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Final victory against terrorism within sight, says Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari says the battle against terrorists is approaching its end.
The president, through his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, congratulated the Muslim faithful across the country on the end of the Ramadan month.
He said with the designation of bandit groups in north-west and north-central as terrorists, “the challenges of banditry and kidnapping are being tackled differently”.
“As the Holy month of Ramadan reaches its end and Muslims mark the Eid, President Muhammadu Buhari sends his best wishes to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world celebrating the occasion,” the president said on Sunday.
“After a period of fasting and reflection, this year, we have cause to welcome the occasion in hope. The battle waged against terrorists who falsely masquerade under the name of Islam is approaching its conclusion.
“The fight has been long and hard. Final victory is within sight. Boko Haram and its offshoots’ final embers are now fading.” Last month, the leader of ISWAP was killed in an airstrike. Since the New Year, thousands of fighters have surrendered to enter rehabilitation programmes.
“The territories they used to occupy are now seeing the return of those who were forced to flee their barbarity. Normality is finally beginning to return to the Northeast. It is a long process. Yet it is one we are, together, now embarking upon.”
The president said his administration is making progress in the cleansing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) militants who attack public facilities in the south-east.
“While we are making progress cleaning the environment, some evil people are busy causing more pollution and destruction,” he said.
“In response to the disturbing rise in criminal attacks targeting law enforcement and public facilities in the South East, concerted military operations to rid the region of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) elements have in recent weeks, led to the overrunning of IPOB/ESN bases, the seizure of weapons and the arrest of a large number of suspects.’’ The President approved the establishment of a Naval Base in Oguta, Imo State.
“The reinvigoration of the war against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking is also showing positive results as shown by the arrest of over 12, 300 offenders including seven drug barons; the conviction of 1,400, counselling and rehabilitation of about 8,000 drug users.
“The seizure of over 3.4 million kilograms of drugs and cash worth over N130 billion, all in 2021 has been recorded while the first Quarter of this year has seen the arrest of no fewer than 3,536 offenders including security personnel and a well-known billionaire drug baron.
“The seizure of more than 65,000 tons of assorted drugs in this period sets a record for the nation.’’
News
Drama as minors collapse in court as FG arraigns 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters
There was chaos at a federal high court in Abuja on Friday after some children who allegedly took part in the #EndBadGovernance protests collapsed while waiting to be arraigned.
The court had fixed Friday for the arraignment of the defendants who are mostly minors.
At the commencement of proceedings, the children who looked ill and malnourished, were asked to come forward to take their plea.
While some huddled in the dock, others stood outside the cubicle due to insufficient space.
However, four of them hurriedly rushed out of the courtroom after they collapsed and writhed in pain.
Obiora Egwuatu, presiding judge, had to rise abruptly before calm returned to the courtroom.
When the court session resumed, the prosecution asked that the names of the four ill children be removed from the charge.
The application was granted and the other defendants were arraigned.
The 76 defendants, who were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states, are being accused of treason, among other offences.
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Reps consider raising retirement age of health workers to 65
A bill seeking to raise the retirement age of health workers has scaled the second reading at the house of representatives.
Adewale Hammed, the lawmaker representing the Agege federal constituency of Lagos state, sponsored the bill to raise the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 and from 35 to 40 years in service.
Leading the debate on the bill during the plenary on Thursday, the lawmaker argued that the law will enable experienced healthcare workers will continue to contribute their expertise to the sector until they reach the age of 65.
“Nigeria’s healthcare sector is currently experiencing a significant depletion in both the number and quality of professionals due to two main factors,” Hammed said.
“Firstly, a substantial number of health workers are migrating abroad in search of the proverbial golden fleece — a trend difficult to stop given the fundamental human rights of the individuals concerned.
“Secondly, the compulsory retirement age of 60 and the mandatory 35 years of service, as stipulated in the public service rules, are contributing to the exodus of experienced professionals.
“While we cannot control the former, the latter can be addressed through the upward review of the retirement age, which will be achieved by this bill.”
The lawmaker said the retirement age of judges, lecturers, and teachers has been raised, noting that health workers should not be left out.
Mark Esset, a lawmaker from Akwa, opposed the bill, contending that opportunities should be given to many well-trained Nigerians who are searching for jobs rather than extending the service years of those who are due for retirement.
Nwaeke Felix from Rivers also spoke against the bill, backing Esset’s argument.
However, Ahmed Jaha from Borno spoke in favour of the bill, noting that it will not stop the recruitment of new graduates.
Lawmakers voted in support of the bill when Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the house, subjected it to a voice vote.
News
Realtor goes missing after being called to check property in Lagos
A 43-year-old man identified as Jimi Folarin, a realtor, has gone missing after being called by a client to inspect properties in the Imota area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
According to his sister, Iremide Omowunmi, Folarin left the house at exactly 4 PM on Wednesday for the property inspection and has not answered his phone since.
She stated, “At about 4 PM, my brother called me to say that the clients he was waiting for had contacted him to come and inspect the properties. This was exactly at 4 PM.
“My brother is a real estate agent who sells land and assists people in buying land. Around 5 PM, I tried calling him to see if he had arrived, but although the phone rang, he did not pick up. I thought maybe he was busy with the clients, so I stopped calling. It wasn’t until 10 PM that I tried reaching him again, but he still didn’t respond. I then texted him on WhatsApp, but he didn’t reply either, which is unlike him.
“While I was calling him, my brother’s friend was also trying to reach him. After a while, a strange number called my brother’s friend, asking who he wanted to speak to. When my brother’s friend questioned the caller, they immediately hung up.
“This morning, I called that strange number, and the person answered. But when I asked for Folarin, my brother, they abruptly ended the call. I have reported the case to the Gbogbo Police Station in Ikorodu,” she added.
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