Suspected Fulani militia kills final year student in Kaduna

 

Suspected Fulani militia has gruesomely killed a 24-year-old final year student of Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria identified as Isaac Thomas in Atakmawei, Zamandabo ward, in Atyap Chiefdom, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) in Southern Kaduna.

This was contained in a statement released on Friday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), Mr. Luka Binniyat,

The SOKAPU PRO said the Fulani militia laid ambush for Isaac, his brother Anthony Magaji and one other person, on the way to their sugar cane farm.

According to the statement, “the Fulani militia on the 8th September 2020 lay an ambush for three Atyap youths from Atakmawei in the same Zamandabo Ward in Atyap Chiefdom, as they went to clear weed in their sugar cane farm about a kilometer from their village.

“Suddenly, armed herdsmen came from hiding and struck. They descended on them with daggers and machetes. Isaac Thomas, a final year student of Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria, was hacked down. They axed his neck and head with macabre wounds and killed him instantly”

“Anthony Magaji, also an OND student of the same school, managed to escape with life-threatening injuries and is now under intensive care in a hospital, while the third escaped with less injury.”

The colleague of the deceased identified as Ugwuja also confirmed the incident and further stated that Anthony is still in critical condition.

“I regret to announce the sudden death of a colleague, friend and a humble secretary of Our Lady Cause of Our Joy Praesidium, Legion of Mary Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria.. Brother Isaac Thomas.. A final year HND student at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria”

“He was attacked along side his brother Magaji Anthony who is in critical condition now, but the attackers (herdsmen) succeeded in killing Isaac it all happened in their hometown Kafanchan early morning of today.. Brother with a heavy heart we pray your soul rest in peace and may perpetual light shine in your part, Amen”.

- PM NEWS

EPL: Giroud speaks on leaving Chelsea for Juventus

 Chelsea striker, Olivier Giroud, has denied he is set to leave the club for Juventus this summer.

Recall that reports from Italian outlet, Gianluca DiMarzio, had claimed that Giroud have reached an agreement in principle with Juventus over a two-year deal at 4.5 million per season.

When asked about the speculation ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Brighton on Monday, Giroud told Telefoot: “Italians, they get carried away quickly.

“I was surprised to receive messages from friends this morning telling me about this rumour.

“That is far from being the case. I’m a Chelsea player, and I feel good here.

“I did not have the great end of the season that I did to leave like this, and not believe in my chances.

“I will fight for my place. But it is always good to get the attention of these kinds of clubs, it is flattering. But I remain focused on Chelsea.

“We’ll see what’ll happen in the coming weeks. But there is nothing signed or done. I prefer to deny it.”

Giroud, 33, faces competition for a starting spot at Chelsea from summer signings Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, as well as striker, Tammy Abraham.

- DAILY POST

Victim: How my pastor trafficked me to Russia for prostitution

 When Florence Abu, a hair stylist, left the shores of Nigeria for Russia in 2012, she thought it would be for a good cause. She embarked on the journey abroad not just to better her lot but to improve the fortune of her family, but that was not the case.

Abu, an indigene of Edo state, soon found herself knee deep in modern day slavery. She had been trafficked out of Nigeria unsuspectingly. On getting to Russia, she had engaged in menial jobs until her handlers told her that the real reason she was in the country was prostitution.

Abu said she was wooed to travel abroad by an assistant “pastor” in her church. She said he claimed that he saw a “vision” of her prospering abroad. According to a 2016 UNESCO report, poverty is the reason women and children are vulnerable to being trafficked. Another report by the Global Slavery Index ranked Nigeria 32 out of 167 countries where persons are trafficked from.

For assurance that she would not abscond on getting to Russia, the hair stylist said she was asked to give her pubic hairs and finger nails to her pastor’s  mother. Abu said she was also told to pay $46,000 to be free again or be killed.

“I first of all refused the offer but he now told me that I don’t have a choice because God showed him in a revelation that my destiny is not in the country, that my destiny is outside the country and for me to achieve that aim, I need to leave the country so I can earn better money and also help my family and take them away from poverty and for me to also have a better stay,” the hair stylist said.

