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SAD! Ex-DG NIA, Amb Zakari, dies at 81

Published

1 month ago

November 18, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Ex-Director General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim, has died at the age of 81.

A statement issued by the family of the deceased said he died in Abuja after a brief illness.

The late Talban Katsina was buried at Dantakun Cemetery, Katsina, after a funeral prayer held at the Katsina Emir’s palace at 4:45 pm.

Governor Dikko Radda, his chief of staff, Jabiru Tsauri and other government officials attended the funeral prayer.

Also in attendance was the emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, his district heads and other title holders, amongst whom was the immediate past DG NIA, Sardaunan Katsina, Ambassador Abubakar Ahmed.

Radda, has expressed profound grief over the passing of the late diplomat, describing him as an illustrious son of Katsina who served Nigeria with distinction in various capacities, including as Director General of NIA, Deputy National Security Adviser, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

“The passing of Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim represents an irreparable loss not only to Katsina State but to Nigeria as a whole,” Governor Radda stated in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed.

“His remarkable contributions to national security and diplomacy have left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.”

The Governor highlighted the deceased’s dedication to public service and his role in elevating Katsina State’s standing in national affairs.

“As Talban Katsina, Ambassador Ibrahim exemplified the noble values of our traditional institution and served as a bridge between tradition and modern governance.”

Governor Radda extends heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the Katsina Emirate Council, and the entire people of Katsina State.

He prayed for Allah (SWT) to grant the departed soul Al-jannatul Fridaus and give the family the fortitude to bear this monumental loss.

‘He was a gem of inestimable value’ – Dujiman Katsina

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Interior, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, Dujiman Katsina, expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Talban Katsina.

Ahmed, who represents Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency, said the late Talban Katsina has contributed tremendously to the development of the nation’s security architecture during his lifetime as the Director-General NIA and National Counter-terrorism Coordinator.

According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Sardauna Francis, the lawmaker received the news of the passing of Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim, Talban Katsina, with profound sadness and grief, saying he was a gem of inestimable value who contributed to peace-building in Nigeria.

He described the late ambassador as a gem of inestimable value and formidable pillar whose contributions to peace and tranquility of the country remains.

Dujiman Katsina extend his heartfelt condolences to the Katsina Emirate Council, particularly the Emir, Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman over the colossal loss.

According to the fifth Wazirin Katsina Prof. Abubakar Sani Lugga, in his books, the great province and Dikko Dynasty, as extracted by Alhaji Musa Gambo Kofar soro, late Ambassador Zakari was born in Katsina on 15th March, 1943 into the family of the famous warrior Iyan Katsina ZAKARI ( his grand father)

His father was a famous Middle School Head Master and later Iyan Katsina and Talban Katsina Alhaji Ibrahim Mashi.

He had his secondary Education at Provincial Secondary School Katsina (1957-62) and got his Bachelor’s degree at Bayero University Kano (1969-72). He obtained a Diploma in Education Administration from the University of Birmingham (1973-74) and a Masters degree from the University of Sheffield (1974-1975).

Following the foot steps of his late father, he rose to become a principal in several Secondary Schools in former Kaduna State, before joining the Civil Service in 1980.

He was a one-time Nigerian Ambassador to Niger Republic from 1987 to 1990. He was appointed the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Coordinator of the Annual Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca in 1990.

He was the Deputy National Security Advisor and later Head of the National Intelligence Agency up to 1999 when he retired from the Civil Service. He succeeded his late father Alhaji Ibrahim, as The Talban Katsina.

He was a recipient of several national and International honours and awards including a Doctorate Degree from the Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto, and a Medal of the Commander of the order of the Niger (CON). He was a silent philanthropist who assisted persons and communities,. He was a founding member and Grand Patron of the Katsina Islamic Foundation, promoters of the Katsina Islamic University Project.

News

‘Putin waiting to meet me as soon as possible’ to end Ukraine war – Trump

Published

48 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

The US President-elect took to the stage AmFest in Phoenix to talk about his contact with the Russian leader.

He told the crowd: “President Putin has said he want to meet with me as soon as possible.”

Trump went on to brand the war “horrible” and stated it needed to end. It is not known whether or not this meeting will take place in person. His comments at the event in the US come as Putin met with another world leader.

Putin held talks in the Kremlin today (December 22) with Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, in a rare visit to Moscow by an EU leader since Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Fico arrived in Russia on a “working visit” and met with Putin one-on-one. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russia’s RIA agency that the talks would focus on “the international situation” and Russian natural gas deliveries.

