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Niger State Signs N20million Peace Deal With Boko Haram, Buys Bikes For Terrorists About 65 communities in Niger signed a N20 million peace deal with Boko Haram terrorists to avoid attacks on their communities.  Niger State has witnessed several violent attacks and kidnaps by Boko Haram and bandits.  Residents of the affected communities, Gurmana, Manta, Bassa, and Kukoki in the Shiroro area, negotiated with the terrorists for a peace deal, and both parties reached an agreement,  The residents of the affected communities also purchased six bikes worth N500,000 for the terrorists. iMagazine Publications had earlier reported how Boko Haram terrorists took over Shiroro and imposed compulsory taxes on residents of the communities.  Yusuf Sani, co-convener of Concerned Shiroro Youth, said 40 communities had signed the peace deal with the terrorists, worth N20 million.  “This is what most of the communities are resorting to. By my records now, communities that have signed the peace deal with

  NEWS We’re not aware of arms, bombs importation into Imo – Govt, police PRO, Imo State Police Command, Orlando Ikeokwu The Imo State Government on Thursday denied the alleged importation of arms into the state. Recall that the Department of State Services in a memo on Wednesday said it receives intelligence that the Indigenous People of Biafra members were moving explosives in articulated trucks from Lagos State to a hideout in Orlu, Imo State. But the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, said the state government did not have such intelligence. Emelumba said, “I am not aware of it I am the Information Commissioner of the state government. We as a government don’t know about this.” Also the state police command said the police were not aware of the movement of arms into the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, stated that the media gave the police) the information. He said, “I am not aware of the importation of arms by IPOB. As it

  POLITICS 11 people kidnapped, four killed everyday in Kaduna — Govt report A repo rt by the Kaduna State government has revealed that an average of four people are killed daily, and another average of 11 people also kidnapped on daily basis. This was revealed on Friday by the Kaduna state commissioner for internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan while presenting the first Quarter Security report by the state Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs. Presenting the report to the Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Aruwan disclosed that a total of 323 people were killed from January to March 2021, out of which 292 were males and 20 females He also said that a total of 948 people were kidnapped by bandits within the period under review, while Kaduna central alone accounted for 236 deaths within Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Igabi, and Kajuru local government areas. Speaking earlier, Governor El’Rufai proffered a solution to the current insecurity situation across the country. According to

  Lagos Lists Possible  Charges Against Baba  Ijesha The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team on Friday listed possible charges against Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, also known as  Baba Ijesha , following sexual harassment allegation levelled against him. The Nollywood actor is currently in the Lagos State Police Command custody for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The spokesman to the Lagos Governor, Gboyega Akosile, in a statement listed the charges Baba Ijesha could face if legal action is carried out against him. The statement read, “ This is to inform members of the public that the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Team is actively following up on the Baba ljesha’s case, we are also in direct contact with the complainant with a view to providing the necessary support. “We confirm that the duplicate case file has been forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. For the avoidance of doubt, the following allegations

 INTERNATIONAL NEWS US to Prioritise Student Visa Applicants The United States Mission has said it will prioritize student visa applicants and ensure Nigerian students resuming this Fall get visa interview appointments well in advance of their program start date. In a statement on Friday US Mission Country Consular Coordinator Susan Tuller said the Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos would make every effort to assist student visa applicants in a timely fashion while keeping personnel and customers safe. “As we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our staff and customers, processing student visas remains a high priority for the U.S. Mission in Nigeria,” Country Consular Coordinator Tuller said. She added: “We will increase the number of student visa appointments in May and June to ensure that we can offer appointments to as many students as possible. If your U.S. studies are scheduled to begin this Fall, we encourage you to schedule your appointment as quickly as

 POLITICS Buhari Must Seek Help Now-Abubakar Bukola Saraki Immediate-Past President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Sarak argues that calling for help in Nigeria’s present situation of choking insecurity should not be viewed as a sign of weakness, but a courageous step which President Muhammadu Buhari must take immediately On Monday, April 26, Nigeria experienced one of the saddest days in recent memory. All in one day, from Anambra State to Kaduna, Yobe, Niger, and Lagos States, critical insecurity issues were recorded and reported. Hour after hour; breaking news after breaking news, we saw numerous unacceptable reports of violence, kidnapping, terrorism, and the systematic breakdown of law and order in many parts of the nation. This should not be so. We read reports of Boko Haram hoisting up its flag in Niger State, in Shiroro LGA that houses one of Nigeria’s largest power stations — and is just about 200 kilometres from our federal capital. We also read the statement of the Niger

 CRIME Bandits Invade Plateau School, Abduct Student The Plateau State Police Command yesterday confirmed the abduction of a student pastor at the King’s School, run by the Calvary International Ministry, also known as CAPRO, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state. Also, after fruitless efforts to secure the release of the 29 remaining abducted students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Kaduna, the parents of the abductees have threatened to take their protest to the National Assembly. The Plateau school is a few kilometres from the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang in the same local government area. It was learnt that the bandits invaded the school to kidnap many students, but the timely intervention of security agents forced them to withdraw, leaving with four students. But three of the abducted students later escaped during a gun battle between the security personnel and the abductors. The school was reportedly attacked in the early hours of yesterday when the

