News
Niger lawmaker kicks against ransom, advocates severe punishment for bandits
Negotiating with armed bandits and paying them ransom for the release of their victims should be discouraged, a member of the Niger State House of Assembly Malik Madaki Bosso has said.
He noted that negotiating with the armed bandits and paying them ransom for the release of their victims is way of empowering them to carry out their attacks on innocent Nigerians.
The lawmaker was of the view that the ransom paid to them is used in the purchase of more weapons to carry out their deadly attacks on the people, stressing the need for a total onslaught against them by the relevant security agencies.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with CAPITAL POST in Minna during the weekend, Malik Madaki explained that appropriate and decisive action should be taken against them by the relevant security agencies to dislodge them from their forests.
He stated that he is in support of some of the governors that said they are not ready to negotiate with the bandits in their state, insisting that goverment at all levels should pull out their resources to rid them out of their enclaves by making their states inhabitable for them to carry out their attacks on innocent citizens.
According to the lawmaker, armed bandits have held the entire part of the country to ransom for years with the ill- gotten money they made from their victims, adding that it is in the interest of the generality of the country that a decisive action is taken to dislodge them.
“I don’t see any reason to enter into any negotiation with these armed bandits.
“Negotiating with them and paying them ransom is encouraging them to continue taking arms on Nigerians.
“It is high time for a decisive action to be taken against them. It is the ransom they collect they use in buying the sophisticated weapons they use in attacking their victims freely.
“Honestly I’m not supporting any negotiation with these bandits in any way. For me, it is better for goverment at all levels to take appropriate action against them” he asserted.
Malik Madaki who is the chairman House Committee on Labour matters in the Niger State House of Assembly warned that dialoguing with the armed bandits would not bring an end to the increasing rates of banditry attacks in the North, particularly in Niger, Kaduna and Zamfara states calling on the three state governors to pull out their resources to launch a total onslaught against them.
Speaking further, Madaki said the State House of Assembly would amend the anti bandits law to take stiff penalty against armed bandit and their informants which according to him, if amended, it would among others take appropriate punitive measure against them.
He observed that the activities of informants of the armed bandits who give information on the movement of their victims are more dangerous than the bandits stating that amendment of the law would take appropriate punitive measure against the informants that leave within the community.
He then appealed to the Judiciary to as a matter of necessity apply severe punitive measure against the informants to serve as a deterrent to others.
News
Ododo’s aide escapes assassination by whiskers, allege APC youth leader, Mohammed behind attempt
Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo’s Aide, Hon. Godfrey Adekoye, Senior Special Assistant on Youths Empowerment on Tuesday escaped an assassination attempt on his life by whiskers.
The aide of the Governor said the attack on his life happened at Lounge 1, a popular hospitality joint in Lokoja, added that the attackers followed him down to his house, unfortunately they met his absence.
In a statement he made available to CAPITAL POST in Lokoja, the aide to the Governor accused the Kogi State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Mohammed U Mohammed and one Abubakar Nasara Ola as behind his attack.
He said during the attack on him, Abubakar threatened to kill him, pointed a gun at him before the intervention of onlookers who saved him by chance.
The attackers destroyed and broke the windscreen of his vehicle, that is now parked in the custody of the Quick Response Squad.
Speaking on the attack, Hon. Godfrey said he has since reported the matter to the Quick Response Squad, an arm of the Nigerian Police, in Lokoja, said his life is in danger.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Ayah, said he was making efforts to confirm the attack on the aide, could not be reached as at time of going to press.
A popular General Overseer of a new generation Church, Elijah has been arrested by the Octopus (C41) Strike Force unit of Rivers State Police Command for investigation over homosexual allegations.
It was gathered that a video of the Pastor was leaked indulging in the homosexual act to the police by a member of his church.
The member who alleged that the General Overseer attempted sleep with him against his will.
The member who revealed his name simply as Patrick now a complainant said, he wanted to play along after the General Overseer made sexual advancement and captured the nude video of pastor attempting to have carnal knowledge of him.
Armed with the intelligence report, the police traced the General Overseer who is from Rivers State to one of his relaxation spots in Port Harcourt and arrested him.
Sources revealed to our correspondent that the General Overseer has reportedly confessed to other numerous acts of homosexuality involving both male adults and minors within and outside Port Harcourt.
Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.
Against government ban on rallies and organised reception under whatever guise by Kogi State Government, constituents of the Central Senatorial District troop3d out enmasse to receive Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday in Okene.
According to the pictorials released by the Media office of Senator Natasha, creme-de-la creme could be seen waiting in a scorching sun, not minding the effect.
The massive turn out followed assurance from Senator Natasha ‘s media team that the lawmaker has arrived from overseas and would make it to Okene on Tuesday for Sallah celebrations with her constituents.
A statement obtained by CAPITAL POST in Lokoja on Tuesday, pointed out that the purported ban on rallies and the cancellation of the visit were mere rumours, hence, the embattled lawmaker would pay a visit her constituents.
Part of the statement read: “We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central senatorial district will proceed as planned.
“Despite rumours circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit.
“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.
“Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.
“We would like to assure the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a successful and joyous event. We invite all members of the community to join us in marking this special occasion.”
On Monday, CAPITAL POST reported that Kogi State Government issued a statement which was signed bybthe Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo asserting security concerns, hence, the proposed homecoming of Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District should be put off.
He stressed that there security breaches in parts of Kohi West Senatorial District, thus the security was so volatile that Government cannot guarantee peace for now and abused that the proposed reception at Okene should be cancelled.
Also, Kogi State Police Command earlier on Tuesday issued a statement banning any rally within the State, stating that intelligence reports available to it indicated that crisis may spur.
The statement which was signed by Police Public Relation Officer, SP William Ovye Aya and made available to CAPITAL POST, stressed that intelligence reports was indicative of peace and the rally which was organised by Natasha’s constituents should be cancelled.
The statement said: “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.
“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on any one who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.”
Constituents trooped out displaying placards demanding justice for Senator Natasha.
It was recalled that Natasha was suspended from the Senate for six months over breach of Senate Standing Orders.
The lawmaker also alleged that the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio was harassing her sexually.
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