Metro

Bauchi: Obidients Hold One-million March, Declare ‘We’re Not Only On Social Media, We Are Real’

Published

3 years ago

October 1, 2022

Our Correspondent, Bauchi

The Bauchi supporters of the Labour Party (LP)’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have declared that they are not only present on social media but are also real and physically ready for the 2023 general election.

The supporters, who are popularly known as ‘Obedients’ were chanting this in Bauchi on Saturday during their one million man march for Peter Obi and his deputy, Yusuf Ahmed.

The supporters, who trekked 10 kilometers from the popular Wunti market to Rafin Zurfi, a community in Bauchi metropolis, were seen with placards with different inscriptions in support of their candidates.

Speaking to newsmen after the march, Mr Benjamin Edeh, Head of Media, Labour Party, Bauchi State chapter, said that the rally was a success, adding that the people of the state were at the rally to show the party true love.

“They want to show Peter Obi love, they want to show the Labour Party love. They are really in love with the movement.

“The rally was really a success as you can see that the crowd was very close to a million. It was massive.

“They say we don’t have structure, they say we don’t have money, but you can see the crowd,” he said.

Edeh also urged all the supporters to get their Permanent Voter Cards ready and make sure that their votes counted in the 2023 general election.

Similarly, the Chairman of the party, Mr Hussaini Saraki, said that they have proved critics wrong that the party has no strictures.

“The facts speak for itself, when you say we don’t have structure, today we have proved them wrong because we believe structure is not about building.

“Structure is not all about posters or billboards. Structures are the people and we have the people on the ground.

“And I am telling you this is because there was not much publicity about this event, some of our people in the rural areas are not here. But you can see that the crowd is so massive that each and everyone of you here is proud of it.

“We are sending a message back to those people who say we don’t have structure or we only exist on social media that we are real and that Nigeria belongs to the youth,” he said.

According to him, the party appreciated the way it was being underrated, adding that oppositions would be shocked with the outcome of the 2023 general election which would be in favour of the Labour Party.

“We are not going to use religion, ethnicity or any other factors to divide the country.

“We deliberately chose independence day for our one million man march because it was on that first day that Nigeria got independence from colonial masters.

“We want to use the same day to show that by God’s grace, today is the beginning of taking power from those who took it from colonial masters,” he said.

Metro

Gunmen Abduct Chief Imam In Edo, Demand N30m Ransom

Published

23 hours ago

July 13, 2025

Editor

The Chief Imam of Uromi, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, has reportedly been abducted by unknown gunmen.

Muhammad, who is also the
President of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Edo-Delta Chapter, was said to have been kidnapped at the Angle 90 Area of Uromi, in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, around 2 p.m. on Thursday

Eyewitness accounts revealed that Muhammad had stepped out to buy food for his family near his residence shortly after observing one of the daily prayers when he was forcefully taken away.

Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), while confirming the incident on Sunday to newsmen, condemned the act and called for the immediate release of the Islamic leader.

“I am hearing that they are asking for a very large amount of money, and we don’t have such.

“Even if you have it, if you pay, you are encouraging them,” he said.

The chairman urged the Edo State government to intensify efforts to protect ordinary citizens.

“They are the ones with the apparatus for security. So they should do everything possible to ensure the Imam is released unconditionally and unharmed.

“Government should also make every effort to ensure that citizens can sleep with their two eyes closed and move freely without fear of kidnapping or assassination,” he added.

A family source disclosed that the suspected kidnappers have contacted the family and are demanding a ransom of N30 million.

The incident has sparked widespread concern among the Muslim community in the state, considering the victim’s dual role as a revered religious leader and youth development advocate.

Contacted, the Edo State Police Command confirmed the report, saying: “It was reported to us on 10/7/2025. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim and track down the culprits.”

Metro

NDLEA Intercepts Drugs In Factory-fitted Lipsticks At Lagos Airport

Published

1 day ago

July 13, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a shipment of illicit substances concealed in factory-fitted female lipsticks at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The discovery, which marks the second of such in less than a week, was announced by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, via a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday.

“Ladies beware! It does appear like female lipstick is becoming attractive as an instrument for concealment and trafficking now,” Babafemi warned.

“With yet another consignment of factory-fitted female lipsticks stuffed with illicit substances intercepted at MMIA barely a week after NDLEA officers uncovered a similar cargo at a courier company in Lagos.”

He urged Nigerians, particularly women, to be cautious when purchasing or accepting cosmetic products, especially from unfamiliar or suspicious online sources.

The NDLEA has yet to reveal the identity of the suspect(s) behind the latest smuggling attempt, but investigations are said to be ongoing.

Metro

50-year-old Bandit, Two Informants Arrested

Published

1 day ago

July 13, 2025

Editor

The Zamfara State Police Command has announced the arrest of eight suspected criminals, including a 50-year-old bandit and two informants, as part of ongoing operations to dislodge criminal elements across the state.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Yazid Abubakar, the command’s Public Relations Officer, disclosed these successes during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Gusau.

Abubakar stated that the arrested individuals include Ibrahim Mohammed, a 50-year-old suspected bandit from Maru Local Government Area of the state, two bandit informants, a gun runner, and five other suspects.

He credited the arrests to credible intelligence received from members of the public.

Items recovered during the operations include assorted rifles, a stolen ATM card, leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, and a Toyota Corolla vehicle, among other items.

The arrests are part of the Zamfara State Police Command’s sustained efforts to combat banditry and other criminal activities plaguing the state.