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Amnesty International condemns demolition of Durumi 3 community in Abuja

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A global rights group, Amnesty International, has condemned the demolition of Dubaidna Durumi 3 village days after the forceful eviction of the inhabitants of the community.

A joint statement by Amnesty International Nigeria and Dubaidna Durumi 3 village made available to journalists in a press conference in Abuja on Thursday stated that two of the community members were shot while others were being rendered homeless and disposed of the means of livelihood.

Reports said the eviction which took place on August 17, 2022 left hundreds of people homeless and jobless as some homes and petty-trading shops were pulled down, triggering a mixture of fear and anger among residents living in unplanned areas within the country’s capital city.

The Country Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, said the organisation had called on the Federal Government to refrain from enforcing these evictions and take action to prevent them as Nigeria was a party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

“We are working very hard to ensure that every person, regardless of their status in society, has a place. Nigeria belongs to us all and not just to a selected few,” Ojigho said.

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The community, while recounting all their ordeals, said they had faced many intimidations and threats from real estate developers who said the village of Durumi 3 had been allocated to them.

Furthermore, Amnesty noted that this harassment had been done despite the lack of genuine consultations and adequate notice by the government and real-estate developers with the indigenous inhabitants of the community. No resettlement plan or compensation, according to the organisation, had been put in place.

On his part, the community leader, Ismaila Gandaba, said, “We employed the services of the lawyers and asked them to write a letter to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory informing him of what is about to happen, but our letters were not responded to.

“They came and didn’t notify us; all of a sudden, the security men started marking. We confronted them because usually, they write to the village chief, rather they said the notice was from the minister.

“If they can relocate us, we will go and leave their land for them. It is not the government that wants to use the land but private developers.”

Also speaking, the community women leader, Tella Paulina, while recounting what transpired, said while they tried to take pictures and videos to send to various social media platforms for help to come, their mobile phones were snatched and smashed by officials of the FCT Administration Department of Development Control, personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and some other security agencies.

“Women have been rendered homeless. The women of Durumi 3 are mostly business people. Right now, we don’t have a market or hospital, and we don’t have good schools for our children to attend. The houses we are living in, we are just managing with our families,” she said.

The FCTA Department of Development Control said the demolitions came as a result of a high level of insecurity and the assumption that some communities might be harbouring criminals.

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Rochas Okorocha arrested, released after one-hour Interrogation — Police

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Rochas Okorocha
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Former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday night.

The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, confirmed the development to Channels Television.

Okorocha, who was arrested at REIZ Continental Hotel in central Abuja, was, however, released on bail by the NPF following an hour of interrogation over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

CSP Iniedu, who confirmed the arrest and subsequent release on bail to our correspondent, noted that the former governor was asked to return to the Force Headquarters on Tuesday for further interrogation as investigations into the allegations continue.

The arrest reportedly followed Okorocha’s failure to honour previous police invitations in connection with the ongoing investigation.

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He was initially invited to the Force Headquarters on September 2, but the appointment was rescheduled to September 8 at the request of his lawyers, a date he reportedly failed to honour.

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BREAKING: Soludo, Wike, Adeleke, others appointed member of APC Presidential Campaign Council

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Anambra Gov, Prof Chukwuma Soludo
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Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been appointed a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council list released last night.

This is despite the fact that he is the National Leader of the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Similarly, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, the National Leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the opposition Accord Party (AP), are on the expanded and all-inclusive team headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Other members include Presidential Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, and former House of Representatives member Patrick Obahiagbon.

Also named as members are former Osun APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji, former National Legal Advisers Dr. Muiz Banire and Babatunde Ogala, Chief Ayiri Emami, Victor Giadom, Magnus Abe, and former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel.

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The list, according to a report by The Nation, reflects inter-party cooperation and harmony based on the shared vision of propelling the country to the horizon of progress.

The report quoted a statement by APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, as saying that the campaign council will be inaugurated tomorrow in Abuja.

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Mbah orders impartial Police Probe into Enugu political violence, vows accountability

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Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has called for a thorough and impartial police investigation into the recent violence surrounding a political gathering in the state, assuring that anyone found responsible will face the law regardless of political affiliation.

Mbah, in an address to the people of Enugu State, expressed concern over reports of violence, particularly a shooting incident that left a citizen injured.

The governor said his immediate concern was the welfare of those injured, residents who experienced fear during the incident, and families affected by the violence.

He assured the victims and affected residents that their safety and well-being remained a priority for his administration.

“I know how much our people value the peace and security we have worked so hard to establish in Enugu. Incidents such as these cause anxiety and deserve our full attention,” the governor said.

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Mbah stressed that every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, must be able to exercise their political rights without fear, intimidation or violence.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to protecting lives, upholding the law and ensuring that justice was served without favour.

The governor also stated that, in view of the preliminary findings regarding the incident, he expected the police to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.

According to him, anyone found culpable would be held accountable through the appropriate legal process, irrespective of their political connections.

“The Enugu State Government has made its position clear regarding allegations of involvement in this violence,” Mbah stated, reaffirming his administration’s responsibility to maintain peace and security across the state.

The incident has raised concerns over political tolerance and the safety of citizens participating in political activities in Enugu State.

The governor’s call for an impartial investigation underscores the need for the relevant security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the shooting and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

He concluded his address by thanking the people of Enugu State and praying for God’s continued blessings upon the state.

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