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Two policemen killed during clash with Islamic group in FCT
Two policemen were killed and three others critically injured during a clash yesterday between security men and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) otherwise known as Shi’ite, in Abuja.
The Islamic group, led by Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, frequently clashes with security men usually during processions held by the group to celebrate some events on their religious calendar, leading to violence and deaths.
After one such incident, the group was proscribed on July 26, 2019, by the Muhammadu Buhari Administration.
According to the police account, the Shi’ites in the procession were armed with various weapons with which they attacked a police checkpoint, burning three vans.
This resulted in exchanges between them and policemen at the popular Julius Berge junction of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
But the group contradicted the police, saying their men in the procession did not carry any ammunition and were peaceful.
FCT police commissioner, Benneth Igweh, said 52 members of the group were arrested after the violent confrontation, adding that they would be charged.
He promised that the police would not leave any stone unturned in curbing the activities of the Shi’ites.
The FCT Command spokesman, Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police, gave an account of the attack in a statement.
She said: “Two police officers died, three others are unconscious and receiving treatment at a hospital, and three patrol vehicles were destroyed.
“The proscribed group attacked the police checkpoint unprovoked.
“Several arrests have been made, and Benneth Igweh, the Commissioner of Police, has condemned the attack, vowing to bring those responsible to justice.
“The situation is currently under control, and normalcy has been restored to the area.
“For now, the FCT Police Command remains on high alert, closely monitoring the situation to prevent any further outbreaks of violence.”
But the Shi’ite group gave a different picture of what happened.
Its spokesman, Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto, said in a statement: “We wish to inform the public that police have attacked the ongoing Arba’een Symbolic Trek at Wuse District in Abuja and killed mourners.
“While trying to disperse the Arbaeen Trek, the police killed and injured numerous mourners.
“Presently, security agents are busy arresting the Arbaeen Trek mourners.
“Medical practitioners are attending to those critically injured, and details of those killed, injured, and arrested will be made available to members of the press in due course.
“Before the commencement of the trek, we searched all participants to ensure no infiltration, and the programme will end as scheduled.”
According to him, the Arbeen walk which was staged on Saturday at the Masaka and Zuba axis of the capital city, ended peacefully and successfully.
The IMN, which has its headquarters in Zaria, Kaduna State, is affiliated with the Shi’ite Islamic sect which has its roots in Iran.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.
This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.
This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.
During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”
The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.
Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:
- Federal Medical Centre, Bida
- Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
- Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
- Federal College of Education, Yola
- Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- Cross River Basin Development Authority
- Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
- National Examination Council (NECO)
- Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
- Presidential Amnesty Programme
- Galaxy Backbone
- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals
Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.
The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.
Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day
Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget
Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability
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