The people of Igbomotoru Community in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State, whose troops of the Nigeria army had invaded early in the week, have stated that they had previously warned appropriate authorities about the activities of the militant gang in the area.

Military men had on Sunday invaded the Community, burnt down houses and killed about 11 persons while searching for the primary suspect linked to the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama Community in Delta state.

Paramount Ruler of Igbomotoru Communities, HRH Ayibaikie Ofongo, told newsmen in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital on Friday that because of his stance against the criminality of the militant gang and leader, he was banished from the community for about three years, while the hoodlums took control of the community untill they allegedly involved in the killing of soldiers at Okuama Community in Delta state.

Ofongo, a retired army officer, said having served the nation in the armed forces all through his life and now the traditional ruler of the community, he couldn’t have kept quiet while the group of militants perpetrated criminalities in his domain, adding it was the beginning of his problems in the community.

He also commended the military operations in Igbomotoru Communities, saying so far, the military are after the fleeing militant leader and his boys, and the houses burnt are where they hide.

He said: “My Community, Igbomotoru, for some times now, have had some internal problems and there is a group that went and brought militants to the community to dissolve the ruling class in the community, and at the same time leading to vandalizing national assets of oil companies in our area for their own good, which I opposed, that if we have any problem with the oil companies, we should apply the normal system of Communication to the oil companies and to government so that they can look at those issues, but this advise did not go through with the group.

“And since that time, there has been problems, based on the differences we had, for almost three years running, I was not allowed to visit my own community, my life was threatened and I have to escape from the community. I only get to the community when I have an incident of death of my relations, that has been the trend of the problem till the present issue of killing soldiers at Okuama Community in Delta State.

“Where I’m hiding, I got telephone calls from both the home and some other relations and friends on what happened at Igbomotoru and what I was told was that a group of Army people came into the Community, particularly on Igbomotoru ll, Igbomotoru is in both side of the river Sangana. So when I had this issue, I enquired from sources I should believe, so they told me there was an Army invasion of the community, I was told a militant from Igbomotoru by the name Endurance Amagbain went to Delta and some military officers who were there to make peace were shot death, that was why military invaded our community last Sunday.

“The Army troops that came, they know where the person they wanted was and they went there, and some miscreants who are members of the militant gang came out and wanted to know what was happening in their usual militant way, and there was opening of fire from the Army, and some of them were killed. So, it was only members of the militant gang that were killed, not the natives.

“I have previously written several petitions to both the presidency, the state government and the security agencies about the activities of this militant gang, and we attended meetings with the governor, we also had time with the oil companies representatives, because when they started, the started with the oil companies and then rolled back to me that I have been deposed and all that, so all those activities were reported to the government, and so many meetings were held by the government and oil companies to resolve that but the people continue to do what they think it’s good for them, until we reach this state. It was my opposition to this militant group that made them forced me out of the community on self-exile.

“As a Paramount Ruler and somebody who has served in the Nigerian Army and retired, I most always report any act of lawlessness to the authorities, if not, that means I am involved.

“Army operation at Igbomotoru Community is just after the fleeing militant gang at Igbomotoru ll, where their leader resides and be committing all these criminal issues, infact they have not crossed to Igbomotoru 1, but because of fear, people have deserted the entire community.

“You see the military has done well, what happened to the military, even during my time as a soldier, you cannot go and tempt the lion and you will think he will sit down and begin to look at you, when you provoke him to that level of killing, the militant gang went to Delta to kill army personnel and the army came to kill them because they too know how to kill, they don’t move from house to house in Igbomotoru to kill everybody.

“I am not against government taking any action in respect to what has happened, because lives have been lost. It was only houses where the prime suspect in the killing of soldiers stayed that were burnt not Innocent People’s houses. That is why I appeal to the federal government to establish army formation at Igbomotoru Community, it will help checkmate the criminality.

“So, I urge the army to continue to be civil as they are hunting for their suspected killers of soldiers because the Community is ready to assist them to ensure that all suspects involved in the dastardly act are apprehended,” he said.

Nigerians have been showering encomiums on President Bola Tinubu since he signed Students Loan Bill, a provision that is expected to help indigent students to go through higher institutions, into law.

