News
Gaza war: Envoy Calls for Immediate Ceasefire, Address of Root Cause of Crisis
Gaza war: Envoy Calls for Immediate Ceasefire, Address of Root Cause of Crisis
By: Michael Mike
The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh has asked Nigeria and other countries to call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, even as he insisted that the only acceptable solution to the ongoing war is to address the root cause of the conflict between the Palestine and Israel.
Shawesh while noting that the attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023 was a smoke as the fire was long ignited by United Kingdom who handed over Palestinian land to European Jews in 1917, noted that to have a lasting truce it has become imperative to institute the two state solution backed by United Nations.
He also declared the two sides should be made to return hostages in their custody, noting that apart from Palestinian hostages held by the Israeli government before the ongoing impasse over 1,600 hostages have been taken from Palestinian soil by Israeli military, adding that while Hamas is being asked to return the hostages, Israel should also be told to do same.
The envoy while addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday said the two-state solution calls for establishing an independent state for Palestinians alongside that of Israel, while insisting that the underlining issue in the present crisis was not the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas but rather the occupation of Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem.
He claimed that the 7 October attack on Israeli territory was a natural reaction against the oppression of the Israeli forces, who he alleged has incessantly arrest, torture and detained Palestinians without any provocations.
The envoy who gave a historic perspective to the issue, blamed the Western world, especially United Kingdom who he said handed over their land to European Jews in 1917.
He also accused the Western world of playing lip service to the call for ceasefire, alleging that without the support of the West the Israeli would not have been able to sustain the war.
The envoy also accused the media of cover-up, saying most of the atrocities against the people of Palestinians are not reported, noting that the urgent need right now is cessation of hostility and not the humanitarian.
He said: “This current war would not have continued without the unconditional and unequivocal support of the Western countries to Israel. We all witnessed the mass visits by Western leaders not only to provide their full military and political support for the current genocide, but also have used extremely unbalanced language in commenting on the current ongoing war against the Palestinian people, which was interpreted by the Israeli as the green light to commit more massacres.
“One of the goals of this war is to forcefully transfer the Palestinian people to Sinai Peninsula, to implement the old Israeli dream, that we have been fighting against since 1956.
“Many are still trying to divert the discussion from the unconditional ceasefire to the humanitarian aids and how many trucks need to enter to Gaza and many other logistical details, this is a trap to pave the way to the Israeli occupation to continue with their genocidal and war crimes.
“No one should be trapped, we all should address the roots of the current humanitarian crises in Gaza, which is the frenzy Israeli war, what we need urgently is the ceasefire.
“All the world streets are flooded of the decent demonstrators calling for an immediate ceasefire.”
The envoy also added that there should be equality in the application of international law, insisting that: “All human being are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
The applicability of the international law should not be selective.”
Israel has been bombing Gaza since the 7 October Hamas attacks that killed 1,400 people with 239 people kidnapped as hostages.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 8,700 people have been killed since Israel’s retaliatory bombing began.
News
Jos DisCo offers Gombe Staff free medical care, drugs
Jos DisCo offers Gombe Staff free medical care, drugs
The management of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) has conducted a free medical examinations as well as distributed free drugs to its staff in Gombe State Office, as part of its health advocacy to improve wellbeing of its employees and boost productivity.
As part of JEDC’s health initiative, a fitness walk was also organised on Saturday for all employees in Gombe State.
A fitness coach, Jauro Dauda, who led the walk urged officials of JED to prioritise regular exercise as part of efforts to maintain good health and boost productivity.
The exercise began at the company’s state headquarters, from where officials trekked to Pantami Stadium.
At the stadium, staff members participated in various physical exercises before returning to the office premises for medical examinations.
Speaking to participants, Dauda emphasised the need for a healthy lifestyle through eating nutritious foods and regular exercise.
“For you to function well, you need to keep your body fit. So I advise each and every one of you to create time at home. You can take your wife on a walk.
“The content of what we eat today can cause a lot of health issues like hypertension and diabetes. Knowing your health status is very important; knowing it is good to living long,” he said.
Also speaking, the Gombe State Operating Officer of JEDC, Rilwan Shehu, expressed satisfaction with the turnout and encouraged staff to sustain the culture of exercise beyond organised events.
“We are happy that we can exercise not only in the stadium; you can exercise at home,” Shehu said.
He added that the company operates an inclusive system that promotes unity among staff.
“We in JEDC operate an open-door policy; there is no junior or senior cadre. We do things together and we win together,” he said.
Jos DisCo offers Gombe Staff free medical care, drugs
News
Customs officer killed in gun attack after cannabis seizure in Ogun
Customs officer killed in gun attack after cannabis seizure in Ogun
By: Zagazola Makama
A senior officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), ASC Akinyode Mustapha, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen following the interception of a vehicle loaded with cannabis in Imeko area of Ogun State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that a team of officers from the NCS Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, led by DSC Ogundana Oluwademi, had on Feb. 2, at about 11:40 p.m., intercepted a Sienna bus loaded with suspected cannabis at Oke-Agbede via Imeko.
The driver of the vehicle, however, escaped on foot.
“While the team was returning to Lagos with the seized exhibit vehicle, they came under gunfire by unknown assailants at the Immigration checkpoint, Idofa, Imeko,” the sources said.
The sources added that a bullet struck ASC Akinyode Mustapha, aged 50, during the attack.
He was immediately rushed to the General Hospital, Ilaro, where he was later confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty.
Upon receipt of the report on Feb. 4 at about 3:30 p.m., security forces stormed the scene. No expended ammunition or cartridge was recovered at the location, and photographs of the scene were taken.
The team leader reportedly released the corpse to the deceased’s family for burial, while the seized exhibit vehicle had earlier been taken to the NCS base in Lagos.
The sources said preliminary investigation was ongoing to verify the claims and unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Further developments will be communicated, the command said.
Customs officer killed in gun attack after cannabis seizure in Ogun
News
VP Shettima Leads FG Delegation To Condole With Victims Of Kwara Attack
VP Shettima Leads FG Delegation To Condole With Victims Of Kwara Attack
***Assures all hands are on deck to restore peace, tranquility to Kaiama
***Says President Tinubu has directed NEMA to mobilise resources to support distressed communities
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has reaffirmed the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that peace and tranquillity are restored in Nuku and Woro villages in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State in the aftermath of Tuesday’s attacks on the communities by terrorists.
He assured the people of the communities that while the President had ordered the deployment of a battalion of the Nigerian Army to Kaiama, all hands were already on deck to rid the affected communities and the entire state of insecurity.

