Saturday 30 January 2021

Influx of criminal herdsmen fueling insecurity in Kogi West, Obaro cries out

 


The Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, has raised the alarm over rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and killings in Kogi West Senatorial District, generally regarded as Okunland.

During the week, the monarch, who doubles as Chairman, Okun Traditional Council went on consultation with his colleague, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and the Acting Chairman of Kogi State Traditional Coucil, Dr Ado Ibrahim in Okene on the issue of increasing insecurity in his domain.

Oba Owoniyi bemoaned the worsening state of security in his domain, a development he noted is being fueled by the influx of herdsmen and other undesirable elements into the entire Okun area.

He said the frightening situation had led to the spike in cases of kidnapping, rape, attack on farmers and the destruction of farmlands with the attendant dangerous implications for food security not only in Okunland, but also entire state as a whole.

The monarch, who noted that insecurity was happening at a time when farmers were supposed to mobilize for the new farming season, observed that heavily armed miscreants were still pouring into the area on a daily basis.

The royal father, therefore, called for urgent action to stem the dangerous tide. He commended Governor Yahaya Bello for tackling insecurity, but called for increased and urgent steps to restore peace and sanity in the affected areas.

The Oba urged the acting chairman to lend the weight of his office to the efforts aimed at checking the the infiltration of armed herdsmen into Okunland and other parts of the state.

Receiving the royal entourage, the Ohinoyi also expressed concern and sympathy with the Obaro and his traditional rulers with a promise to take the matter to higher authorities.

The Ohinoyi, who noted that the emerging insecurity in the area, if not tackled with increased efforts, could result in famine in the state advised the people in Okunland to be extra vigilant and report suspected movement and cases to the security agencies.

On the entourage of the Obaro were: the Olujumu of Ijumu, Oba Williams Segun Ayeni; the Olugbedde of Gbeddeland, Oba Olusegun Oloruntoba; Oba of Oranre, Oba Olusegun Aliu; Oba of Gbeleko, Oba Mike Obamero and the Olu of Okebukun and Oba Timothy Ige Omonile among others.

The News reports that Kogi West has recorded several security breaches believed to be perpetrate by criminal Herdsmen who have infiltrated the entire zone.

Last Monday 14 people including widow of former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Chieftain, Kola Matthew Ojo were kidnapped in Iffe, Ijumu LGA.

The zone records regular clashes between farmers and herders while abductions, banditry and killings have also been on the increase.

- PM NEWS

UAE adopts new law granting citizenship to investors, professionals

 


The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has adopted a new law granting citizenship to investors, specialised talents and professionals.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, prime minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai, announced the development in a tweet on Saturday.

He identified professionals and talents to be considered for citizenship to include scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, authors and their families.

The prime minister explained that the UAE seeks to attract talents to contribute to its development vision.

Al Maktoum said the UAE cabinet, local Emiri courts and executive councils will nominate those eligible for the citizenship, adding that recipients can keep their existing citizenship.

“We adopted law amendments that allow granting the UAE citizenship to investors, specialized talents & professionals including scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, authors and their families. The new directives aim to attract talents that contribute to our development journey,” he tweeted.

“The UAE cabinet, local Emiri courts & executive councils will nominate those eligible for the citizenship under clear criteria set for each category. The law allows receivers of the UAE passport to keep their existing citizenship.”

UAE is not the first country to create laws granting citizenship to professionals from other countries.

Canada is a popular emigration choice for Nigerians. The UK has also launched a point-based immigration system to attract talents from across the world.

- THECABLE

21 travellers abducted in Kaduna-Kachia road

 


21 people travelling along Kaduna-Kachia road were on Friday evening abducted by unknown gunmen in uniform.

A councillor from Southern Kaduna and few others were able to escape from the abductors and ran through the bush.

Security agencies have not released any information on the situation.

A source told DAILY POST that, “It was in the late hour of Friday; the armed men who came in large numbers dressed in military uniform and abducted 21 persons along Kaduna- Kachia road at Idon village of Kajuru Local Government area of Kaduna State.”

