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Stop fueling ethnic, religious crisis, Epe monarch warns Nigerians
Nigerians have been urged to stop spreading tales that can lead to ethnic and religious crisis, which may further cause division among the people.
This advice was given by the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, urging them to always profess positivity about the country and its armed forces.
He spoke in his Epe palace Lagos during a courtesy visit by members of a media advocacy group, Prayer and Support for the Armed Forces and other Security Agencies.
He commended the group for coming up with such a great initiative of supporting the security agencies by praying for them while urging others to do same.
The monarch said, “I am deeply touched by the activities of this group. Quite nice that we have people in the media who realise that our armed forces need support spiritually. I promised to pass on the message to all our people in this town.
He also commended the armed forces while praying that almighty God would touch the hearts of the bad eggs among them.
The monarch said, “We really need to pray for our security agencies because it’s when they succeed that we are safe and can have rest of mind too.”
He called for a synergy among all the security agencies in order to truly achieve peace and security in our nation.
“Despite the fact that our military personnel have played major roles in various countries using all the resources at their disposal, human and capital, to restore peace in many nations, we are still finding it difficult to restore peace in our country.
The group’s convener, Mrs Mary Abayomi Fatile, queried.
She recounted many feats of the armed forces in the Gambia and other countries.
The monarch, who received members of the group in the presence of his chiefs, reiterated the need to love one another for us to achieve a united nation.
“Let’s stop the tales of woes, ethnic rivalry, negative tales. We should not allow people with evil minds to rule us or lead us astray. Let’s stop flaming anger and negativity,” He said.
“It’s indeed a great idea to have a group like yours that has self-consciousness to look at issues dispassionately.”
The group also paid a courtesy visit to the Commandant, Nigerian Army Ordinance School in Epe, Major General Adeyemi Alabi.
According to him, prayer is very important and prayer being a cardinal strength of the nation cannot be overlooked.
He urged members of the group to continue what they had started and be vanguard of the new generation of people ready to make the needed change.
According to him, security is everybody’s business. He therefore urged the populace to give security personnel all the necessary and useful information.
In her remark, a member of the group, Hajia Sekinah Lawal, reiterated the need for unity of purpose and sincere prayers “as we have all noted the challenges, succeses recorded by our security agencies in the ongoing fight against insurgents in the North-East Nigeria, and the lingering kidnappings and banditry across the country.
“As a group of media professionals, we believe we need to engage in mobilising Nigerians for special prayers and unique support for our gallant soldiers and other security personnel.”
As part of the group’s planned activities, there was a sensitisation talk with some students of Yaba College of Technology, Epe Campus.
The students were reminded on the importance of security agencies in our society, educating them on security as a social contract, changing their perception of security personnel treating them as heroes and heroines, advocating for oneness, cooperation and love among all security agencies for seamless operations among others.
In addition, another member of the group, Mr. John Obot of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, admonished the students to remain focused and shun all forms of drug abuse and cultism.
Mary Abayomi Fatile urged them to keep blessing and praying for their nation and the armed forces.
“As citizens, let’s continue to say that God bless Nigeria. And always have firm belief in oneness of Nigeria.”
The group had also joined some church services and jumat prayers for awareness creation and prayers.
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18 Farmers Killed, Several Injured in Fresh Attack on Plateau Communities
18 Farmers Killed, Several Injured in Fresh Attack on Plateau Communities
- Gunmen storm Kawel and Kopkon villages in Bokkos LGA, less than a week after traditional ruler was killed in same area.
No fewer than 18 farmers have been killed and several others injured after gunmen launched coordinated attacks on Kawel and Kopkon villages in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. The assault occurred late Sunday night, heightening concerns over escalating violence in the region and coming less than five days after the District Head of Gwande was killed in an ambush.
The attackers reportedly stormed the communities at about 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, opening fire indiscriminately on sleeping residents before fleeing the area as security operatives mobilised to the scene. Some accounts place the time of the attack as late as 1:20 a.m. on Monday. According to a security report cited by counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama, troops of Sector 5 under Operation Enduring Peace responded to distress calls following the attacks. Upon arrival at the affected communities, security operatives recovered 12 bodies from Kawel village and six from Kopkon village, bringing the total number of fatalities to 18. Other reports, however, put the death toll as high as 19 or 21. Military sources said troops have since launched search operations across surrounding communities to track down and apprehend fleeing suspects.
