Nedu Echianu's Blog

Boko Haram now controls Nigerian land space as the military has been pushed back from Baga and neighboring villages in the Lake Chad axis of Northern Borno State, North East Nigeria, multiple sources and fleeing residents say. Sources said there were no more military presence in Baga as they were forced to retreat by the rampaging Boko Haram insurgents who attacked their bases on Wednesday, December 26. Some of the residents of Baga who fled to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, after last Wednesday's attack told Punch newspaper that the insurgents drove into the area in a large convoy and after several hours of gunfire drove the military away. Abba Masta, one of the fleeing residents of Baga said: “The insurgents, driving in a convoy of more than ten fighter vehicles, used the main road from Kros Kawwa to launch coordinated attacks on the military on Wednesday, December 26. “They overran the Multinational Joint Task Force Headquarters at the outskirts of Baga, a naval fighti

Thousands of Nigerians will miss their visa appointments as the United States embassy in Abuja and its consulate in Lagos have shutdown indefinitely. This implies that persons who have applied for tourist, study, business visas, immigrant visas or any other travel document will have to cancel their plans. The US embassy in Nigeria said in a Facebook post that the development was caused by the government shutdown in the US. The statement read, “Due to the current US government shutdown, the American centres located in the embassy, Abuja and Consulate -General, Lagos are unfortunately closed. They will re - open once the US government shutdown is resolved. Sorry for any inconvenience to our valued patrons.” The executive arm of government led by President Donald Trump and the legislative arm have been at loggerheads for nearly two months over Trump ’s attempt to build a wall along the Mexican border. Building a wall was one of Trump ’s major campaign promises as part of efforts to

The Nigeria Police Force has asked the lawmaker representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye, to surrender himself for arrest and investigation for attempted culpable homicide. It stated that the police operatives deployed in his house with an arrest warrant will not leave his Abuja residence until they apprehended him. The Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, said in a statement on Monday that Melaye had repeatedly spurned several invitations asking him to report for an investigation into the alleged shooting of one Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force while on stop-and -search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State. He explained that Melaye and his armed thugs shot and injured Saliu who is currently on admission at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja. Police investigators, he said, had invited Melaye through a letter of invitation dated 23rd July, 2018, signed by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, and addressed

A video in which President Muhammadu Buhari said he did not regret ousting President Shehu Shagari through a military coup has resurfaced just as Buhari has flown to Sokoto State to commiserate with Shagari ’s family. In the video, which was an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TV ’s Politics Today programme which was recorded in December 2014, Buhari said he had no regret removing Shagari, adding that a democratic government that is corrupt can be overthrown. When asked if he was sorry for ousting Shagari ’s government, Buhari said, “No. I am not sorry because I mentioned why we did it and we proved our case.” When reminded of the fact that the coup veered Nigeria off the course of democratic advancement, Buhari said, “So, when you are a democracy, you are entitled to steal the country dry and put our people in a pauperised position and destroying institutions and destroying infrastructure?” However, when asked if he blames Shagari solely for the corruption, Buhari r

A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday asked the Igbo to be wary of promises from the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2019 general elections. Obasanjo who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting at Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State said the APC had no plans to hand over the presidency of the country to the Igbo. He urged the Igbo to take their destiny in their hands by getting united in the 2019 general elections and make a mark. He said, “I urged you the Igbo not to allow anybody to relegate you to the background because you occupy a place of preeminence in this country. “The Igbo must bury their differences and work together for the actualisation of the Atiku/Obi project in their best interest. “It’ s dangerous to take the APC government seriously,” Obasanjo stated. Describing Peter Obi as a beacon of hope, Obasanjo asked him to reach out to major stakeholders in the south East to drum support for the 2019 PDP presidential project. “Y

The remains of former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who passed on Friday evening, have been laid to rest at his private residence in his hometown, Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto state. He was interred at exactly 3:30 pm after the funeral prayers led by Professor Shehu Galadanchi, former Vice- Chancellor, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. Aged 93, former President Shagari, was flown to Abuja last Tuesday after his health deteriorated, but he eventually gave up the ghost on Friday. His corpse arrived at the Sultan Abubakar airport, Sokoto and was received by Governor Aminu Tambuwal, alongside members of the state executive council, on it onward journey to his final resting place in Shagari. Among the dignitaries that attended the funeral prayers were Federal government delegation, led by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to Government of the Federation, and governors of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states. Others in attendance are former governor Attahiru Bafarawa, former Inde