“When he said that, I was like okay but I don’t have the money to leave, how am I going to leave, and he said that not the problem, and that they are the ones that are going to fix the bills to leave. The only thing they will request from me is for me to go and look for money to do my international passport, that if I can do my international passport, then the rest of the things they are doing is on them.

‘I WENT THROUGH HELL’

Abu said when she got to Russia, she was exposed to prostitution. She said sometimes she was forced to be on call with different “clients” for more than 24 hours.

The stylist said when she complained to her handler of how dangerous some of the clients were, the “madam” did not care and only requested the proceeds of her prostitution.

“I go out with men, at times for a week; sometimes, I have bad clients. Some carry guns, some chase me out of their house naked. In broad day light, I’ll run for my life without wearing anything,” she said.

“I even went out one day and they threw me from a three-storey building. I broke my hand, I was at home for two months and my madam said she would not be the one feeding me.”

Abu was repatriated back to Nigeria after she came down with a mysterious illness.

VICTIM TURNED ACTIVIST

Having returned to the country in 2017 after spending five years in Russia, Abu has been working hard to re-establish her hair styling business and collaborating with different groups to create enlightenment against trafficking and illegal migration.

“I spent five years in Russia, I have been here now since February 2017,” she said.

“What I’ve been doing, I’m a hair stylist but I don’t have a stall now, I’m planning to have one which is I’m looking for support so that I can be able to set up my business.

“I never said because I am afraid of them even with the threat and everything I said I can’t let them go because I know what I suffered back there in Russia and this person told me that my life is in her hands so I let her know that God that brought me here, he didn’t just bring me here for a purpose and I can’t see other girls also wasting their lives.”

‘PASTOR WHO TRAFFICKED ABU FACING CHARGES’

 

Okoduwa

Solomon Okoduwa, national coordinator, Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Reintegration (IYAMIDR), said some of those involved in the trafficking of Abu are being prosecuted.

“The case is still ongoing, the trafficker, the mother, the pastor, all the culprits involved have been arrested, and they are currently facing the charges filed by the federal government through the NAPTIP office, that is what is going on right now,” he said.

“Florence is very healthy though not economically healthy so we pray that through this interview, people that hear her ordeal, hear her speak, see her courage, see her determination to see that yes these people are brought to book will also come to support her.”

‘IGNORANCE, ILLITERACY AIDING TRAFFICKING’

NAPTIP DG

Julie Okah-Donli, director-general of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), said poverty, ignorance, illiteracy and deceit are factors aiding the trafficking of people out of the country.

“First of all it is ignorance and then deceit and then off course illiteracy plays a major role I mean because when somebody tells you that you are going to be given a good job abroad, you don’t have a work visa, a work permit, you don’t have a stay, how are you going to survive in a place like that and that’s why because of their vulnerability by virtue of their status, they are easily trafficked,” the director-general said.

“So these are the major factors, I’m not ruling out poverty in the sense that they approach the parents and tell them, okay we are going to take your daughter somewhere to work, you know she’s going to have a better life and send you money and all of that but trust me 80 percent is ignorance, illiteracy and deceit.”

Okah-Donli said over 16,000 victims have been rescued from human traffickers.

Ibizugbe is a 2020 CivicHive Media fellow.

Strike looms as NLC plans meeting on petrol, electricity price hike

 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says organised labour will soon state their position on the hike in fuel and electricity price.

Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.

On September 1, distribution companies increased electricity tariff after the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved N62.33 per kwh from N30.23.

On September 2, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) increased ex-depot price to N151 per litre from N145.

The pump price is now being sold between N159 and N163.

The federal government argued that the previous rates of petrol and electricity were the lowest in Central and West Africa.

Reacting, Wabba noted that labour’s Central Working Committee (CWC) would met and agreed on appropriate action.

“Labour takes one battle at a time; it does not make announcement without backing its action.”

Wabba said NLC had remained consistent on neo-liberal policies and would act on the increments.

He added that it was high time Nigeria started refining products locally to solve importation challenges.

Mustafa Chike-Obi, ex Managing Director of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), had declared that functional refineries would not reduce petrol price.

- DAILY POST

AstraZeneca, Oxford University resume COVID-19 vaccine trials

 

Clinical trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford have resumed after a six-day pause.

