Zulum Orders Arrest and Prosecution of Molester of a Minor in Viral Video

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has ordered the immediate prosecution of Bukar Modu, a man seen in a viral video molesting a minor (Bashir Gaji).

The man was subsequently arrested on Saturday night at Umarari in Maiduguri, following the governor’s directive.

Zulum gave the order when he met with little Bashir Gaji at Government House, Maiduguri.

The video which has sparked outrage across social media platforms, highlights a grave violation of children’s rights and the urgent need for a robust response from law enforcement and judicial authorities.

Zulum while giving the order, emphasised that his administration will not tolerate any form of abuse or exploitation of minors and directed swift action to bring the perpetrator to justice.

He said: “This heinous act is an affront on our values and a betrayal of our duty to protect our children, students and minors who are under our guardianship,” Governor Zulum said. “We cannot tolerate such actions perpetually repeating itself. I am directing the relevant authorities to move swiftly and ensure that this individual faces the full extent of the law. Our children deserve a safe environment to grow and become meaningful members of society.”

Meanwhile, the governor directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to devise modalities for increased community awareness programmes to educate families and local traditional teachers and guardians on the proper means of enforcing discipline on children.

The governor, who later met with the little Bashir Gaji on Sunday at the Government House, announced that he would provide a fully furnished house for Bukar and his family and a scholarship to cover his education.

Little Gaji’s family currently live in an IDP camp in Monguno after his father was assassinated by Boko Haram insurgents.

Zulum Orders Arrest and Prosecution of Molester of a Minor in Viral Video

Korea Seeks Improved Cultural Exchange with Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

Republic of Korea has called for enhanced cultural exchange with Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of cross-fertilization to bolster diplomatic relations and share mutual experiences.

Making the call at the weekend in Abuja at the second edition of the Hansik Contest, the Director, Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Kim Changki, said his country is willing to build on the already existing cultural relationship with Nigeria.

On the cooking competition, he said the primary goal is to foster social and cultural interaction between Nigeria and Korea.

He noted that this year’s contest was better organized and well attended than the first one held last year, disclosing that this will mark his final event as the director of the Korean Centre, which tenure conclude in May.

He said: “Nigerians have a deep appreciation for Korean Pop and Korean cuisine, and this concert serves as a celebration of culture through various artistic expressions. The winner of the contest will receive a prize of N1 million along with a trip to Korea.”

The culture and events officer, Yunijin Lee, on her part, emphasized that the contest has received sponsorship from Korean food institutions (KFPI) and is specifically designed to bring the vibrant experiences of Korean culture and cuisine to Nigerians.

She also highlighted that the selection process for the winner was both thorough and impartial, stating, “The judging panel consists of Korean individuals, including the ambassador, director, and the embassy chef, who worked alongside a Nigerian chef to ensure fairness in the selection of the winner.”

The contest attracted a diverse group of 40 participants, all eager to showcase their culinary talents and knowledge of Korean cuisine. After a series of intense competitions and eliminations, the field narrowed down to 12 finalists.

Among them, Patience Vincent secured an impressive third place, while Ruth Igbayiola Olowo took home the second prize. The top prize of N1 million and a trip to Seoul, Korea went to Deborah Olabelurin, who impressed the judges with her exceptional skills and creativity in preparing Korean dishes.

The event was well attended by a vibrant audience, including enthusiasts of Korean cuisine and fans of Korean pop culture, creating a lively atmosphere filled with excitement. Attendees were treated to a rich variety of traditional Korean foods, which were beautifully presented, showcasing the intricate flavors and techniques of Korean culinary art.

Additionally, the event featured captivating dance performances set to popular Korean pop songs, further enriching the cultural experience and demonstrating the deep connections between the two countries.

The jubilant winner of the contest Deborah Olabelurin, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Korean Culture Center for organizing such a transformative event.

She expressed excitement about her upcoming trip to Korea, where she looks forward to immersing herself in the local culture and cuisine and how this incredible opportunity will play a crucial role in advancing her career as a chef.

Korea Seeks Improved Cultural Exchange with Nigeria

NDLEA Arrests Malaysian Returnee with Illicit Drug in Music Speakers Meant for Saie in Adamawa, Cameroon

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 41-year-old ex-convict and Malaysian returnee, Ndubuisi Udatu (aka Richard) with two giant music speakers used to conceal four large parcels of methamphetamine weighing 2.7 kilogrammes meant for distribution in two Adamawa’s town of Yola and Mubi, and across the border in Cameroon.

According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, Udatu was arrested inside a commercial transport bus at an NDLEA checkpoint at Namtari along Ngurore -Yola road, Adamawa last Monday. He was found with two new music speakers used to conceal four packages of methamphetamine and monetary exhibit of N22,300.

Udatu, in his statement, claimed he returned to Nigeria to continue his illicit drug trade after serving out his jail term in Malaysia where he had been arrested, convicted and sent to prison for drug trafficking offences.

In another interdiction exercise, NDLEA officers in a joint border operation with Customs personnel at the Nigeria/Cameroon border, Mfum, Cross River state arrested a trans-border drug trafficker, 35-year-old Odoh Ikechukwu, with 8,740 ampoules of assorted opioids, weighing 395 kilogrammes. They include: 1,080 ampoules of fentanyl injection, 2,160 ampoules of morphine sulphate injection, 3,010 ampoules of phenobarbital sulphate injection, 2,160 ampoules of pethidine injection, and 330 ampoules of midazolam injection.

In Kano, NDLEA operatives last Friday arrested 27-year-old Aliyu Ibrahim with 20 ATM cards and 25,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and 250mg at Bachirawa area of Kano, while 48-year-old Gambo Lawan was nabbed in a follow up operation at Wazobia motor park, Gwagwalada FCT Abuja following the seizure of a consignment of 8,960 pills of tramadol by NDLEA officers on routine check along Gwagwalada expressway last Monday.

Not less than 124 kilogrammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in 11 jumbo bags were last Friday recovered from the boot of a Lexus car marked KTU 54 CU driven by a suspect, Ademiluyi Adedapo, 58, along Mokwa-Jebba road, Niger state.

He said the NDLEA commands across the country continued to balance their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities in the past week.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending the efforts of the officers and men of Adamawa, Cross River, FCT, Kano and Niger State commands of the agency for job well done, tasked them and their compatriots nationwide not to rest on their oars but continue to raise the bar in their offensive action against drug cartels with an equal measure of drug demand reduction efforts.

NDLEA Arrests Malaysian Returnee with Illicit Drug in Music Speakers Meant for Saie in Adamawa, Cameroon