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Atiku express concerns over acts of banditry, terrorism

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By Francesca Hangeior.

 

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed serious concerns about the acts of banditry and terrorism in the country.

Atiku made his concerns known in a post via his X handle on Tuesday while reacting to a report of a Sunday attack by bandits on Yargoje village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, which claimed the lives of 20 people.

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In a statement on Monday by its spokesman, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the Katsina Police Command confirmed the killing of about 20 people, four police officers and two operatives of the state-owned Community Watch Corps.

The statement added the bandits ambushed the police armoured personnel carrier responding to the distress call at Gidan Tofa and Dan Nakwabo villages, killing the security operatives.

Reacting, Atiku said banditry and terrorism attacks in the country have become routine, adding that the government seems helpless and nonchalant about the killings despite the enormous annual budget for defence.

He wrote: “I am saddened by reports of the attack on Yargoje village in Kankara LGA of Katsina State, which claimed scores of lives and the kidnap of vulnerable women and children.

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“It is also sad that the bandits ambushed the police armoured personnel carrier responding to the distress call at Gidan Tofa and Dan Nakwabo villages, killing four police officers and two members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps.

“Most worrisome to me is that these acts of banditry and terrorism have become routine, with the government seemingly helpless and nonchalant about it despite the enormous annual budget for defence.”

The former vice president also called on the federal government to ensure the protection of citizens’ lives and property.

“While I sympathise with the families of the victims, I will once again call on the government to be alive to its responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizens,” he added.

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NUJ FCT SEC Directs Members to Ignore Boycott Call by Ousted Chairman Osadebamwen

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The State Executive Council (SEC) of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter has called on members to disregard a boycott order issued by Patrick Osadebamwen and Ochiaka Ugwu, referred to as former officials without authority.
In a joint statement signed by key chapel leaders, the SEC accused the duo of spreading false information to undermine preparations for the NUJ FCT Council elections scheduled for December 4, 2024.
The SEC emphasized that the sale of nomination forms is being conducted by the legitimate Credentials Committee, in line with the union’s constitution.
The statement reads: “The Credentials Committee operates under the constitution and has been cleared by the National Secretariat. It is independent of state and national officers, as stipulated in Article 5(9C)”.
The SEC clarified that Osadebamwen and Ugwu were impeached during a Congress held on October 19, 2024, and have no legal standing within the union, and urged members interested in contesting positions to obtain nomination forms from the NUJ FCT Council Secretariat in Utako, Abuja, starting November 8.
The council dismissed the boycott directive from the impeached individuals as baseless, describing their actions as “illegitimate, illegal, and void”, and reassured members that security agencies have been informed of the impeachment and urged members to carry out their union activities without fear of intimidation.
“We will not engage in public exchanges or inflammatory rhetoric, despite provocations,” the SEC stated, reaffirming its focus on protecting the union’s integrity.
The statement was endorsed by several chapel leaders, including:
– Jide Oyekunle, Chairman, NUJ FCT Correspondents Chapel
– Yahaya Ndambabo, Chairman, VON Chapel
– Ngozi Uloma Ufomba, Chairman, FCTA Chapel
– Collins Yakubu-Hammer, NAN Chapel
– Onuh Holina, Chairman, Aso Radio/TV Chapel
The SEC reiterated its call for unity and adherence to constitutional procedures, concluding: “For the union makes us strong.”
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Drama As Abuja Bolt Driver Makes U-turn, Apologises To Abia Rep, Alex Ikwechegh

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An Abuja Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya has apologised to the Abia federal lawmaker, Alex Ikwechegh who assaulted him.

Abuwatseya said his provocative utterances caused a misunderstanding with Ikwechegh.

He asked Nigerians for forgiveness.

In a video released on Thursday, the Bolt driver urged Nigerians to move on from the incident.

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He said: “Good day, Nigerians. My name is Stephen Abuwatseya. I had a misunderstanding with Rt. Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh a few days ago. I actually want to apologize to him for whatever I must have said or done to provoke him to that level of anger.

“I want to tell Nigerians that it’s not time for us to start dividing ourselves based on religion, tribes, or regions. We should actually come together, see how we can unite this nation, and move it forward.

“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive and forget, as it’s even contained in our Lord’s Prayer, that ‘Lord, please forgive us, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ For there is no justice without forgiveness. Thank you very much.”

On October 28, the House of Representatives member representing Aba North/South of Abia State, assaulted the Bolt driver while he was delivering a package at his residence in Abuja.

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In the footage, the lawmaker repeatedly slapped and insulted the driver.

Ikwechegh also threatened to make the Bolt driver disappear from Nigeria.

He was subsequently arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Kuje area of the Federal Capital Territory where he pleaded not guilty.

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War: Trump will give Netanyahu a blank check – Ex-CIA boss, Panetta

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A former CIA director and US defence secretary Leon Panetta, Donald Trump would offer Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “blank cheque” in the Middle East once he takes office, potentially paving the door for a full-scale conflict between Israel and Iran.

He said that Israel would receive his approval for every action taken by the president-elect, who defeated Democratic candidate Kamala Harris to win the presidency this week and will return to office in January

“With regards to the Middle East, I think he’s basically going to give Netanyahu a blank check,” he said via the Guardian, UK.”

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Whatever you do, whatever you want to do, whoever you want to go after, you have my blessing.’ I mean, he basically said that [before the election].”

Since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel last year, Netanyahu has presided over attacks on Iran and its assets as part of an expanding conflict.

During the US election campaign, he reportedly spoke with the US president-elect.

Following Trump’s triumph over Kamala Harris on Wednesday, Netanyahu praised him.

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