News
Don’t allow another civil war, Buhari urges Nigerians
• Says self-centredness caused war that claimed one million lives in Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday warned Nigerians not to allow the civil war that took place from 1967 to 1970 to repeat itself in the life of the country.
The president, who identified self-centredness as the main cause of the civil war that claimed one million lives, however submitted that Nigerians will remain Nigerians in one indivisible country.
Speaking at the State House, Abuja, while receiving in audience former state chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), President Buhari said the self-centeredness that led to the loss of about a million lives between 1967-1970 must not be allowed to repeat itself, adding that the CPC was founded on the bedrock of patriotism and loyalty to the unity of Nigeria.
He said: “Our main objective is the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are human beings. We have our weaknesses, but I can assure you that the patriotism in us is hard earned. We have gone through all the troubles from 15th of January 1966 to date. You know what I mean by this, we have killed a million of ourselves in order to keep this country together.
“I don’t think there can be any practical experience more than that. We are Nigerians. God willing, we remain Nigerians and Nigeria will remain one.
The president urged all members of defunct CPC and political leaders to always be mindful of the larger picture by working towards preserving the unity, peace and integrity of the nation.”
He also urged political leaders to stay focused and uphold the ultimate objective of promoting interest of the country, saying: “We are Nigerians. God willing, we remain Nigerians and Nigeria shall remain one.’’
President Buhari noted that the passion and zeal for improving the livelihood of Nigerians, which culminated in the creation of the political party had not dwindled, calling for more steadfastness as Nigerians.
The president thanked former chairmen of the political party, which was merged to form the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), for always highlighting the achievements of the government, admitting that some areas will surely get more attention.
“I am delighted to welcome the forum of state chairmen of the former Congress for Progressives Change to State House today. I accord great significance to this visit as it demonstrates a determination and commitment to identify with our administration.
“This visit recalls the solidarity with the successes that we have recorded in critical areas of our society. The visit also affords us the opportunity to discuss other issues of interest to the forum.
“I commend members of this forum and all members of the legacy party-CPC, for their continued dedication to the ideals of democratic governance that we all believed in.
“The doggedness with which we pursued our vision and goals that culminated into the success we recorded remain like bright stars in the history of our dear nation,’’ he added.
Prosecutors had sought the death penalty against 11 soldiers on trial in the same case, but the Goma court acquitted three of them, ruling that the charges against those soldiers were “not established”.
The troops were fighting against the mostly Tutsi M23 (March 23 movement) rebels, who took up arms again in late 2021, seizing large swathes of North Kivu province.
“They never fled from the enemy nor abandoned their position — on the contrary,” said Alexis Olenga, a lawyer for one of the five officers facing charges.
Olenga said the soldiers were based at Lushangi-Cafe, a federal army position close to the strategic town of Sake, 20 kilometres (12 miles) down the road from North Kivu’s capital Goma.
These were the first capital punishment sentences since authorities decided on March 13 to lift a suspension on executions that had been enforced since 2003.
The failure of the army and its auxiliaries to halt the advance of the M23 rebels has raised suspicion that the security forces had been infiltrated.
Several military personnel as well as members of parliament, senators and business leaders have been arrested and accused of “complicity with the enemy”.
For the last 20 years, death sentences have been handed down in the DRC, especially in cases involving the military or armed groups, but have systematically been commuted to life in prison.
Human rights groups and the Catholic Church have called on the government to abolish capital punishment for any crime. (AFP)
The suspected whose church in located in Amorji-Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area was also accused of unlawfullly being in possession of a pump action gun, another locally made gun and two live ammunition.
According the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, the suspect was arrested on May 1, 2024 by men of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad following the receipt of a report.
He was alleged that the prophet abducted, physically assaulted and had carnal knowledge of the female victim under the pretense of curing her of spiritual problems.
He said: “A preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect, an acclaimed prophet and owner of a church (names withheld), in the course of providing the said spiritual service, kept the victim beyond the number of days he promised her parents.
“He thereafter compelled them to sell their plot of land to pay him for services rendered. Meanwhile, a search executed in his premises led to the recovery of one pump action, one locally-made gun and two live cartridges. Further discreet investigation is ongoing.” (Daily Sun)
An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Thursday ordered that a 35-year-old man, Dickson Peter, be remanded in a correction facility for allegedly setting his landlord’s house on fire.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police charged the defendant with two counts of felony and arson.
The Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, who did not take his plea due to lack of jurisdiction, ordered that he be remanded in the Abolongo Correctional Facility, Oyo Town.
Mudashiru said the remand is pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
He adjourned the matter until July 23, 2024, for reference.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Femi Oluwadare told the court that Peter, on April 18, at about 12:30 am, was alleged to have unlawfully set fire to the house of his landlord, Cepas Okeme, and destroyed properties worth N6.5 million.
Oluwadare said that after he set the building on fire, it also spread to the next house property belonging to Bose Ali ‘F’ and destroyed property worth N3.5 million.
He said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 443 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
School leaders warn of ‘full-blown’ special needs crisis in England
8 soldiers sentenced to death for desertion
Police arrest prophet for rape, abduction in Enugu
-
News2 days agoNigerian Governor attacked abroad (Video)
-
News14 hours ago
Lady found dead at Abuja bridge, Police begin investigation
-
Uncategorized3 days ago
May Day: Enugu Workers declare Mbah most worker-friendly Governor, ask for more
-
News15 hours ago
Ice block seller becomes billionaire, owns 120 filling stations, 600 trucks, 60m litre tank farm
-
News3 days ago
Enugu Centenary City: Reps Committee rejects petition by Ndiaga, Amechi-Uwani natives
-
News5 hours ago
8 soldiers sentenced to death for desertion
-
News3 days ago
Police Inspector cuts off pregnant wife’s hand over N20,000
-
News17 hours ago
EFCC: Appeal Court overturns Lokoja High Court order, rules against Yahaya Bello
