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Former Senate president called for an investigation into the killings in Gashua.

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Former Senate president called for an investigation into the killings in Gashua.

By: Yahaya Wakili

President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Ph.D., GCON, Sardaunan Bade, Yobe North Senatorial District, has called on military authorities to immediately investigate the killing of three innocent civilians by soldiers in Gashu’a, the headquarters of Bade local government area of Yobe state.

The former Senate President, in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Damaturu on Sunday, demanded swift investigation by the military into the tragic incident.

It was reported on Sunday that soldiers fired indiscriminately into groups of protesters who were approaching their stop-and-search checking point near Gashua Bridge to protest the alleged killing of a tricycle operator by the soldiers in Gashu’a.

The statement further said, Reports indicate that a total of three (3) civilians were killed, while 12 people were taken to the Federal Medical Centre Nguru for treatment over injuries sustained from the attack by the soldiers.

Senator Ahmad Lawan, who currently chairs the Senate Committee on Defense, said that efforts must be made by the Nigerian Army to ensure that the perpetrators behind the acts of violence are held accountable and responsible for their actions.

He said, “Gashu’a community has always been a peaceful place with calm people, who always give support and cooperation with the military, paramilitary, and, indeed, all government agents operating in the town!”

Senator Ahmad Lawan further appealed to residents for calm, while assuring that he has already spoken with military authorities to ensure that those responsible are apprehended and dealt with according to the law. He emphasized that justice will be served.

He has also already taken full responsibility for the treatment of all those who were injured. Senator Ahmad added.

The statement read, “I am deeply saddened by Sunday’s tragic event that took place in Gashu’a, Yobe State, where soldiers allegedly killed three innocent civilians who were among those protesting the killing of a tricycle operator by the soldiers.

“I call on the military authorities to swiftly investigate and bring to justice those responsible for the killings. It is imperative that those behind these senseless acts of violence are held accountable for their actions. Justice must be served for the victims and their families.

“Accordingly, I have waded into the issue by contacting the Bade Local Government Chairman and Commanding Officer for an hourly brief to keep me informed of development. I have also taken responsibility for the treatment of all 12 people who sustained various forms of injuries from the attack by soldiers.

Senator Ahmad Lawan urges the community of Gashua in Bade local government area to remain calm and peaceful in the midst of this tragedy.

“I stand in solidarity and unity with the residents of Gashu’a during this difficult time to mourn the loss of innocent lives. Together, we can honor the memories of the lives lost and work towards a more peaceful and just society for all.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who died during this tragic incident. May the souls of the deceased rest in Aljannatur Firdaus.”

Former Senate president called for an investigation into the killings in Gashua.

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NBMA Debunks Allegations of Negligence, Compromise Against It

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NBMA Debunks Allegations of Negligence, Compromise Against It

By: Michael Mike

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO) of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr. Yemisi Asagbra debunked some allegations level against the agency by some non governmental organisations (NGOs) concerning negligence and compromise.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Asagbra said: “The negative statements circulating are misleading and lack credible scientific backing. The agency asks these organisations to present verifiable scientific evidence for their claims and we relies on sound scientific research and internationally recognized protocols to make informed decisions. It is part of the Cartagena Protocol with over 180 parties, our mandate is to protect the health of Nigerians and the environment. It will not compromise on this as it is an agency of integrity.

She added that: “The agency is transparent and accountable in its operations. It invites review of its processes and rigorous evaluations of GMO products. We are confident in our procedures that it’s meet global standards and it is a leader in effective regulation in Africa”.

On the source of the allegations, she said “over the years they have been advocating to have their presence in the board where all these products coming will be thoroughly Investigated, but it hasn’t been given. Most times we rely on the information given by Nigeria Custom Service to furnish them with needed information, which most time is not always easy if they have other things doing.

The Head planning, research and statistics National Biosafety Management Agency Mrs. Bello Scholastica said the agency is concerned with safety to our health and safety to our environment.

She further reiterated that what NBMA stands for is to establish first regulation from identification of the gene of interest, “of what you are interested in, from then till commercialization, and even after commercialization, they still follow suit to make sure that the approvals they gave hasn’t caused any harm, or those that were given approval to that they stay put to what they were asked to do”.

She further explained that the agency has put in effort to promote environmental conservation and biosafety in Nigeria.

NBMA Debunks Allegations of Negligence, Compromise Against It

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House of Reps Assures on Passage of Human Rights Defenders Bill

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House of Reps Assures on Passage of Human Rights Defenders Bill

By: Michael Mike

The House of Representatives has revealed that it is interested in the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Bill into law, saying that the bill has already passed the first reading and will soon be subjected to second reading.

The House also promised to take the necessary steps to ensure an improvement in the 2025 budget of the NHRC, pointing out that the N5 billion approved for it in the 2024 budget is inadequate considering the myriad of human rights violations in the country.

The Chairman House Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Abiola Makinde made this disclosure during the oversight visit of Committee to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The Chairman, who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Hon. Mudashiru Lukeman assured the NHRC that the Committee would continue to advance the course of human rights in Nigeria by ensuring that the House of Representatives passes critical bills on human rights issues as well as makes adequate budgetary provisions to ease the work of the Commission.

Makinde also stated that in a bid to improve some aspects of Civil and Political Rights, the House of Representatives had ensured the establishment of human rights desks in all police formations and Headquarters across the 36 States of the Federation.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu who received the lawmakers with his management staff told the Human Rights Committee that the Commission relies heavily on them for the enactment of human rights friendly laws and enhanced budgetary provisions to discharge it broad mandate of promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in the country.

He used the opportunity to commend the legislators for their role in the amendment of the NHRC Act 2010 as well as the support of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila in the payment of compensation to victims of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

He equally informed the legislators who were on oversight visit about the recent report released by the Commission following the findings of the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North East Nigeria , which he noted has saved the country from possible invitation by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

He noted that the aforementioned wide spread allegations of human rights infractions against some government institutions could result in the ICC extending invitations to some of the leaders to respond to the allegations, but the Commission has done the needful in compliance with the international principles of omplementarity.

He thanked the Committee for promising to improve the budgetary allocation of the Commission in the 2025 fiscal year.

House of Reps Assures on Passage of Human Rights Defenders Bill

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FG Confirms Arrest of Simon Ekpa

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FG Confirms Arrest of Simon Ekpa

By: Michael Mike

The arrest of Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa in Finland has been confirmed by the federal government.

A statement on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed Indigenous People
of Biafra (IPOB), was arrested by Finnish authorities on Thursday.

According to the statement, Ekpa was
charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence.

The Finnish District Court of
Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.

The Finnish authorities alleged that Mr. Ekpa used social media platforms to spread
separatist propaganda, incite violence and encourage illegal actions, which had caused
significant disruptions in the South-East of Nigeria. Finnish investigators had also linked
him to incidents of violence in Nigeria, which were believed to had been fueled by his
online activities.

The statement said “the arrest of Mr. Simon Njoku Ekpa follows sustained diplomatic
pressure by the Nigerian government on Finland, to take action against his activities,
which were linked to violence and instability in the South-East of Nigeria. The request
for action featured during high level engagements between countries.”

The Ministry stated that the arrest of Ekpa, is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB, and also neutralizing the influence of transnational actors and “their impact on our national security.”

The Ministry promised to continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses.

FG Confirms Arrest of Simon Ekpa

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