The source further explained that the councillor, and the others that escaped from the kidnappers, later found themselves at Mararraban Kajuru, where they were assisted by the natives.

Meanwhile, the councillor has appealed to government to ensure that security agencies maintained law and order in the area.

- DAILY POST

Sultan’s confession: Eight out of 10 kidnappers arrested are Fulanis

 


Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has confessed that eight out of 10 kidnappers arrested in Nigeria are Fulanis, but he admitted that not all Fulanis are criminals.

Speaking at a meeting in Abuja with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association (MACBAN) at the weekend, Abubakar said those Fulanis who engaged in one form of crime or another were across the country, saying it was not proper to refer to any tribe by the crime perpetrated by individuals.

He said: “For example when they collected N10m, where and how do you spend this amount in the bush? The money is back in the city.

“I have told the Inspector General of Police to check this. We are not saying Fulani are not part of the kidnappings as mentioned by the Secretary of Miyetti Allah.

“Seven to eight kidnappers arrested are Fulani, but that doesn’t mean every Fulani is a criminal. No, they are not,” he said.

The Sultan said all hands must be put on deck to bring an end to this problem.

He said he and others were going to approach President Muhammadu Buhari to talk to the West African neighbours where they have Fulani like Senegal, Niger Republic, Guinea and Mali, to help the country because most of these bandits cross from neighbouring countries to conduct their criminal acts and run back.

- PM NEWS

NDLEA: We seized cocaine and heroin worth N30bn at Lagos airport

 


The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it seized cocaine and heroin worth N30 billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos state.

The drugs were said to have been seized from Onyejegbu Ifesinachi Jennifer, a 33-year-old lady, who arrived in Nigeria on Wednesday from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The seizure weighing 26.840 kilograms is said to be the biggest single seizure from an individual in the past 15 years.

The drugs were reportedly seized after she was searched in line with NDLEA protocol profiling passengers “from high risk countries”.

“Field test was conducted on the recovered substances and proved positive to Cocaine and weighed 26.850kilograms. The suspect who is a hair stylist and based in Brazil was interviewed and she confessed to have agreed to smuggle the hard drug for the sum of N2 million only,” an official said.

“Although she refused to disclose the names of her associates, she mentioned that she was asked to hand over the drugs to another person. The street value of this singular seizure is put at over N21 million.

“The official further disclosed that the development came on the heels of a similar one recorded two days earlier at the airport, precisely on January 25, 2021 when a red left-over luggage was declared to the NDLEA operatives as a left over at the E- arrival hall after the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian airline.

“Based on information on the luggage tag, the luggage arrived Nigeria from Sao Paulo, Brazil, a destination classified as high-risk country going by records and trends of arrest and seizures. Subsequently, the bag was transferred to the NDLEA Legal Seat being the administrative office at the passenger terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, for detention.

“While this was going on, the NDLEA Commander at the MMIA, Ahmadu Garba received an intelligence report of a purported plan to clear a consignment containing hard drugs through the Lagos airport.

“Coincidentally, the details sent matched the bag earlier detained by the operatives at the Lagos airport. In a coordinated operation, on January 27, 2021, an NDLEA undercover agent was contacted by one Abubakar Aliyu.

“Guided by the operation and investigation unit, the undercover agent successfully lured the said Abubakar Aliyu into the cargo terminal of the airport where he was arrested. The suspect revealed to NDLEA operatives that another person was on his way to receive the bag based on the instruction of his sender who he gave his name as Ikechukwu Eze.”

The official said one Emmanuel Iyke Aniebonam was also arrested based on the information given by Aliyu.

“Emmanuel confessed that he was instructed by one Ikechukwu to receive the consignment. Emmanuel was again set up to lure in Ikechukwu Eze but rather than showing up to get the consignment from Emmanuel, he sent another who said he was mandated to receive the consignment from him, and they agreed to meet at Ibis Royal Hotel, a few miles away from the airport,” he said.

“A follow-up operation was quickly organised to the hotel, where one Onwurah Kelvin was arrested and brought to the office.”