In this article, TRIBUNE ONLINE highlights five categories of people ruled ineligible for the loan.

Below is the list of persons who are not eligible for the loan:

1. Applicant who has been proven to have defaulted in respect of any previous loan granted by any organisation.

2. Applicant found guilty of exam malpractice by any school authority.

3. Applicant with a criminal record of felony or any offense involving dishonesty or fraud.

4. Anyone who has been convicted of drug offenses

5. Applicants whose parents (father or mother) have defaulted in respect of student loan or any loan granted to him or her.

Uganda’s veteran leader Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son to head the country’s defence forces, the East African nation’s government said, capping a dizzying rise for Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The announcement by the defence ministry late Thursday followed years of speculation that Kainerugaba, whose social media outbursts have sparked diplomatic uproars, was being groomed for the top job.

Although the 49-year-old general has in the past denied claims he intends to succeed his father — one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders — he has enjoyed a rapid climb through Uganda’s army ranks.

In a now-deleted post on X last year, Kainerugaba said he intended to run for the presidency in the 2026 elections.

He also appeared to take a dig at his father, writing: “How many agree with me that our time has come? Enough of the old people ruling us. Dominating us. It’s time for our generation to shine. Retweet and like”.

Following a row in 2022 over a post by Kainerugaba threatening to invade Kenya, Museveni, 79, sought to rein in his wayward son by telling him to stay off social media when it comes to affairs of state.

Museveni, who apologised to Kenya over the outburst, has nevertheless defended his only son as a “very good general” and promoted him to that rank just days after the row erupted.

– ‘Baby despot’ –

As a high-ranking military official, Kainerugaba is barred from speaking publicly about political matters, but has frequently waded into such discussions, causing diplomatic headaches for Uganda.

His tweets in support of Tigrayan rebels in Ethiopia angered Addis Ababa, while his thoughts on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the 2021 coup in Guinea also raised eyebrows.

Last year, he declared that Uganda would “send soldiers to defend Moscow if it’s ever threatened by the Imperialists”, chiding Western nations for sharing “useless pro-Ukraine propaganda”.

To many Ugandans, Kainerugaba’s position as heir apparent has been obvious, but the government has in the past taken a harsh line against anyone discussing the matter.

In 2013, police shut two independent newspapers and two radio stations for 10 days after they published a leaked confidential memo by a senior general alleging that Museveni was grooming Kainerugaba to succeed him.

Many of Museveni’s former allies, including his personal doctor Kizza Besigye, have fallen out of favour with the president over Kainerugaba’s elevation, which has also aroused the ire of opposition politicians and government critics.

Prominent author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija fled to Germany in 2022, alleging that he was tortured in custody on charges of insulting Museveni and Kainerugaba, who he has described as “obese”, a “curmudgeon” and a “baby despot”.

Details have emerged of the mastermind responsible for the killing of sixteen (16) soldiers recently in Okuama, a community in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State.

The militant leader (name withheld) currently on the run, along with his gang members, killed the soldiers who were on a peacekeeping mission to the community.

Soldiers tracked the fleeing militant leader to the riverside town of Igbomorotu in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, during the week, but left the community in pain, as residents had deserted the town after they razed some houses.

Reports said the military might likely extend the search for the fleeing militant leader and his men to Peremabiri, another community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

There is, however, still conflicting information on the militant leader’s origin as some said he is paternally from the Awawa community, while others said he is Akwagbe, very close to Okuama community.

Detectives have kept him under surveillance since the March 14 killings of the military personnel, seeking information to seize the suspect.

An informed source told Vanguard that his mother from Igbomotoru, took him back to her ancestral home after she parted ways with his father and remarried in her community where he grew up in the backwaters of Igbomotoru.

He is also said to be the founder of a peace group and volunteer force and is also involved in humanitarian work.

He was reported to have renovated the dilapidated home of the late Niger Delta freedom fighter, Isaac Boro, at Kaiama in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and gave N1 million to the Boro family to support his anniversary.

The suspect was described as an ardent disciple of Isaac Boro who always celebrated the late freedom fighter.

While some said he also played a role in stemming crude oil theft in the Bomo axis of the state, others claimed he was into bunkering, claims that could not be independently verified.

