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Borno Declares Repentant Terrorists Won’t Return To Violence

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In a significant development, the Borno State government asserted on Wednesday that the 160,000 repentant Boko Haram insurgents, having pledged allegiance with the Quran, are unlikely to return to violence.

Zuwaira Gambo, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, disclosed that 70,000 of these individuals have successfully resettled in their communities, underscoring their commitment to stay clear of rejoining Boko Haram.

These statements were made during the public presentation of survivors, victims, and deradicalized women of Boko Haram by the Maiduguri-based non-governmental organization, Allamin Foundation, with support from UKAID.

The commissioner sought to ease escalating concerns among the public, assuring that the resurgence of terror in the North-East is not attributed to repentant terrorists backtracking on their commitment.

She emphasized that the fears of them returning to the bush to take up arms against the Nigerian state are unfounded.

She said, “It is completely untrue that the repentant Boko Haram fighters are reneging on their repentance and returning to the bush to continue fighting.

“Out of the over 160,000 who repented, we have already reintegrated over 70,000 in their home communities, and I can assure you that no one will be missing should we decide to gather all of them for anyone to confirm. We operate a transparent process of their repentance.

“We subject each of them to proper oath taking with the Holy Quran that he or she will never return to the bush to fight; and he or she swears with the Holy Quran in the presence of a committee comprising traditional rulers, religious leaders and government officials.

“No repentant Boko Haram dare renege on the oath because he or she knows what it means to swear with the Holy Quran and renege; and he or she knows that he or she dare not return to the bush because he or she knows that death awaits him on arrival; their commanders in the bush will kill him because they would not trust him.”

Gambo revealed that approximately 75% of the repentant insurgents were initially farmers, coerced into insurgency after being captured.

She clarified that these individuals were not genuine fighters. Despite this, she emphasized the state government’s commitment to thoroughly examine the entire charters of demand and take necessary actions.

The charter encapsulates the collective demands of survivors and victims from various entities, including the government, security agencies, NGOs, the media, traditional and religious leaders, community members, and other stakeholders, aiming for comprehensive rehabilitation towards a prosperous life.

 

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VIDEO: Nigerian Man Spends 23 Hours Buried Alive In Coffin

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Young C, a Nigerian man, has been buried alive in a coffin for twenty-three hours.

On Thursday, he posted an update on his Instagram account saying, “Guys, I am still alive, I am still fine, I am okay. A lot of you might think something has happened, but nothing has happened, I am fine.

Breathing heavily he said, “My problem is just that I have run out of water, I might be forced to drink this (my urine). Guys, I am fine.”

Young C had embarked on this daring challenge on Wednesday, announcing his intention to be buried alive for 24 hours.

He shared a video on his Instagram account, emphasizing that the stunt was genuine and not a hoax. He also announced his plan to broadcast live footage from the coffin at night.

In an earlier update, Young C revealed that he had been buried for over 8 hours and was experiencing physical discomfort, including excessive sweating.

He shared a video from the coffin, showing his camera and light still functioning, and expressed his determination to complete the challenge.

This accomplishment brings to mind another challenge that American YouTuber MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) undertook two years ago to raise awareness about deforestation. In that challenge, he buried himself alive for fifty hours.

He overcame both physical and mental obstacles to finish the task and was ultimately exhumed, warning onlookers not to attempt such exploits since they could be dangerous.

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Court Grants N100m Bail To Sirika, Daughter In N2.7bn Fraud Case

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Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, along with his daughter, Fatimah Hadi Sirika, and son-in-law, Jalal Hamma, secured bail from the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.

This follows their indictment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their alleged involvement in a N2.7bn fraud tied to the Nigerian Air project.

The defendants, including Sirika and his family members, vehemently denied the charges during their appearance before Justice Sylvanus Orji, who granted them bail pending further legal proceedings.

Recall that Sirika faces a 6-count amended criminal charge before Justice Oriji, where the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, presented an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7 and filed on May 8.

This amendment was unopposed by the defendants’ counsel. Lead counsel Kanu Agabi (SAN), representing Sirika, submitted his client’s bail application dated May 6 during the proceedings.

The remaining defendants also filed their bail applications, urging the court for leniency in setting the bail terms.

Prosecutor Jacobs highlighted that all defendants were on administrative bail and requested bail conditions ensuring their presence for trial.

Following arguments from both sides, Justice Orji granted bail to each defendant in the amount of ₦100 million, requiring two sureties for each.

Furthermore, the judge stipulated that one surety must possess a landed property with valid land titles within the Federal Capital Territory.

Additionally, the sureties must provide an affidavit of means..

The defendants were restricted from leaving the country without the court’s permission, with the consequence of non-compliance being detention in a correctional facility.

He said, “I admit the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendant to bail in the sum of 100 million each with 2 sureties of like sum.

“One of the sureties must have a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory. The defendants must not travel outside the country.

“Any of them who is unable to fulfil the bail conditions will be remanded in the correctional centre.” he added

The trial dates were set for June 10th, 11th, and 20th, marking the next steps in the legal proceedings.

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Fubara Bans All LGA Heads From Rivers Assembly

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In a decisive move, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has enacted a prohibition preventing all heads and officials from the 23 local government areas in the state from participating in Rivers Assembly sessions, specifically targeting lawmakers aligned with the Pro-Wike faction.

The governor cautioned that any individual who attends sessions convened by lawmakers supportive of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, will face dismissal.

Recall that Governor Fubara reiterated that the state currently lacks recognized lawmakers in the eyes of the law, citing the defection of 27 legislators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the governor’s statement, this move has invalidated their mandate as outlined in the constitution.

It was however gathered that the governor’s directive was communicated via an online circular signed by Ebirieneuket Nteile C, Director of Information and Communications for Chairman Local Government Service Commission, dated Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

The circular reads “I am directed to inform you/ all officers of the 23 Local Government Councils in Rivers State, not to honour/appear before the Members of Assembly or any purported invitation by anybody or group of persons in any guise without the permission of the Acting Chairman- Local Government Service Commission.

“Any staff who disobeys or violates this instruction will be dismissed accordingly from service. Treat as very important, please.”

 

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