- THECABLE

Buhari’s government defending killer-herdsmen – Falana

 


Human rights activist, Femi Falana has accused the government of President Muhammadu Buhari of defending killer-herdsmen which was why the issues continued.

He said it has come to a point where the people needed to defend themselves as the Buhari-led government had failed the people.

According to Falana, that was why he had accused the Buhari administration of portraying itself as defending herders and not other Nigerians because Almajiris have been deported, beggars and the destitute deported, but that the President never defended them.

“The government never raised any constitutional issues. My position is that the government can stop the citizens from taking the law into their own hands to assure the people in concrete terms of the security of their lives and property. It is a simple and straight forward matter,” he said in an interview on The Punch Online programme.

He said Nigerians elected people into offices and that it was the duty of the government to defend them.

“And I expect Nigerians to mobilise and compel the government to guarantee the security of lives of everybody. So, it is not about citizens attacking one another; it is about not allowing the government to dodge their responsibilities to the people,” he said.

Falana stated that Section 14, sub-section 2b provided that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

He said that section did not say, the security of the people shall be the responsibility of any citizen and that the government must perform the duty “and there are solutions to these problems that have not been addressed.”

- PM NEWS

Gunmen kill man in Delta community

 


Gunmen at about 6pm on Saturday shot a man dead at Moses Mudi’s Street near Ugbomoro community Health Centre in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

The gunmen also injured the driver of a black-coloured 4matic Mercedes Benz, which conveyed the victim.

It was learnt that the gunmen waylaid the vehicle with the registration Number: GWA-46 BK(Abuja) and shot the deceased at the neck and chest at close range.

Details as to why the deceased was killed were still sketchy at the time of this report.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya promised to furnish DAILY POST correspondent with details as soon as she gets the clear information on the matter.

- DAILY POST


Cross River demolishes suspected kidnapper’s building

 


Cross River Government has demolished a building belonging to a suspected kidnapper.

The government also destroyed a brothel for allegedly housing underage persons for prostitution.

The buildings situated in Calabar were demolished by the state security outfit, Operation Akpakwu.

The outfit is made up the navy, air force, police, army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and special advisers to the state government on security.

Mr Henry Okokon, the state Security Adviser to Gov. Ben Ayade (Southern Senatorial District), said after the exercise that it was one of the ways of chasing criminals out of the state.

Okokon said that the state government placed a premium on the security of lives and property, hence, the need to fight all forms of criminality.

“This is part of the activities of Operation Akpakwu, a special force set up by Gov. Ayade to fight crime, especially kidnapping.

“This demolition is ongoing. The governor has warned that anyone involved in any form of criminality, or any landlord harbouring any criminal should desist from it.

“The bungalow that was demolished belonged to an individual who has been caught in the act of kidnapping, while the brothel was demolished for housing underage persons for prostitution and other illegal activities.

“This is a warning signal to everybody. Whosoever is involved in a crime of any form should desist from it,’’ Okokon said.

He said that the security outfit got a court order to demolish the buildings in line with the state Homeland Security law.

He urged businessmen in the state to go about their lawful businesses, giving the assurance that the state government would do its best to protect them against criminals.

- PM NEWS

Insecurity may worsen in South-West – Youths to governors



 Yoruba Professionals Foundation (YPF) on Friday warned South-West Governors to prioritize jobs or watch insecurity get out of control.

Their position was contained in a statement by the President, Maxwell Adeleye and Director of Research and Strategy, Olawale Kadri.

YPF lamented the rate of unemployment, which it called “a major problem in Yoruba land”.

“A trillion naira budgetary allocation to Amotekun, Police and Army cannot quench insecurity where youth unemployment reigns supreme”, they noted.

The group said security challenges in the region posed a great threat to development and foreign direct investments.

“According to the United Nations data, over 69% of our population are below age 35 and unfortunately, the majority of crimes are perpetrated by people who fall between ages 20-35. This is the most active age in human life,” it said.

