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Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s prime minister, has resigned and fled the country amid weeks of deadly anti-government protests.
An aide told Al Jazeera that Hasina, 76, boarded a military helicopter alongside her sister and fled after crowds ignored a nationwide curfew to besiege the prime minister’s palace in Dhaka, the country’s capital, on Monday.
Images showed flames billowing from vehicles near Hasina’s home, with police unable to contain throngs of people marching towards the neighborhood.
After news of her resignation broke, thousands took to the streets of Dhaka in celebration. She was in power for a combined 20 years.
The demonstrations which began in July were triggered by students seeking an end to a quota system for government jobs.
However, clashes with police and pro-government activists escalated. No fewer than 300 people have been reported dead since the protests began.
On Sunday, nearly 100 people were reported dead.
The death toll heightened calls for accountability from government.
The 76-year-old won a fourth straight term in January in an election boycotted by the opposition.
Waker-Uz-Zaman, the army chief, urged citizens to trust the army, which he said would return peace to the country.
“We will also ensure that justice is served for every death and crime that occurred during the protests,” he said, asking the public to be patient and to cease violence and vandalism.
“We have invited representatives from all major political parties, and they have accepted our invitation and committed to collaborating with us.”
Protest: Tinubu’s Speech Is Disconnected From Reality, Needs To Stop Dwelling On The Past – Peter Obi
AFOLABI
Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) has broken his silence following the speech given by President Bola Tinubu on Sunday to address the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
Reacting on Monday, Obi said he intentionally delayed his reaction in order to avoid getting labelled as always swaying public opinion against the Tinubu government.
The former Anambra State Governor said President Tinubu’s speech is disconnected from the harsh economic realities Nigerians are facing and too focused on the past instead of the present and the future which Nigerians are concerned about.
Obi wrote: “Having led the call for the President to address the nation and respond to the demands of the people, and having listened to the belated speech, I needed to delay my response to see if my understanding of the address was aligned with others. I hesitated to respond immediately, as I felt it could have been perceived as another attempt by Peter Obi to sway public opinion, especially since I was initially accused of sponsoring the protest.
“However, I must begin by thanking the President for finally addressing the people, albeit belatedly, which might have prevented the unnecessary loss of innocent lives, including those of our security agents.
“While I had hoped that, in consoling the families of those who lost their loved ones in the protest, he would also show some empathy towards those who were injured, arrested, and detained due to the overzealous and unprofessional conduct of some security operatives, this was unfortunately not the case. It is the responsibility of the government to identify criminal elements attempting to disrupt the protest through looting and other unlawful behaviours and to protect those genuinely exercising their democratic rights.
“Nigeria must embrace all tenets of democracy, including the right to protest, without selective adherence. I also appreciate his condemnation of the ethnic bigotry being propagated by some individuals against other ethnic groups.
“However, I had hoped for more decisive action, such as the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, to demonstrate that such intolerance will not be tolerated in today’s Nigeria.
“The President’s address regrettably appeared disconnected from the harsh realities faced by the people and failed to address critical issues that initially triggered the protest. It either reflects a lack of awareness among his advisers regarding the scale of anger, hunger, and hardship in the country, or a deliberate choice to disregard it. At this point, I strongly advise the President to distance himself from sycophants and surround himself with individuals who will present the unvarnished truth.
“While the President’s speech focused on the past, the people are concerned with the present and the future. He should begin by addressing pressing issues such as the exorbitant cost of governance, measures to tackle corruption, the high cost of living, and directing resources effectively towards critical areas like health, education, and poverty alleviation. I respectfully reiterate that the President should declare a war on insecurity, the economy, poverty, unemployment, and the power sector.
“Persistent issues of corruption and mismanagement of public funds must be addressed decisively. As is done in other nations during such times, regular briefings, whether quarterly or biannually, from the President are essential to clearly communicate the visible and verifiable measures being taken to revive the nation from its current state of hopelessness, restore hope, and rebuild trust in our country. I also humbly request that the President reduce the repetition of how dire the situation is; every Nigerian is already aware of the extent of the problems. Mr President, you and your team were elected not just to witness the protests but to alleviate the suffering of the people.
“Nigerians do not expect the President to solve the nation’s problems overnight, but we do expect a concerted effort to address the mismanagement of public resources, reduce the high cost of governance, and tackle issues like insecurity, corruption, electricity, agriculture, and productivity to set the country on a path to recovery and growth. By doing so, the President can restore hope and rekindle the people’s faith in our dear country Nigeria.
