News
“Anytime we want to kill terrorists, President would ask us to take permission from France but they were killing our soldiers-” Niger Republic coup leader
Leader of last weekend’s military coup in Niger Republic, Major General Abdurrahman chiani has further explained why they had to overthrow the administration of President Mohammed Bazoum, saying among other things that any time the soldiers discover hideout of terrorists and want to bomb or kill them, the President would order them to seek clearance from France, even as the terrorists kill their soldiers without mercy.
It would be recalled that Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Authority of Heads of State and Government under the leadership of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, met in Abuja on Sunday and issued a seven-day ultimatum to the military to release and reinstate President Mohammed Bazoum as the legitimate Head of State and government of Niger.
Present at the meeting were Presidents Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, Adama Barrow of The Gambia, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Umaro Embalo of Guinea Bissau, Macky Sall of Senegal and Faure Gnassingbé of Togo while Presidents of Cape Verde, Liberia, Niger and Sierra Leone were represented.
While reacting, General Abdurrahman chiani rejected the call and warned ECOWAS against military intervention, saying, “We want to once more remind ECOWAS or any other adventurer of our firm determination to defend our homeland.”
He warned against any military intervention in a statement read on Niger national television.
Je said- “The objective of the ECOWAS meeting is to approve a plan of aggression against Niger through an imminent military intervention in Niamey in collaboration with other African countries that are non-members of ECOWAS, and certain Western countries,” Aljazeera quoted the military spokesperson, Col. Amadou Abdramane, to have said.
Making further explanation on the matter, the interm president said that- “Some people think that the coup operation is a game،
But whether we like it or not, there’s no going back.
“There are two cases, if France and its allies try to attack us to liberate Bazoum, we will have to liquidate it even before the Westerners reach us. Those who want to rally, let’s do it now, otherwise, having understood that we succeeded, if they come, we will not give up, either kill them or go to jail.
“I’ll tell you a secret: We often located terrorists, but when we asked to rush to kill them, President Bazoum told us to ask permission from the French forces first.
But our soldiers were falling on the fronts and France did not pay attention to this.
“We decided to do the same as Mali and Burkina Faso because one of the largest nests of terrorists is located here, and the “Ahmed Koufa” of the Malians is also located here near the Mali / Niger border.
We are ready to form a partnership with Russia and rely a lot on Mali to achieve this.
I’m already old and so are the other generals, so if we die it will be for a good reason.
The young man will take power, as in Burkina Faso and Mali.
“France will be weaker than all that. Mali was right about these imperialists. Many presidents here in Niger have received billions to spoil us, I myself have received offers but we have not given up, so be sure of one thing that will make us like Mali. If I wanted, I would have led the command but if I let the former chief of staff salivo Modi lead it is for a very good reason and I have my reasons.
“I ask the people of Niger to follow the example of Malians and Burkinabes,” he stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service has said the alleged tenure extension of its Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, is false.
The National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada in a statement on Tuesday, said that the news was inaccurate and misleading.
He explained that the appointments and tenure extensions of the CGC are made solely at the discretion of the President, in line with the provisions of the NCS Act 2023 and other relevant regulations governing public service appointments.
“The attention of the NCS has been drawn to a fake release allegedly from the State House regarding an extension of the tenure of the CGC, Adewale Adeniyi. The NCS wishes to categorically state that this information is inaccurate and misleading,” Maiwada said.
He reiterated that at the moment, no such directive has been communicated to the NCS by the appropriate authorities and maintained that the leadership of the service remains focused on fulfilling its statutory mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security.
Suspended Kogi Central District Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has arrived at her homecoming rally in helicopter, bypassing state-imposed restrictions on movement and public gatherings.
A massive crowd of supporters gathered in the Okehi Local Government Area, waving placards and chanting slogans in solidarity with the embattled senator.
Despite police warnings to cancel the rally, Akpoti-Uduaghan stood her ground.
“My dear people of Kogi Central, I look forward to our PEACEFUL Sallah celebrations today,” she posted on Facebook earlier that morning.
“However, should we be met with or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should hold Gov Ododo, Yahaya Bello & SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible.”
“Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land. I’m the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots; I’m not a bastard, and I’m not afraid of anybody.” – Senator Natasha.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has described the recent gruesome killing of 16 traveling hunters in Edo State, as unacceptable.
The hunters were brutally killed by local vigilantes who claimed they were kidnappers. The action had drawn wife condemnation across the country.
Reacting to the incident, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, said the action was barbaric and expressed deep concern on how fellow citizens could be felled in such gruesome matter.
He added that the incident highlights the dangers of mob justice and the urgent need for effective law enforcement and respect for human rights.
In a statement signed by Hajia Fatima Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Ojukwu was quoted to have said further that- “We commend Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, for his swift and decisive action in suspending the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CP Friday Ibadin (Rtd.), and banning all illegal vigilante groups operating in the state, but more need to be done” he said.
The NHRC boss said the Commission wishes to use this opportunity to remind the government and the people of Nigeria that every individual has the right to life, as enshrined in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended as well as Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Furthermore, he said the Commission emphasized that the freedom of movement, as guaranteed by the Constitution and Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, has been grossly violated in this dastardly incident.
“We at the Commission demand that all the perpetrators be fished out and brought to justice. We call on the government to take concrete steps to prevent such incidents in the future, there is no justification for jungle justice anywhere in the world,” he said.
The Learned Silk emphasized that every Nigerian has the right to life, dignity, and freedom from violence, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or occupation.
He said the Commission will continue to advocate for the protection of human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria. “We urge the Edo State Government to continue its investigation into the killings and ensure that all perpetrators face the full wrath of the law. On our part, we will continue to monitor the process of investigation to ensure that justice is served. This will serve as a deterrent to others.
“Promotion and protection of human rights is paramount to national development, let’s all imbibe the culture of respect for human rights and fundamental freedom to make Nigeria a better place”. The Human Rights Advocate admonished.
-
News2 years agoBreaking: Tinubu’s authentic ministerial nominees
-
News1 year ago“I’m leaving the Catholic church because Bishop Onah is oppressing me,” says Okunerere
-
News2 years agoDokpesi and the Gazebo Mystique
-
News2 years agoRadio Nigeria’s veteran broadcaster Kelvin Ugwu dies three months after retirement from service
-
News11 months agoPersons against Allagoa’s reforms behind protests at NSITF
-
News2 years agoTsunami: Tinubu orders dissolution of managements, boards of MDAs, to sack all Buhari’s political appointees
-
News2 years agoLast minutes fever: Nigerian Hunters Service optimistic as Buhari signs five Bills into law
-
News2 weeks agoSenate to speed up conclusion of Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill