Folarin Kehinde

The local government chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Samuel Nwanosike, has slammed Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing him as a “foolish governor” and naive.

Nwanosike is a loyalist of Former Governor Nyesom Wike. The rift between Fubara and Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, escalated in 2023 due to a power struggle for supremacy within the state.

The LG chairman made the remark while addressing his supporters at Omerelu Community. He later posted the viral video on his official X handle.

He said, “Any day the likes of Chijioke sent by Fubara insults Wike, I’ll insult Fubara, so today, Fubara is a foolish Governor, he’s not a ‘mumu’ Governor but a foolish Governor because since he took office in May 29th, he has done nothing for Rivers people.”

Nwanosike said the allegation that Wike wanted to pocket Rivers State is far from the truth, saying Fubara “is very naive and doesn’t know what governance is all about. If he knows what governance is all about, by now, he would have been visiting Rivers State by the local government.

“Go and look at Igirita roundabout by Igirita market by Eleka Road; deathtrap, can’t move. Kidnapping everywhere in Rivers State and you say you’re a Governor”.

Late designer of Nigeria’s national flag, Taiwo Akinkunmi is yet to be buried five months after he died. This is after the Federal and Oyo State Governments had pledged a state burial for the icon after he passed away on August 29, 2023.

There was however some disagreement on the December 7 and 8, 2023 date earlier fixed by the family for the burial, due to lack of proper consultation between the family and the government.

The Oyo State House of Assembly later met with the family, promising to communicate an agreement on a new burial date.

According to Akinwunmi Akinkunmi who is the spokesperson of the bereaved family, they are running out of patience due to lack of communication and uncertainty surrounding the burial arrangements.

A family source said they are not dragging with the government but want clarity on the commitments made by the government to enable them determine whether to proceed with the burial of their patriarch on their own.

The Senate is set to summon Minister Nyesom Wike following the escalating security challenges in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This was revealed by the senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, during a Sunday interview on Channels TV.

Senator Kingibe, who was elected under the Labour Party (LP) platform, expressed concern about the recent surge in criminal activities, including kidnapping and killings, orchestrated by bandits within the nation’s capital. She said that upon the Senate’s return to plenary, the Minister would be summoned to provide a detailed account of his strategy to address the security crisis.

“It is not that I am hoping. I know he will be summoned. But whether he responds or not is a different matter entirely. But as the chief security officer of the FCT, he should have a plan.

“He should be able to tell us, the committee, and specifically me, that this is the plan for protecting the people of the FCT. Between him, the police commissioner, and the head of the DSS, they must have a plan”, the Senator said.

Kingibe further disclosed that there is a perceived “disconnect” between herself and the FCT Minister. She accused Wike of neglecting her messages and letters regarding the security situation in the region.

Retired Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi, former General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, has raised serious concerns about the fatal air crash that claimed the life of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, and 11 other senior military officers.

In an exclusive interview with THISDAY, Ali-Keffi contends that the crash is intricately linked to terror financiers, urging President Bola Tinubu to launch an immediate investigation into the incident.

Ali-Keffi, who expressed his reservations about the official investigation, alleges a deliberate suppression of critical details surrounding the crash.

He emphasized that the full report of the investigation has not been disclosed to the public, adding an air of suspicion to the circumstances leading up to the tragic incident.

The retired general asserts that Attahiru was pivotal in formulating strategies to eradicate terrorism in Northern Nigeria.

Ali-Keffi contends that the late army chief’s efforts to tackle terrorism extended to exposing and neutralizing terror financiers.

In a detailed account of the events leading to the crash, Ali-Keffi raises questions about the abrupt changes in the scheduled trip, alterations in the choice of aircraft, and modifications in the landing airport.

He points to a sequence of unusual events, including the aircraft’s descent in stormy weather, a delayed departure, and an ear-shattering explosion before the crash, casting doubt on the official narrative.

