Crime
Police Authorities Vow to Arrest those plotting to disrupt Tinubu’s inauguration
Those plotting to disrupt the inauguration of the incoming administration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on May 29, 2023 have been warned by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, to desist or face the full wrath of the law.
The IGP, who said the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is working with other security agencies in the country, stated that such plots will be crushed.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the Department of State Services (DSS) had also noted that there were plans by some individuals in the country planning to set aside the constitution and install an interim government after May 29.
While speaking in Abuja on Monday, May 15, Baba stressed that the inauguration of the incoming administration on May 29 is sacrosanct, adding that those who are not satisfied with the outcome of the February 25, 2023, presidential election should stop heating up the polity.
The IGP full statement reads:
“Following the successful conclusion of the 2023 general election, it has been observed that some major political actors that the outcome did not favour, have been issuing public threats that are directed at instigating actions to frustrate the presidential inauguration on May 29.
“The Nigeria Police and the national intelligence community have been closely monitoring the activities of these political elites as well as other elements who have formed themselves into unpatriotic brands whose only fantasy, in recent times, is to subvert our national security interests.
“In so doing, they seem to be bent on deploying extra-judicial and undemocratic means to truncate our democratic heritage in the advancement of their narrow personal political considerations.
“The 29th May 2023 date for the swearing-in ceremony of the President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and indeed, other inauguration ceremonies at national and state levels, are sacrosanct.”
Baba, who said the peace and security of Nigeria should be sustained, noted that while police, in synergy with other security agencies, continue to closely monitor the activities of these political elements, it has become expedient to issue the stern warning.
He added: “Firstly, the Nigeria Police hereby sternly warns all political actors with subversive agenda and their collaborators, particularly, their foot soldiers who they are exposing to political radicalisation and extremism should, henceforth, jettison their ongoing premeditated attempts to create tension within the national space with intention of derailing the 29th May 2023 presidential inauguration ceremony.
“Secondly, any such persons, regardless of their political affiliations, who continuously engage in acts that are inimical to our nation’s democratic and security interests, should not be in doubt on the firm determination of the Nigeria Police under my watch to closely collaborate with the law enforcement family and the intelligence community to defend our democracy, keep the internal security order stable and optimally deploy our common unique assets towards guaranteeing the successful conduct of the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.
“Thirdly, we note that the inauguration ceremonies at all the national and state levels of government are a critical constitutional requirement for the sustenance of our political order as a nation and the Nigeria Police is duty and legally bound to defend our democratic heritage and closely police the constitutional processes.
“Consequently, I assure the citizens that our loyalty to our democratic and political order remains firm and unwavering. We will defend our democracy at all costs,” Baba stressed.
The IGP, however, urged Nigerians to be mindful of the antics of political elements who may want to manipulate their political passion to advance parochial, undemocratic, and unconstitutional objectives.
At least, eight farmers have been abducted by bandits in the Wasagu area of Kebbi State.
The fresh attack was confirmed by Chairman of Danko Wassagu Local Government, Hussaini Wasagu,.
The local government chairman said the attackers struck in the afternoon while farmers were on their fields.
According to him Eight farmers were taken away, and one person was shot,” he said.
He said the injured victim is receiving treatment at the Wasagu General Hospital, while the council are working with security agencies to ensure the safe return of those abducted.”
Community members say the gunmen, suspected to have crossed in from neighbouring Zamfara State, operated for several minutes before escaping with their victims.
Terrorists have attacked St Mary’s School, a Catholic-owned institution in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, and abducted an unconfirmed number of students and staff.
The attack took place in the early hours of Friday.
Local officials said the school was compiling its records and could not yet determine the number of people taken.
A source in one of the Catholic churches in Niger State confirmed the incident, stating that the church would issue an official statement after completing its investigation.
The Head of Department for Disaster and Relief in Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Rofia, also confirmed the attack.
He said the gunmen invaded the school between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. and that authorities were still assessing the scale of the abductions.
Spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun said he was aware of the enquiry and would provide details when available. “I know what you are calling. I will get the details and get back to you,” he said.
When pressed to confirm the incident, he added, “I need to get the details before. I will get back to you. Just give me time.
”Papiri is about 70 kilometers from Babana axis, where Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate in the Sahel, announced its presence in July.
The abduction happened less than a week after a similar abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State.Papiri town is one of the 10 political wards in the Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
A source in Rofia, a town 30 kilometres away from where the incident happened, also confirmed the incident.
The source whose name has been withheld for security reasons said residents of the town estimated that the terrorists came with 60 motorcycles and a van.
“They packed the students and their teachers in the van and went away with them,” he said.
Bello Gidi, the spokesperson for Agwara Local Government Chairperson Ilyasu Zakari, confirmed the attack, stating that efforts are ongoing to gather “factual details of the incident.
”The raid occurred days after 25 students were kidnapped in Maga, Kebbi State, adding to rising concern over attacks on schools in the region.
……Kanu’s Lawyer Ejimakor reveals next move after court judgment
Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team has vowed to appeal his life imprisonment sentence, insisting that the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court “does not hold water.
”Speaking to reporters shortly after the verdict, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, a consultant on the case, said they would take the matter to the Court of Appeal.
Ejimakor questioned the basis of the conviction, arguing that a man cannot be jailed for mere spoken words.
“What kind of precedent is being laid here? We are heading to the Court of Appeal,” he said.
“The Court of Appeal is the next forum in this country that sits as a jury. We will approach the justices to review what happened today, and we are confident they will see this as a travesty of justice.
”He added that if the Court of Appeal rules against them, they would proceed to the Supreme Court.
“Nnamdi Kanu is not going to stand convicted. The decision will be overturned,” he said.Ejimakor criticised the ruling as inconsistent with the evidence presented.
“This is the only day I have witnessed a man being convicted for mere pronouncements, for what he said, not for any act he committed.
“The sentence is overbroad, cruel, and unusual. How can someone be convicted for a broadcast from a location that was never named, without linking it to any act of violence or terrorism?,” he questioned.
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