Headlines

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested criminal elements who diverted 1200 bags of rice which the federal government sent to Katsina State.

Beyond the diverted rice, the saboteurs also diverted 48 bags of rice kits.

The Spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, gave the figure at a press briefing in Abuja today.
Afunanya disclosed that in July, the DSS arrested several criminal elements involved in oil theft, kidnapping, burglary, cultism, terrorism and insurgency.

Others arrested by the security agency included: high terrorist leaders, logistic facilitators, gun runners and improvised explosive devices.

The Spokesman said beyond the arrests, semi-automatic double barrel, cartridges, pump action rifles, locally-made pistols, IED initiators, AK47 rifles, magazines and batteries were seized by the DSS operatives.

Details later…

Bangladesh’s army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman said Monday he would form an interim government following the resignation of Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, who had fled the capital in the face of overwhelming protests.

“I am taking full responsibility,” the general said, dressed in military fatigues and a cap, although it was not immediately clear if he would head a caretaker government.

“We will form an interim government. The country has suffered a lot, the economy has been hit, and many people have been killed — it is time to stop the violence.

“I hope after my speech, the situation will improve,” Waker said in a broadcast to the nation on state television.

He said he would talk to the president to form the interim government and had held talks with the main opposition parties and civil society members — but not Hasina’s Awami League.

Waker is a career infantry officer who has spent nearly four decades in the military, serving two tours as a United Nations peacekeeper as well as in the prime minister’s office.

“If the situation gets better, there is no need for emergency,” he said, vowing the new authorities would “prosecute all murders” following weeks of deadly protests.

“Now the task of the students is to keep calm and help us,” he added.

Bedecked with medal ribbons on his green uniform, the mild-looking and spectacle-wearing officer was appointed to the military’s top job as the Chief of Army Staff earlier this year.

Following weeks of deadly protests, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and left the country.

More people have been killed in one of the worst violence since the birth of the South Asian nation more than five decades ago.

According to BBC, Hasina is heading for Tripura, the capital of Agartala in India.

However, there was no official confirmation about Hasina quitting and leaving Dhaka.

Hasina, 76, and her sister earlier took a military to India’s eastern state of West Bengal, according to media reports,

The PM was said to have been forced to quit after massive protests against her government over a controversial quota system that reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s War of Independence in 1971.

The army chief is expected to address the nation shortly, according to reports.

Earlier, the government ordered a complete internet shutdown as protestors asked the general public to join a “Long March to Dhaka”.

However, a government agency gave a verbal order to start broadband internet around 1:15 on Monday.

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida has denied claims that he endorsed military rule over democratic governance.

In a statement released by his media office and signed by Mahmud Abdullahi in Minna, Babangida reaffirmed his commitment to democratic rule and urged Nigerians to embrace and ensure its success.

The statement addressed a post from a parody account on X (formerly Twitter) with the handle @General_Ibbro, which falsely attributed to Babangida an endorsement of military rule’s virtues over democracy.

The parody account carried Babangida’s picture and name, as well as the Nigerian coat of arms, to give the impression of authenticity. However, Babangida’s office emphasized that the account does not belong to him and that he did not sanction any of the posts.

The statement noted that this was not the first time the parody account had caused confusion and embarrassment by posting false information. During the presidential elections last year, the account claimed that Babangida had endorsed a particular candidate and party, which was also false.

Babangida’s office reaffirmed his commitment to democratic rule, stating that he believes Nigeria’s democracy is resilient and has come to stay. He urged Nigerians to work together to safeguard the democratic process and overcome the country’s challenges.

The statement emphasized that Babangida has always advocated for more democracy, not less, and that he is proud of the Nigerian military’s support for democratic governments since 1999.

He advised the public to ignore any posts from the parody account and to verify information through official channels before sharing.

Despite President Bola Tinubu’s appeal for dialogue, protesters continued their nationwide hardship and hunger protests for the fourth consecutive day yesterday, Monday, August 5.

