NEWS
Rivers Crisis: Green Chamber Acknowledges Petition On Gov Fubara’s Assault
The Centre for Social Justice, Equity, and Transparency (CSJET) has submitted a petition to the House of Representatives, urging an investigation into the reported assault on River State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by police officers on Monday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The Green Chamber acknowledged and adopted the petition during Tuesday’s plenary, calling for an investigation into the role of security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Police Force personnel accused of attempting to assassinate Governor Fubara.
Dated October 30, 2023, the petition addressed to Deputy Spokesman Hon. Philip Agbese by the group condemns the alleged unlawful suspension of Rivers State House of Assembly members and the reported arson at the State Assembly Complex, attributed to anti-Fubara forces in the state.
The group also denounced the impeachment attempt on Governor Fubara by the House of Assembly, labeling it as baseless, unfounded, and an effort to hinder the governor’s pursuit of developmental plans for the state.
The petition reads in part: “We are a non-governmental, non-profit and non-partisan organization registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and our principal objective is to become a principal catalyst in mainstreaming social justice in public life through policy engagement and interventions that bring about economic, political and social reforms, rights enhancement and sustainable livelihoods.
“We write to draw your attention to the brewing crisis in Rivers State House of Assembly and in fact Rivers State Government as a whole and thus seek your intervention in the resolution of the crisis rocking the state.
“Earlier this week, there occurred a failed assassination attempt on the life of the governor of Rivers State as well as concerted moves to impeach him by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
NEWS
JUST IN: NNPC Ltd Disclaims Video Of Adulterated Fuel Sold in Bottles, Jerrycans
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has distanced itself from a video clip showing someone pouring blackish liquid content, purportedlypurchased from one of its retail outlets.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., Olufemi Soneye, made the clarification in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
He was explicit that “That NNPC Retail Ltd. does not deal in adulterated products”, in the statement.
ALSO READ: BP, Trafigura, Vitol Lead Global Offtake Of Dangote’s Refined Products
“That we have carried out spot checks at all our outlets and found this claim to be false. The product was not, and could not have been bought from any NNPC Retail outlet as the company does not dispense petroleum products into bottles or jerrycans as displayed in the video,” he added.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has been drawn to the video clip of someone pouring a dark liquid which he claims to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) purportedly bought from an NNPC Retail outlet at Keffi Flyover, and wishes to state as follows:
“That we have carried out spot checks at all our outlets and found this claim to be false. The product was not, and could not have been bought from any NNPC Retail outlet as the company does not dispense petroleum products into bottles or jerrycans as displayed in the video.
“That NNPC Retail Ltd. does not deal in adulterated products as it adheres to rigorous standards and quality control measures at every stage in its operations to ensure that only high-quality, safe, and reliable petroleum products are available at its stations nationwide.
“That members of the public should discountenance the spurious claims made in the video and be wary of selfish and unpatriotic elements pushing such narrative as they do not mean well for the country.
“That we take pride in maintaining accurate pump integrity with regular inspection and calibration to ensure consistency across our stations nationwide.”
NEWS
New Terrorist Group Emerges In Northwest Nigeria – DHQ
A new terrorist group known as ‘Lukarawas’ has emerged, worsening insecurity in northwestern Nigeria, according to the Defence Headquarters.
Major-General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this on Thursday during a military briefing in Abuja.
READ MORE: Tragic Building Collapse In R/State Leaves One Dead, Several Injured
Buba reported that the Lukarawas group, believed to have originated from the Republic of Niger, began operating in Nigeria after the recent coup in Niger disrupted joint security efforts.
With border patrols between Nigerian and Nigerien forces halted, the group made inroads into northern Sokoto and Kebbi States, using rugged border areas between Niger and Mali to establish a foothold.
“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some northwestern states to spread their ideology,” Maj.-Gen. Buba said.
Local communities initially welcomed the group, unaware of its motives, and failed to report their activities to authorities, according to Buba.
The military, however, has intensified intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations in an effort to curb the group’s growing influence and protect vulnerable regions.
The Lukarawas group is said to be hiding in remote, under-governed areas, making it difficult for security forces to track and eliminate them.
Despite these challenges, Maj.-Gen. Buba assured that the military is focused on dismantling the group’s presence and restoring stability in affected regions.
NEWS
Osun Declares Three-Day Mourning For COAS, Lagbaja
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has declared a-three-day mourning period for the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja.
Consequently, Gov Adeleke directed the flags should be flown at half-mast during the period.
Osun State’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, in making the disclosure, made it known that Condolence Registers have also been opened at the government house and Governor’s office for the condolence messages of the people of Osun.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: Tinubu Postpones FEC Meeting Because Of Lagbaja’s Death
According to the Alimi, the death of the late COAS is devastating, a colossal loss to humanity and the nation, and “we can’t forget him”.
The government is sad at this irreparable loss of one of the Glory of Osun state, and we particularly condole with the Lagbaja family of Ilobu, the Olobu of Ilobu and everyone, he added.
The mourning period is to start today Thursday November 7, 2024 and end on Saturday 9th, while the Condolence Register is for people to pen down their memories of him, for the immortality of the late COAS, who died at age 56.
Once again, we pray God repose the soul of late Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja, and grant him Aljanna Firdaus Ameen.