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BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY BOLA AHMED TINUBU, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE NATIONWIDE PROTEST SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST 2024My fellow Nigerians, I speak to you today with a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility, aware of the turmoil and violent protests unleashed in some of our states.Notably among the protesters were young Nigerians who desired a better and more progressive country where their dreams, hopes, and personal aspirations would be fulfilled.I am especially pained by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and other states, the destruction of public facilities in some states, and the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of protest organisers that the protest would be peaceful...

My fellow Nigerians, I speak to you today with a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility, aware of the turmoil and violent protests unleashed in some of our states. Notably among the protesters were young Nigerians who desired a better and more progressive country where their dreams, hopes, and personal aspirations would be fulfilled. I am especially pained by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and other states, the destruction of public facilities in some states, and the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of protest organisers that the protest would be peaceful across the country. The destruction of properties sets us back as a nation, as scarce resources will be again used to restore them. I commiserate with the families and re...

Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has alleged that 95 per cent of the youth who participated in Thursday’s violent protests in Maiduguri were children under 14 years. Mr Zulum made this known in a broadcast to the people of Borno, where he also declared the lifting of the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state. Mr Zulum said, “Over 95 per cent of those who participated in the so-called Thursday protests were children under 14 years. Most of them do not know why they are protesting. A six-year-old child carrying a placard is amazing; he must have been directed by someone. Most of those children are not from Borno. While we are not discouraging the Almajiri education, we must, however, have their teachers or guardians looking after them.” Mr Zulum said that a situation where thous...

Mr Dare-Michael was on Friday reportedly kidnapped by some gunmen on the Kaba-Okene road while on his way home. He was said to have been abducted alongside some of his aides. Confirming this development, the Kogi State police command’s spokesman, Williams Ovye-Aya, said, “I can confirm that the chairman graciously escaped from kidnappers in the early hours of Saturday. Our Divisional Police Officer in Kabba has confirmed that to me. It’s the work of God that the chairman was able to escape from his abductors. We give God the glory that he has returned to his family hale and hearty. All the same, our officers and men are already trailing the kidnappers to arrest them and rescue other people in their custody.’’ A family friend who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “I h...

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority said it has not suspended or halted Arik Air’s flight operations, which continued as scheduled and did not affect the airline’s ability to operate the remaining fleet. This is contained in a statement signed by the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, on Friday in Abuja. Mr Achimugu stated that NCAA was duty-bound to comply with court order attaching Arik Air’s aircraft (5NMJF; 5NMJQ; 5NBKX) following determination of its case at the Supreme Court and to ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards. The statement indicated, “Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority refers to the grounding of three (3) Arik Air aircraft following a court order/attachment. It is important to clarify that the action does no...

Security agents wearing balaclavas fired live ammunition at journalists shortly after noon on Saturday. The agents, dressed in black uniforms, arrived in a convoy of about six Sienna vehicles at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium and immediately aimed their weapons at journalists, who scrambled to find safety in nearby vehicles. A deep blue Toyota Corolla carrying reporters from Peoples Gazette and Premium Times was struck by three live bullets. The rear windshield of another Toyota Sienna, which was transporting journalists from The Punch and The Cable, was shattered into smithereens after being shot at by the armed agents. The journalists were stationed outside the stadium and refused a police directive to enter, arguing that the protest and demonstrators they were assigned...

Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed with a "short-range projectile" fired from outside his guesthouse in Tehran, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says. The paramilitary organisation said the projectile weighed about 7kg (16lbs) and caused a "strong blast", killing Haniyeh and his bodyguard last Wednesday. The Hamas leader had been visiting the Iranian capital for the inauguration of President Massoud Pezeshkian. The IRGC accused Israel of designing and implementing the operation - supported by the US. Israel has not commented on Haniyeh's death. The IRGC account is at odds with reports in Western media, which have suggested that explosives were planted in the guesthouse by Israeli operatives. The failures surrounding Haniyeh's death, especially on a day mark...

The Borno Police Command said it has discovered six projectile grenades allegedly abandoned by terrorists in Borno State. Accorsing to the police, the discovery was made at Ajilari Cross area in Maiduguri. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Yusuf Lawal, who disclosed this on Saturday while providing a situation report to newsmen in Maiduguri, said the projectiles were discovered on Friday. Lawal said that the personnel of the Explosive Ordnance Device, Base 13, deployed to the scene to assess the grenades, discovered that the explosives were manufactured with incendiary chemicals. The police also said that the area has been screened amd its now safe. Ge said: “In a separate incident, 20 suspects were arrested for burning tyres and inciting disturbances in Maiduguri...

