Mohammed Shosanya

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) on Operations Hakorin Damisa IV have arrested 39 criminal suspects in connection with banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery as well as recovered arms/ammunition and hard drugs on the Plateau.

The suspects were arrested at different locations within the Joint Operation Area of Operation Safe Haven and 3 Division Nigerian Army area of responsibility.

Two of the suspects have been on the wanted list for involvement in several armed robbery and kidnaping activities,according to the spokesman of the ST,Captain Oya James.

In a statement issued in Jos on Tuesday,James said troops of operation Safe Haven have recovered 1 AK 47 rifle, 1 pump-action magnum gun, 1 AK 47 Magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62mm special and an itel mobile phone from the suspects.

According to him,a suspected kidnapper and arms dealer was also captured at Kuba village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State .

He said troops arrested 2 militia gang members identified to be among those who attacked Heipang general area recently and recovered 2 x AK 47 rifles,7 fabricated rifles and 4 pump action cartridges during the operations.

He added:” A drug syndicate operating in Bassa Local Government Area was also nabbed during a sting operations and 7 drug peddlers arrested with a large cache of drugs.”

He disclosed that troops arrested a total of 307 cows for grazing on farmlands belonging to locals at Kubat Community and Mabel village of Mangu and Bokkos LGAs respectively.

He added:” Furthermore, a total of 37 distress calls were prompted responded to by OPSH within the period leading to the rescue of 17 kidnapped victims, foiling of cattle rustling and repelling of attacks on vulnerable communities especially in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The African Union on Tuesday announced the suspension of Niger from all of its institutions and activities following last month’s coup pending the effective restoration of constitutional order in the country.

The African union,in a communique, explained that its decision to suspend Niger followed the failure of the military junta to hand over power to the democratically elected President, Mohammed Bazoum.

It said:“The AU decides, in line with the relevant AU instruments, in particular, the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, to immediately suspend the participation of the Republic of Niger from all activities of the AU and its Organs and institutions until the effective restoration of constitutional order in the country.

“The AU in this regard, calls upon all Member States of the AU and the international community including bilateral and multilateral partners, at large to reject this unconstitutional change of government and to refrain from any action likely to grant legitimacy to the illegal regime in Niger.”

It also lauded the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States in its efforts to ensure a return to democratic rule in Niger.

“The AU commends the efforts of ECOWAS under the leadership of H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and calls on AU Member States to fully implement the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS and endorsed by the PSC and requests the Commission, in consultation with ECOWAS, to regularly inform the Council on the progress being made on the implementation of the imposed sanctions.”the communique added.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Oyo state government has renewed its call for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) recognition of Sango festival held annually in the ancient Oyo town.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun,who disclosed this in Ibadan,added that this will complement the Oyo State Government’s existing drive to promote its culture-tourism potential.

He said,while Oyo town showcases the annual Sango festival by its devotees, there are other cultural festivals that showcase the rich culture of Oyo State.

He reiterated the administration’s commitment to enlist the World Sango Festival amongst other World Festivals recognized by UNESCO.

He also said the government will ensure participation in the World Festival of Sango, coming up in South Africa later in the year, adding that this will give global credibility to the Sango Festival in Oyo Town.

The Bashorun of Oyo Land and the Head of Oyomesi, High Chief Akinade Yusuf Ayoola appreciated the Oyo State Government’s efforts at making Sango Festival a World class celebration.

The Aare Olusese of Ibadanland, Aare Olubunmi Omikemi Egbelade has commended Governor ‘Seyi Makinde for fulfilling the promise he made to traditional religious worshippers during his electioneering campaign to grant their request for special recognition of Isese Day celebration in the state.

He pledged their support for a peaceful Oyo state as they celebrate their faith.

The Aare Olusese made this known during the celebration of Isese festival at Mapo hall, Ibadan.

He said adherents were grateful to the state government for breaking the record, among other South-west states to approve Isese Day.

Besides,the Special Assistant to the Governor on Interfaith matters, Revd. Olufemi Ibikunle urged the Isese worshippers to pray for sustainable peace in the state.

Charles Soludo,Governor of Anambra State, has announced a package of palliatives for Anambra citizens especially for workers, pensioners and the vulnerable in the state.

Soludo announced that apart from salary increase of 10 percent,the government will be paying every pensioners and public servants in the employ of the state and the 21 local government areas a monthly flat non-taxable cash award of N12,000 until December 2023.

In a broadcast,Soludo said this is to augment their monthly take-home.

He said,government will continue to clear the backlog of gratuity and pension of our pensioners.

He also said government,will be distributing rice to over 300,000 households in the coming weeks across the 326 wards in the state.

He said,hawkers,wheel barrow and truck pushers; vulcanizers; artisans, okada drivers; petty traders and so on with capital of less than N100,000 have been exempted from all forms of taxation.

He added:The IGR payments of ALL transporters — Keke, Minibus, etc are hereby reduced by 20% with effect from September 01, 2023.

He also announced that primary school to Junior Secondry schools will remain tuition free for the period.

He added:”Levies,fees,and charges in these schools will be reviewed before schools resumption in September 2023, when further announcements to sanitize the system and reduce the burden on pupils/students and their sponsors will be made”

He added that henceforth,free antenatal services and free delivery services to pregnant mothers in State primary health centres and general hospitals will be provided,while more comprehensive medical package especially the senior citizens and children will be announced.

Imploring landlords to show empathy to their tenants and consider easier options for rent payment, Soludo said government will repair and renovation all serviceable Public Servants Staff Buses currently under the office of the Head of Service of Anambra State to facilitate the movement of public servants.

He added that his government will be applying to purchase many of the CNG-fueled buses to be provided by the Federal Government for intra-state transportation with the aim of reducing the cost of transportation within Anambra and embark on immediate on the repair of existing water boats and purchase new ones.