The people of Moriki town in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State are in fear as the deadline given them by notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, to pay an imposed N30m levy expired.

But reacting to the development on Tuesday,  the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, described the bandit kingpin as a deranged person, wowing that the military would soon capture him.

The bandit kingpin, it was learnt, imposed the N30m levy on the community, following the killing of over 100 cows belonging to him by the military some weeks ago.

In a message, he sent to the community, the dreaded bandit kingpin demanded that the community pay him N30m or face his wrath.

He gave them up to Monday, September 9 but our correspondent learnt that the community had not been able to raise the funds, despite launching an appeal.

The PUNCH gathered that some people were already fleeing the town.

An indigene of the town, Sani Musa told The PUNCH on the phone that he had since last Monday evacuated his family and moved to Kaura-Namoda town.

“I am quite sure that this terrible person and his men will soon attack our community because of the non-payment of the N30m.

“We did our best to get the money but due to economic hardship, we were not able to get even half of the amount.

“I was asked to give N20,000 as my own contribution but as I am talking to you now, I don’t have the amount.

“I tried to sell my farm but nobody is interested in buying the land due to the security situation in the area.”

Another indigene of the area, Zayyanu Hassan, expressed hopelessness, saying despite the threat of attack, he was too weak, because of age and ill health, to flee the community.

“I don’t know where to go because of my age and health condition. I will remain here despite the threat from Bello Turji,” Hassan said.

According to Hassan, there are many people like him who are unable to flee the community despite the threat of attack.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, the Chief of Defence Staff,  vowed that the military would put an end to the imposition on levies on citizens by non-state actors, such as bandits.

Musa said, “On the issue of Turji, as I said, he is just a deranged individual who feels power, but I can bet you that it’s just a matter of time. It is a matter of time; we’re going to get him, and I can assure you that it will be within the shortest possible time.  We’re going to address that issue on the issue of payment of levy (to bandits).”

The CDS said it had been found that bandits live on the money they levy on innocent citizens but said the military would end the menance.

“One, even when they get the money, they don’t have a way to use it. Two is that the money they’re getting, they know, is blood money. And that is why we all must come together to work with members of the armed forces and security agencies to deny them the ability to move freely within our communities.”

He said the support received by the bandits from residents was fuelling their activities.

Musa said, “Please do not give them any support. Do not give them information on the movement of troops because this is what is happening. Most of the area where this thing is continuing is because we have informants within the communities.”

Musa stated that the operations in the North-West have harmonised after it was reviewed.

He said, “We have reviewed the entire operation and realised that we need to harmonise our operations together. As you notice, we have Operation Hadrin Daiji and Operation Whirl Stroke, both within the Northwest region. We have seen the need for us to harmonize those operations into one operation like we did in the Northeast where you have operation Hadin Kai.

“The same thing is being done now for the North-West operation. We have one unified operation. It’s going to be called Operation Kasar Yamma, which is securing the North-West.

“Now the intention is to ensure that we synergise all our efforts in addressing the security challenges in the North-West. So now, what we are doing is that since we are harmonising the whole operation, we will come under one commander. And then the commander will be able to utilise all the equipment and troops together to ensure that we address this critically. And I think that’s the best solution we have for it. And I can assure you, all the assets that are required to do that will be done.”

He CDS appealed to the citizens to stop giving support to bandits, lamenting that locals invited the bandits to attack the troops’ armoured vehicles when they broke down.

Musa said, “The bandits intend to just show that they are present. And that’s why we’re appealing to Nigerians not to provide any support. If you remember, the last time we had this issue where our APC was, the MRAP was bogged down, and the terrorists came. It was some people who called them and told them that the troops were having issues with their vehicle and they should come around. And they came en masse. That was what exactly happened. And that’s why we’re appealing to individuals.”

As the crisis rocking the Labour Party intensifies, the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, on Tuesday, threw her weight behind the 29-man caretaker committee put in place by the party’s stakeholders last week.