“A new Nigeria is Possible. -PO”
Doyin Okupe, a former director general of the Peter Obi/Datti Ahmed campaign council, has stated that President Bola Tinubu's nationwide broadcast on Sunday addressed the economic woes Nigerians are facing.
He advised youths to stop further protests and engage the federal government in a dialogue. He said President Tinubu has shown leadership and commitment to addressing hardship in the country.
On Sunday, while reacting to the President’s address, Okupe said President Tinubu achieved what other administrations were unable to accomplish in one year.
According to Okupe, if the fuel subsidy was not removed, the Tinubu-led administration would not function effectively.
“President Bola Tinubu’s Speech has not disappointed Nigerians in that for the first time, the President clearly stated the precarious and daunting economic situation his administration met on ground at inception.
“It also amplified the strenuous efforts made by his government to reduce the prevailing crippling and stagnating debt servicing ratio from 97% of earned revenue to 68%.
“In truth, this has been the major cause of our present economic woes and sufferings. It is now self-evident that if the fuel subsidy was not removed, it would have been impossible for the government to function and meet its obligations without continuing the profligacy of massive and sustained borrowing to fund the subsequent national budgets
“The speech highlighted, to our delight, the giant and commendable strides of achievements already accomplished by this administration within 14 months of its existence, despite the unprecedented inherited financial and social-economic calamities.
“It is also worthy to note from the speech the government’s commitment to reduce the prevailing high cost of living and also bring down the food inflation through the temporary massive importation of foods and reduction of various taxes and duties for foods, drugs and medical supplies e t c.
“I personally believe that this administration’s scorecard or performance compares very well if not better than those of many administrations before it,” he said.
The former aide on media to ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo, advised Nigerians to hold governors and local government chairmen accountable. He noted that the President showed commitment to democratic right of citizens to protest.
“Lastly, the increased amount of funds that the policies of this administration have directly released to the states and local governments must make Nigerians to now begin to look beyond the federal government and make the sub nationalities to be more accountable for the huge sums of revenue inflow they receive from the federation account and other federal government intervention funds.
“It is pertinent that we recognize that federal government revenue is shared with 49% going to the federal government while approximately 48% goes to the states and local governments leaving some 3% for ecological funds and derivation.
“I will therefore with all humility enjoin our youths and the citizens at large to exercise patience and restraints and embrace the opportunity for dialogue which Mr President has offered,” Okupe added.
The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere has tackled President Bola Tinubu over treatment of protesters.
Afenifere said Tinubu called for a revolution against former President Goodluck Jonathan, hence should not apportion blame now.
Prince Justice Fakiyesi, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere loyal to the Acting Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said the president’s speech did not address the real issues of the nationwide hunger.
Fakiyesi noted that it was disingenuous for Tinubu to claim that the nationwide protest was politically motivated when he did same under Jonathan.
Addressing newsmen on Monday, he said: “It is the same thing that happened under former President Goodluck Jonathan and he (Tinubu) called for a revolution or protest and when he is facing the same thing and even worse, he is blaming other people.
“We never believed that just calling for dialogue would change anything. He has never changed.
“I think he was pushed to read the speech because it was not a matter of dialogue or him addressing people about the exact policy that brought hunger and since he is not willing to reverse or accept responsibility, because he more or less said it was politically motivated.
“When he started, and he specifically said that subsidy is dead, he said you can protest as much as you like. He said that. He knew that his policies were going to bring protest. At his age he knows that there have been all sorts of protests against subsidy removal.”
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has lambasted Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
This followed a condescending remark he made about Nigerians protesting the economic hardship in the country.
Akpabio, in the building up the #EndBadGovernance protest last week, had said those who wanted to protest could do so while he and other persons loyal to president Bola Tinubu will continue eating from his administration.
“while you protest, we shall be eating,” Akpabio had said.
He came under fire for the remark with many Nigerians describing the comment as insensitive and demanding his resignation as the number three citizen.
Speaking on the furore, Falana in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday, said Akpabio’s statement was provocative.
The legal luminary also accused the government of resorting to “a vicious campaign of blackmail and calumny” to discredit the legitimate grievances of the protesters.