Security operatives on Day three of the #EndBadGovernance and hunger in Nigeria dispersed protesters demonstrating in front of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. The nationwide protest started on Thursday, 1 August 2024. The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike had on Wednesday secured a court order restricting the protesters to the stadium. However, the protesters had refused to be restricted to the Stadium. They had made efforts to gather at the Eagle Square but the Security operatives would not allow that. On Saturday, the protesters were seen protesting outside the stadium before the police fired teargas at them. Yahoo Mail: Search, organise, conquer

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, has urged African countries to leverage the support of global partners for sustainable economic growth. The services, as well as financial policy, will be instrumental to determining the success of AfCTA. He urged African countries to share experiences and take useful lessons from the experiences of countries in their peer groups to address individual national challenges. “Nigeria, like many other African countries, faces economic challenges. ” Nonetheless, we are committed to the vision of a united and economically integrated Africa. “By sharing our experiences, including both successes and setbacks, we aim to contribute to paving the path towards sustainable and inclusive economic growth that benefits all citize...

The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) has pleaded with protesting Nigerians to call off the nationwide #EndHunger protest and give the government a chance to redeem itself.The council acknowledged the widespread challenges driving the protests but emphasised that civil unrest is not a viable solution and would only worsen the nation’s fragile state. This was disclosed in a statement jointly signed by Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and president-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and Archbishop Daniel Okoh, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, on Friday. The council expressed deep concerns over the outcome of the nationwide protests. “Despite pleas from all quarters, the protest took a turn for the worse and became viole...

The police command in Kano has announced the detention of 320 suspects allegedly involved in vandalising public buildings during the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests. The command’s spokesman, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed this during a parade of the suspects at the police headquarters on Friday. Mr Kiyawa stated that the suspects were apprehended at the premises of high courts and other public buildings, with various items found in their possession. He explained that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, had established a comprehensive security network to ensure that the residents could go about their legitimate activities without any let or hindrance. The police appealed to the residents to support their efforts by providing intelligence information...

The Police Command in Lagos State says it is presently not holding anyone for participating in the ongoing protest against hardship in the state. The command ‘s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)on Friday in Lagos, stated that no protester was in its custody. “All protesters arrested on Thursday were released same Thursday. The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, called the State CID to order for their release,” he said. One of those leading the protests, Mr Inibehe Effiong ,had told the gathering at Gani Fawehinmi Park that no fewer than 12 protesters were arrested on Thursday. Effiong ,however, later corroborated the police spokesperson’s claim that all those arrested had been rele...

The police command in Lagos state has confirmed detention of three domestic workers over the death of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s daughter’s death. The state police public relations officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to journalists on Wednesday. “Three domestic staff have been arrested and handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department, which has since taken over the investigation,” he said. Mr Hundeyin said that the daughter, Ms Chukwu, was found dead in Lagos on Wednesday. “Chukwu was found lifeless this morning (Wednesday) about 6:45 a.m. at the entrance of her parents’ house on Bembe Street, Parkview Estate, Lagos,” Hundeyin said. The spokesperson that the detention of the three suspects was in line with a directive from the Lagos state Commissione...

Protesters have looted the newly built Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Industrial Park in Kano. A youth-led nationwide protest against economic hardship kicked off across Nigeria on Thursday. The demonstrations have also turned ugly in Yobe, Lagos, Borno, Gombe and Abuja — with police aiming teargas canisters at peaceful protesters. The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Kano, which is scheduled for commissioning next week, was raided by the protesters and set ablaze. Some youths were seen making away with desktop computers, chairs, keyboards, and other appliances. Bosun Tijani, minister of communications and digital economy, said the development would be a setback. “Sad to learn that our Digital Innovation Park in Kano slated for launch nex...

Dear Sir, I am writing to respectfully urge the leadership to prioritize the safety and dignity of our officers on the field. It is increasingly common to see police officers hanging precariously at the back of patrol vans, an unsafe practice that not only endangers their lives but also undermines the professional image of the Force. Police work is a noble profession, deserving of respect and proper safety measures. Officers should not be exposed to unnecessary risks while performing their duties. I strongly recommend the enactment of new regulations that ensure all officers are seated safely and securely in patrol vehicles. By addressing this issue, the Nigeria Police Force can continue to uphold the standards of professionalism and demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of ...

Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, has described the death of veteran singer Onyeka Onwenu, as as the exit of a nightingale and a music icon.Ms Onyeka passed away Tuesday, July 30, in Lagos. She completed a performance at the birthday party of Stella Okoli when she was suddenly rushed to the Reddington Hospital in Lagos. The governor in his reaction to the news of the music icon’s death on Wednesday in Enugu said, “Onyeka Onwenu was a music icon, a songstress par excellence, and a nightingale personified. She was born to sing, and she delivered on her earthly mission in memorable and superlative manners, winning many awards in the process. “The demise of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; lawmaker representing Anambra South Senatorial Di...

The Lagos State chapter of the Accord Party on Wednesday described Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s revocation order on building approvals and permits as ill-advised.The Lagos State Chairman of the party, Dele Oladeji, said that the revocation order was an arbitrary authoritarian veto, which should have been approached in a better way. The Lagos State government has announced revocation of existing building permits and ordered builders to reapply for validation to continue construction. The Special Adviser to the governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Olajide Babatunde, said this during a visit to the collapsed building site in Maryland, Ikeja, on Saturday. The order follows the collapse of a building under construction on Thursday at 13, Wilson Mba Street, Arowojobe Estate, Maryl...