News

BREAKING : Gunmen Storm Abuja Again, Abduct Many Residents

Published

6 months ago

May 21, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Residents of Dawaki, near Kubwa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were thrown into chaos after a mass kidnapping incident overwhelmed them.

According to sources, around 20 people were abducted in the attack, which took place on Frank Opara Street.

Tunde Abdulrahim, Chairman of the Dawaki Rock Heaven Community, reported that the heavily armed assailants, numbering about 50 and comprising both men and women, invaded the community around 7:30 pm on Sunday.

The bandits broke into six houses, taking residents hostage before security forces could respond to distress calls.

The FCT police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, stated that Commissioner of Police CP Benneth Igweh led a team of officers to the scene, engaging the kidnappers in a gun battle.

The police, along with local hunters, ambushed the assailants at Ushafa Hill via Bwari and Shishipe Hills via Mpape. The attackers, overwhelmed by the firepower, fled with various injuries, leading to the rescue of the kidnapped victims. One rescued victim remains hospitalized.

“Remarkable bravery and coordination by the police and local hunters forced the assailants to flee, resulting in the rescue of all victims. Search operations continue to locate other hostages who fled during the shootout,” said Adeh.

This incident follows a similar kidnapping earlier on Sunday in Shagari Quarters, Dei-Dei, where bandits abducted five people, including the family members of a senior customs officer.

Vigilante sources reported that the attackers spent over two hours in the area before moving to the neighboring Dakwa community. An attempt to kidnap more residents in Dakwa was thwarted by a fierce gunfight with security personnel, forcing the bandits to retreat.

Dr. Alhassan Musa Babachukuri, Chief of Dakwa, expressed concern over the growing boldness of the bandits, who have reportedly established a base behind Zuma Rock in Chachi community, Niger State. He urged the government to take decisive action against the bandits to prevent further escalation of their activities.

News

Tinubu Reappoints Prof Abdullahi Mustapha As DG Of Biotechnology Agency NBRDA

Published

1 min ago

November 10, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

President Bola Tinubu has reappointed Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha as the Director-General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA).

Prof. Abdullahi is expected to serve another second term of five years as the head of the research agency.

His appointment was announced in a press statement issued by the Press Secretary to the NBRDA Director-General, Toyin Omozuwa, in Abuja on Saturday.

According to the statement, Mustapha’s reappointment was conveyed in a letter signed by the Secretary to the

Government, George Akume.

“Mustapha’s second term is effective from 31st October 2024 and is in line with the provisions of Sections 10 (1) and (3) of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (Establishment) Act, 2022,” the statement said.

Omozuwa stated that industry experts regard the reappointment as an expression of Tinubu’s confidence in Mustapha’s capability to drive innovation towards achieving food security.

He added that the reappointment would allow the Director-General to complete his work in enhancing pharmaceutical production, as well as positioning Nigeria at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Mustapha is a Professor of Bioinorganic Chemistry and hails from Dambatta Local Government Area of Kano State.

The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) is an agency established in 2001 under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, that implements policies, explores resources, conducts research, promotes, coordinates and develops biotechnology in Nigeria.

The NABDA also controls and supervises the introduction of genetically modified organisms into Nigeria.

News

Legal Questions Arise Over Elon Musk’s Immigration History Amid Calls for Citizenship Revocation

Published

6 hours ago

November 9, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

Elon Musk, a citizen of the United States could be at risk if it is proven that he misrepresented facts during his immigration process, according to legal experts. This debate comes I the middle of calls for the revocation of his citizenship, fueled by Musk’s vocal support for Donald Trump and his controversial remarks on immigration.

Musk, originally from South Africa, moved to Canada before settling in the U.S., where he eventually became a naturalized citizen, but reports recently alleged that he may have worked in the U.S. without proper authorization in the 1990s.

According to ‘The Washington Post’, Musk was admitted to Stanford University in 1995 on a student visa but did not enroll, instead working on the startup that became Zip2. Court records and former associates cited by the “Post” suggested that he lacked proper work authorization during this period.

But Musk has debunked these claims, as he said that he was in the U.S. legally on a J-1 visa, which later transitioned to an H1-B visa. However, a 2005 email cited in a defamation case reportedly revealed Musk admitting that he applied to Stanford because he “had no legal right to stay in the country.”

Legal experts indicated that working without authorization and misrepresenting such actions during the immigration process could constitute grounds for revocation of citizenship under U.S. law.

The Legal Framework

The U.S. law permits the revocation of citizenship if it was obtained through “concealment of a material fact or willful misrepresentation.” Violations such as unauthorized work can be flagged during multiple stages of the immigration process, including green card and naturalization applications.

Amanda Frost, a professor of immigration law, explains that misrepresenting visa violations could lead to denaturalization. “If a person violated the terms of a visa and later failed to disclose that during the naturalization process, their citizenship could be deemed ‘illegally procured,’” she stated.

Stephen Yale-Loehr of Cornell Law School adds that while such cases are legally valid, they are rarely pursued unless the violations are deemed material.

Potential Outcomes and Implications

If evidence of wrongdoing were uncovered, Musk would not face immediate deportation but could be subjected to a lengthy legal process. Criminal penalties for making false statements during naturalization include up to five years in prison.

However, legal experts note that such cases often hinge on whether the alleged violations would have materially affected the individual’s eligibility for a green card or citizenship. Immigration attorney Greg Siskind believes it’s unlikely that Musk’s actions, if proven, would have prevented his eventual naturalization.

Political and Public Backlash

The controversy has reignited debates about immigration enforcement and denaturalization. Under the Trump administration, efforts to revoke citizenship increased significantly, with thousands of cases investigated and dozens referred for deportation.

Musk, a high-profile immigrant, has faced criticism for his frequent comments on immigration issues, with many accusing him of promoting divisive narratives. His extensive ties to government contracts and national security projects also add a layer of scrutiny to his case.

Calls for Musk to release his immigration records under the Freedom of Information Act remain unanswered. Meanwhile, legal analysts emphasize that any action against Musk would depend on clear evidence and prosecutorial discretion.

This unfolding situation underscores the complexities of immigration enforcement and the potential implications for high-profile figures.

News

Family Head Regrets Obtaining NDA Form for Late Lt General Lagbaja

Published

7 hours ago

November 9, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

The head of the family of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, has expressed deep regret over his decision to obtain the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) admission form for the deceased.

Pa Tajudeen, the younger brother of the late COAS’s father, revealed that if he had foreseen the tragic outcome, he would not have facilitated his nephew’s entry into the military.

He said: “Had I known that obtaining the NDA form for him would lead to this, I wouldn’t have done it.

“However, we accept it as destiny. Everyone must face death, but this loss has hit us hard. Taoreed was more than a nephew to me; I regarded him as one of my own children”.

The grieving family head recounted the late General’s contributions to their hometown of Ilobu in Osun State, highlighting projects such as a borehole in his father’s compound and other communal initiatives.

“He gave us hope and brought pride to the family. His death is a great loss, but we give thanks to God,” Pa Tajudeen added.

The late General’s death has also sparked suspicions within the family. Some relatives allege that he may have been a victim of diabolical forces linked to a land dispute in Ilobu. In 2023, tensions arose when the Nigerian Army proposed establishing a hospital in the community, reportedly leading to conflicts over land ownership.

Despite the tragic circumstances, the family expressed gratitude for Lt. General Lagbaja’s life and legacy, while grappling with the shock of his untimely demise.