“Instead of addressing the demands of the youths, the federal government and some state governments embarked on a vicious campaign of blackmail and calumny,” Falana said.
He further decried the provocative statements made by other top government officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima who labeled the protesters “idiots.”
Falana also condemned the government’s efforts to stifle the protests, including the use of ex parte orders to restrict protest locations and the deployment of thugs to disrupt the demonstrations.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on governors unable to implement the newly mandated ₦70,000 minimum wage to resign from their positions.
Naija News reports that this statement follows recent comments from the Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, who declared that his administration cannot afford to meet the new national minimum wage standard.
“I cannot pay the ₦70,000 minimum wage, and I suspect many other states are in the same predicament,” he said.
Governor Yahaya, who is also the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, made these remarks during a meeting with labour leaders, civil society organisations, and traders’ associations at the Government House in Gombe.
According to the Punch, in response to the governor’s comments, NLC’s Head of Public Relations, Benson Upah, stated, “He should quit if he cannot pay. He took an oath of office to uphold the law and not to break it.”
The Trade Union Congress has not yet issued an official statement regarding Governor Yahaya’s position.
Recall that last week, President Bola Tinubu signed the new Minimum Wage Act into law, setting the minimum wage at ₦70,000.
This decision came after nearly two weeks of negotiations with organised labour unions, who initially demanded a minimum wage of over ₦250,000 per month.
Abuja Protest Was Peaceful Until Police Opened Fire On Peaceful Protesters – Senator Kingibe
AFOLABI
Federal Capital Territory Senator, Ireti Kingibe, has slammed the Nigeria Police for highhandness in managing peaceful protesters in the capital city.
Senator Ireti Kingibe said Abuja protesters were peaceful until the FCT Police Command personnel fired live shots and tear gas canisters on the citizens.
The FCT Senator added that there was no violence or looting of public infrastructure and shops or any act of criminality from the protesters.
Senator Kingibe’s statement on Sunday followed her earlier comment on the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest that generated reactions, the same day.
In her earlier tweet, Mrs Kingibe said, “My heart is shattered seeing the devastating violence and destruction unfolding between the Nigerian police and protesters, especially in our federal capital.
“It’s time for us to come together, engage in dialogue, and find alternative solutions to this senseless cycle of violence. We must prioritize protecting the lives and properties of both our government and our people.
“As the senator of the good people of the FCT and a mother, I feel the pain and anguish of our citizens, and I am deeply saddened by the injuries and loss of life. My thoughts are with those who are suffering, and I pray for the souls of the departed to rest in peace.
“Let us work towards healing, recovery, and rebuilding our beloved Nigeria. We must find a way to engage our citizens and address their concerns, ensuring that we don’t continue to lose our children to senseless violence. Let’s move forward together, with empathy, compassion, and a commitment to peace and understanding. It is time to engage for good good governance.”
Following criticism from X users that she was political in her statement, she explained that she knew protesters in Abuja, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, were peacefully demonstrating until the FCT Police personnel fired tear gas and live shots at them.
“I have read most of the comments to my earlier tweet today and for the record let me categorically state that the protest in Federal Capital Territory remained peaceful until the police launched an attack, firing teargas and shots at the protesters. To the best of my knowledge, there were no reports of any shops being looted or vandalized in Abuja,” Senator Ireti said.
#EndBadGovernance: ‘Fuel Subsidy Reversal Would’ve Swayed Protesters Off The Streets’ – Ohanaeze Faults Tinubu’s Speech
AFOLABI
Apex Igbo socio-cultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has faulted the nationwide broadcast of President Bola Tinubu, saying that fuel subsidy reversal would have ended the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
Naija News reports that in a statement issued on Sunday by its factional Secretary-general, Okechukwu lsiguzoro, Ohanaeze commended Tinubu for addressing the economic challenges facing Nigeria.
The group, however, that the economic policies outlined in the speech were promising and could potentially address the long-term economic hardship in the country.
The Igbo organisation stated that President Tinubu should have focused on an immediate challenge of addressing the protesters’ demands and preventing further chaos.
The statement reads, “The anticipation of the resumption of protests from August 5th to 10th, 2024, is a cause for worry, as the protesters are demanding immediate action from the government.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s speech had the potential to sway the protesters off the streets if there had been a pronouncement of the reversal of fuel prices or any of the demands put forward by the organizers of the protests.
