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Vatsa’s family lauds Tinubu over posthumous pardon, insists it was a frame-up
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The family of the late Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, who was executed in 1986 over an alleged coup plot against the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting a posthumous state pardon to the late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement issued in Minna on Friday, the family described the presidential gesture as “the greatest moment of joy since General Vatsa’s execution 39 years ago.”
The statement, signed by family spokesperson and former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, said the pardon has finally lifted a long shadow of pain that had haunted the family for nearly four decades.
Today is the happiest moment in the life of our family after 39 years of sorrow and sadness following the killing of our father, brother, and uncle,” Vatsa said. “Though nothing can bring him back, we are consoled by this rare act of statesmanship by President Tinubu. He has written his name in gold, and history will forever remember him.”
He added that after years of fruitless appeals to successive administrations, President Tinubu has “wiped away the tears” of the Vatsa family, their Gulu community in Lapai Local Government Area, and Niger State at large.
“Justice can be delayed but never denied. We are convinced that the late Vatsa will be smiling in his grave today,” he said. “This pardon shows that truth never expires.”
Hon. Vatsa reiterated the family’s long-held belief that the 1986 coup allegation was fabricated, describing the trial that led to the general’s execution as “stage-managed to eliminate a brilliant officer out of envy and hatred.”
He recalled that the late General Domkat Bali, a former Defence Minister and member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, had once admitted in an interview that the evidence against General Vatsa was “weak” and insufficient to justify his execution.
“That is why the family has always maintained that General Vatsa was innocent of the alleged coup. His death was a miscarriage of justice,” he stressed.
Vatsa also expressed regret that some of the late general’s immediate family members, including his wife and some children, did not live to witness the pardon.
“We wish this had happened when his wife and some of his late children were still alive. Nevertheless, we thank God that some of his children and grandchildren are still here to witness this moment of vindication,” he said.
The family said the long-awaited state pardon will pave the way for plans to establish a foundation in honour of the late general, who was also celebrated as a renowned poet, scholar, and soldier before his tragic death.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has described the victory of Jide Oyekunle, a journalist with Independent Newspaper, at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice as a major victory for journalism and press freedom in Nigeria.
The union, in its reaction to the judgment awarding N10 million in damages against the Nigerian government over the violation of Oyekunle’s rights, said the ruling represents an important step towards protecting journalists and defending media freedom.
The NUJ in a statement signed by the National Secretary, Achike Chude on Wednesday commended the efforts of Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France) for providing legal support and standing with the journalist throughout the legal process.
It said the judgment serves as a reminder of the need for the protection of journalists who perform their constitutional duty of informing the public, adding that attacks and harassment against media practitioners must not go unchecked.
The union urged the Nigerian government to comply with the ECOWAS Court judgment by paying the N10 million damages awarded to Oyekunle without delay.
According to the NUJ, prompt compliance with the ruling would demonstrate respect for the rule of law and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to upholding human rights and press freedom.
The union further called for stronger measures to guarantee the safety and independence of journalists across the country.
Signed
Comrade Achike Chude
National Secretary
President Tinubu Will Commission Roads 01 and 02 Linking Mabushi Bus Terminal and Ahmadu Bello Way Today
#FCTRenewedHope
#FCTProjectsCommissioning
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BEWARE: FG warns 26 States of flood, places, Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, Adamawa, Benue, others as critical risk areas
The Federal Government has alerted residents of 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the possibility of flooding between June 22 and July 5, 2026, following forecasts of heavy rainfall in different parts of the country.
The warning was issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment through the National Flood Early Warning Centre under its Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department.
The ministry said several communities across the country have been identified as areas that could face serious flood threats during the period.
According to the forecast released on June 22, heavy rainfall is expected in many locations, raising concerns about possible flooding in vulnerable communities.
States placed under the critical-risk category include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers.
In Abia State, the affected communities include Aba, Arochukwu and Umuahia. In Adamawa, the ministry listed Jimeta and Numan, while Eket, Oron and Uyo were named in Akwa Ibom. In Anambra, Onitsha Inland Town and Awka Urban Drainage Corridors were identified as vulnerable locations.
Bayelsa communities such as Yenagoa, Brass and Nembe Town were also listed among areas that could be affected by flooding.
Other locations mentioned include Makurdi, Gboko and Katsina-Ala in Benue State; Calabar Metropolis and Creek Town in Cross River State; Asaba, Warri and Sapele in Delta State; and Abakaliki, Afikpo and Onueke in Ebonyi State.
The ministry also identified Benin City Urban Core and Auchi in Edo State, Ado-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State, as well as Enugu, Nsukka and Oji River Town in Enugu State.
In Imo State, Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe were listed, while Lokoja and Ajaokuta were named in Kogi State. Communities such as Ilorin, Jebba and Pategi in Kwara State were also included in the warning.
Several parts of Lagos State were equally listed among the areas at risk.
These include Agege, Alimosho, Apapa, Badagry, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lekki and Surulere.
In Niger State, Bida, Minna, Mokwa, Suleja and Kontagora were identified, while Abeokuta, Ota and Sagamu were listed in Ogun State.
The flood alert further covered Akure, Owo and Okitipupa in Ondo State; Oshogbo, Ile-Ife and Ilesa in Osun State; Ibadan, Ogbomoso and Oyo in Oyo State; as well as Port Harcourt Urban Core, Bonny, Ahoada and Omoku in Rivers State.
Apart from the states under the critical-risk category, the ministry also placed parts of Adamawa, the FCT, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states under a high-risk category.
Communities listed in this group include Yola North, Yola South, Mubi and Gurin in Adamawa State; Abuja Municipal, Gwagwalada, Kubwa, Nyanya and Wuse in the FCT; Birnin Kebbi and Argungu in Kebbi State; Bako in Kogi State; and Keffi, Lafia, Karu and Toto in Nasarawa State.
The warning also covered Jos and Jos North in Plateau State, as well as Jalingo, Wukari, Takum, Serti and Karim Lamido in Taraba State.
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