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NIGERIANS MUST KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF PERSONS IN POLICE CUSTODY – IIP-SARS CHAIRMAN INSISTS

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NIGERIANS MUST KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF PERSONS IN POLICE CUSTODY - IIP-SARS CHAIRMAN INSISTS

NIGERIANS MUST KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF PERSONS IN POLICE CUSTODY – IIP-SARS CHAIRMAN INSISTS

By: Our Reporter

The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti – Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police reminded the Police on Thursday that they (police) has a duty to explain to Nigerians the whereabouts of persons who they arrested and are supposedly in their custody.

The Chairman, Justice Suleiman Galadima retd gave this reminder at the hearing of the alleged violation of the right to personal liberty and enforced disappearance of one Eric Ezeala who was arrested in 2017 by members of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and nothing has been heard about him, according to his family members.

The Chairman who was visibly angry about the situation told the lead Counsel for Respondents in this matter, James Idachaba, that the police cannot run away from answering questions on the enforced disappearance of Eric Ezeala, and that the police must be deeply involved in this matter, “we must get to the bottom of this case as quickly as possible” he noted.

Buttressing the Chairman’s position, one of the panelists, John Aikpokpo-Martins in his words “we have a timeline and we must finish this national assignment within the time frame we have. The panel cannot wind up without confirming the whereabouts of victims in police custody, whether they are alive or dead” 

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James Idachaba Esq assured the panel that “ I will get involved personally to find out the whereabouts of Eric Ezeala” and he further disclosed to the panel that from a preliminary investigation carried out personally, he found out that Eric Ezela was arrested by the Inspector General of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT) and not SARS as alleged by his family.

It could be recalled that in her testimony, Hilda Ezeala, mother to the victim, stated that in July 2017 some policemen came and arrested her son and informed her to come with her lawyer to the Owerri  Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) office. On getting to the SARS office they were informed that he has been transferred to Abuja, and nothing has been heard about him since then.

The matter has been adjourned to 23rd November 2021 for respondents to find the whereabouts of Eric Ezeala.

Similarly, the police failed to produce Bawa James of defunct FCT SARS before the panel, to explain his role in the case of alleged inhuman and degrading treatment and extortion against Ezeani Henry.

The petitioner, Ezeani Henry, in his earlier testimony alleged that members of defunct SARS FCT forcefully arrested him and tortured him at their office in Garki. The team led by one Bawa James demanded that he pay N350,000 to bail himself, but his wife was only able to raise N120,000 to secure his release. 

Following the absence of Bawa James, the Chairman of the panel directed that respondents have to forego their defence, hence subsequently directed both Counsels for petitioner and respondents to prepare their written addresses and submit the same one week from today.

The Chairman adjourned the matter to 22nd November 2021 for the adoption of addresses.

NIGERIANS MUST KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF PERSONS IN POLICE CUSTODY – IIP-SARS CHAIRMAN INSISTS

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

By: Bodunrin Kayode

President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.

The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.

From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.

A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.

“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.

“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.

“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.

Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.

These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001

This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.

And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.

The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.

President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.

This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.

The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).

The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).

Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.

Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.

He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.

“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.

“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.

Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.

He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.

NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

By: Michael Mike

The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.

The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.

In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.

The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.

During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.

His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.

In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.

He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.

The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.

Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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