đ Peter Obi vs People's Gazette
People who live along the Lagos Ibadan expressway, the minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, says the road project will be done this month, April 2023. Fingers crossed?
In this article
Peter Obiâs secret call with Oyedepo?
Soldiers murder peaceful protesters in Aba
82 people have been kidnapped in Zamfara
Daniel Nnamdi Emehâs arrest after accusing police of organ harvesting
This weekâs newsletter is 1,500 words (approx 5 min read).
Peter Obi & the NCC vs Peopleâs Gazette
If youâre worried that the Nigerian government has bugged your phone, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says donât be. The commission denied allegations that they track and leak telephone conversations of some Nigerians.Â
The NCC tapping phones is against the Nigerian Communication Act (NCA) 2003 and other laws of the Federation and the government does not break the law, as you know. The commission has reported the allegations to the relevant security agencies for proper investigation and necessary action.
The NCC said this after a leaked audio clip of a phone conversation between Peter Obi and David Oyedepo was published online by Peopleâs Gazette.Â
The article says Peter Obi was speaking to the pastor about a âreligious warâ, and Peter Obi called the pastor âdaddyâ.
Peter Obi also dismissed the leaked video and has threatened to sue Peopleâs Gazette for defamation.Â
People's Gazette, however, is not retracting the story. They did suspend the reporter for one month for his âmisconductâ in the way he responded to trolls on social media, but they're standing by the reporter and the story.
InsecurityÂ
Soldiers murder peaceful protesters in Aba
On Friday afternoon, five people believed to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were reportedly killed by Nigerian security agents (Army and Police) during a peaceful protest in Aba.Â
The protesters, dressed in white attire, were calling on the Nigerian government to release Nnamdi Kanu, who is in detention.Â
The protest was said to have started peacefully, but soldiers opened fire when the unarmed protesters got to Amaogbonna.Â
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has condemned the killings and called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved. COSEYL stated that the army and security agencies in the South East are not there to maintain peace but to kill innocent citizens.
 The group also called on the international community to intervene in the matter. The Nigerian Army and Police have not yet issued any official statement on the incident.
Terrorism in ZamfaraÂ
On the 2nd of April, terrorists kidnapped two female students at Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State
The students were abducted from their rooms when the yet-to-be-identified group of terrorists invaded the university hostel before daybreak on Sunday morning.Â
The police have confirmed the abduction and say theyâre making efforts to rescue the students.
Today, terrorists kidnapped another 80 people, this time children aged 12 to 17 in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The children were kidnapped while they were fetching firewood in the forest.Â
The kidnappers have not contacted the parents yet to make any demands.
The Zamfara State Police Commissioner confirmed the incident but disputed the number of victims. The government has not yet confirmed the incident..
Terrorism in NigerÂ
Terrorists attacked seven communities in Mashegu local government area, Niger in five days.Â
During these attacks, the terrorists killed seven people and abducted 26 across the seven communities.Â
During the attacks, residents of the affected communities fled their homes and sought refuge in IDP camps.Â
The chairman of the local government area has called on the State Government and security agencies to help stop the attacks.
Anambra police, organ harvesting, and the sketchy arrest of Daniel Nnamdi Emeh
The Anambra police have declared Daniel Nnamdi Emeh wanted following his expose in February of police extortion and organ harvesting. - Punch
The Anambra State Police Command accused Emeh Nnamdi Daniel of unlawful possession of a firearm, money laundering, defamation of character, fraud, and impersonation.
Prior to this, Daniel had leaked documents from the police database that, according to Punch, alleged that some high-ranking officers in the Anambra police ( Chief Superintendent of Police, Patrick Agbazue; the Zonal Public Relations Officer, Zone 13, Ukpo, Superintendent of Police Nkeiru Nwode; and Inspector Harrison Akama) had been extorting, killing and harvesting organs of people in their prisons.Â
Following the leak, the force Headquarters set up a panel to investigate the allegations.
The panel apparently sent their findings to the Inspector General of Police, but the police force has not taken any visible action and the findings are still being kept private.Â
Meanwhile, the âwhistleblowerâ, Emeh is in Police custody. He was taken to Abuja for âquestioningâ, and then moved to a prison in Awka. He scheduled is for arraignment in court next week.Â
MoneyÂ
Post petrol subsidy support
The Nigerian government has received $800 million from the World Bank to provide financial support to over 50 million vulnerable Nigerians after the removal of petrol subsidies in June 2023.Â
The first tranche of the palliative funds will be given to 10 million households as cash transfers. The government is also exploring non-cash palliatives like a mass transit system for workers' daily commutes.Â
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, stated that negotiations are ongoing to raise additional resources for the palliative measures.Â
The incoming government is expected to implement the subsidy palliatives after the current government hands over.
Hopefully, this won't turn out like the last time palliative care was assigned by the government when food meant for the community was used as party favours.
HmmÂ
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has fined Channels Television N5 million for breaking broadcasting laws during a program with Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, Labour Partyâs Vice Presidential candidate.Â
NBC said the station violated its code of conduct during the interview, which featured remarks that could incite violence. The penalty must be paid within two weeks, and any further violations could result in higher fines.Â
The action comes after the candidate of the APC for the 2023 presidential election, Bola Tinubu, filed a complaint against the station over the interview.
In the interview, Datti said it would be unconstitutional to swear in Tinubu as president because of the election irregularities.Â
OtherÂ
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has commissioned 10 brand new, high-capacity firefighting vehicles for âŠ12 billion- Tribune
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has closed down Tower Primary School, Oba, following the indictment of the proprietor, Kosisochukwu Igwe, and a teacher, Precious Chibuzo, in examination malpractices during the 2023 Transition Placement Examination of the state - Vanguard
Shareholders have expressed concerns over Oando Plcâs plan to delist from the capital market and acquire the shares of minority shareholders - Naira MetricsÂ
The residents of Uso Community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State have appealed to the state government to repair or reconstruct the Uso/Ise Ekiti Road to improve the economy of the area - PunchÂ
The National Assembly has proposed a jail sentence of five years or a fine of âŠ5m for any person convicted of being in possession of firearms illegally - Punch