Imohimi Edgal, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, says it will take legal action against those behind a photoshopped image of a policeman. Edgal has also called on the general public to disregard the picture of a policeman bearing a banner on which was inscribed: 'IS NOT OUR DUTY TO FIGHT BOKO HARAM. WE ARE NOT TRAINED TO'. In a statement by Chike Oti, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PRO), the command said it is the handiwork of mischief makers to discredit the Force. He said the picture is that of CSP Yusuf Ajape, who was photographed during the change-begins-with-me campaign. In the original picture, the said officer had a placard with an inscription that read: 'Bail is Free'. The Command said it “finds it bewildering". The statement continued: "What gain is there for those behind the removal of the original message which was 'BAIL IS FREE', and replacing it with a message that is clearly aimed at demoralisi

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed deep grief over the passing on of the Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Ekweremadu in a statement signed by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu described the death as “a heavy loss to the nation”, noting that the late politician was a “sage, democrat, and statesman”. According to Anichukwu, the Deputy Senate President, writing on his social media handles @iamekweremadu, said: “I received with a heavy heart the news of the passing on the Second Republic President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari. “He was a democrat by nature, orientation, and conviction. He was a patriot per excellence, a detribalised elder statesman, bridge-builder, servant-leader, and an epitome of humility, who served the nation and humanity most creditably. In and out of office, Alhaji Shagari clothed the Office of the President with decorum and social grace”. Senator Ekweremadu said although the late

The Presidency said Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who is not a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), cannot, and is not a member of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) as erroneously announced on Friday. Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made the clarification in a statement on Friday in Abuja. The statement read: “It has become imperative to further clarify the status of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, named under the sub-head ADVISORY MEMBERS in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council announced on Friday, December 28, 2018. “Africa’s richest man, not being a card-carrying member of APC, cannot, and is not member of the PCC. “He is also a member of the Peace Committee, and thus cannot be in a partisan campaign council.’’ A statement earlier issued by the presidential aide on Friday had named Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Adams Oshiomhole, Bola Tinubu, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, Femi Gbajabiamila, Aliko Dangote

Former first lady Michelle Obama was voted the woman most admired by Americans this year, knocking Hillary Clinton from the top spot on the list for the first time in 17 years, according to a Gallup poll released Thursday. When asked by Gallup in an open-ended question to name the woman they admire most, 15% of Americans mentioned Obama, who has been touring the United States promoting her best-selling memoir "Becoming." Oprah Winfrey finished second in the Gallup poll, followed by Clinton and current first lady Melania Trump. Clinton was named the most admired woman in 1993 and 1994 for the first two terms of her husband Bill Clinton's presidency. She claimed the top spot again in 1997 through 2000. She was the most admired woman from 2002 through 2017 -- during which she was a two-time presidential candidate, a US senator and secretary of state. Other women who made the top ten this year were Queen Elizabeth, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Supreme Court Justi

Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West District in the National Assembly, has vowed not be silent in speaking the truth, nor will he be coerced into supporting any presidential candidate aside that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He made this known on Friday in Abuja, while commenting on the siege laid to his house by the Nigerian Police in Abuja. Speaking via telephone from an undisclosed location, he maintained that he would not compromise on speaking the truth. He said he was out of Abuja and claimed that the invasion of his house was a deliberate attempt to "kill him". He also stated that the Police had refused to release his international passport to him, despite a court order, just as he accused the Nigerian Police of exposing him to danger by withdrawing his security detail since April. His words: "My international passports are with the Police and I have a court order that it should be released to me. "The IGP has refused to honour

The first executive president of Nigeria Shehu Shagari, is dead. Reports say he died this evening. The 93 year old Shagari was Nigeria’s president in the second Republic that started in 1979. He was re-elected in 1983 but could not serve his second term as the government was over thrown by General Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently President of Nigeria.