The trials were paused due to “potentially unexplained illness” in the United Kingdom.

Both AstraZeneca and its partners, the University of Oxford researchers said the trials have resumed.

AstraZeneca said the resumption of trials followed the all-clear from British regulators.

“Clinical trials for the AstraZeneca Oxford coronavirus vaccine, AZD1222, have resumed in the UK following confirmation by the Medicines Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) that it was safe to do so,” the company said in a statement.

In a release, Oxford University said the study vaccines had been administered to some 18,000 patients as part of the trial.

“In large trials such as this, it is expected that some participants will become unwell and every case must be carefully evaluated to ensure careful assessment of safety,” the release said.

Oxford University researchers said they were unable to disclose the patient’s medical information due to “participant confidentiality.”

An independent safety review was conducted Sept. 6 during what was referred to as a “routine action” to maintain the “integrity of the trials.” It concluded on Saturday.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for AstraZeneca said the brief pause was triggered after one woman developed “severe neurological symptoms” after taking the experimental COVID-19 vaccine.

AstraZeneca said the company’s “standard review process triggered a study pause to vaccination across all of our global trials to allow the review of safety data by an independent safety review committee, and the national regulators.”

“All routine follow-up appointments continued as normal during this period,” they said.

“We are committed to the safety of our participants and the highest standards of conduct in our studies and will continue to monitor safety closely.”

- PM NEWS

NEMA laments endless communal clashes in Ebonyi

 

The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, AVM Mohammadu Mohammed (Rtd), at the weekend, expressed worry over the continued communal clashes in Ebonyi State.

Mohammed revealed this while distributing emergency relief items to over 2000 peasant farmers of Amagu community in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi State, who were displaced in their residences as a result of communal crisis.

DAILY POST gathered that the relief materials were approved by President Muhammadu Buhari through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Mohammed, represented by the Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Fred Anoziem, said that the materials which comprised foods and non foods essential materials were aimed at providing succour to the victims of various intra and inter community crises in Ikwo.

He stated that the benefiting communities include Ochuenyum, Ofenekpe, Agubia and parts of Alike community.

The Director stated further that the agency was aware of the various communal clashes through boundary disputes, internal political manoeuvring, traditional title tuzzle, among others.

He noted that the boundary clashes involved communities in Ikwo, as well as Ikwo and their neighbours in Cross River State.

According to him: “The agency is aware of the border/land boundary dispute that erupted between Ikwo and Cross River communities in April 2013; also, in June 2016 another report of crisis from the area reached us while the third was reported in January this year.

“Communities involved have been completely displaced and their farmlands declared buffer zones.

“It is, therefore, a sad note to lose lives, property and those affected pass through the trauma of displacement over crises which has recently assumed greater dimension,” he said.

Mohammed, however, urged most communities to shun communal crises noting that it is regrettable that youths of these days no longer have regard or fear for human lives or respect for tradition and constituted authorities.

“Ebonyi, hitherto known for peace, unity and love for communal development, is gradually turning into a theatre of hostilities,” he added.

In a remark, the federal lawmaker representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Mr. Chinedu Ogah, commended Buhari for approving the fund for the materials and assured that the materials would be adequately distributed to the benefitting communities.

The lawmaker said that he was liaising with his colleagues from Cross River State in the House of Representatives to find a lasting solution to the intractable interstate boundary disputes.

According to him: “Though the relief materials are meant for three communities, we are going to extend the materials to other victims in Igbudu and Ekpomaka communities, as well as other victims of conflicts because more are coming,” he said.

In a swift reaction, the Executive Secretary of Ebonyi Emergency Management Agency who represented Gov David Umahi commended the lawmaker for effective representation of his constituents.

It was gathered that materials distributed include; 503 bags of 5 kilogrammes parboiled rice, 503 bags of garri, 403 bags of beans, 61 bags of iodised salt, 125 bags of granulated sugar, 147 cartons of seasoning, among others.

Non-food materials included 1500 pieces of blankets, 1500 pieces of mosquitoes nets, 1000 pieces of foam mattresses, 1200 pieces of ceiling boards, 1400 bags of cement, among others.