The National Association of Nigerian Students in Benin Republic on Friday assured Nigerian students in the West African country of a speedy completion of the investigative process into the activities of degree mills which has led to the suspension of degree certificates from Benin Republic, Togo and some other countries.

The body, in a statement made available to our correspondent by its President, Ikenna Favour, also urged the students not to pay attention to purveyors of fake news while stressing the fact that the degrees obtained from universities in the country are valid and legal.

The Federal Ministry of Education had announced a suspension of degree certificates from some African countries following an investigative report by a Daily Nigerian reporter, Umar Audu.

In the report, the journalist exposed the activities of degree mills in Benin Republic, Togo, among others.

While encouraging his colleagues, the NANS Benin president said, “We kindly ask that we put our mind to rest as thorough investigations are still ongoing and on the process we urge everyone to pay deaf ears to any erroneous information circulating online.

“We understand your worries, concerns, and the destabilising situation it may have caused, but we assure you that your degrees obtained from your institutions here in Benin Republic are recognised, valid, and respected. “We urge and encourage you to remain focused and prioritise your education over any other thing, having self-determination, and not having anything to be a hindrance to your educational pursuits.

“NANS-RB is working effectively alongside, the Nigerian Embassy in Benin, the registrars and management of our various citadels of knowledge, lecturers and various stakeholders in Nigeria and in diaspora are all working collectively towards providing assistance and guidance to Nigerian students.

“We are monitoring the situation closely and keep you in touch with valid and positive updates concerning the suspension of accredited institutions.”

A committee has since been inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, to look into the issues raised by the journalist and proffer solutions.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Wahab Shittu, has applauded the list of alleged terrorism financiers in the country released by the Federal Government

Recall that the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) listed 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and firms, as suspects involved in terrorism financing.

The NFIU made this known in a document released on Tuesday night and titled “Designation of Individuals and Entities for March 18, 2024”.

According to the document, the Nigeria Sanctions Committee met on March 18 where the named entities were recommended for sanctions following their involvement in terrorism financing.

The document added that the designations were approved by President Bola Tinubu, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.

Speaking in an interview on Arise News on Thursday, Shittu said the federal government cannot just label anyone a terrorism financier without solid evidence to back up its claim.

The prosecutor for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said intelligence gathering had taken place over the years before the names were released.

He said: “Boko Haram terrorism has been going on for a long time, lives have been lost and intelligence gathering has taken place over the years before these names were released.”

Names of the nine individuals under sanctions are:

1. Tukur Mamu

2. Yusuf Ghazali

3. Muhammad Sani

4. Abubakar Muhammad

5. Sallamudeen Hassan

6. Adamu Ishak

7. Hassana-Oyiza Isah

8. Abdulkareem Musa,

9. Umar Abdullahi

Names of the six BDCs and firms under sanctions are:

10. West and East Africa General Trading Company Limited

11. Settings Bureau De Change Limited

12. G. Side General Enterprises

13. Desert Exchange Ventures Limited

14. Eagle Square General Trading Company Limited.

15. Alfa Exchange BDC

No fewer than two female students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, have reportedly died following a stampede that occurred at the university’s convocation square on Friday.

The convocation square was the venue for the distribution of palliatives to the students by the Nasarawa State government.

A source within the university told PUNCH Online that two female students have been confirmed dead as a result of the stampede which left others with several degrees of injuries.

“What we are hearing now is that two female students have died. They were said to have been suffocated because of the crowd and they were later declared dead by the healthcare workers,” the source said.

Confirming the incident, the National President of the Nasarawa State Students Association, Yunusa Baduku, told PUNCH Online that most of the students involved in the stampede had been rushed to hospitals in the area for medical attention.

He said, “Seriously, what happened this morning at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, is uncalled for, and very pathetic.

“After our arrangement for the distribution of palliatives to the students which was to hold at the University’s convocation square, they (students) suddenly arrived at the venue in their numbers and overpowered the security.

“They broke through the gate into the Convocation square where the bags of rice was to be shared.

“Unfortunately, most of our female students sustained several degrees of injuries, while others got suffocated because of the population at the venue for the distribution of the palliatives.

“Right now, I am at the Federal Medical Centrw Keffi, where we brought some of our students for emergency treatment.