YPF also cited National Bureau of Statistics’ Q2 2020 data which puts the unemployment rate among young people (15-34years) at 34.9%, and the rate of underemployment for the same age group at 28.2%.

“This means we have over 63% of our active population not having any tangible employment and over 34% of them completely idle. This data is a telling indictment on the failure of leadership and lack of an adequate plan for citizenry and succession generation.

“To understand how bad this is, the unemployment rate in Venezuela is currently at 9.38%, in Papua New Guinea 4.50, South Africa 28.48%, Afghanistan 11.16, Honduras 5.23, Trinidad and Tobago 2.8%, Brazil 11.97%, Guyana 11.81%, El Salvador 4.2% and Syria 8.45%,” it added.

Comparing the statistics with Nigeria’s situation, YPF alerted that the country was sitting on gunpowder.

The statement called for entrepreneurial development policies and programmes for the youth to open new doors of opportunities, ventures and alliances.

YPF further urged the governments in South-West to provide a conducive environment and adequate support to help youths become self-reliant and employers of labour.

- DAILY POST

10 Yahoo Yahoo apprentices arrested in Abuja, academy head on the run

 


Ten apprentices learning the intricacies of computer-related fraud known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’, have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

They were arrested at their Academy in Bwari axis of Abuja where they were said to be learning the trade of cyber trickery.

The suspects aged between 20 and 30 years, are Sixtus Jude, Moses Samuel, Isalan Johnny, Dapet Nimshak and Samuel Ogboche.

Others are Victor Samuel, Victor Asuquo, Ibrahim Yunusa, Yahaya Usman and Chijoke Ikwuoha.

They were arrested with different incriminating items such as mobile phones and computers.

The promoter of the Academy is however on the run, said EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren.

Investigations showed that the sponsor recruits and train young individuals who show interest in internet fraud.

The sponsor gets his percentage of their earnings based on an agreement between him and the recruits.

He also serves as a conduit for laundering the money gotten from internet fraud by some of the suspects.

The suspects will be prosecuted when investigation is completed.

- PM NEWS

Shehu Sani: The north should set up grazing reserves to end farmer-herder crisis

 


Shehu Sani, former senator representing Kaduna central, says the solution to the crisis between farmers and herders in the south-west is the setting up of grazing reserves and agro-allied industries in the north.

Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Sani said it is not possible for herders to move around with cattle and not clash with farmers.

The former senator said the meeting of the south-west governors with Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) will only douse the tension but not solve the problem.

On Monday, the governors met with the national leadership of Miyetti Allah after some herders were given an eviction notice in Ondo and Oyo states.

Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo governor, blamed the high rate of crime on herders who have allegedly made forests in the state their haven.

Sani said the north has enough landmass for cattle to graze without problems.

“The dialogue going on between the governors of the south-west and Miyetti Allah is a good step but it is not going to permanently resolve the problem,” he said.

“As long as people are allowed to move and roam about with cattle from one state to the other, there is bound to be conflict. It will calm the problem down but it is not going to solve it.

“It is for the northern states, particularly where these cattle-rearers and the Fulani ethnic group come from to set up grazing reserves and attach them to agro-allied industries involved in hides and skins and cheese to make business out of it.

“Cattle business in the 21st Century is a multi-billion dollar business. It is not possible for people to move about with cattle on people’s ancestral lands and property and you don’t expect a crisis to come in.”

The former lawmaker warned against politicising the issue.

“It has reached a point where the whole issue has been politicised because nobody went through the details and then it became a major issue,” he said.

“The killings and kidnappings have been going on and what the people of Ondo and Ogun states have been suffering is the same thing we are suffering in the north.

“I wonder how possible it is for anybody to defend or justify the murderous, hideous and heinous activities of these herdsmen. They occupy lands, kidnap people, rape and collect ransom.”

- THECABLE

Fear over influx of Fulani herdsmen in Kwara as Sarkin Fulani of Igangan relocates to Ilorin [VIDEO]

 


Palpable fear has now gripped residents of Ilorin and its environs as well as the entire Kwara State over the influx of suspected herdsmen into the state.

