Metro
Group Protests, Wants Anti-grazing Law Enacted In Edo
Published
4 years agoon
By
Editor
A pressure group, New Nigerian Initiative(NNI), on Tuesday staged a protest in Benin to demand quick enactment of the anti-grazing law in Edo State as directed by the 17 Southern Governors at the Asaba declaration in May, 2021.
The group therefore called on the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki and the Edo State House of Assembly to quickly enact the law in the state.
Recall that the 17 southern governors had at a meeting in Asaba, Delta State capital, agreed that the 17 southern states should before the 1st of September pass the anti-grazing bill into law to checkmate the menace of killings and kidnappings by Fulani herdsmen.
Speaking at the protest at the secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, chairman of the group, Comrade Uwadiae Odigie, said the unspeakable horror being perpetuated by Fulani herdsmen on peaceful and law abiding people of Edo State was no longer acceptable.
He urged the Edo State Governor, the State House of Assembly to promptly pass the bill to ban open grazing in the state.
“This organization, moved by the unspeakable horror being perpetuated on peaceful and law abiding people of Edo State, it is on record that the New Nigerian Initiative initiated a bill on the need to “Ban open grazing in Edo State,” and it has since been sent to the the Edo State House of Assembly for consideration and passage.
“After waiting in vain, we made spirited efforts to see the his Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki on the need for intervention, at the end of the day, we were directed to see the PS in the Ministry of Agriculture
“We have been mounting pressure on the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Marcus Onobun, on the urgent need to pass the bill to ban open grazing in Edo State, but all efforts have been abortive.
“Now, it has been transparently and sufficiently established that the Fulani Herdsmen are the ones unleashing terror and fear in Edo State by the horrible and shocking cases of the late Jide Sowore and the recent kidnapping of the elder statesman, Dickson Imasogie and other isolated cases.
“We are worried about the inability of Edo State Government to respond to this most cold blooded and calculated monsters, Fulani Herdsmen, who have turned the state into a sanctuary for barbarism,” he concluded.
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Metro
Woman Burns Sister-in-law’s Private Part Over Witchcraft Claims
Published
18 minutes agoon
September 18, 2025By
Editor
Tragedy struck in Magama Gumau, Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, after a woman, identified as Suwaira Ibrahim, allegedly burnt the private part of her husband’s younger sister following accusations of witchcraft.
Cases of violence against children over witchcraft allegations remain a recurring problem in some parts of Nigeria, especially in rural communities where harmful traditional beliefs still hold sway.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about the rising number of minors tortured, abandoned, or killed over unfounded claims of sorcery.
In many cases, children are subjected to inhumane treatment such as burning, starvation, or beating, often with the complicity of family members or community leaders.
READ ALSO:Arson: Man To Pay N150m For Burning FRSC Patrol Vehicle In Bauchi
The Child Rights Act criminalises such practices and guarantees the protection of children against abuse, but enforcement has remained weak in many states.
It was gathered on Thursday that the victim, a seven-year-old (name withheld), was left in severe pain after she was brutalised by Suwaira.
Narrating the ordeal, an activist in the community, Kabiru Abdulkadir, told journalists that the incident started when Suwaira’s child claimed to have seen the victim among a group of witches.
According to him, the girl was taken to a man to confirm the allegation.
“The man told them that she is not a witch, but Suwaira disagreed with the confirmation. They returned home and placed a knife or spoon on fire, which they used to burn the child’s private part, believing that if she was truly a witch, she would not feel pain.
READ ALSO:Police Arrest Islamic Cleric With Human Flesh In Oyo
“It was her loud cries that attracted neighbours. When we got there, we insisted that the case be reported to the police,” Abdulkadir said.
In a video clip obtained by our correspondent, the child’s private parts and thighs were severely burnt. Abdulkadir added that the injuries left her unable to pass urine or stool properly, while the stench from the wound had made life unbearable for the household.
The victim was later rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, where she is currently receiving treatment.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Command, Ahmed Wakil, said the case was reported at the Toro Divisional Headquarters before being referred to the State Command for proper investigation.