Senator Shettima gave the assurance on Saturday when he led a Federal Government delegation to commiserate with the people of Kaiama Local Government and the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, over the deadly terrorist attack that claimed several lives.
The Vice President disclosed that President Tinubu has instructed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mobilise all resources, in partnership with the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency, to provide succour and support to the distress communities.

“Your Excellency, we are here at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commiserates with you and the good people of Kaiama and Kwara State, by extension, over the tragedy that befell our communities of Woro and Nuku on the evening of Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
“That tragic killings had shocked Nigerians because the victims were peaceful members of the communities that were dedicated to building peaceful livelihood, while they practice their religion in the peaceful and harmonious manner that the injunctions of Islam has instructed,” he said
VP Shettima extended what he described as the heartfelt condolences of President Tinubu and the Federal Government to the government and those who lost their loved ones in the gory attacks, noting that all hands were already on deck to restore peace in the community.

“Please, accept our heartfelt condolences, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A battalion of the Nigerian Army had been deployed to Kaiama and all hands are on deck to ensure that peace and tranquility is restored to those communities,” he assured.
The VP did not disclose the measures being taken to restore peace in the area, observing however that “security issues are sensitive issues and we do not have to divulge most of the actions that are being taken by our security establishment.
“But I’m here fundamentally to commiserates with the government and people of Kwara and the people of Kaiama, in particular, over the tragic loss of lives and to reassure the good people of the state of harmony. Our prayers are with you, our empathy is with you,” the Vice President added.
Earlier, Chairman of the North East Governors Forum, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, extended the condolences and sympathy of the North East Governors to the people and government of Kwara State over the tragedy.

He said, “As Muslims, we believe in destiny and it is our sincere hope that, by God’s grace, this act will not happen again. Our prayers are with you and it is our sincere prayer that Almighty Allah will forgive those that have lost their lives and grant them Aljannah firdaus,” Governor Zulum prayed.
Responding, the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRazaq, applauded the swift response of the Federal Government to the incident, saying “as confirmed by the Local Government Chairman, troops are already on ground and the Operation Savannah Shield is in motion.
“As you can see, we were welcomed at the airport by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Second Division of the Nigerian Army. A DIG is on ground. We truly appreciate the response of the Federal Government, and representatives of NEMA have been on ground since the incident happened.”
The Governor called for continued prayers for better a situation and better security in Nigeria, just as he said, “One is short of words and what to say but we will continue to support our President, the Vice President and our leadership for God to guide them in the affairs of this nation.”
Also, the Chairman of Kaiama local government area, Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar Danladi, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for the immediate deployment of a military battalion in the area, and thanked the Governor of Kwara state for his leadership.
On his part, the Emir of Kaiama, HRH Alhaji Mu’azu Shehu Omar, also applauded President Tinubu for the prompt action taken after the massacre that in Kaiama.
“We really appreciate the effort of President Tinubu. Since the incident happened on Tuesday, he has shown concerned toward us. The security personnel and other relevant agencies are adequately deployed to arrest the situation,” the traditional ruler said.
Other dignitaries present during the visit include the Director-General of NEMA), Zubaida Umar; Sen. Ali Mohammed Ndume; Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd (NDPHC), Eng. Jennifer Adighije; former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, and members of Kwara State House of Assembly, among others.
VP Shettima Leads FG Delegation To Condole With Victims Of Kwara Attack
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