The fear, according to DAILY POST findings, has now been heightened with the relocation of the sacked Sarkin Fulani of Igangan, Salihu Abdulkadir to Ilorin, the State capital.

Recall that Abdulkadir was sent packing with his family from Igangan in Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State following a seven-day ultimatum issued by Sunday Igboho over alleged kidnapping, killings and other criminal acts in the town.

On Thursday, Abdulkadir announced his relocation to Ilorin at a press conference, where he indicted the Oyo police command of conniving with the people of Igangan to make him a scapegoat.

“Given the conspiracy by the police with the natives of Igangan, I and my people, will not feel comfortable returning to Igangan,” he told newsmen at the press conference.

Our Correspondent observed that, the relocation of the Sarkin Fulani to Ilorin, has, however, triggered concern about the safety of lives and property among residents, considering the serious allegations against him and his family.

Few days after the eviction of the Sarkin Fulani, the Kwara State Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, New Era, Comrade Bayo Fabiyi, raised the alarm over the suspicious influx of suspected herdsmen into the state.

In a chat with DAILY POST on Friday in Ilorin, Fabiyi described as “unacceptable the decision of the Sarkin Fulani to seek asylum in Ilorin.”

He challenged Sarkin Fulani to prove his claim that he is a native of Asa Local Government Area of the state, saying, ” He is a liar.”

The OPC coordinator, disclosed that ” The Sarkin Fulani and his men chased away from Igangan and other areas in Oyo State, have found their way to Kwara” as he reliably gathered.

He revealed that on Wednesday, nine trailer load of herdsmen and cattle were chased back from Esie, in Irepodun Local Government of the State by local hunters.

“Settlements like Esie, Arandun, Omido, Agbamu, Oro-Ago, Amori, Oke-Ode, Buari, Igbaja, up to Share area have been overwhelmed by the influx of these herders with most of them carrying arms, making it dangerous and suspicious,” he added.

Fabiyi, stressed the need for Kwara and Kogi States to collaborate in the bid to dislodge the herdsmen to avoid future situation of managing a monumental crisis instead of nipping it in the bud.

Fabiyi, said, his men stationed across the state, gave him intelligence report about the suspicious movements of cattle herders into some Yoruba speaking areas of the state and have virtually outnumbered the inhabitants.

A resident of Ilorin, Toyin Awe, who is also a teacher, condemned the relocation of the herdsmen led by the Sarkin Fulani and prayed God to protect residents.

She described their presence as dangerous, arguing that they should not be allowed to stay because “they are brutal and kill at will.”

Awe, called on the government and security agencies to be at alert and send them out of Kwara State.

A security expert, Dr Abdulsalam Bolakale Suleiman warned that ” Igangan issue, if not curbed in good time, its escalation could consume the country.”

He said, “Factors responsible are located around institutional weakness of local, state, and federal governments as regards absence of review of security situations via security committee and council meetings.”

Abdulsalam, said, ” Whereas, we need to prepare for war during peacetime, there is the need for constant review of the environment in order to avoid elements of surprise.”

A public affair analyst who spoke with our correspondent, Shola Mose, described the development as worrisome, saying, he has warned the government authorities and the police not to fold their arms under the impression that Kwara remains a state of harmony.

“Kwara is within the frontiers of the turbulent neighbouring states, so we have to prepare for any eventuality, our silence could allow their crisis to spill over to our state.”

In a reaction, the spokesman of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, Kwara State command, Olasunkanmi Ayeni, said “security agencies are on top of the security situation in the state.”

He described the security situation in the state as calm, adding that, “the security architecture in the state and the efforts of the state government puts us ahead of them, we are not sleeping at all.

“We are manning all entry points into Kwara State to ensure that we don’t have unnecessary influx of suspected killer herdsmen to forestall any likely crisis,” he stated.

Also commenting on the development, a top government security officer, who requested anonymity, said ” the government is equal to the task of protecting the lives and properties of the citizens” adding that ” there is no cause for alarm.”

In his own reaction, the spokesman of the state police command, Mr Okasanmi Ajayi, said ” The command is firmly on ground to avert any security threat.