This was as activist Aisha Yesufu attcked LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, over alleged misappropriation of campaign funds.

An enlarged stakeholders’ meeting called by the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi and the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, held in Umuahia, Abia State capital, was called to resolve the lingering leadership crisis in the party.

At the meeting, the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee was set up to steer the affairs of the party and conduct a national convention.

However, the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure; National Secretary, Umar Farouk and the National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, were conspicuously absent at the meeting.

Kingibe, at the flag-off of a four-day free medical outreach she facilitated for her constituents in Abuja, done in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, said Abure and his loyalists were yet to come to terms with reality.

Represented by her Senior Legislative Aide, Dr Chris Omofoma, Kingibe told The PUNCH that every LP member knew Abure’s tenure alongside his NWC had ended as far back as June 2023.

THE Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, on Tuesday, lamented that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is becoming indifferent, insensitive and unresponsive to the plights of Nigerians.

Adams in an open letter titled ‘President Bola Tinubu, time is going’, also said the present administration has disappointed Nigerians adding that the citizens can no longer bear the economic hardship.

He said: “We have no regret that we were created to inhabit this geographical space in the West African axis of the African continent.

“We are happy to be here because I don’t know any country in the world that God has blessed, in terms of natural and human resources, like Nigeria.

“Obviously, past leaders, since 1960, disappointed Nigerians with the way ‘Nigeria and Nigerians were badly led and resources selfishly managed’.

“When you came with the ‘Emilokan’ coinage in the build-up to the 2023 elections, many Nigerians were persuaded that as a democrat exposed to the modern way of governance, you will perform better than Muhammadu Buhari, a soldier who deepened the poverty levels of Nigerians and increased insecurity from 2015 to 2023.

“Today, events have proved that they were wrong. Mr President, to say the truth without minding whose ox is gored, you have disappointed many Nigerians who thought you were the messiah they were waiting for.

“The facts are there to speak for themselves. On May 29, 2023, when you became the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigerians, the price of a litre of fuel was less than N200.

“Today, it is more than N1000. As the Minister of Petroleum, I ask you, what type of reform is this? In May 2023, the Naira to a Dollar was less than N740. Today, it is more than N1,600.

“Now, your two right-hand men when you were Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, Wale Edun (Finance Minister) and Yemi Cardoso (CBN Governor) are in charge of the economy.

“What exactly are the fiscal, economic and financial briefings they give you daily to convince you that they know what they are doing in those two offices?

“When Buhari left on May 29, 2023, many Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief that insecurity would soon become history.

“Pitiably today, from the North to the South, East to the West, the rate at which Nigerians are being abducted and some killed, even after ransom was paid, it was as if these blood-thirsty maniacs have just been unleashed on Nigerians from the hottest part of hell.

“As the Commander-in-Chief, the rising spate of insecurity across the country has put to question the kind of briefings you get daily, especially, from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja, and other Security Chiefs on their modus operandi to send these killers to where they belong?
“In August, many Nigerians came out to express their frustration on the way you are governing them.

Today, some of those arrested have been charged with treason.
“In the comity of nations, who does that? Is that the way governments are overthrown, with placards?

“Human rights activists are being harassed by security agents daily and Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, have become soft targets of sycophants who speak sweet words to your ears for selfish reasons.

“Many Nigerians know the ‘radical’ role you played when you were Governor, and even after 2007 when you galvanised and mobilised them to challenge the status quo at the national level.

“Now that you are in government, protest has suddenly become a criminal offence. God is indeed great. The plain truth is that the recent fuel price increase by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, an agency which is under your office as the Petroleum Minister, is an attack on Nigerians.

“Obviously, your administration is becoming indifferent, insensitive and unresponsive to the plights of millions of Nigerians who can no longer meet their daily needs.

“This is a brutal assault on the sensibility of Nigerians. I think you and your party should be sensitive to the plights of Nigerians.

