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Tinubu bars ex-Niger Delta agitators from Aso Villa

Published

9 months ago

August 15, 2023

Alhaji Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo

There are strong indications that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has barred any former Niger Delta insurgent commander from visiting him at the presidential mansion in Abuja.

Based on this directive, it was learnt that the presidency recently rejected requests for courtesy visits by key militant leaders and ethnic militias from the oil-rich region to Tinubu in the villa.

The decision was reportedly taken in the aftermath of the visit to Tinubu by the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo, on June 16 this year.

Asari-Dokubo, a staunch supporter of Tinubu, backed and supported the President in the run-up to the 2023 presidential election.

A report on Tuesday by Leadership stated that Tinubu, in ordering the action, was disturbed by public utterances and actions of Asari-Dokubo after his visit to the villa.

It was learnt that Tinubu was bothered that all “verbal vituperations and militant activities” of Asari-Dokubo in the Niger Delta were subsequently linked to him after the June audience with the notable activist.

As he stepped out of the Villa, Asari-Dokubo, in a chat with the State House reporters, took on the Armed Forces, accusing its personnel of being neck-deep in economic sabotage, especially crude oil theft and vandalism of oil equipment in the region.

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The allegation, it was learnt, embarrassed and shocked Tinubu, especially because he made the shocking revelation moments after departing his office.

Leadership reported sources in the presidency as saying that Dokubo’s outbursts against the military within the vicinity of the villa gave the inkling that the President shared the same views with the ex-militant commander.

It was gathered that the presidency was ruffled by the attacks on the President by notable Nigerians over the utterances and actions of Asari-Dokubo, especially his effrontery in the reckless public assemblage of gun-wielding youths in his enclave in Rivers State.

The gun-bearing renegades often appeared in viral videos with Asari-Dokubo, assuming commanding roles.

Asari-Dokubo also took on the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, threatening to deal with the chief executive of the state.

The presidency was said to have been irked that his association with the President had continued to give a wrong signal to the public that he enjoyed the support and backing of the nation’s number one citizen.

To this end, one of our sources in the presidency said all individuals known to be linked with the Niger Delta ethnic crisis and oil industry unrest in the region, requesting courtesy visits and audience with the President after the Asari-Dokubo’s experience, had their applications declined.

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A notable militant from the region, who made a request for an audience with the President last week, was said to have lamented that his application was declined by the nation’s seat of power.

He said top officials of the presidency pointedly informed him that the President was not disposed to meeting with members of his group.

But Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, said he was not aware of the President’s directive on the matter.

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BREAKING: Gunmen storm secondary school in Plateau kill 2 teachers, injure vice principal

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NNPC: No plans for fresh increase in fuel price

metro

Kaduna ambush claims soldier’s life, stepmother abducted

Published

4 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan,

Kaduna ambush claims soldier’s life, stepmother abducted

The community of Anguwan Rimi in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State has been shaken by tragedy as a soldier, Yahaya Ayuba (Zabuyia), was reportedly killed, and his stepmother abducted by gunmen.

Confirming the incident, a family member, Mr. Kantiok Solomon, revealed that the soldier had recently returned from Lagos and was engaged in a discussion with his family members at the palace when the assailants struck. Despite his resistance, the gunmen, noticing his uniform, fatally shot him.

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Angelo Tagwai, another resident, echoed Solomon’s sentiments, expressing the community’s shock and emphasizing the urgency for security forces to intervene and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. This incident marks the third such violent occurrence in the area, heightening concerns among locals.

Efforts to obtain official comments from the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered.

Kaduna ambush claims soldier’s life, stepmother abducted

metro

Lagos Govt insists no attachment to shops, buildings

Published

6 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Lagos Govt insists no attachment to shops, buildings

Lagos State Government has maintained its zero-tolerance stance against illegal construction of extensions and attachments to shops and buildings in any part of the state.

General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, an architect, stated this.

He spoke at a multi-agency enforcement carried out to remove extensions and attachments affixed to shops and plazas within the Lagos Island Central Business.

The action, he said, would bring about safety and orderliness to the markets and streets in the area.

A statement by Olaoye Olusegun, Director of Public Affairs at LASBCA, quoted Oki as saying those extensions affixed to shops and buildings within the area were constituting nuisance and a hindrance to rescue operations during emergencies.

He cited the case of fire outbreak in Mandilas building where first responders such as the state fire and rescue services could not access the burning building due to blockage of the roads and streets by traders with their extensions and attachments.

He told all owners of shops and business premises with extensions/ attachments to remove them immediately.

Oki disclosed that the removal exercise would be continuous and extended to other parts of the state.

He stressed that Lagos State would no longer tolerate the level of lawlessness going on in the commercial areas, especially Lagos Island where every available space was being converted to shops extending to the roads.

Oki also frowned on the practice of mounting diesel and petrol generators on rooftops, penthouses and iron staircases of shops and plazas within commercial centres.

The multi-agency exercise comprising the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Central Business Districts and Lagos State Environmental Services amongst others, witnessed the removal of attachments to shops around Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Dosunmu, Ereko, Eyin Eyo, Martins, Balogun and its adjoining streets.

The removal is part of the recommendations of the Dosunmu Fire Incident Committee headed by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Gbenga Oyerinde.

metro

BREAKING: Workers stranded as Labour pickets Jos DisCo, NERC

Published

8 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Trends Admin

BREAKING: Workers stranded as Labour pickets Jos DisCo, NERC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have picket the headquarters of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED) along Ahmadu way in the metropolis.

The sealing of office was carried out by Plateau chapter of NLC and TUC officials in compliance with the directive of the Organised Labour over the hike in Electricity Tariff.

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It was gathered that workers of the electricity company were locked out by an enforcement team as early as 6:30 a m.

According to The Nation, Jos Disco spokesman Dr. Friday Elijah said: ” The office of JED has been picketed. We were locked out, when we came to the office. It has been sealed, nobody is allowed to entered, even my self ( the spokesman) and the chief security officer also outside.

All of us came this morning for work, we were locked out. The office has been picketed and sealed.

The chairman of Plateau chapter of NLC, Comrade Eugene Manji, the place has been picket and sealed in compliance with the directive of our National headquarters.