“The Kwara State police commissioner, Lawal Mohammed Bagega, last week, held an emergency security meeting with Area commanders, divisional police officers, and heads of tactical units in the command on the need to ensure there is no security breach.

“On anxiety of strange faces in parts of the state, the command is monitoring the situation, no efforts would be spared to ensure Kwara remains safe.

“Meanwhile, the command is in constant touch with the relevant stakeholders in this regards,” the spokesman added.

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Government Of Illegality: Service Chiefs resume without confirmation by National Assembly

 


The new Service Chiefs appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari have resumed duty even without their confirmation by the National Assembly.

The new Service Chiefs are: Major General Lucky Irabor, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo and Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao as Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff respectively.

There have been furore over their appointment without confirmation by the National Assembly, with leading lawyers like Femi Falana, SAN, Ebun Adegboruwa and others faulting the move.

In Keyamo Vs. President & Ors, the Federal High Court set aside the Armed Forces Modification Order 2008 (purportedly made under Section 315 [2) of the Constitution) on 1st July 2013 and ruled that the confirmation of the National Assembly must be sought for the appointment of the Service Chiefs.

Falana (SAN), had said the nation has continued in its habit of operating under an atmosphere of impunity, saying going on to appoint the new leaders of the Armed Forces without the confirmation by the two chambers of the National Assembly, constituted a disregard for the rule of law.

Falana said the provisions within section 218 of the constitution empower the National Assembly to approve the appointment of the Service Chiefs. According to the rights lawyer, the new service chiefs have only been nominated by the president and are awaiting confirmation by the legislators.

A statement issued by Senator Babajide Omoworare, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly, had said on Friday that Buhari has communicated the appointment of the Service Chiefs to the National Assembly and has sought for the confirmation of the said appointment by the Senate through his letter to the Senate President dated 27th January 2021.

He said this was done in furtherance of Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap. A.20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

“Contrary to fears expressed in some quarters that President Muhammadu Buhari has “by-passed” the National Assembly in the process of appointment of the Service Chiefs and that he has no intention of seeking consideration and confirmation of their appointment, Mr. President upon nomination for appointment sought confirmation of the Senate for the appointment of Major General Lucky Irabor, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo and Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao as Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff respectively, vide his aforementioned letter.

“It is on record that this same procedure was adopted when the immediate past Service Chiefs were appointed. Upon announcement of the appointment of the then Service Chiefs – Major General Abayomi Olonisakin (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General Tukur Buratai (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Ibok-Efe Ibas (Chief of Naval Staff) and Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff), Mr. President had written the 8th Senate on 14th July 2015 for confirmation,” he said.

Be that as it may, the Service Chiefs have already resumed duty while the National Assembly is yet to sit on their matter. The Senate will officially resume on February 9, 2021 from its recess. How can the National Assembly sit on the appointment of the Service Chiefs who have already assumed office?

On Thursday, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, formally handed over to the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru at the Army Headquarters.

Likewise, on Friday, former Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Abayomi Olonisakin, formally handed over to the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Leo Irabor.

Olonisakin, on his twitter handle said “Today I formally hand over the baton of leadership as the CDS- AFN to Maj Gen LEO Irabor. I wish to sincerely appreciate the President, C-in-C of the AFN, and Nigerians for the privilege to serve this great country. I congratulate Maj Gen Irabor and wish him a successful tenure.”

More so, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo on Friday, January 29 took over as the 21st Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) from Rear Admiral Ibok-Efe Ibas. Likewise, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao has resumed duty as Chief of Air Staff.

This is a clear case of illegality. What if the National Assembly disqualifies any of them who has already assumed duty? It goes on to show that the National Assembly is an appendage of the president, who could do anything he likes.

If as Omoworare said that the president has already written to the National Assembly to confirm the new Service Chiefs, why can’t they wait until their confirmation? Why the rush to resume duty? This is a clear case of trampling the rule of law under foot and amounts to violation of the nation’s constitution.

- PM NEWS