“Also, as National President of NASA, I got an official report that one student has died as a result of the unfortunate incident.

“For the numbers of those injured, I cannot confirm that at the moment because some of them are at the school’s clinic while others are here at the FMC, Keffi receiving treatment.”

Baduku, however, commended the university’s management, student leaders and representatives of the state government for their prompt action in assisting the students to get quick medical attention.

“I want to commend the school management, the student leaders and even the state government for standing by us at a time like this. They are all doing their best to address the situation, and to ensure that normalcy returns to the school environment,” he said.

The State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, had recently distributed two 7.5 kg bags of rice and N5,000 to each student of the Federal University of Lafia, Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia, and the College of Education, Akwanga.

On Thursday, social media giant, Meta, revealed that Nigerian creators can now monetise their content starting from June 2024.

Meta’s President of Global Affairs, Sir Nick Clegg, said this when he led a delegation of Meta Platforms Incorporated to visit President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

“Sir Clegg also said Meta will introduce in June 2024 a feature on its Instagram app that will allow Nigerian creators to monetize their content to enable them to earn a living using the app,” presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement.

Quoting Clegg, Ajuri said the Meta chief thanked Tinubu for an executive order he issued which enabled the landing of the Meta-backed deep-sea cable in Nigeria.

“It is an extraordinary infrastructure project. When it comes on stream in the first quarter of 2025, it will be twice as much as the capacity of all subsea cables that exist,” he said.

“We buried the cable 50 percent deeper than any other subsea cables under the seabed. It is more powerful and more extensive in terms of its geographical connectivity. It could yield up to 37 billion dollars worth of increase in economic activity in the next two or three years across the African continent.”

Sir Clegg was not the only one who spoke during the event. President Tinubu wants Meta to invest more in Nigeria, especially young people.

“For us in Nigeria, we have a vibrant, gifted, and resourceful youth population. Recognizing that the future is most likely to be AI-enabled, we have to prepare our youths and make them ready to compete and participate in the global economy,” Tinubu said.

“I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business. We want to lead the African continent in digital technology. Data is valuable to our development. We are ready to cooperate on technological advancements. It is the only way to go. We need a collaboration that will be a win-win for all."

No fewer than two Nigerian students have been arrested for allegedly faking their own kidnap.

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the arrest on Thursday.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, told NAN that the suspects also demanded $100,000 (about N150 million) ransom from their parents.

He gave the names of the suspects as Ayodele Balogun, 21, a 200-level student of Education at the Lagos State University, Ijanikin, and his friend, Dennis Okuomo, 21, a student of NIIT Lagos.

According to him, both faked their kidnap and demanded N150 million to assist Ayodele, who is from a poor family.

“It was Dennis’s idea because Ayodele is from a poor family and his best friend; he wanted to use it to raise money for him so that he can be able to take care of his family,” Hundeyin said.

The command’s spokesman said that on Feb. 2, Ayodele disappeared from home, while Dennis used his (Ayodele’s) phone to inform his father, Mr Balogun, of his son’s faked kidnap and demanded $20,000 (about N30 million) ransom.

Hundeyin said the suspects had directed Ayodele’s father to pay the ransom through Bitcoin, which wallet they had sent him while Ayodele was hiding in Dennis’s room in his (Dennis’s) father’s hotel.

“Ayodele’s father, a driver with a private company, received the message with many worries, wondering where to raise $20,000.”

Hundeyin said when Balogun could not raise the money, Dennis decided to also fake his own kidnap and demanded for 100,000 dollars (about N150 million) from his own father.

According to him, both suspects decided to leave the hotel to hide in a bush and remained there for five days while the negotiation and investigation were ongoing.

“On March 16, as no money was paid and the suspects were not comfortable with the condition of the bush, they decided to return to Dennis’ s room in his father’s hotel.

“They told everybody that they just escaped from kidnappers’ den, and quickly called Ayodele’s father to inform them about their purported escape from the kidnappers’ den.

”They took Ayodele to the hospital believing that he just came from the kidnappers’ den.

“Investigation so far revealed that the suspects faked their own kidnap.

“They are in our custody, two perpetrators of self-kidnap,” he noted.