“The economic policies outlined are commendable, but the immediate challenge is how to address the protesters’ demands and prevent further chaos.
“We are aware that there are local sponsors, in conjunction with international conspirators, who may be waiting for an opportunity to escalate the protests into violence.
“The Southeast region is not a target for protests, but the North, Southwest, and Niger Delta regions are vulnerable to further unrest.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the opportunity to address the demands of the protesters through other means and prevent the situation from escalating.
“While the implementation of the economic policies may take time, immediate action is needed to quell the protests and prevent any further destabilization of the country.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider making a pronouncement, through his media aides, to address the demands of the protesters.
“A reversal of fuel prices or any other gesture of goodwill towards the protesters could go a long way in restoring peace and stability in the country.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the chance to demonstrate his leadership and resolve in addressing the concerns of the people.
“It is not too late to act and prevent any further escalation of the protests. We urge him to take swift and decisive action to save our democracy and give the government the opportunity to implement the promising economic policies outlined in his speech.”
The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has said that the Federal Government is responsible for the hardship in the country.
This was as hunger protesters in Edo State held a church service on the street.
Speaking via a statement on Sunday, the governor stated that his administration has implemented several people-oriented programmes to reduce the suffering of Edo people, a situation caused by various policies introduced by the Federal Government.
He listed some of the programmes to include raising the minimum wage for workers to ₦70,000 to boost their purchasing power, introducing a free transport scheme along the routes operated by the Edo City Transport Service, extending free Wi-Fi services to public spaces to help citizens telecommute and kick-starting a state-wide feeding for the vulnerable implementing partnership with Christians and Muslim institutions, among others
Obaseki said, “The protest is obviously the result of the difficult living conditions which Nigerians have had to endure particularly over the last one year, arising from various policies that have been implemented by the Federal Government.
“These policies have taken a severe toll on citizens who have had to endure astronomic high food prices, high transportation costs, galloping inflation and loss of operating capital by small business owners across the country.
“In Edo State, we have taken several actions within our constitutional authority to reduce the suffering and hardship of our people by showing empathy and supporting our people to weather and survive this trying time despite the challenges witnessed across the nation.”
The Federal Government has released N570bn to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to their citizens, President Bola Tinubu announced on Sunday.
He also revealed that Nigeria spends N2tn monthly to import Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, and Automotive Gas Oil, otherwise known as diesel.
Tinubu stated this during his nationwide broadcast to Nigerians, as he disclosed that N9.1tn was accumulated as total fiscal revenue to the Federal Government’s coffers during the first half of 2024, marking a significant increase from what was earned by the previous administration.
“Also, more than N570bn has been released to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to their citizens, while 600,000 nano-businesses have benefitted from our nano-grants. An additional 400,000 more nan0-businesses are expected to benefit,” the President stated.
He noted that despite Nigeria’s abundant oil and gas resources, his administration met a country that was dependent only on oil, neglecting its gas resources while subsidising the cost of fuel.
As a result, he said his administration invested in Compressed Natural Gas to change the narrative.
“Fellow Nigerians, we are a country blessed with both oil and gas resources, but we met a country that had been dependent solely on oil-based petrol, neglecting its gas resources to power the economy. We were also using our hard-earned foreign exchange to pay for and subsidise its use.
“To address this, we immediately launched our Compressed Natural Gas Initiative to power our transportation economy and bring costs down. This will save over N2tn a month, being used to import PMS and AGO and free up our resources for more investment in healthcare and education,” Tinubu stated.
He said his administration would distribute one million kits of extremely low or no cost to commercial vehicles that transport people and goods, and who currently consume 80 per cent of the imported petrol and diesel.
“We have started the distribution of conversion kits and setting up of conversion centres across the country in conjunction with the private sector. We believe that this CNG initiative will reduce transportation costs by approximately 60 per cent and help to curb inflation,” Tinubu disclosed.
While licensed individuals have been importing diesel into Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited remains the sole importer of petrol into the country.
Despite being the largest oil producer in Africa, Nigeria depends on imported petroleum products due to low refining capacity.
Also during the broadcast on Sunday, Tinubu said his administration was ready to listen to and address the concerns of protesters involved in the nationwide protest that started on August 1, 2024.
On the revenue increase in the first half of the year, the President said it was due to efforts in blocking leakages, introducing automation, and mobilising funding creatively, all without placing an additional burden on the people.