Visits and phone calls from European leaders to Putin have been rare since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine, although Hungary’s PM Viktor Orban visited Russia in July. Orban’s visit drew condemnation from Kyiv and European leaders.Fico’s views on Russia’s war on Ukraine differ sharply from most other European leaders. The Slovakian PM returned to power last year after his leftist party Smer (Direction) won parliamentary elections on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform. Since then, he has ended his country’s military aid for Ukraine, hit out at EU sanctions on Russia, and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.

News

JUST IN: Speed Darlington Granted Bail, Says Lawyer

Published

52 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

Stanley Alieke, the counsel for popular controversial rapper, Darlington Achakpo, aka Speed Darlington, said the singer has been granted bail after nearly a month in police custody.

Alieke disclosed this on his Instagram handle on Monday.

“Apki has been granted bail by the court,” he wrote without including much information.

The rapper was arrested on November 27 while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo State.

His arrest was connected to an alleged abuse of Afrofusion star, Damini Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy.

Darlington’s counsel, Deji Adeyanju also confirmed that Burna Boy was responsible for his arrest.

Darlington had taunted Burna Boy over his affiliation with the embattled United States rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs who is facing multiple charges for sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

This prompted his first arrest. On his arrival, Speed Darlington swore never to back down on calling out the Grammy award winner because of his association with the embattled Diddy.

Earlier, Darlington’s lawyer, Adeyanju said that the singer would be arraigned within 48 hours or be released on bail.

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“Our FREP application for Speed Darlington a.k.a has been granted by the court. He is to be arraigned within 48 hours or released. Issues around injustice may take time but justice will always prevail,” he wrote.

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Police Arrest Herbalist, 3 Others For Beheading Delta Resident, Dump Him In River

Published

54 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested no fewer than four suspects for allegedly killing a man identified as Paulinus Okon over N30million business deal in Delta State.

It was learnt that the deceased was earlier declared missing and was later beheaded on the 8th of September 2024 at Otokutu area of the state.

Paulinus’ body was said to have been thrown into the river, while one of the suspects, a herbalist, took the head and buried it at his shrine in Otokutu.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda during a press briefing on Monday, identified the suspects as Okeimute Gaga, Efe Onoitiyi, Sunday Ikpeba, and a 30yrs old herbalist known as Lawrence Joseph.

The statement reads in part; “It involves the murder of one Paulinus Okon ‘m’ by his bosom friend One Efe Onoetiyi. Paulinus was reported missing on 8/9/2024 by his brother after he went out with his friend Efe Onoitiyi ‘m’ age 30yrs.

“The suspect Efe Onoitiyi who initially denied knowing what happened to Paulinus came to Paulinus’s house to ask his family of Paulinus, he was confronted that the deceased went out with him on that same date which he denied that the deceased did not go out with him.

“On a later date, Efe came back and demanded Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) from the deceased’s brother that he would use the money to pay a herbalist who can tell them Paulinus’s whereabouts.

“Efe again came and informed the family that Paulinus was kidnapped and he collected a ransom of about twenty million, seven hundred and fifteen thousand naira (N20,715,000) from the deceased brother claiming that he was in touch with the kidnappers. When it became obvious that Efe had something to hide, he was arrested and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) State Headquarters, Asaba.

“On 28th November 2024, I directed the DPO Ekpan to take over the case and ensure that a discrete investigation is carried out to fish out those responsible as the main suspect Efe was not yielding.

“The DPO Ekpan carried out an intelligence led investigation that indicted one Okeimute Gaga ‘m’ aged 48yrs old. Okeimute gaga upon his arrest opened up and confessed that he could no longer hide what happened. Okeimute Gaga narrated how Efe brought Paulinus to Orere River in Otokutu and requested that they kill him.

“The suspect further stated that on the 8th of September 2024 himself, Efe and Sunday Ikpeba, and a 30yrs old herbalist known as Lawrence Joseph tied Paulinus Okon to a stake at night close to Orere River and beheaded him alive. His body was thrown into the river while the herbalist took the head of Paulinus and buried him at his shrine in Otokutu. The DPO Ekpan Police station led police operatives to the shrine in Otokutu where the skull of Paulinus was exhumed and recovered.

“During interrogation, Efe was asked why he killed his friend Paulinus, Efe stated that he saw a building for sale at a cost of thirty million naira (N30,000,000) which he advertised to the deceased and the deceased paid him Thirty Million Naira (N30,000,000) in three instalments, but instead of buying the house, he diverted the money for his personal use, bought two lands and was building a duplex for himself.

“He further stated that he did not know how to explain to the deceased that he had used his money hence he decided that killing him will save him the trouble. Efe and the three other suspects are in custody.”