Ali-Keffi explained, “About 2100 hrs on Thursday 20 May 2021, I spoke on phone with the Chief of Staff (COS) to the late COAS regarding their impending trip to Kaduna the following day (21 May 2021).

I had earlier spoken with General Attahiru on the same issue. We ended our conversation on the note that the late COAS and entourage would come by flight at about 1000 hrs the following day.

“About 0630 hrs the following morning, I called the COS to the late COAS to confirm if their travel plan was as we discussed the night before, as I needed to make arrangements for the Mosque that the COAS would attend Jummu’at (Friday) prayers.

“The COS informed me that there was a change of plan. He said after we finished speaking last night, they received a message that the late COAS was to attend a meeting either at the Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD) office or at the Presidential Villa at about 1000 hrs on Friday 21 May 2021 and that the late COAS was to attend in person and not send a representative.

“It is important to note that the late COAS’ trip to Kaduna was part of his visit to Zaria to attend the Passing Out Parade at the Depot NA slated for Saturday 22 May 2021.

“It is worth noting that the movement of service chiefs out of station (Abuja) is with the prior knowledge of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD), and the presidency.

“So, why was a meeting scheduled for about the same time that the late COAS was to have departed for (or arrived) Kaduna and why the insistence that he (COAS) should not be represented?

“In any case, the COS informed me that in view of the meeting, they would depart the Flag House (official residence of the COAS) at about 1530 hrs (after attending the meeting and also after the Jummu’ at prayers) for the airport.

“They expected to arrive the airport at about 1600 hrs, board the aircraft at about 1610 – 1615 hrs and depart for Kaduna. At about 1600 hrs, I was informed that they had arrived the Presidential Wing of the Airport. I then set off from the Stallion House (official residence of the GOC) with my entourage in a convoy and arrived the Air Force Base at about 1615 hrs.

“For reasons that I cannot understand till today, the flight was delayed for over an hour and did not take off until 1730 hrs or there about. The reason for the delay, as I was informed, was that there was issue with the aircraft that was initially assigned for the mission (to convey the COAS and his entourage) and that it had to be changed.”

Ali-Keffi also disclosed, “Meantime, there was a meteorological alert that Kaduna airspace was going to experience heavy rainfall accompanied with the storm (wind shear), and it was advised. Already, the cloud had formed in Kaduna, which was visible to us at the airport.

“As a matter of fact, the cloud was so thick, which was indicative of a massive storm. I began to nurse doubts about the flight. At some point, I voiced my doubts to Air Commodore Iyamu and Air Commodore Ilo, who were with me to receive the COAS.

“I even suggested that they should advise Abuja of weather conditions with a view to having the flight cancelled. At that point, I was informed that the aircraft was airborne (at about 1745 hrs). I became concerned as to whether the aircraft would be able to land at the airport in such a heavy rainfall, storm (the rain had started falling then).

“Thus, I was not surprised when Air Commodore Ilo informed me that we had go to the Civil (International Airport) as the NAF runway was not long enough to enable the aircraft land under the atrocious weather condition. We then set off for the International Airport but at a snail speed due to the heavy rainfall, which was accompanied with shale (ice particles).”

The former GOC said, “When we got to the vicinity of the airport, there was a thunderous sound, which I thought was the sound of thunder. We had earlier cited what I believed was the aircraft descending to land on the runway. When we turned the bend to enter the tarmac, the thought on my mind was that the aircraft had touched down and was taxing to the parking area.

“I couldn’t see any aircraft on the runway. I frantically looked around, and by the far side of the runway, there was a fireball. It was the aircraft conveying General Attahiru! We got out the vehicles, crossed the runway and approached the burning aircraft. Fire fighters were on hand to put out the blaze. At some point we had to pull back due to the fear of exploding cylinders.

“We later recovered the corpses of the 10 passengers on board the ill-fated plane far from where the plane wreckage was. Apparently, their bodies, which were on fire, were flung from the aircraft before it came down (already in flames). Furthermore, the aircraft (or what was left of it), at least what I could recollect, was on a relatively flat grassland.