He said productivity in the non-oil sector is gradually increasing, reaching new levels and capitalising on the opportunities presented by the current economic environment.
He said, “In the past 14 months, our government has made significant strides in rebuilding the foundation of our economy to carry us into a future of plenty and abundance.
“On the fiscal side, aggregate government revenues have more than doubled, hitting over N9.1tn in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023 due to our efforts at blocking leakages, introducing automation and mobilising funding creatively without additional burden on the people.
“Productivity is gradually increasing in the non-oil sector, reaching new levels and taking advantage of the opportunities in the current economic ambience,” Tinubu said.
The President explained that there had been a reduction in Nigeria’s debt burden, with revenue on debt service declining from 97 per cent in 2023 to 68 per cent in 2024.
He said the country has cleared legitimate outstanding foreign exchange obligations of about $5bn “without any adverse impact on our programmes.”
According to the President, the debt reduction has provided the country with greater financial freedom, allowing for increased spending on essential social services such as education and healthcare.
He said this financial relief has also enabled state and local governments to receive the highest allocations from the Federation Account in the nation’s history.
“Coming from a place where our country spent 97 per cent of all our revenue on debt service; we have been able to reduce that to 68 per cent in the last 13 months.
“We have also cleared legitimate outstanding foreign exchange obligations of about $5bn without any adverse impact on our programmes. This has given us more financial freedom and the room to spend more money on you, our citizens, to fund essential social services like education and healthcare,” he stated.
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A widow, Amina Isah, alongside her children and grandchildren numbering six was reported to have fallen sick and rushed to the hospital after taking a pap at Egba in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday.
The children are identified as Benjamin, Piko, Esther, Hassan Emmanuel and one other
A source from the community who identified himself as Adaji told our correspondent on Sunday that the widow and her six family members were vomiting after taking a pap and were rushed to a private clinic in the community.
Adaji said the elderly widow and three of the children were unconscious at the time they were taken to the hospital.
Speaking to our correspondent on the telephone, the doctor who doubles as proprietor of the clinic, known as ‘Dr Gana Clinic’, Dr Oyaje Sule aka Dr Gana, confirmed the seven patients in his clinic.
According to him, three of the patients including the widow were brought in unconscious, adding that the family were reported to have used the remnants of guinea corn already mixed with chemical for planting to make a pap.
Sule said, “It is true they brought a woman who I have known in the community, alongside her children and grandchildren numbering seven to my clinic this morning.
“The woman is a widow with her three children and three grandchildren, their ages range from three to 30 years aside from their grandmother who is elderly.
“As of the time they were brought, the woman and two others were unconscious but thank God they have been revived.
“What I was told is that the family had mixed chemicals with guinea corn they were to plant. After planting the guinea corn, the remaining was brought home and they washed it and went and ground it to make pap.
“It was after they took the pap this morning that they started vomiting and some of them were unconscious before they were rushed to my clinic.
A former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday, faulted President Bola Tinubu’s national broadcast, seeking an end to the ongoing nationwide hunger protest.
Dalung, who led the anti-government protest in Jos, Plateau State last Thursday, was again at an open-air Sunday church service held by the protesters in Jos.
Speaking to journalists at the Sunday service held at the Old Airport Roundabout, with a large crowd of protesters, including Christian and Muslim leaders, Dalung described Tinubu’s broadcast as empty, insisting that the protest was far from finished.
The ex-minister said, “The President did not say anything in his speech. He did not appeal to the protesters to stop the protest. He only threatened them and told the security agencies to continue with the clampdown, shooting and killing. He did not even address Nigerians. He was just talking to himself and members of his cabinet. All these things he said only go to strengthen our resolve to continue with this protest.”
The protesters, brandishing the Nigerian flag, blocked the Old Airport Roundabout, compelling motorists to seek alternative routes within the metropolis.
Some of them, who spoke with our correspondent, said the church service was significant because they believed that God still had the capacity to intervene in the affairs of Nigeria and turn things around for good for the suffering citizens.
A protester, Philip Madaki, who said he arrived at the Old Airport Junction for the Sunday Service around 7:30 am, said, “I have been participating in the protest since it began on Thursday and today being Sunday, we are continuing with the protest with a church service. As the protest is ongoing, we believe that God Almighty has not abandoned the country and its citizens and we know He has the power to turn the hearts of kings in whichever direction he wants. And we want Him to visit our leaders in the country, especially those in governance positions and touch their hearts so that they will know that the citizens are really suffering because of bad governance and their harsh economic policies in the country and be able to do something to change the situation. That’s why we are adding the church service to the ongoing protests.”
