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ICPC charges ex-AFN Secretary-General over alleged $150,000 fraud

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ICPC charges ex-AFN Secretary-General over alleged $150,000 fraud

ICPC charges ex-AFN Secretary-General over alleged $150,000 fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a former Secretary-General of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Amaechi Akawu, over his alleged role in a $150,000 scam.

According to a statement by the ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugwa, Mr Akawo was arraigned by the commission at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, February 4.

He was arraigned before the trial judge, Inyang Ekwo, on charges of corruption, including money laundering and fraudulent diversion of public funds.

The anti-corruption agency had accused the former Secretary-General of diverting funds released by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) for the successful hosting of the CAA Grand Prix Competition in Delta State, also known as the 2017 Warri Relay Competition.

The defendant allegedly committed the offences in July and August 2017, when he was said to have diverted sums of money from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for personal use.

The ICPC alleged that Mr Akawo actions violated Sections 1 (a) and 16 (1) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 and are punishable under relevant sections of the same Act.

Akawo pleaded not guilty to all the charges and then filed for bail.

ICPC prosecutor, Mashkur Salisu, did not object to the bail application but urged the court to grant him bail on stringent terms to ensure the defendant attends his trial.

In the ruling, the trial judge, Mr Ekwo, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N15 million, with one surety. The judge ordered that the surety must have landed property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and must deposit his passport with the court registry.

The case was thereafter adjourned until May 16 and fixed May 17 to 18, 2022 for further trial dates

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One killed as rival groups clash over Donga Central Mosque in Taraba

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One killed as rival groups clash over Donga Central Mosque in Taraba

By: Zagazola Makama

A violent clash between two rival groups over ownership of the Donga Central Mosque in Taraba State has claimed the life of one person and left property destroyed.

Sources said that the incident occurred on Tuesday evening following reports that members of the Izala Jos sect and the Danburam family were planning to forcefully gain access into the disputed mosque in Donga town.

Upon receiving intelligence about the planned confrontation, police authorities immediately summoned both parties and warned them against any act capable of breaching public peace.

In collaboration with other security agencies, personnel were deployed to the mosque to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

However, despite the intervention, both groups reportedly mobilised in large numbers, armed with dane guns, cutlasses and stones, leading to a violent clash.

Security operatives dispersed the rioters using smoke grenades, but not before one person, identified as Biliya Zakari, aged 20, of Asibiti Ward, was killed.

A temporary structure close to the mosque was also destroyed during the unrest.

Authorities said the area is now calm, though additional reinforcements have been requested to maintain peace and order.

One killed as rival groups clash over Donga Central Mosque in Taraba

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43 herders killed in renewed vigilante attacks in Kebbi, Niger States

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43 herders killed in renewed vigilante attacks in Kebbi, Niger States

By: Zagazola Makama

At least 43 Fulani herders have been killed in a series of coordinated attacks by suspected vigilante groups across parts of Kebbi and Niger States, according to community sources and local leaders.

Zagazola Makama report that the attacks, which occurred between Oct. 24 and 26, affected several rural settlements in Argungu, Arewa, and Bunza Local Government Areas of Kebbi State, where armed vigilantes reportedly invaded Fulani communities, killing dozens and setting houses ablaze.

In Lailaba District of Argungu LGA, particularly at Maini Fulani settlement, and in Bui and Tilli districts of Arewa and Bunza LGAs respectively, at least 37 people were killed, several others injured, and more than 200 houses destroyed. Many residents, including women and children, were displaced, while some persons remain missing.

Eyewitnesses said the attacks were carried out by groups of vigilantes who stormed the herders’ camps, shooting sporadically and torching homes. The violence was said to have begun on Oct. 24 in Argungu, followed by another on Oct. 25 in Bunza, and a third on Oct. 26 in Bui.

Community members alleged that the assailants came from neighbouring villages in Arewa LGA, including Yeldu District, while others involved in the Bui incident were said to have come from Tunga Bature, Tunga Tsoho, Bui, Sangela, and Danmairago villages.

Authorities in Kebbi have since visited the affected areas, promising to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice. The state government also assured displaced families of support and called for calm to prevent further escalation.

Meanwhile, similar violence was reported in Edati Local Government Area of Niger State, where six Fulani herders were killed and more than 60 houses burnt on Sept. 21 in Ejjin, Runji, Majina, and Ginshi villages.

Such acts of reprisal and mob justice could worsen communal relations and heighten insecurity across the affected states.

Reacting to the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has condemned the attacks in a statement issued in Abuja by the association’s National Secretary, Bello Aliyu Gotomo.

The group described the killings and destruction of herders’ settlements as unjustified and inhumane, calling for the arrest and prosecution of all those involved.

MACBAN lamented that herders in the region were already contending with the activities of armed bandits locally referred to as Lakurawa, who extort illegal taxes, seize livestock, and terrorise rural dwellers.

“Now, in addition to these threats, peaceful herders are being attacked by vigilantes acting outside the law. Allowing people to take the law into their hands will only worsen insecurity across the state,” the statement warned.

The group further expressed grief over a similar incident in Niger State, where six Fulani herders were killed and more than 60 houses burnt by vigilantes on Sept. 21, 2025, in the communities of Ejjin, Runji, Majina, and Ginshi in Edati Local Government Area.

MACBAN said the violence followed a misunderstanding between a farmer and a herder, after which some vigilantes mobilised and attacked herders’ homes while the herder involved was already in police custody.

The association commended the Governor of Niger State for his prompt intervention, which prevented the crisis from escalating further.

MACBAN, however, called on the Federal, State, and Local Governments to urgently address the rising wave of insecurity affecting rural communities across the country, noting that the situation had severely impacted livestock rearing and farming activities.

“The security crisis in rural areas demands immediate and coordinated attention from all tiers of government to protect lives and livelihoods,” Gotomo stated.

43 herders killed in renewed vigilante attacks in Kebbi, Niger States

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DSS Arrests Man Who Used Own Social Media Handle To Canvass Military Coup

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DSS Arrests Man Who Used Own Social Media Handle To Canvass Military Coup

By: Zagazola Makama

The Department of State Services (DSS) has trailed to Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and arrested one Innocent Chukwuma who used his social media handle to rally the military to overthrow the current government.

Posting on his “X” handle “@TheAgroman,” Chukwuma stated that a coup was needed in Nigeria and called on the military to “suspend the Nigerian government.”

He posted, “A coup in Nigeria is needed.
Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigerian Government, and join the AES. That is all we need now.
“It will happen eventually. Nigerians, the military needs your support now! Only them can save this country.
“The bastard in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West, and they run our intelligence apparatus. Only the military can reset this country. Support them,” Chukwuma posted.

A source disclosed that the suspect is cooperating with DSS investigators.

DSS Arrests Man Who Used Own Social Media Handle To Canvass Military Coup

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