NEWS
How I killed Sheikh Goni in Yobe, flee with his car – Soldiers
By Funmilayo Olusanya
…Buhari calls for severe punishment of the culprit
Lance Corporal John Gabriel of 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru, Yobe State, on Tuesday described how he killed Sheikh Aisami Goni and stole his car.
When Adamu Gideon and Gabriel were paraded at the State Police Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters in Damaturu, Gabriel confessed to the crime.
The only thing on Lance Corporal Gabriel’s mind when he woke up on Friday morning and headed to a checkpoint with his rifle was to “arrange any vehicle that I see and take it from the owner”.
He said: “When I saw this Honda coming. I stopped the car and asked the owner where he was coming from and where he was going. He said he was coming from Kano and going to his hometown in Gashua. I asked him if he could give me a lift to Jajimaji. He said no problem. We reached our first checkpoint in Dongon Kukar. When he saw soldiers collecting money from drivers, he asked me why. I told him that I didn’t know because it’s not every soldier that collects money from checkpoints. My mission was to collect his car and leave.
“I was not in uniform but the car owner knew I was a soldier because I introduced myself to him before I joined him in his vehicle.
“As we were approaching Jajimaji about five to six kilometres I told him that I was hearing a sound under his car. He parked and went to check. I also came down from the vehicle. He check but he did not see anything.
“It was a ploy to make him come down from the vehicle. As he was checking, I removed my rifle and fixed my magazine. I asked whether he has checked the back tyre. As he was trying to move and check the back tyre, I pointed my rifle at him. He asked, what have I done, what have I done. I said you didn’t do not do anything. He asked again, do you want to kill me. I said I don’t want to kill you.
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“I now fired a warning shot, thinking that it would scare him to run away but he did not run away. When he wanted to run into the vehicle, I fired the second shot. When he ran to the side of the driver, I fired on the body of the car and one of the bullets penetrated the vehicle and killed him. I dragged his body off the main road into the bush.
“I have never done this before.
“On that fateful day, I really don’t know what came over me. I was off duty. I don’t really know what happened.
“I am owing my wife N250,000 but that is not the reason I went out to do this.
“I regret killing the man.”
However, President Muhammadu Buhari urged the military to punish the soldiers who are believed to have slain the sheikh as soon as possible.
The President said in a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Mallam Garba Shehu that; “this barbaric murder of a compassionate man by a soldier he had assisted has no place in our training as soldiers, and it negates the entire ethos of military life, which is anchored on discipline and respect for the sanctity of innocent lives.
“As the Commander-in- Chief, I am personally outraged by this criminal and wicked act by a law enforcement official trained to protect life.
“Of course, the action of this soldier is an isolated incident involving an individual, but it is capable of staining the collective image of our military.”
“I call on the military authorities to punish the perpetrators of this heinous crime without delay, and flush out other elements with such criminal tendencies.”
He expressed his condolences to the Yobe State government, the residents, and the relatives of the deceased.
NEWS
I Previously Called For Simon Ekpa To Be Shot – APC Chieftain
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jesutega Onokpasa, has expressed strong support for the recent arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafran Republic Government in Exile.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Onokpasa, a lawyer, described Ekpa as a dangerous figure whose actions warranted severe measures, including his elimination.
READ ALSO: Edo State Governor Sets Up Committee To Recover Missing Gov’t Vehicles
Simon Ekpa was apprehended in Finland earlier this week by the country’s Central Criminal Police alongside three other individuals.
The arrests were part of an investigation into suspected terrorist activities.
Finnish authorities confirmed the development in a statement, noting that Ekpa and others were being questioned for their alleged roles in terrorism-related crimes.
Onokpasa, who has been a vocal critic of the separatist leader, revealed that he had previously called for Ekpa to be neutralized due to his alleged involvement in violent activities in Nigeria’s Southeast.
“The case of Simon Ekpa—his arrest is long overdue,” Onokpasa said during the interview. “In fact, I had actually encouraged that he should be shot because he was killing his fellow Igbos. If the person is an enemy combatant, he is liable to be shot. I know the law. This is just intelligence stuff.”
The APC chieftain also described Ekpa as “a crazy, poorly educated fellow,” adding that his actions have led to significant bloodshed among Igbos in the region.
Onokpasa emphasized his unwavering support for Ekpa’s arrest, which he believes is a necessary step in addressing the violence linked to separatist agitation. “In that case, I am in full support of his arrest,” he added.
Ekpa has been a polarizing figure, often accused of fueling unrest in Nigeria’s Southeast through his advocacy for Biafran independence.
His arrest is being hailed by some as a crucial step toward restoring peace in the region.
NEWS
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah Laid To Rest In Nnewi Amidst Tight Security
On Friday, November 22, 2024, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State.
The funeral, held at his residence in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi, was attended by a multitude of mourners, including political figures, business associates, and community members, all paying their final respects to the esteemed businessman and politician.
The burial proceedings commenced with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by condolence visits and other funeral activities. The ceremonies are scheduled to continue through the weekend, culminating in a Thanksgiving Mass and Outing Service on Sunday, November 24, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Otolo Nnewi.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Anambra Senator, Ubah, Dies In London
In light of security concerns, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week. This decision followed threats from separatist elements who vowed to attack those attending the burial. A circular from the state Ministry of Education directed school principals to inform parents and ensure students remained at home during this period.
The Anambra State Police Command addressed an incident that occurred on Wednesday night, clarifying that it was not related to the burial. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident involved security operatives mistakenly engaging police personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The situation has since been brought under control.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.
As the community of Nnewi and the nation at large bid farewell to Senator Ubah, his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and public servant continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspired.
NEWS
Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Will Restore Peace In South East, Says Enugu Gov’t
The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.
Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.
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“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.
“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”
The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.
It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.
Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.
“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”
The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.
“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.
The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.
“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.
The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.