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Benue Women Protest Over Attacks On Gov

Benue women protest over ‘attacks on Gov Ortom’ by Nigerian govt

Benue State women under the aegis of Concerned Benue Mothers, on Wednesday, staged a peaceful protest around the streets of Makurdi, the state capital, in solidarity with the State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who has been at loggerheads with the Federal Government.

The peaceful protest, tagged “5,000 match in support of Governor Samuel Ortom”, was led by a former House of Representatives member, Rebecca Apedzan.

The women all dressed in black, carried leaves and placards with different inscriptions, and declared their unalloyed support to Ortom in his fight to stop the killing of the state residents by armed herdsmen.

Hannatu Ullam, who read a statement on behalf of the women, said the herdsmen have been killing their children, husbands, mothers and sacked the people from their ancenstral homes.

The women called on the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, to tender an apology to the people of the state for calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the state.

The statement reads in part: “We are all aware how our state Governor, Samuel Ortom has been consistent, raising alarm over the sustained killings of innocent Benue citizens by the Fulani herdsmen.

“These Fulani armed militia not only kill our children, husbands, mothers and sack them from their ancestral homes but also rape our daughters and mothers.

“Governor Ortom who has been in the forefront, seeking that the Federal government takes decisive action and end this grave insecurity challenge has rather come under attack by no other person but Senator George Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

“As mothers, we are shocked that Senator Akume and his group chose the ignominious path to close their eyes against the pains visited on the people of Benue state by Fulani killer herdsmen. They rather preferred to take sides with a President that has not shown any form of concern at the attacks and killings perpetrated by his kinsmen against the law abiding people of our dear state.

“It is too early in the day for any discerning Benue son or daughter to forget President Buhari’s counsel that we should learn to live with our (killer) neighbours.

“It is surprising that Senator Akume who has benefited so much from Benue State will turn around to seek to destroy it for his selfish reasons. This is someone who was elected Governor for eight years and Senator for twelve years. Now he wants to destroy the same democratic structures that brought him into prominence.

“It is sad that Akume and his cohorts seek to trample on the pride of Benue to sing praises of a president and an administration that has failed to secure the lives of Benue people. We make bold to say that Akume’s outing was shameful and smacks of subservience, just to satisfy his masters who have no regards for the lives of the people of our great state.

“We are therefore calling on Senator Akume to make haste to tender an unreserved apology to the peace-loving people of Benue and His Excellency, Governor Ortom in order to avoid the wrath of the gods of the land.

“As a former governor, he should be in the forefront speaking against the mindless shedding of blood by herdsmen and not seen to be promoting hate on our governor for speaking truth to power simply because of political differences.”

In reaction, Ortom said he remains unshaken in ensuring peace in the State.

Ortom said: “I remain committed to Benue people. Whatever you want me to do, I will do. Nobody will intimidate me. The prohibition of open grazing has come to stay. Whether you are a Christian, Muslim, Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, you are free to operate here in Benue State as long as you operate in accordance with the law.

“There is no open grazing, RUGA, cattle colonies, no cattle routes, 180 settlement farms in Benue State.”

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Presidential Spokesman Ajuri Ngelale Proceeds On Indefinite Leave Of Absence

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has proceeded on an indefinite leave of absence.

Ngelale said the decision was taken after significant consultations with his family over the past days as a vexatious medical situation had worsened.

He made this known in a statement issued on Saturday to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

“On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family,” he said.

“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.

“I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit. I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and I during this time.”

The leave of absence implies that he would temporarily suspend his duties as spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu

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No tenure extension for IGP Egbetokun – Police

The Nigeria Police Force High Command has clarified the rumoured tenure extension for Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, stating that there was no extension granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Instead, the law governing the tenure of the IGP’s office was properly applied.

This clarification was made in a statement released on Friday in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

The statement reads, “the attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to various misleading reports and misinterpretations concerning the tenure of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, and wishes to categorically state that what His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, approved for the IGP is not an extension of tenure, but rather the proper application of the law governing the tenure of the office of the IGP.

“Contrary to the misinformation being circulated on social media and in the news, an appointment letter in circulation was issued to the IGP shortly after his appointment was confirmed by the Police Council.

This letter, dated 3rd November 2023, clearly stated that the President had approved a four-year tenure for the IGP in accordance with the provisions of Section 215(a) and Section 28(c) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

” It is important to emphasize that the IGP does not need to lobby for any tenure extension as his appointment letter explicitly grants him a four-year tenure from the date of his appointment

“The ongoing circulation of false information is clearly the handiwork of pessimists and mischief makers who are determined to spread baseless narratives against the office and the personality of the IGP for obvious reasons and pecuniary gains.

” Furthermore, the IGP has since been issued with another letter in accordance with the provisions of the Police Act, 2020 (as amended), which supersedes the earlier correspondence.

This clarification is necessary to put an end to the speculations and falsehoods being spread.

” We urge the public to disregard the unfounded reports and to trust that the tenure of the IGP is in full compliance with the laws governing the Nigeria Police Force.

In clear terms, IGP’s tenure of office is not subject to unnecessary debate and should not be a source of perennial distraction to policing system in Nigeria. The law is sacrosanct.”

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EFCC grabs 44 for internet fraud in Kwara

Forty-four (44) suspected internet fraudsters were arrested at different locations in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State on Friday by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Spokesperson for EFCC, Dele Oyewale said in a statement on Friday that the suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

“They were arrested on Friday September 6, 2024 at Sango, Kulende, Taxaco and Harmony Estate, all in Ilorin, following credible intelligence over their alleged involvement internet- related offences,” the EFCC spokesperson said.

He listed items recovered from the suspects to include six different brands of exotic cars, laptops, smart phones and charms.

The suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Ilorin Directorate of the anti-graft agency had also arrested 56 suspected internet fraudsters two days ago.