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Confirming the incident, Christopher Luka, Bokkos Youth Leader, said he received information about the attack from a member of the youth council shortly after midnight. “A youth leader called around 12 a.m. that gunmen attacked the community and shot over 20 people, so 18 were confirmed dead,” Luka told journalists. He explained that he immediately alerted security personnel stationed in Bokkos. “I called the security and they confirmed to me that they had been alerted and were on their way to the attacked community,” he added. Luka described the attack as unprovoked and urged security agencies to take decisive steps to prevent further escalation of violence in the area. He called on security forces to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities in the local government area.
The latest incident comes less than five days after the District Head of Gwande in Bokkos LGA, Saf Samuel Alaket, was killed in an ambush along the Sha District axis bordering Daffo community. The traditional ruler was reportedly returning home from a traditional council meeting when he encountered the attackers. The renewed violence has deepened concerns over security in Bokkos and surrounding communities, which have witnessed recurring deadly attacks in recent months. In May, no fewer than 12 persons were killed in separate attacks on communities in Riyom and Bassa Local Government Areas, and in March, gunmen reportedly killed 27 residents in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos North Local Government Area.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the latest attack. Efforts to obtain comments from the spokespersons of the Plateau State Police Command and Operation Enduring Peace, SP Alabo Alfred and Captain Polycarp Auta, were unsuccessful as they had not responded to inquiries. Operation Enduring Peace has since intensified patrols and reinforced security presence in vulnerable parts of the state in response to the recurring incidents. The latest attack underscores the persistent security challenges confronting communities in Plateau State, where residents continue to call for a stronger security presence and decisive action to end the cycle of violence.
18 Farmers Killed, Several Injured in Fresh Attack on Plateau Communities
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BREAKING: Court Sends Sowore to Kuje Correctional Centre After Revoking Bail
BREAKING: Court Sends Sowore to Kuje Correctional Centre After Revoking Bail
Activist, SaharaReporters publisher and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has been remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre following the revocation of his bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Sowore’s detention on Monday after the activist appeared before the court for the continuation of his trial. The development comes days after the court revoked the bail earlier granted to him and issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his failure to appear at a previous hearing.
Sowore arrived at the court premises carrying a packed travel bag and told journalists that he anticipated the court would order his detention. He was accompanied by supporters and members of his movement, many of whom gathered outside the courtroom with placards expressing solidarity and demanding what they described as justice and respect for free speech.
The court had, on June 16, granted an oral application by counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), seeking the revocation of Sowore’s bail. The prosecution argued that the activist deliberately failed to attend court despite being aware of the hearing date and urged the judge to compel his appearance through a bench warrant.
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Although Sowore had sent a letter requesting an adjournment, Justice Umar ruled that the explanation provided was inadequate and insufficient to justify his absence. The court subsequently revoked his bail and directed that he be arrested and produced before the court.
The DSS prosecution of Sowore stems from allegations that he made defamatory statements against President Bola Tinubu, including describing the Nigerian leader as “a criminal” in posts published on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.
According to the DSS, the statements were false, injurious and capable of damaging the reputation of the President. The agency insists that the matter falls within the ambit of applicable laws governing criminal defamation and cyber-related offences.
Sowore has, however, consistently rejected the allegations, maintaining that his comments were political opinions protected by the constitutional right to freedom of expression. His legal team has argued that the charges amount to an attempt to criminalise criticism of public office holders and suppress dissenting views.
The case has attracted widespread attention across Nigeria, drawing reactions from civil society organisations, human rights advocates, political activists and legal practitioners. Many observers view the proceedings as a significant test of the balance between freedom of expression and the enforcement of laws governing online communication.
Monday’s proceedings were marked by heightened security around the Federal High Court complex as supporters and observers closely monitored developments. Following the ruling, court officials processed the remand order, paving the way for Sowore’s transfer to the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further hearings.
The trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with the court also expected to consider pending applications from the defence. Legal analysts say the outcome of the case could have broader implications for political speech, digital rights and the boundaries of public criticism in Nigeria’s democracy.
For now, Omoyele Sowore remains in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre, where he will stay pending the next stage of proceedings in the closely watched case.
BREAKING: Court Sends Sowore to Kuje Correctional Centre After Revoking Bail
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