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie has hinted that she is considering a move into politics in the future. In an interview on the BBC's Today programme, she said she would have dismissed this 20 years ago but would now go where she was needed. Jolie, who is a special envoy to the UN Refugee Agency, was the guest editor of the Today programme on Friday. She is an active campaigner on a range of issues, including refugees, sexual violence and conservation. In a wide-ranging interview with presenter Justin Webb, she discussed US politics, social media, sexual violence and the global refugee crisis. When asked whether she would consider getting involved in politics, she said: "If you asked me 20 years ago, I would've laughed... I always say I'll go where I'm needed, I don't know if I'm fit for politics… but then I've also joked that I don't know if I have a skeleton left in my closet". "I'm also able to work with governments and I'm a

Fierce looking and heavily armed Police personnel have invaded the residence of outspoken lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West in the National Assembly. The invasion of the lawmaker's Abuja residence residence located at 11 Sangha street, off Mississippi, Maitama, took place some minutes after Midday today. Presently, the street where his house is located has been cordoned off by the security operatives who arrived in Toyota hilux operational vehicles. Recall that Senator Dino Melaye had raised alarm a few days ago over an attempt by the Federal Government to assassinate him. The lawmaker had severally exposed looting of public funds under the Buhari-led administration and criticised the government over its selective fight against corruption. The following are tweets from Senator Melaye on the matter...

Late CDS Alex Badeh Family of late former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshal, Alex Badeh, yesterday, refuted claims by the suspects linked to his death that they killed him to seize alleged huge sums of money he had on him to buy farmland.  The family insisted that contrary to the claim, Badeh did not discuss any issue about the acquisition of land neither was he with up to N500 on the day he was killed.  This came as Police authorities failed, yesterday, to parade five suspects, including two masterminds of the December 18 killing of Badeh. The five suspects who the media expected would be paraded, yesterday, at Force Headquarters, Abuja, were not paraded as the Police said doing so would jeopardize ongoing investigation and efforts to arrest other members of the gang still at large.  Refuting the cause of death, the family said the claim was a “cook-up story to deceive the public and hide the killers and their intentions.” The family called Vanguard to the late Chief

An armed robbery suspect, Shuaibu Rabi, says he took part in the murder of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.),because they wanted to rob him. Rabi said this while being interrogated by policemen in Hausa language. A clip of the interrogation was obtained by a Punch newspaper correspondent on Thursday. The Police had earlier on Thursday confirmed the arrest of five suspects in connection with the killing of Badeh in Nasarawa State on December 18, 2018. The force disclosed that two principal suspects and three others were apprehended for the heinous crime. Rabi, who is one of the suspects said he and his friends received information that Badeh was in possession of a huge sum of money which he wanted to use in purchasing a parcel of land in Nasarawa State. The 25-year-old suspect said after killing Badeh, he and his friends stole a bag which contained a huge sum of money. Rabi said, “What happened was that, on a certain day, my elder brother

After losing two straight games, this is the new badge of English Premier League Champions, Manchester City as created by a twitter user... 😂

Nigeria's Women international Rasheedat Ajibade has joined Norwegian side Avaldsnes IL on a two-year deal. The 19-year-old, who has represented her country at all levels, sealed the move from Nigeria Women Premier League club FC Robo Queens. She joins Cameroon's Gaelle Enganamouit at the club. Avaldsnes manager Lena Tyriberget believes they have snapped up one of Africa's most promising young talents ahead of the 2019 Toposerien season which starts in March. "She is good with ball, is forward-looking in the game and has good drive. She is a player for the future." said Tyriberget. "When you look at her age and her merits - she's been central to the under-20 team and the senior national team, most recently in the Africa championship that Nigeria and Rasheedat won. "You realise that Rasheedat is a very promising Nigerian national team player. In terms of position as a player, she is typically either a number 8 or 10 on the pitch." Ajibade

The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has handed over a police officer, Sani Baba-Inna, to police authorities after investigating him for alleged extortion and defamation. DSS Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. According to him, Mohammed who is a security aide to Mrs Aisha Buhari was released after the agency completed its investigation into the allegations. “The Department of State Services wishes to inform the public that it has released Sani Mohammed Baba-Inna (CSP), ADC to the First Lady and Wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari,” he said. “He has been handed over to the police for further administrative action.” Afunanya said the police had handed Baba-Inna over to the DSS on September 22 for detailed investigations into the crimes he allegedly committed. He was accused of defamation of character and unduly using his office and that of Mrs Buhari to fraudulently extort and obtain money from sour

The Nigeria Police Force is set to parade some suspects alleged to be involved in the murder of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.) The suspects will be paraded at the headquarters of the NPF in Abuja on Thursday . “We have made a breakthrough in the case and we’ve arrested suspects who will be paraded on Thursday,” a source said. The former CDS was killed in the evening of December 18, 2018 while returning from his farm. His Tundra Toyota truck was riddled with bullets piercing the windscreen and killing him instantly. Out of the three occupants of the vehicle, however, Badeh was the only one that was killed thereby fueling speculations that he was assassinated. Punch