“Mr President, don’t you think the wicked and draconian increase in fuel price, especially, at this time that Nigerians have been pushed to the wall, is a huge recipe for crisis? Nigerians can no longer bear this economic hardship any longer.”

Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Austin Eguavoen, has denied stepping down as the interim coach of the Super Eagles after the two 2025 AFCON qualifiers against the Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Eguavoen was appointed by the NFF to take charge of the two games following the inability of the federation to secure the services of German coach, Bruno Labbadia, over what they call stringent German tax laws.

“In the event, Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, will now take charge of the Super Eagles for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic (Uyo, September 7) and Rwanda (Kigali, September 10),” the statement announcing his appointment had partly read.

The 59-year-old led Nigeria to a convincing 3-0 win over the Benin Republic in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, last Saturday before being held to a goaless draw in the second game of the series by Rwanda on Tuesday.

After Tuesday’s goaless draw in Kigali, Eguavoen was said to have stepped down as interim coach but the gaffer has denied the reports ahead of next month’s AFCON qualifiers double header against Libya.

“It’s quite unfortunate that people just trigger something that is not correct. And the situation we are in now, we don’t need negative stories,” Eguavoen said on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja in a media chat.

“I only talked about sitting down with the hierarchy of the federation after these two games and we will see how to go about prosecuting the next games.

“But when I saw that story I was worried. Whatever people are reading out there aren’t correct. I’m still very much in charge. I’m the Technical Director of the NFF, saddled with the responsibility of taking the Super Eagles at this moment,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the commencement of 2024 National Honours Award to Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have contributed to the development of the country.

Zaphaniah Jisalo, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, made this known at a meeting with management staff of the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Jisalo said that the Federal Government would also honour Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavours.

The minister explained that the forms and processes leading to the award of national honours were free of charge, adding that people should desist from paying for national honuours.

“By this information, the public is to watch out for calls for nominations and present individuals who have distinguished themselves by uplifting the nation and its people.

“This is in accordance with the National Honours Award Act 2004. The Act took retrospective effect from 1963, “he said.
NAN

Nigeria failed to defeat Rwanda in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played in Kigali on Tuesday.

The match ended goalless between both countries.

However, the Super Eagles will feel aggrieved as they had what looked like a legitimate goal ruled out in the first half.

Victor Boniface’s header from a throw-in fell to Ademola Lookman who put the ball the net.

But the referee ruled it out.

Both sides saw their goalkeepers make fine saves to maintain the stalemate.

Nigeria lead Group D with four points, while Rwanda are in second spot with two points.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Joe Ajaero, and the invasion of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office by men of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Atiku said President Bola Tinubu’s level of oppressive control now imposed on Nigerians, civil society organizations and the media has surpassed the time of military dictators.

In a statement on Tuesday, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused President Tinubu of intimidating opposition voices.

He said, “The escalating assault on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration is profoundly disturbing. The level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.

“The recent arrest of Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, en route to an official event, epitomizes this regime’s relentless campaign to intimidate and subdue organized labour.

“Just days prior, security forces detained a journalist, only to later claim it was a grievous error. What if the outcome had been fatal?

“Now, Tinubu’s regime extends its repressive grasp to encroach upon SERAP Nigeria, an action that stands as a grave affront to our democratic values. This siege is anathema to the principles of freedom and justice.”

Atiku admonished the President to channel his security agencies towards terrorists and bandits perpetrating violence across the country and stop inflicting suffering on Nigerians.

“It is imperative that Tinubu and his security apparatus redirect their fervour and intimidation towards the actual perpetrators of violence — terrorists and bandits — who are inflicting immeasurable suffering upon the Nigerian people,” Atiku added.

The Federal High Court (FHC) in Lagos has embraced the digital world by inaugurating an online platform that enables the public to obtain affidavits directly from the court.

This initiative, spearheaded by FHC Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho, aligns the court with contemporary digital best practices on a global scale.

During a Friday visit to the Lagos division of the court, the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar, Godwin Long, facilitated a tour of the newly established ICT department, which Agwu Charles oversees.

