CRIME
One Dead, Vehicles Damaged as Shiites Protest Forces Reps to Adjourn Plenary
By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
At least one person was feared dead yesterday as members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) popularly called Shiites protested at the National Assembly Complex yesterday. The violent protest, Daily Asset gathered, resulted in the death of one police officer attached to the National Assembly security team, who died as a result of injuries sustained during attack by the Shiites members.
Besides the killing, they also shattered window glasses of security gate at the main entrance to the complex and smashed windscreens of several vehicles at the National Assembly premises before leaving. The incident forced the House of Representatives to abruptly adjourned plenary session as Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said the House would adjourn due to security concerns.The Shiites who were protesting the the continued incarceration of their leader, Ibrahim Elzakzaky by the Federal Government, were however resisted by security operatives at the last gate to the main building of the National Assembly who fired sporadically into the air to disperse the protesters.
Consequently, the items slated on the order paper including presentation of 20 bills for for first reading and three motions on : Fuel Tanker Explosion at Ahumbe Community in Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State that Claimed Over Fifty (50) Lives, Need to Address Traffic Gridlock in Apapa and Urgent Need to Incorporate June 12 Struggle in History Curriculum of Schools in Nigeria, were put on hold.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives resolved to set a Committee to investigate the Edo State House of Assembly crisis following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), Peter Akpatason (APC, Edo)
and Johnson Oghuma (APC, Edo).
The the lawmakers prayed that, the National Assembly in line with the provisions of Section 11 (4) of the Constitution take over the affairs of Edo State House of Assembly and ensure the proper inauguration of the House, with the Inspector General of Police and the Director General, State Security Services providing the necessary security for the 24 members-elect to be sworn-in as expected and required by Law.
But after several debates, mostly in favour of the motion, the House unanimously amended the prayers of the Edo legislators and resolved to investigate the matter first before taking further legislative action.
While presenting the motion on behalf of his colleagues, Ihonvbere, noted with concern the improper, clandestine and nocturnal inauguration of the 7th Edo State House of Assembly on the 17th of June, 2019, wherein 9 out of 24 members-elect were purportedly sworn-in without the knowledge of the Other 15 members-elect.
He argued that, “aware that the tenure of the Edo State House of Assembly expired on the 7th of June, 2019; further notes that proclamations are issued pursuant to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), Section 105 Subsection 3, which directs the Governor of a State to issue a proclamation for the first Session of the House of Assembly of a State.
“Worried that on the 17th of June, 2019, ten days after the expiration of the 6th Assembly, 19 out of the 24 members-elect called a press conference to urge the Edo State Governor to issue a Proclamation to facilitate the inauguration of the House of Assembly and commencement of Legislative Business in order to avoid a constitutional crisis.
“Concerned that on the same day ( 17th June, 2019), the Governor and his Deputy after abducting 4 members-elect against their wish, caused the Clerk of the House to secretly swear in 9 members-elect out of the 24 at 9:30pm well outside the normal time recognized by the rules of the House for the conduct of the Edo State House of Assembly the previous night and to demand for a Proper inauguration.
“However, to their chagrin they were attacked by hired thugs and the State Security outfit code-named “wabaizigan” and backed by men of the Nigeria Police Force led by the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, DSP Chris D. Nwokolo.
“Aware that consequent upon the threat to their lives and injuries sustained from the attack, majority of the members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly have since fled the State for safety.
“Further aware and worried that against the background of the illegality and the growing security challenges in Edo State, no normal Legislative Business can take place unless the proper procedure for inaugurating the Legislature is done as envisaged and guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Security provided”.
The House thereafter setup an ad-hoc committee chaired by Razak Namdas to investigate the matter, reconcile the aggrieved factions and report back in two weeks.
The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.
10 while riding a tricycle.He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.
He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.
“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.
“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.
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