- DAILY POST

MKO Abiola’s children: How our stepmother got us arrested over robbery at our father’s house

 

Kassim and Aliyu Abiola, two children of the late MKO Abiola, self-acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, have slammed a N100 million suit against the police.

The duo sued the Lagos state commissioner of police over their arrest and detention in connection with a robbery incident at their family house.

TheCable had reported how gunmen invaded the residence of the late businessman in Ikeja, Lagos, on September 2.

Bala Elkana, spokesman of the Lagos police command, had earlier told TheCable that some suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.

In the suit Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), filed on their behalf at the state high court,  Kassim and Aliyu alleged that Adebisi Abiola, their stepmother, is responsible for their arrest, having accused them of being involved in the incident.

“The applicants were tortured, totally humiliated, dehumanised and terrorised, with a crowd of people swarming the premises to witness the ugly scene in the home of MKO Abiola, a former presidential aspirant of the Social Democratic Party,” read an affidavit filed in support of the suit.

“The applicants were informed that their arrest was based on an alleged complaint by one Mrs Adebisi Abiola, their stepmother, to the effect that a robbery incident took place in their home; that suspected armed men invaded the residence and carted away valuables, including money.

“The applicants were forcibly dragged like common criminals, more in form of abduction than arrest and roughly driven to the Ikeja police station.

“They were promptly detained without any record, howsoever. They were not given any opportunity to speak with anyone, let alone a lawyer.”

Ozekhome asked the court to order the release of Kassim and Aliyu as their arrest was a violation of their fundamental human right.

- THECABLE

‘We are the only country where politicians earn billions’ — Afe Babalola advocates new people’s constitution

 

Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, says politicians are benefiting from the “flaws” in the 1999 constitution.

In an interview with TheSun, Babalola said because they are beneficiaries of the constitution, they would not be able to make proper amendments where necessary.

The 1999 constitution was drawn under the supervision of the military, and some of its contents were part of the draft constitution prepared under Sani Abacha, the late head of state.

The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) explained that the calls for the amendment of the constitution were not necessary, adding that what was needed was a sovereign national conference to produce a new constitution that would benefit the ordinary people.

“The only way out is not an amendment to the flawed constitution but a new people’s constitution through a sovereign national conference,” he said.

“The politicians who are in government, in the national assembly, and who are benefiting from the flawed constitution can never make any good and proper constitution for this country and no amendment can ever do so.

“In 1965, we had a house of assembly and the senate. Nobody earned salaries then; what they earned was sitting allowance.

“Look at the house of assembly, senate. Now, hardly will you find 50 people there in a day and they earn salaries. They even talked about pension. So, there is no way you can amend the constitution. They will make sure that they remain earning these billions of naira. We are the only country where people earn billions.”

According to him, the 1999 constitution was drafted to allow the “military to perpetuate themselves in power”.

“For example, Awolowo paid 55 percent of the revenue on education, knowing the importance of education. People saw themselves as Nigerians then. Unfortunately, the military came in 1966, jettisoned the constitution and ruled by decrees. When they were going away in 1999, they did not return us to the constitution which they suspended and then they brought their own constitution and presented it as constitution made by Nigerians. That was a lie; even right from the face of it, it was a lie,” Babalola said.

“Actually, the constitution they made was done in such a way that it will allow the military to perpetuate themselves in power, and that is why you find, all the time, those who are in the military were coming back in one form or the other. We have never had good government ever since.”

The lawyer said the only way Nigeria could get it right with its constitution is by calling for a “sovereign national conference”.

“The meaning of that is that whatever they decide will not be subject to amendments by these people,” he said.

“I have participated in many conferences and at the end of the day what comes out of it? They want to spend another N2 billion for amendment; what are you amending?”

- THECABLE

I expect 30 goals from Osimhen at Napoli – Diego Maradona Jr.

 

Diego Maradona Junior has hailed Super Eagles’ Victor Osimhen, as a 30-goal striker.

Osimhen sealed a move from Lille to Napoli this summer.

Maradona, who was born in Naples, Italy and nurtured in the SSC Napoli academy, is the son of Argentine football legend, Diego Maradona.

The 33-year-old forward believes Osimhen will shine in the Italian Serie A, having already netted two hat-tricks in preseason friendlies.