READ ALSO:Police Disown Viral Recruitment Notice, Warn Against Fraud
“We are aware of it. Initially, some people wanted to cover up the case and handle it at the community level, but we insisted it should be reported. The case has been referred to the State Headquarters for further investigation and prosecution. We will issue a detailed statement once we receive full reports,” Wakil said.
In 2019, a 10-year-old girl resident in Sandfield Estate, Satellite Town, Lagos, was rescued from her guardian, identified simply as Mrs Anaeme, who tortured her for allegedly being a witch.
The woman had reportedly subjected the little girl, Chidera, to serial assaults with marks of violence visible all over her body.
It was gathered that the torture took the worst dimension when Anaeme reportedly used a hot object to inflict injuries on the girl’s back.
Metro
EFCC Re-arraigns Ex-minister Over Alleged $6bn Mambilla Fraud
Published
1 hour agoon
September 18, 2025By
Editor
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has re-arraigned former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja.
Agunloye was accused in an amended seven-count charge over the alleged fraudulent award of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract worth $6 billion.
EFCC disclosed this in a statement on its X handle on Thursday.
Count one reads: “That you, Olu Agunloye, whilst being the Minister of Power and Steel on or about the 2nd of May, 2003 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, knowingly disobeyed the directive of the President, made in the Federal Executive Council meeting of 21st May 2003, directed at you pursuant to the Presidents’ powers under Section 5(1) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) when you signed a letter addressed to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, conveying the approval of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the construction of the 3,960 megawatts Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Penal Code Law.”
READ ALSO:$6bn Mambilla Project: Court Fails To Hear Agunloye’s Preliminary Objection
Count Four reads: “That you, Olu Agunloye whilst being the Minister of Power and Steel and Leno Adesanya (at large) of Sunrise [Power and Transmission Company Limited, on or about the 22nd of May, 2003 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to cause the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) to enter into a contract with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) used as genuine, a false document titled, “Construction of 3,960mw Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a Build, Operate and Transfer Basis,” dated the 22nd of May, 2003, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.”
Agunloye pleaded not guilty to all counts.
EFCC counsel M.K. Hussein told the court he was ready to continue the testimony of the third prosecuting witness.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Ex-minister, Agunloye Released From Prison
He asked for a date for the continuation of the trial.
Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter to 9 October 2025 for the continuation of trial.
The PUNCH reports that a key witness in the case, Adewale Agunbiade, in September 2024, told the court that N5.2 million was wired into an account belonging to Agunloye, in connection with the Mambilla Power Project contract.
Agunbiade alleged that the transaction formed part of the purported corrupt dealings underlying the contract’s award.
Metro
NAF Airstrikes Kill Scores Of Terrorists, Destroy Hideout In Borno
Published
6 hours agoon
September 18, 2025By
Editor
The Nigerian Air Force said air interdictions by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai have killed scores of terrorists and destroyed their enclave in Borno.
This was contained in a statement released by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Thursday in Abuja.
Ejodame said the strikes were conducted on Wednesday at about 10:50 a.m. in Bula Madibale, Gezuwa general area of the state.
READ ALSO:NAF Air Raids Kill Three Boko Haram Commanders In Borno
He said intelligence and surveillance had confirmed unusual movements at the location, where about 45 terrorists were observed converging, some arriving on motorcycles and bicycles from different directions.
According to him, reconnaissance also revealed two terrorist flags hoisted at the site, underscoring its use as a stronghold and rallying point for insurgents.
“Acting on this credible intelligence, the Air Component launched precision strikes, eliminating several terrorists, while the flagged structure and other hostile assets were destroyed,” he said.
READ ALSO:NAF Kills 35 Terrorists In Border Airstrikes Near Cameroon
Ejodame also said that the strikes denied the terrorists freedom to regroup, reinforce or mount further attacks on communities in the North East.
He assured that the Armed Forces remained committed to restoring peace and stability across the region.
NAN
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