The Force Headquarters has ordered the arrest and prosecution of 190 riot policemen who absconded from the ongoing training at the Special Forces School, Buni - Yadi, Yobe State. The fleeing policemen were part of the 2,000 Police Mobile Officers mobilised for the training preparatory to their deployment for combat against Boko Haram insurgents in the North -East. They were deployed by the Inspector -General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, about three weeks ago for purely military duties under the ‘Operation Lafiya Dole.’ The Police authorities had argued that the deployment of the men was consistent with Section 4 of the Police Act and Regulations, which allows them to perform such military duties both within and outside Nigeria as may be required of them. The 190 missing cops were believed to have bailed out of the SFS because they did not want to participate in the counter - insurgency operations. Findings indicate that the policemen were drawn from MOPOLs 2, Keffi; 3 Enugu; 5 Benin

Supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday disrupted the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union's 53rd conference. The event at the Emir of Ilorin Palace forecourt was going on smoothly until the inauguration of the 2019 calendar of the union by the Chairman of the Ifelodun Local Council Development Authority in Lagos State, Alhaji Fatai Ajidagba, who donated N5m. When it was the turn of the APC governorship candidate in the state, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazak to launch the calendar, some groups who wore the same clothes (Aso Ebi) shouted him down to prevent him from speaking while his supporters were shouting his slogan “O to ge”(enough is enough) to counter the opposing side. Abdulrazak was shouted down by some supporters of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, chanting “Sai leader, Sai Bukki, Atunwa". All efforts by the organisers to restore normalcy and continue the programme failed. It was gathered that the APC

A five hundred level Urban and Regional Planning student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun state, Phebe Boluwatife has been killed in a hit and run incident after passersby left her to her fate at the Lekki axis of Lagos. A twitter user, @_dr90210 droppped the sad story on the micro blog site, adding that a commercial motor cyclist who tried to help could not go ahead as it was difficult for him alone. He also expressed shock that the deceased's phone was stolen as she lay helpless by the side of the road. Really sad.

President Muhammadu Buhari has demanded evidence from his wife who claims that his government is being run by a cabal. He made this demand in an interview with Voice of America, Hausa. The President’s wife, Aisha Buhari, during an interview with British Broadcasting Service, Hausa, had first alleged that her husband was being controlled by a cabal. She had said, “The President does not know 45 out of 50 of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years. Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position.” She had threatened not to vote for him if things continued that way. The President had dismissed that statement by saying that his wife belonged in the kitchen and also in the “other room.” However, during a summit organised for women by a political group in Abuja recently, Aisha again alleged that two powerful men were holding her husband ’s gov

Almajiri is a system of Islamic education practiced in Northern Nigeria, where young children are taken away from their parents and enrolled in Islamic schools to learn Islamic tenets and doctrines.  These schools are often very far away from the homes of these children and they sometimes face harsh conditions while growing in the system. United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF data indicates that about 47 per cent of child-labourers aged 5-14 years in Nigeria are out of school, even as  millions of children attempt to combine learning and earning. Due to the cultural and religious backgrounds of parents of kids involved, reports in some quarters say the Almajiri system overtime has proven to be a  force in opposition to Western education, especially in Northern Nigeria. Mallam Jimoh Salman, The executive Director grassroots development and Advocacy Center, Ilorin, Attributes poverty and sociocultural status of family, poor state of primary education system, as the fueling f

*** Days of slow pre-election litigation over The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of love, fairness, selfless service, and commitment to public good as exemplified by Christ in order to ensure hitch-free conduct of the 2019 general elections. Ekweremadu gave the charges in his goodwill message to Nigerians at Christmas, explaining that the National Assembly had amended the constitution to quicken the dispensation of justice in pre-election disputes. He said: “The forthcoming general election is critical for the survival and deepening of democracy in Nigeria. So, I believe that embracing the christlike virtues of love, peace, fairness, and selfless service to fatherland is key to eschewing the desperation and pursuit of narrow interests that fuel vote-buying, intimidation, and other electoral manipulations that in turn trigger electoral violence. “Slow pace of justice delivery has been an incentive for ills. Th