Maradona, who represented Italy at the 2008 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, told Gonfialarete: “He is a forward with a great prospect, with room for improvement.

“If put in the right conditions, he can become a 30 goal striker. He’s just 21.

“I have expressed some doubts about his construction phase when it comes to tying up the game.

“He doesn’t have to do it too much, it doesn’t have to be his first goal. He is good at attacking depth and if he has space in front it hurts,” he added.

Napoli will kick off their 2020/2021 Serie A campaign against Parma at the Stadio Ennio Tardini on September 20.

- DAILY POST

Pregnant woman shot dead in Lagos

 

A bloody clash between suspected cult groups at Aleke community in Ikorodu, Lagos on Thursday has led to the killing of one pregnant woman identified as Risikat Saliman.

Saliman, 35, was shot dead after dozens of suspected cultists invaded Aleke community market around 8 pm and started shooting sporadically.

The Baale of Aleke Adeniyi Okemati said the hoodlums had gunned down the mother of two before the arrival of policemen from Imota division.

“I don’t know why they came and be terrorising our people. We want Lagos government to intervene so that we can collectively curb the menace to enable my people sleep with their two eyes closed,” he said.

The Baale urged residents to collaborate with local vigilante teams to curb insecurity in the area.

Brother of the deceased Babatunde Saliman told NAN that he met his sister “at the market lying in a pool of blood; some of her friends who came to the scene said that she was pregnant.”

“Her body has been released by the police and was taken to Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary in preparation to transport her to her home town in Kwara State,” he said.

Mr Saliman called on the police to investigate the killing and ensure the suspects are brought to justice.

Lagos police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said the cult clash was between Aiye and Eiye confraternity.

He added that policemen have restored normalcy to the area while the matter had been taken to the State Criminal Invesgation Department (SCID) Panti, Lagos.

He said: “The woman was killed by a stray bullet when the two rival cults of Eiye and Aiye engaged each other in a supremacy battle.

“The Commissioner of Police in the state, Hakeem Odumosu, has zero tolerance for cultism. Cultism breeds various other crimes wherever they exist.”

- PM NEWS

Oyedepo: You’re a mad dog with bipolar – Dunamis pastor, Paul Enenche attacks Daddy Freeze

 

Paul Enenche, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Christian Centre, has lambasted popular On-Air Presenter, Daddy Freeze over his attacks on pastors in Nigeria.

Enenche described Daddy Freeze as a mad dog who is suffering from bipolar disease.

The Dunamis pastor was reacting to a trending video where the OAP described Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church as a “baldheaded fowl.”

In a statement he issued, the clergyman stressed that the OAP has no moral values and respect.

He warned that Daddy Freeze risked the wrath of God if he continues attacking pastors in the country.

According to Enenche: “At this moment, it is imperative for us to address certain issues for the sake of upcoming generations. Otherwise, when evil is allowed to persist, it would be viewed as good.

“The culture of respect is a well-rooted scriptural bible culture.

“In Act 23:5, when Paul the Apostle spoke in a careless way, regarding the high Priest Ananias and his attention was drawn, he immediately withdrew his word and apologised.

“The culture of respect is also a deeply-rooted African culture. So strong that in parts of this country, in the west, children prostrate to greet fathers and elders.

“Yesterday, a man drew my attention from America, regarding a video that was mimicking God’s servant, Bishop David Oyedepo, posted by the MAD DOG called Freeze. MAD DOG emphasized. Someone said, Pastor, why are you calling someone a mad dog, Jesus did that first; he called Herod a wild dog – a fox.

“I said MAD DOG because that is spot diagnoses. Spot diagnoses is a situation whereby you know a sickness by just looking at the patient without even asking any questions. What he is exhibiting a is mad behavior.

“That is schizophrenia, schizophreniform behavior. That is mania. That is bipolar disorder. That is attention seeking psychopathic disorder. A man looking for attention by all means, trying to pull down people who have built values over the years.”

Enenche also backed the Pastor David Ibiyeomie of Salvation Ministries for calling Daddy Freeze a bastard.

The Dunamis pastor said the OAP deserved to be called a bastard because be behaves like one.

