaughter for their involvement in torturing a civilian, one Peter Apogu, to death over a missing car battery.

He said based on their nature of involvement in the act, Sgt. Sani Ishaya who is the leader of the team is sentenced to four years in prison; Lance Corporal Fabiyi Bidemi is to serve two years while Private Adamu Abdulrashid and Private Musa Bala are to serve one year each.

The court also sentenced one Private Mohammed Kuru to three years in prison for accidental discharge at a civilian wedding ceremony that killed a 12-year-old boy.

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Sokoto governor axes 15 district heads over insecurity, others

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Sokoto governor axes 15 district heads over insecurity, others

Sokoto State Government has sacked nine district heads for allegedly aiding insecurity and encouraging land racketeering.

The state government also sacked another six district heads said to have been irregularly appointed by the immediate past government of the state.

Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, announced this while briefing newsmen on the development on Tuesday.

Those axed over alleged insecurity are the district heads of Unguwar Lalle, Yabo, Wamakko, Tulluwa, llela, Dogon Daji, Kebbe, Alkammu and Giyawa.

Bawa said the six district heads were dropped because of the way they were haphazardly appointed and their rejection by their people.

The affected six district heads are Marafan Tangaza, Sarkin Gabas Kalambaina, Bunun Gongono, Sarkin Kudun Yar Tsakkuwa, Sarkin Tambuwal and Sarkin Yamman Torankavwa.

“The cases involving District Heads of Isa, Kuchi, Kilgori and Gagi have been re commended for further investigations,” Bawa added.

However, Sarkin Yakin Binji, senior counselor in the Suktanate Council, was transferred to Nabunkari while the District Head of Sabon Birni was deployed to Gatawa.

Bawa said this followed the recommendations of the Committee on the Review of the appointments of Traditional rulers, Renaming of Tertiary Institutions and the Dissolution of Governing Boards of State Parastatals.

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Passengers overpower bandits in Zamfara

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Passengers overpower bandits in Zamfara

In a courageous act, the family of a bride-to-be and a group of passengers thwarted a kidnapping attempt by killing a terrorist in Zamfara State.

PRNigeria reports that the incident unfolded when the family of the bride-to-be and other travellers were ambushed by bandits along the Talata Mafara-Gusau highway.

The bride’s family had embarked on a journey to purchase clothing and other wedding materials in Kano. However, their plans took a harrowing turn when armed bandits targeted them.

An eyewitness, who spoke to PRNigeria, revealed that the response was spontaneous once the bandits had selected their victims.

Despite one of the bandits managing to escape, the brave passengers captured two AK-47 rifles.

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Narrating how the events unfolded, the eyewitness said: “A few kilometres away from the Fangal Tama checkpoint, the travellers heard gunshots echoing all around.

‘’To their shock, they encountered two well-armed bandits on motorcycles, blocking the road and halting vehicles.
“The bandits immediately ordered the young woman (the bride-to-be), her father, mother, and two other relatives to exit their car.

‘’With guns pointed at them, the terrified family members were coerced to follow the bandits into the nearby forest.
“Realising the grave danger they faced in forced abduction, the passengers decided to act swiftly. They rallied together and launched an attack on one of the two bandits.

‘’In a fierce struggle, they managed to overpower him, resulting in his instant death. The other bandit, however, escaped, leaving behind his firearm.

“The courageous group retrieved the two guns and emerged from the forest. They promptly handed the weapons over to the military at a nearby checkpoint.’’

Passengers overpower bandits in Zamfara

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BREAKING: EFCC freezes 300 illegal forex accounts

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BREAKING: EFCC freezes 300 illegal forex accounts

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has frozen  300 illegal forex accounts trading on a peer-to-peer platform.

The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, revealed that the accounts were suspended on Monday following a court order.

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Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Olukoyede explained that over $15bn passed through one of the forex platforms in the last one year, outside the financial regulations.

He said the EFCC action was taken to ensure the safety of the foreign exchange market and protect the economy.

BREAKING: EFCC freezes 300 illegal forex accounts

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