...disowns post endorsing military rule
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida has dissociated himself from a post associating him to have endorsed the virtues of military rule over democratic governance.
In a statement from his media office signed by Mahmud Abdullahi in Minna, General Babangida reiterated his commitment to democratic rule rather than military and therefore called on all Nigerians to, not only to embrace it, but to see to its success.
The statement reads:”Our attention has been drawn to a post on a parody account on X, formerly known as twitter, which carries the handle, @General_Ibbro, in which former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR, was supposed to have endorsed the virtues of military rule over democratic governance.
“This dubious account carries our principal’s picture and name and the coat of arms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for added effect but it does not belong to him nor does the former President sanction any post appearing there.
“In the past and more famously during the presidential elections last year, it posted a blatant falsehood that the former President had endorsed a particular presidential candidate and his party, thereby causing public confusion and some embarrassment to the Elder Statesman.
“We have just learnt that it has posted a similarly fake statement where the former President was supposed to have said that Nigeria has the best years under military, democracy made things worst.
“We want to state unequivocally that neither the twitter or X account which is essentially a parody or pretend account, nor the statement made therein ever belonged to the retired General.
“For the avoidance of doubt, General Babangida (rtd) believes that Nigeria’s democracy is resilient and has come to stay and that we must do everything we can to safeguard the process.
“As a nation, we are currently facing a number of challenges but the former president has always expressed the view that we will eventually overcome these challenges and come out a stronger, more progressive nation. The solution to our problems as he had said previously, is ‘more’ democracy, not less.
“General Babangida truly believes that the era of military intervention in Nigeria’s politics is long gone and he has said how proud he is that the Nigerian military has stood firmly behind multiple democratic governments in this country since 1999, thus giving us the longest run of civilian administration since independence.
“The user of this unfortunate parody account which we gather was traditionally supposed to be an account that imitates or at least mirror the sentiments of the original twitter or X account that it copies, has serially chosen to use the account to undermine democracy and spread stories capable of causing animosity.
“Sadly, there seems very little we can do to make the overseers of X or twitter to remove or sanction this tiresome account, so we are again obliged to advise the general public to ignore any post from this account that purportedly claims to represent my opinion,” General Babangida declared.
The statement advised media practitioners and social media users to be more discerning in future and make the necessary efforts to get confirmation before sharing messages attributed to former President Babangida on X on any social media platform.
…Rescue kidnap victims in Sokoto
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a notorious gun-runner on transit to deliver high calibre weapons to terrorists and intercepted a truck conveying illegally refined Automated Gas Oil, AGO.
The troops also rescued kidnapped victims while on transit in Kaduna State.
The Army said vigilant troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, intercepted the notorious gun-runner, Mallam Hashimu Ahmad at Saminaka in Lere Local Government Area of the state.
It said: “The suspect, who has been on the wanted list of the security agencies for supplying arms and ammunition to terrorists was captured while on transit to deliver sophisticated weapons.
“The weapons include one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Launcher, one RPG Bomb, 1,069 rounds of 7. 62mm (special) ammunition and one belt of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition.
“The cache of arms and ammunition, as well as the vehicle used in conveying them, have been fully recovered.”
In the same vein, the Army said: “In Sokoto State, troops on patrol in the general area of Matalawa village of Isa Local Government Area of the state have rescued kidnap hostages, who were abducted and taken into the forest while on transit.
“Responding to a distress call, the troops moved swiftly to the location, where they engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, leading to the extrication of the hostages.
“The rescued hostages have been reunited with their families.
“In Delta State, troops acting on credible intelligence have intercepted a tanker truck laden with 15,000 litres of substance suspected to be illegally refined AGO at Ozoro, in Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.
“The troops have also taken the two suspects conveying the illegal product into custody for preliminary investigation, preparatory to handing over to appropriate prosecuting agency.
“Troops of the NA have continued to intensify ongoing operations against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and sundry crimes, clamping down on various criminal syndicates across the country.
The Nigerian Army remains committed to protecting the nation and dismantling all criminal networks, inducing insecurity in the country.”