News
Pay N20M Tax or Face Deadly Attack” — Bandits Threaten Benue Community
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a scary ultimatum, bandits have warned the residents of Torough community in Ukum local government area of Benue State to pay a N20 million tax or face a violent attack. This dire situation has put the community into a frantic scramble to gather the demanded sum.
Many Residents are desperate to avoid the threat and have started selling their farm produce and livestock.
Each family has been asked to raise N500,000. A local source, speaking under the condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution, revealed that the least amount any household is expected to contribute is N50,000.
“Some people have started disposing of their farm produce and livestock to raise the levy, while others have contacted their relatives outside to gather the funds,” the source told *Punch*. The fear is palpable, with nobody, including the village head, daring to report the threat to security forces to avoid provoking the local militias.
Confirming the development, the local government chairman, Victor Iorzaa, said he had alerted the police and the state security council. Iorzaa said, A notorious militia leader, known as Full Fire, is the mastermind behind the threat. “The report is true, and the person behind it is Full Fire. He has been terrorizing the area for the past five years, often collaborating with Fulani militias,” Iorzaa explained. “If you recall, the military recently launched an attack on his house.”
Iorzaa described the community as living in constant fear, noting that anyone venturing into the village risks being attacked. Despite this, he commended state security operatives and Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia for their efforts in combating crime in the area. “The security operatives are doing their best to curtail the militias,” Iorzaa added. Meanwhile, State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, stated that the command had not received any reports of such an incident. Similarly, the Governor’s Security Adviser, Joseph Har, dismissed the possibility of bandits collecting taxes from villagers
“The issue of this illegal levy is a common practice among bandits worldwide as they use it to survive,” Har said. “However, only an irresponsible government would allow such a callous thing to happen. The bandits are on the run, they cannot collect any taxes.” Har emphasized the ongoing efforts to dismantle the bandits’ operations. “Most of them have fled their camps, and we intend to sustain the momentum until they surrender or are neutralized. There is a reduction in their impunity, and we aim to fill the security gap they have created.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Less than twenty-four hours to the start of voting in Saturday’s governorship poll in Edo State, a rash of fake news has broken out.
Leading parties in the election have had their fair shares of fake news either indicating the withdrawal of their candidates or disqualification by a Magistrate Court or Supreme Court.
For instance, Olumide Akpata of LP was said to have withdrawn from the race and thrown his support for Asue Ighodalo in a statement that read smoothly and appeared convincing.
THE CONCLAVE sent the statement to Akpata via WhatsApp for confirmed.
He responded by sending the same statement with FAKE NEWS boldly stamped on it.
He said he was set for victory at the poll.
There was also a news flash about the Supreme Court disqualifying Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, with a sign off: More details coming….
A Magistrate Court in Abuja was also reported to have disqualified Monday Okpebholo of the APC from the poll on account of age falsification.
The APC campaign organisation had swiftly put a lie to the report by deploying the court papers in the circumstance.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Barely 24hours to governorship election in Edo State, no fewer than two governors elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday arrived Benin City.
The governors, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Kefas Agbu of Taraba, arrived the state to mobilise support for the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Fintiri made this known in a post on his social media page on Friday evening.
He said : “Just touched down in Edo State alongside my brother, Gov. Agbu Kefas, ahead of the September 21st gubernatorial election. We stand united in support of our Official PDP Nigeria candidate, Asue ighodalo, for a brighter future.”
Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, who is the PDP leader in the state, had earlier cried out over alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress to rig the election.
As at the time of filling this report, it was unclear if other PDP governors would also hit the state for the election
……. As Speed Darlington queries Afrobeats singer, Burna Boy over his Grammy win.
By Ojomah Austin.
Controversial Nigerian rapper, Speed Darlington has sparked controversy with his claims that Burna Boy’s Grammy Award win can be attributed to the influential role of American rapper and entrepreneur, P. Diddy.
Amid allegations against US rapper, P.Diddy, resulting in his arrest, Speed Darlington suggested that Burna Boy had an intimate relationship with Diddy which paved the way for him to win the Grammy.
Speed Darlington’s bold and contentious assertion comes amidst recent allegations surrounding Diddy, who was reportedly arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on charges of human trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
In a provocative Instagram video, Speed Darlington credited Diddy for Burna Boy’s rapid ascent to international fame and Grammy success, highlighting the American rapper’s significant impact on Burna Boy’s music career.
Speed Darlington openly challenged Burna Boy to disclose the nature of his relationship with Diddy. Suggesting an amorous relationship between the duo, he blatantly asked Burna Boy to reveal how many bottles of oil Diddy used on his buttocks before he was able to win a Grammy.
In his words:
“It wasn’t long after Burna Boy posted a photo of him and Diddy that he won a Grammy Award. Burna Boy, don’t be offended, but how many oils did Diddy use on your nyash before they gave you the Grammy Award?”.
In response to Speed Darlington’s video, One @oluchukwu_____ wrote: “Akpis confidence need to be studied 😂😂.”
vibe_with_fiona wrote: “When burna comes for him,make una no say burna too do o?”
godson_allsom wrote: “If there is Grammy for comedians 😂 akpi for done win like 10.”
official_kahlan wrote: “Presido I don tire to defend you 😂 ga zu ike 🙄.”
asikosharon50 wrote: “Very anyhow talk, Burnaboy won Grammy for his hard work and talent . If na Diddy dey share Grammy why him own Artist for him label nor dey win the Grammy? Na him be say Tems dey and wizkid sef they nick people dem work with naa, useless talk …”
jaytee_yna wrote: “I’m a big fan of Akpi but this is so irrelevant and irresponsible. Burna’s hardwork & God’s grace gave him the Grammy. Okbye!”
lorah_irez wrote: “If person never bèat akpi he no go rest, wetin be this na 😂😂😂.”
Edo guber: LP’s Akpata remains a front runner, set to capture Edo
Guber poll :PDP govs storm Edo to support Ighodalo
Speed Darlington taunt Burna Boy about his grammy award (+Video)
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