“Someone said they called him a bastard. I believe that the title is not less than what it is, because if that is not the title to be called, when last did you behave like someone who grew in a home? When last did you behave like someone whose father gave him any morals or value? When last did you behave like somebody who knows culture? What did your father teach you growing up? What did you learn as a child? And here you are, wifeless, houseless, jobless. You can’t keep a wife, can’t keep a job. Can’t keep nothing and you are speaking about someone who is married for close to 40 solid years.

“When last did a tailor advise a surgeon how to operate? When last did a carpenter tell a Senior Advocate of Nigeria how to stand before the court to defend a case? What do you know about marriage when you can’t keep a home. What do you know about life, success and destiny? Who is a baggage of moral bankruptcy. A baggage of emptiness of character, talking about people who you are a never up to and will never be up to even if they gave you a thousand lifetimes. If you are in the same class of architecture with Bishop David Oyedepo, ask yourself, where will your position be? That is if you are able to study such a course. Or you are in mathematics class with Pastor EA Adeboye, ask yourself, where will you be found in a mathematics class where he did a first degree in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics in Masters. Where will you be? In his PhD in hydro-dynamics with stokes equation – specialty. Have you heard of that before? Or where will you be in our anatomy class, in pharmacology, pharmaco-dynamics, pharmaco kinetics? What do you know about etiopathogenesis of diseases? Have you ever heard of such before? What will be your rating in such classes?

“They are people who would have defeated you from the scratch if you were their age mate. And they will defeat you till tomorrow. Ask yourself this question, how many life times will you need, to be able to employ 35,000 people in your organization? That is what Bishop Oyedepo has done successfully and beyond that. How many life times will you need to be able to run two universities world class? Covenant University is among top 500 universities in the world, it’s number 4 in Africa and number 1 in Nigeria.

“What value have you added? What do you have you to offer, other than to stay on the pulpit and speak of what you know nothing about? I advise you, you are already a cursed man, a cursed man by virtue of bankruptcy of everything around you. But you better repent now, otherwise, Jehovah, whom you have stood against will deal with you and your lineage.

“Let me give you a final counsel, before you talk about married people and people in ministry, go ahead and get yourself a wife, get a family, succeed in the marriage then you have any audacity, temerity or any effrontery to speak further on marriage or on any issue bordering on life and success, otherwise you are a colossal monumental generational waste of existence,” he said.

Enenche also advised Daddy Freeze to start a church and work towards its success since he was so interested in pastoring.

“Secondly, since you are so interested in pastoring and in pastors, get yourself a church started from the scratch, gather a 100 people physically, gather them up to 1,000 and up to 10,000 and when you are through with that, pray for the sick, deliver the oppressed, help their widows and orphans, and then run it successfully, then you have an advice to give to anybody who is in the ministry, otherwise close your irresponsible mouth forever and never to be heard.

“And for everyone who follows gullibly, irresponsible personalities such as this, valueless entities, worthless entities, adding nothing to society, offering nothing. Just don’t waste your life, go face your front and do what you need to do to make a mark in your generation.

“What you attack, you can’t attract, what you hate, you can’t have, what you don’t like, you must lack, don’t waste your life following a vehicle going nowhere. Don’t waste your life listening to a man, who is speaking on something he has no experience about, don’t waste your life. A caution to you. When the young men spoke against Elisha and called him baldheaded man of God, the curse of the Lord overran them. Don’t waste your life. Retrace your step and make amend. In the name of Jesus Christ,” be added.

- DAILY POST

NEXT LEVEL IN PROGRESS !! Bakers ask Nigerians to expect 50 percent increase in bread prices

 The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) says a 50 percent increase in the prices of bread is inevitable.

Raji Omotunde, Lagos state chapter chairman of AMBCN, made this known in an interview with NAN on Friday.

He said the prices of baking ingredients have increased due to the coronavirus pandemic, adding that manufacturers are now running at a loss.

“Prices of all ingredients used for baking are too high, especially flour and sugar. Between March and September, there has been a monthly addition of N500 on a bag of flour and bakers have been bearing the additional cost,” he said.

“But as it is, baking bread and selling at the current price is no longer profitable. We have been appealing to the millers but they are groaning about the absence and increase in price of foreign exchange. The only option we have now is to cry out so that government can come to our rescue.”