Agwu provided an explanation of how the general public can utilize this new innovation.

“It is now a norm that the Affidavit for loss of items, age declaration, change of name, etc can now be done via portal.fhc.gov.ng and following the instructions.

“What you just need to do is to login to the site: portal.fhc.gov.ng,” Agwu explained.

DCR Longe further explained that, at the moment, the portal can only process Affidavits that are non-cases related.

“Affidavits filed to support a case are still done manually because of the peculiar disposition in such Affidavits.

He reiterated the need for people to be aware that henceforth, “they don’t necessarily have to be physically present to procure the type of Affidavits mentioned above,” he noted.

Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for employing security forces to harass and intimidate Nigerian citizens.

Naija News reports that Ezekwesili’s remarks came after the arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) office in Abuja on Monday by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a post on her X account on Tuesday, Ezekwesili asserted that Nigerians would not tolerate any form of authoritarian rule again, and she outlined three actions President Tinubu should take to ease the growing tension in the country.

She questioned the motivations behind the administration’s approach, asking why Tinubu’s government would choose to create such tension for an already struggling population.

Ezekwesili said: “So as if this severest economic hardship unleashed on citizens by the @nigeriagov of @NGRPresident @officialABAT is not traumatizing enough, the country’s security apparatuses are now daily deployed to harass and intimidate Nigerians.

“I wanted to be certain of the news yesterday that the latest victims of draconian assault on rights are the NLC @NLCHeadquarters and its President @JoeAjaero94024 as @SERAPNigeria .

“So I ask, “What really is motivating this administration of @officialABAT to create this horrible tension in the country for an already badly distressed people?”

“Whatever is driving this repressive onslaught, here are 3 things the @NGRPresident has to do to stop heating up the country:

“The @OfficialDSSNG @PoliceNG must immediately comply with the constitution and laws of the land- release Ajaero, vacate @SERAPNigeria, return their documents, repair damaged property and compensate them for all losses inflicted.

“The @PoliceNG @OfficialDSSNG must release all the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters that are unconstitutionally detained or being prosecuted by the security establishment for no good reason than the intoxication and intolerance of @officialABAT and his crew that seized power through an election that failed all tests of credibility.

“The @NGRPresident and the @nassnigeria should immediately commence plans for a Citizens-led National Conversation and Constitutional process for Nigeria.

“If there is any wisdom left at all, this @NigeriaGov would do well to stop digging further into a hole. Nigerians acting collectively will never again accept any draconian rule.”

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has released Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), after detaining him for approximately 15 hours, Naija News reports.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has slammed the federal government for pressing treason charges against peace #EndBadGovernance protesters.

Peter Obi said the federal government mismanaged the protest even after the citizens gave one month’s notice before the protest.

Speaking with News Central on Monday, on his opinion concerning the treason charge, the former governor of Anambra State said even when he was in office he never used police to arrest protesters.

He argued that it was wrong for the federal government to fail to sit and discuss with the peaceful hunger protesters but move ahead to arrest them with the police.

Obi said: “I’ve said everybody, they have right to protest. I said it before. I would discuss with every protester. They even warned government months before they did that. I would sit down and discuss with them. People protested when I was governor. They even called strike. They shut down schools for months, our hospitals. I was talking with them.

“I have never as a politician, as a governor ask any police to go and arrest anybody. It shouldn’t be. In a democracy, people have right to say no. I’ve said it every day. If I’m managing this facility and everybody loves me, I will resign. This is me.

“Wherever I am, I believe that I have enemies. My job is to convince them. If everybody loves me, that is a problem. There are people who hate me because I’m just Peter. They don’t even need to give me any reason. It is my job to convince them on why it should be. I convinced the teachers why we should return schools to missionaries and they see the result.

“You just have to. It’s a constant thing. Whenever you’re a leader, you’re a communicator. You listen, you talk to the people. The agitators, the protesters, how are they talking to them?”