Kidnappers moonlighting as midwives
Happy Eid el-Fitr to our Muslim fam and happy worker’s day to anyone who gets up on Monday mornings! FG officially tweeted that Monday, May 1st, and Tuesday, May 2nd are public holidays so enjoy the break!
But before you start planning your movement on those days, remember the economy in which you are and know that according to the NBS, road transport fares have gone up by 36% in the last year.
Kidnapping and Terrorism
Terrorists help deliver victim’s baby
According to a report by Arise News, the kidnappers from the Kaduna-Abuja railway attack delivered the baby of a pregnant victim last weekend.
Arise News reportedly had contact with the family of the woman who confirmed that she was 8 months pregnant in March when she was abducted.
The terrorists reportedly called in medical professionals to their hideout to help deliver the baby.
The family was made aware of her delivery days later on Wednesday without knowing the gender of the child.
Senate bans ransoms
The Senate, seeking to amend the Terrorism Act of 2013, has prohibited the paying of ransom to kidnappers.
This was a result of an appeal made by former military governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Umar (rtd) asking the government to do more to secure the release of those abducted during the Kaduna train attack.
The appeal was made on Wednesday in Kaduna.
The amendment followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
Zamfara sacks bandit fraternizing Emirs and district heads
The Zamfara state government has deposed Emirs and district heads over alleged ties with bandits.
The ex-leaders in question are the Emir of Zurmi, Atiku Muhammadu, and the Emir of Dansadau, Hussaini Umar along with Birnin Tsaba district head Sulaiman Ibrahim.
Babangida Zurmi, the press secretary to the deputy governor, confirms the decision was taken following recommendations by a committee on insecurity in the state on Wednesday evening.
This is a result of the fast increasing banditry in the state with investigations showing ties with the traditional rulers.
Nigerian soldier commits suicide after terrorist aiding accusation
Lance Corporal Jibrin, an instructor with the Nigerian Army battalion in Geidam, Yobe State reportedly killed himself after he was arrested for aiding terrorist group, Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP).
Put under surveillance after two separate attacks in Geidam and Gashua, Jibrin was found to be among Boko Haram terrorists last week.
Despite being handcuffed, Jubrin, who specialises in arms control snatched a pistol from one of the arresting officers and killed himself.
Oil and Gas
Navy seizes 6 million litres of stolen oil
The Nigerian Navy confirms that it has seized 6 million litres of crude estimated at N264 billion.
Following public outrage, President Buhari directed the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, to check the criminal activity in the oil sector.
The naval troops then disclosed that they deactivated an Illegal Refining Site (IRS) around Sara creek in Warri.
‘’The IRS had 16 ovens, 16 metal storage tanks and three wide pits filled with about 500,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, as well as 700,000 litres of stolen crude oil, a generator and 4 pumping machines. Also, the statement revealed that an IRS at Asugbo creek in Warri was discovered with six ovens, 12 metal storage tanks and five large pits all containing about 600,000 litres of stolen crude oil including 200,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and about 150,000 litres of sludge.’’ - Arise News
Imo explosion
An illegal refinery exploded in Abaezi forest in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State killing at least 100 people.
The Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma called it an act of economic sabotage.
According to Premium Times, The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) asserts that the death toll has risen to 110.
The Acting Head of Imo/Abia Operations Office of the agency, Ifeanyi Nnaji confirmed that plans for a mass burial were underway.
He also appealed to the government for a more encouraging environment for genuine oil-producing businesses in the state.
Nigeria still hates women
State court releases lecturer after raping minor, convicts his wife for negligence instead😕
Benue state high court judge acquits Benue State Polytechnic lecturer, Andrew Ogbuja for repeatedly raping a 13-year old child until she eventually died while another judge convicts his wife, Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja for negligence.
Ogbuja and his son Victor, reportedly raped the child numerous times leading to her untimely death at a hospital. The son is still on the run from justice (or whatever this is).
The court, with judge Augustine Ityonyiman, cleared Mr Ogbuja of all charges while on that same day, the federal court with judge Mobolaji Olajuwon, charged his wife for neglecting the child and allowing her husband and son continuously rape her.
This was especially so after her daughter Winifred told the court that she had drawn her mother’s attention to the sexual assault yet she did not react.
16 out of 5100 gender-based violence cases have been convicted
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Paullen Tallen revealed that out of a total of 5100 cases, only 16 have been convicted for the epidemic that is gender based violence.
Tallen revealed this figure during a media briefing in Abuja.
She also confirmed that 160 of these cases were fatal while 231 were closed and 936 are still ongoing.
She also called on the Ministry of Interior to include psychiatric evaluation as a prerequisite for marriage as well as lamented over the fact that only few organisations such as the EU and UN Spotlight Initiative have bothered to offer assistance.
Calling out the failings of the Nigerian society, she also urges Nigerians to properly mould the male child to be ready for the responsibilities of marriage when the time arises.
More strikes
NLC sends a 3-day warning
The National Labour Congress (NLC), in solidarity with its affiliate unions, has decided to embark on a 3-day nationwide strike.
This is coming from the FG’s failure to meet up with the demands of their 21-day protest to solve the industrial crisis in Nigerian universities.
Read more here.
ASUP threatens to shutdown polytechnics next week
As the 21 day ultimatum on the federal government comes to a close next week Wednesday, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics threatens to shut down polytechnics nationwide.
In March, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUP had given the government one month to meet its demands during a meeting in Yola, Adamawa State.
After an emergency congress yesterday, at the Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, ASUP insisted that the Federal Government must meet its demands before the expiration of the one-month ultimatum.
Zone C Coordinator, Yekini Asafe said the union would make its final decision during its NEC meeting in Abuja on May 4.
Other news
Illegal mining in Osun continues - Premium Times
31 new COVID-19 infections - Premium Times
Lassa fever kills 5 students in Gombe - Premium Times