This is a season of love, the commemoration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ whose conception sparked the redemption of mankind from sin and sorrow, may this season bring blessings and good tidings to you and yours. Merry Christmas to all readers of Nedu Echianu's Blog, wishing you all a splendid and joyous celebration even as we prepare to march into 2019 like Kings and Queens.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the release of social critic, Mr. Deji Adeyanju and ensure that his fundamental human rights are not continuously abused by the Police, because according to him, the case is more political than judicial. Saraki in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu noted that the Adeyanju case is presenting the present administration in bad light as a government that is intolerant of criticism and suppressing views of the opposition. He stated that a situation where Adeyanju was arrested after leading a protest in Abuja and sundry charges were filed against him while he was re-arrested after being given bail by a court indicated a deliberate attempt to get him out of circulation. The Senate President said the reports on the Adeyanju case were giving the present administration a bad name and indicating that dictatorial tendencies are becoming rife in a democra

Dr. Ngozi Olojeme, A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary forfeiture of 46 properties allegedly belonging to Dr. Ngozi Olojeme, the Deputy Chairman, Finance Committee of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation in the 2015 election. The court order showed that the properties were located in several locations in Abuja, Delta, Enugu and Bayelsa States. The properties comprise 27 buildings, including a bank, office buildings and houses, at various stages of development and several pieces of undeveloped land. Some of the properties include: a twin duplex office building – Plot R/ 151 (No. 30 A) Kingsway Road, Old GRA, Enugu State; a parcel of land measuring 4833.241 sq. metres located at Uberi Bush along Mbiama Road, Akenta, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State; and a parcel of land located at Igbandaden Bush, Emeya 2 Town, Ogbia LGA , Bayelsa. Others include: Properties located at 196, Melford Okilo Road, Amarata -Epie, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State (six units of one bedroom ap

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has felicitated with Christian faithful and all Nigerians as they celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities. Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, congratulated Nigerians for their resilience in the face of the challenges facing the nation and urged them to pray for improvement in the social, political and economic condition of the country, in the New Year. He urged Nigerians to make it part of their New Year resolution that they will play their constitutional roles to ensure that the country has a peaceful, credible, free and transparent elections in February and March 2019 and that the results of the elections will lead to rapid socio-political and economic development of Nigeria. “I wish all Nigerians a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I want to call on Christians, in particular, and Nigerians, in general, to emulate the virtues of Christ, who thr

The killers of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.), have released his abducted friend. Punch newspaper reports that Badeh’s friend was released after his family paid a ransom running into millions of naira. The police had said in a statement last week that, “The former CDS suffered gunshot injury which resulted to his death, while his driver was injured and Badeh’s friend abducted.” It was learnt that authorities are working on the theory that Badeh’s murder may have been an abduction gone wrong as the friend was released after a ransom was paid. It was further learnt that there had been two of such incidents along the  Keffi-Abuja Expressway before Badeh’s murder in the last one month. However, sources within the Nigerian Air Force told The Punch that there would be a joint briefing with the police and the air force immediately after the Christmas break. “While investigations were on, the family of Badeh’s friend paid a ransom to ensure

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State will be the first governor in Lagos State since 2007 to miss out on a mansion in Abuja after leaving office, SUNDAY PUNCH ’s investigation has revealed. The Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension) Law No 11 official Gazette of Lagos State, 2007 states that former governors of Lagos State are entitled to a house in Lagos and Abuja in any location of their choice. However, the law adds that any governor who does not serve for two consecutive terms, will only be entitled to a house in Lagos. Section 2 states, “One residential house each for the governor and the deputy governor at any location of their choice in Lagos State and one residential house in the Federal Capital Territory for the governor on two consecutive terms.” Following his loss to Babajide Sanwo -Olu at the All Progressives Congress governorship primary in October, Ambode will not be returning to the Alausa Governor ’s Office on May 29, 2019. The state government has built h

Bankers Warehouse Ltd., a company duly licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN to carry out cash movement and currency processing, says the $2.8 million intercepted by the EFCC at Enugu Airport on Thursday was wrongly seized. In a statement, the firm said the seizure happened while providing a legitimate currency movement for one of the bank-clients from Onitsha to its branch in Lagos, saying its couriers were stopped at the Enugu Airport, detained and interrogated by the EFCC despite providing identification details. The statement added that documents provided also included a covering note from the bank, authorising the team to move the consignment, which is the standard practice. The statement was a follow-up to the letter the Bankers Warehouse Ltd wrote to the CBN to complain about the $2.8m seizure and ask for its intervention immediately the incident happened on Thursday. It cited an article in Daily Trust Online as well as the EFCC website where its sta