  INTERNATIONAL NEWS US begins withdrawal of troops  from Afghanistan The US military has started the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan, according to White House and US defense officials. White House Deputy Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, who confirmed this to reporters aboard the Air Force One on Friday, said: “A drawdown is underway. While these actions will initially result in increased forces levels, we remain committed to having all of US military personnel out of Afghanistan by September 11, 2020.” Fewer than 100 troops, along with military equipment, have been moved largely by aircraft to execute President Joe Biden's order to begin the withdrawal process no later than May 1, according to several US defense officials. “Contractors and US government workers are also departing the country,” a defense official said. The Pentagon had announced on Tuesday that it is concerned about personnel coming under attack from the Taliban as they depart, so it is not clear if i

  NEWS Al-Qaeda promises US ‘war on  all fronts’ if Biden pulls troops  out of Afghanistan Islamic terror group, Al-Qaeda, has warned the United States to expect ‘war on all fronts’ if it carries out the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan as orderd by President Joe Biden, without withdrawing their troops from otherIslamic countries. America’s “war on terror” is about to enter a new phase as Biden prepares to withdraw all US forces from Kabul by the 20th anniversary of 9/11, but now, Al Qaeda claims its war with America is far from over. A senior official of the group in a statement on Friday, said the “war against the US will be continuing on all other fronts unless they are expelled from the rest of the Islamic world.” In the past, Al-Qaeda has rarely responded to questions, choosing to be silent on the American ‘invasion ‘ but now, they say they have no option but to wage the war to force the US to withdraw its troops from other parts of the Middle East. Terrorism analyst Paul

 POLITICS Oshiomhole links insecurity in  north to actions of El-Rufai The former national Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has detailed reasons for the insecurity in the Northern region of the country. Oshiomhole made this assertion on Friday, during a speech delivered at the 2nd Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), National Peace and Security summit in Abuja. According to the former labour leader, the mass retrenchment of over 29,000 workers by the Kaduna State government led by Governor Nasir el-Rufai in the last two years have played a major role in contributing to the current insecurity experienced in the region. He said that there is a nexus between throwing workers out of their jobs and the resultant increase in unemployment and rising wave of insecurity. “The present high state of insecurity in Kaduna State has a lot to do with the penchant of the state government for throwing workers out of jobs. As we speak, from 2016 to date, over 29,000 wo

 ENNTERTAINMENT BBNaija Season 6: Open Auditions Start May 3 Following the early access auditions in March, plans have now been concluded for an open audition call for Big Brother Naija season 6 from Monday, May 3 till Sunday, May 16, 2021. Interested participants are expected to record a two-minute video of themselves stating why they should be picked to be a housemate in season 6 of BBNaija. Following this, they are to log on to www.africamagic.tv/BBAudition to fill out the online registration form and upload their videos. The online audition is free and open to Interested male and female participants, who are of Nigerian nationality with a valid identity document, and must be 21 years of age by June 1, 2021. On the start of the auditions for this new season, Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe said: “We are strengthening our investment in quality content with another season of BBNaija. BBNaija has become one of the most anticipated TV events across Africa and thi

 POLITICS Buhari: We Will Expose  You – APC Threatens  Father Ejike Mbaka The All Progressives Congress (APC) has admonished the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry,  Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka   to focus on his spiritual calling and leave politics for the politicians. The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena made the call on Friday in a reaction to Mbaka’s call for President Muhammadu Buhari to resign over the growing insecurity in Nigeria. It will be recalled that Mbaka earlier noted that President Buhari has failed the country woefully, hence he should resign or face impeachment. However, Nabena submitted on Friday that Mbaka shouldn’t be making such statements capable of destabilizing the country. He further threatened to expose Mbaka’s ‘dirty secrets’ to the Vatican and the Pope if the priest doesn’t stop levelling accusations against Buhari and other political leaders in the country. “One would wonder who Father Mbaka is emulating because the Lord Jesus Christ di

 POLITICS European Union (EU) advises  Nigerian government to  explore dialogue, legal  instruments in war against  insecurity Following the spate of insecurity in Nigeria, especially in the North East, the European Union (EU) has advised the Federal Government to look beyond the military in the ongoing war against terrorism, and banditry in the country Specifically, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and  Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, said the level of insecurity in the country has shown that though the military should not be foreclosed, other options, including dialogue and legal instruments, should be evolved and explored. Speaking at a media parley ahead of Europe Day 2021, Karlsen restated EU’s commitment to a strong and robust mutually beneficial partnership with Nigeria, and declared its unwavering support for the country in addressing challenges and seeking opportunities. He said the EU-Nigeria partnership was now stronger and m

 NEWS Germany first to hand back Benin bronzes looted by British Culture minister says country is facing up to ‘historic and moral responsibility’ by returning artefacts to Nigeria Benin bronzes at the British Museum in London. The museum holds the single largest collection of the artefacts, which were looted by the British on a punitive expedition to Benin City in 1897.  Photograph: Adam Eastland/Alamy Germany is to become the first country to hand back the Benin bronzes looted by British soldiers in the late nineteenth century, after the culture minister, Monika Grütters, announced it would start returning a “substantial” part of the artefacts held in its museums to Nigeria from next year. “We face up to our historic and moral responsibility to shine a light and work on Germany’s historic past,” Grütters said after museum experts and political leaders struck an agreement at a summit on Thursday. “The treatment of the Benin bronzes is a touchstone [of this process]”. Germany will pres