“There was no crater. This was indicative of a mid-air explosion. So, what caused the aircraft to explode? I wonder what the Air Safety and Accident Investigation Bureau report says about the incident.”

Ali-Keffi further queried, “Was the flight deliberately delayed in order to be caught up in the rainstorm? Was the aircraft sabotaged, which caused it to explode mid-air? Was the explosion caused by explosives? Was a bomb planted in the aircraft or contained in a parcel, which a passenger unknowingly (or knowingly) carried?”

The British Council in Nigeria has again increased the fee for the English Language Testing System examinations by 29%.

According to a notice published on the councils’ website, applicants will now pay the sum of N139,000 for the Computer Academic and General Training Modules from February 1, 2024.

The examination is widely accepted globally by non-native English speakers as evidence of their language proficiency.

The council blamed the change in fee on the hike in the costs of conducting the examination.

“We would like to inform you that there has been a review of our IELTS fees. The new price list of the IELTS range of tests offered by the British Council will be effective for registrations on or after 1 February 2024.

“The new prices will be:
IELTS on Computer Academic and General Training Modules: ₦139,000
IELTS on Paper Academic and General Training Modules: ₦134,000
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): ₦149,000
Life Skills: ₦130,000
One Skill Retake (O.S.R): ₦87,570

“The change in price is associated with the increased costs of the delivery of our exams. This will enable us to continue to offer a wide range of services and comprehensive support to enable you to achieve your goals.

“Thank you for choosing the British Council,” the notice read.

This is the second time in five months the price has been jerked.

In September 2023, the Council increased the fee for the examination from between N80,000 to N90,000 to N107,500.

Five of the six sisters of the Al-Kadriyar family who were kidnapped by bandits in the Bwari area of Abuja recently have regained their freedom on Saturday night.

As of the time of filing this report, our correspondent could not independently verify whether the girls were rescued by security operatives or were released after their family paid ransom.

However, an uncle to the girls, Kabiru Aminu, who disclosed the news of their release, posted a video on his X handle @kabiru_aminu, showing the sisters and their relatives jubilating.

“#Najeebahandhersisters are home right now, someone please wake me up!” he tweeted.

“#Najeebahandhersisters. These girls are strong,” he added in a follow up tweet.

The six sisters were abducted recently alongside their father.

The gunmen later released their father, asking him to go get N60m as ransom for the release of her daughters before Friday, January 12.

In a bid to raise money, Nigerians were urged to donate whatever they had into a bank account, but not enough money was gathered.

Unpleased by the development, the gunmen reportedly killed the eldest of the six sisters and dumped her body somewhere for her parents to bury.

Following the gruesome killing of Najeebah, the Nigeria Police Force said it was intensifying plans to rescue the victims while assuring Nigerians that plans were ongoing to prevent further kidnapping cases across the country.

No fewer than ten children have reportedly been injured in an explosion in Kidandan, Giwa Council Area of Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria.

The incident which occurred on Saturday afternoon is coming barely four days after an explosion rocked Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, that left five dead and over 70 others seriously injured.

The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the latest incident, noting that all the injured children had been taken to hospital for medical treatment.

The command’s spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, who confirmed the incident to TheCable, described the incident as unfortunate.

Hassan said, “We received the information through the DPO (divisional police officer). You know that area is the operational area where the security agencies are conducting a lot of operations in the bush.”

He regretted that those children picked an object and took it to their school and in the process of dismantling, it exploded.
“So, the young boys went to the bush and they saw an object and took it to the school.

“When they got to the school since they didn’t know what the object was, they decided to open it to see. So, in the process, it exploded and left about nine of them injured.”

The affected children are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility, the PPRO said.

He said the command’s EOD has visited the scene to “ascertain the situation and find out whether it was a bomb or what exploded.”