The protesters, who have been demanding improved economic conditions and good governance, took to the streets across the country, defying the president’s call to suspend the protests.

Meanwhile, the organizers of the “End Bad Governance in Nigeria” protests have announced an international press conference to be held today, Monday, August 5, at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos state.

Omoyele Sowore, a two-time presidential candidate believed to be one of the key campaigners of the protest, shared the update via his verified X account on Monday.

President Tinubu, in his Sunday broadcast, urged the youths to embrace dialogue, assuring them that his administration is committed to good governance despite the socio-economic challenges facing the nation.

Despite appeal by President Tinubu to suspend the #EndBadGovernance protest, organisers of the ‘End Hunger’ protest in Lagos have announced plans to resume their demonstration at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, on Monday, August 5, 2024.

This decision was made known In a statement issued on Sunday, signed by Hassan Taiwo, Ayoyinka Oni, and Adegboyega Adeniji on behalf of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Organising Committee.

The statement followed the President’s broadcast earlier in the day, where Tinubu acknowledged the protesters’ concerns and urged them to suspend their demonstrations in favor of dialogue.

We consider the President’s decision to address the nation an important victory for our movement,” the organizers said.

“Without our courage and resolve to dare the odds, even this acknowledgement would not have happened. So far, we have demonstrated that a President is not greater than the rest of the country,” the statement read.

The group criticised the President for what they described as a dual approach: offering dialogue while also demanding an end to the protests.

They also condemned recent violence against protesters, including attacks by thugs during a Sunday morning worship session and an incident where a protester was struck on live television.

“In our view, the president cannot be approbating and reprobating at the same time. The President cannot offer an olive branch while at the same time holding a dagger to our throat,” the trio said.

The organizers then called on Nigerian youth and the general public to join them at 7 a.m. on Monday at Gani Fawehinmi Park for the fifth day of protests.

They urged the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, the media, and the Nigerian Bar Association to support their cause and not “stand idly by” as they face suppression.

Novak Djokovic has won his first Olympic gold medal, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling final. This victory marks the last significant achievement missing from Djokovic’s illustrious career.

Djokovic, 37, produced an emotional and stunning display to defeat Alcaraz 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) in a match that will be remembered as one of the greatest of the year. This win completes Djokovic’s career Golden Slam, adding to his men’s-record 24 Grand Slam titles and most weeks spent at No 1 in the rankings.

Djokovic had previously won a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics but had never won gold, losing to the eventual winner each time. However, playing for Serbia, he produced a superb performance to win in straight sets, despite losing to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final just three weeks ago.

An overwhelmed Djokovic expressed his emotions, saying, “I’m too proud, too happy, thrilled to win a gold for the first time in my career for my country.” He considered this win the biggest success of his career, having already won everything there is to win individually.

Djokovic celebrated his historic win, saying, “I’m super grateful for the blessing to win a golden medal for my country. To complete the Golden Slam. To complete all the records.”

He joins Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf as just the fifth player to complete the career Golden Slam of all four Grand Slam titles and Olympic singles gold.

Saturday night was tragic and sorrowful for Indigenes of Umucheke community in Okwe, Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State, as unidentified gunmen shot and killed seven prominent leaders, leaving the community in shock and grief.

Residens of the area said the gunmen attacked the victims at a meeting held at the home of the president general of the community who was also murdered.

Spokesperson of the Imo state police command, Henry Okoye has on confirmed the murder.

He said Commissioner of Police in the state Danjuma Aboki described the incident as a very unfortunate one and that the command is saddened by the tragic incident.

He said investigation has begun to unravel the miscreants responsible for the dastardly act and make them face the full wrath of the law.

Recall that last week, gunmen also ambushed and killed four policemen in the Irete community along Onitsha Road in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

According to sources, the gunmen attacked the policemen who were on stop-and-search duty in the area.

The latest attack is part of a disturbing trend of violence in Imo State and the South-East region, where non-state actors have been carrying out frequent and deadly attacks on security personnel and innocent civilians, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread insecurity in recent years.