Nura Musa, the public relations officer of AMBCN Abuja chapter, called for government intervention.

He said an increase in prices will affect sales which will consequently affect bakery jobs across the country.

Musa said government support is needed to reduce production costs, which according to him, is killing the bakery business.

“The instability of foreign exchange, high cost of diesel and other baking materials are reasons given by flour millers for the hike in the prices of baking materials,” he said.

“We have appealed to flour millers and other people involved in the selling of baking materials to reduce their prices but they have not responded.

“And that is why we are pleading with Federal Government to intervene in this matter by engaging the flour millers and baking material sellers.

“The association is one of the largest employers of labour in the country and if any bakery should fold up many people will lose their jobs.”

A bag of flour which sold at N10,500 before the outbreak of coronavirus, now sells at N13, 000.

Also, a bag of sugar now sells between N19, 000 and N20,000 depending on bargaining power against the pre-COVID-19 price of N14,000.

The alert on the possible increase of the cost of bread is coming at a time when there is outrage over hike in pump price of petrol and new electricity tariff.

- THECABLE

Fresh Southern Kaduna attacks: 8 killed, others injured, houses destroyed

 

Suspected Fulani militia has killed a 60-year-old widow, a mother of 6 children and a 56-year-old man in Manyi-Mashin village, Zamandabo ward, in Atyap Chiefdom, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The alleged fatal attack on the community took place in the early hours of Friday, 11th September 2020.

This is contained in a statement issued by the National Publicity Officer, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, Luka Binniyat.

Binniyat said the suspected Fulani militias burnt down almost all the houses in the village, looting and carting away valuables.

The statement explained that though men of Operation Safe Haven promptly responded, the militia fled before their arrival.

Recall that Fulani militia on the 8th of September, 2020 laid ambush on three Atyap youths from Atakmawei village in Zamandabo Ward in Atyap Chiefdom. The three young farmers were said to have gone to work in their Sugar cane farm about a kilometre from their village.

It said that armed herdsmen came from hiding and struck, descending on them with daggers and machetes.

Anthony Magaji, 25, a final year HND student with Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria, was hacked down, axing his neck and head with macabre wounds which killed him instantly.

Isaac Thomas, 24, also an OND student of the same school, managed to escape with life-threatening injuries and is now under intensive care in a hospital, while the third escaped with less injury.

The statement further explained, “Meanwhile, we have received complains of farmers in Gora axis of Atyap Chiefdom, who say that Fulani men occasionally sneak into their farms and destroy large swaths of growing food crops, thus leaving them with a bleak prospect of hunger in the near future. All these gory development is taking place after a much-publicized peace deal was reached between natives of Atyap Chiefdom on one side and their long time settled Hausa and Fulani representatives on 23rd August 2020 in Unguwan Wakili, close to Zangon Kataf town.”

It added that on the 8th of September, 2020, an attack was launched again by Fulani militias at Kitsarapang village in Kizachi Chiwo of Kizachi community, Tsam Chiefdom in Kauru local government area, stressing that the attack claimed the life of Emmanuel David Yohanna, 13, leaving two persons grievously with gunshots namely Sunday Zango Stephen, 48 and Zakka John, 23 who are now receiving treatment at a hospital in Jos.

The statement explained that three decomposing corpses were found on Kaduna-Abuja highway on Sunday, 6th September 2020 who were among four persons that were abducted during a brazen operation last week at Maraban Rido, a suburb of Kaduna in Chikun local government area all in Southern Kaduna, who were killed after ransoms were paid.

The union requested the Federal Government, through Operation Safe Haven, under the Command of Major General Chukwu Emeka Okonkwo, to expedite action and bring to book all the Fulani militia that are currently occupying 101 Southern Kaduna Communities in four of our LGAs.

“We have furnished the world with the details and we are happy to note that eight of the displaced communities in Zangan District in Kaura LGA are now returning home as a result of more presence of men of OPSH. We are appealing to our youths to shun all forms of provocation and conduct themselves in manners that will not make them fall short of the law, not compromising their rights for self-preservation under the law,” the union appealed

- DAILY POST