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Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has forwarded the names of a human rights activist, Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya, and five others as commissioner nominees to the House of Assembly for consideration. The Speaker of the House, Ismail Jibrin Falgore, made this announcement on Monday while reading the governor’s letter. According to the letter, the nominees include Ibrahim Abdullahi Wayya, Shehu Wada Sagagi, Dr. Dahiru Mohd Hashim, Dr Isma’il Dan Maraya, Gaddafi Sani Shehu, and Abdulkadir AbdulSalam. The nominees are expected to appear before the Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday for screening. It will be recalled that recently, Governor Yusuf carried out a cabinet reshuffle, sacking some commissioners and reassigning others. With this submission of commissioner nominees, Governor Yusuf may have taken steps to replace the sacked commissioners.

Source: Nigerian Tribune

In the first public remarks attributed to Bashar al-Assad since he left Syria, the deposed Syrian president has defended his rule and denied planning his departure as armed opposition fighters closed in on Damascus earlier this month. A statement said to be written by al-Assad and released on the Syrian presidency’s Telegram channel on Monday presented an account of how and why the former president fled Syria. “First, my departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed,” the statement said. “On the contrary, I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024.” The statement added that as rebel fighters, who al-Assad described as “terrorist forces”, entered the capital, he moved to a Russian base on the coastal city of Latakia to “oversee combat operations”.

Source: Al Jazeera

Leaders of the West African regional grouping, Ecowas, have approved the withdrawal of three countries ruled by the military from the bloc but have offered a six-month grace period for them to reconsider. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger plan to withdraw from Ecowas in January after refusing the bloc’s demand to restore democratic rule. This is the first time any country has left Ecowas since it was established in 1975 to improve economic and political integration in West Africa. The three departing countries were founding members so this is a huge blow to what was Africa’s most developed trade grouping.

Citizens of all Ecowas countries currently have the right to live and work in all member states, while goods can circulate freely. Ecowas has not yet said whether it will impose restrictions on people and goods coming from the three departing states, who have formed a new grouping, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES, from its French acronym). The Ecowas Commission in Abuja has been mandated to work out such issues, and how the two blocs should work together in future. Over the weekend, the AES announced visa-free travel and residency rights for Ecowas citizens. Their leaders said this decision had been taken in the spirit of friendship, and to strengthen centuries-old ties among African people.

However, the three countries are poor and landlocked, so most migrants move from them to the richer, coastal countries in West Africa. Ecowas leaders meeting in Nigeria on Sunday said they respected the three Sahel countries’ decision to leave but offered a transitional period of six months. In the period between 29 January and 29 July 2025, the trio can be readmitted to the bloc should they decide to rejoin the community, a communique from Ecowas noted. In the meantime negotiations led by Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Togo’s Faure Gnassingbé will continue. So far, the military juntas have refused to remain in the bloc despite efforts to persuade them. After a ministerial-level meeting on Friday in Niger’s capital, Niamey, the three states said in a joint statement that their decision was “irreversible”.

Their withdrawal would be a major blow to regional unity and efforts to boost economic and security cooperation. At the opening of the summit, Ecowas commission head Omar Touray said their “impending exit” was “disheartening”, but he wanted to “commend the ongoing mediation efforts”, AFP news agency reported. With their planned departure, the bloc will lose 76 million of its 446 million people and more than half its total geographical land area. In a statement, AES chairman, Mali’s military ruler Assimi Goïta, said the right of Ecowas citizens to “enter, circulate, reside, establish and leave the territory” of the new bloc would be maintained.

His statement was seen as a signal to Ecowas leaders that Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger wanted to maintain good relations, despite quitting the bloc. The three states gave notice to Ecowas in January 2023 that they would withdraw in a year, meeting the timeline set by the bloc for states that decide to leave. Relations between the bloc and the three countries have been tense after military coups took place in Niger in July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020. Ecowas condemned the coups, and suspended their membership, hoping they will restore civilian rule. But the coup leaders dug in their heels and have pivoted towards Russia. They accuse Ecowas of being too close to Western powers and are increasingly relying on Russia to fight armed jihadists who are waging an insurgency in the region.

Source: BBC

Member of the House of Representatives, representing Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency, Hon Ali isah JC has condemned the tragic events of attack on Powishi Village, Kalmai District, Billiri LGA of Gombe State by yet to be identified gunmen suspected to be herders. Speaking to Journalists shortly in an interview when he visited the affected community, the Federal Lawmaker said that, “This is not just an attack on a community; it is an attack on humanity and everything we stand for as a people.” Ali Isa added that, “The pain and loss suffered by the victims and their families cannot be quantified. It breaks my heart to see innocent lives taken and homes destroyed in such a senseless manner.” He condemned the violence in the strongest terms, calling for urgent intervention by security agencies to restore safety and order. He also emphasized the need for justice for the victims, saying, “We cannot allow such atrocities to go unanswered. “We must ensure that those responsible are held accountable, and measures are taken to prevent such tragedies from recurring.” He lamented, “Today is really a sad day, not only for me but for everyone in the country. “I have gone to those houses and I have seen the level of the destruction which included food items, buildings, structures and even the lives of innocent people, Nigerians who were killed while sleeping.”

“I want to use this medium to call on the Federal Government and the Gombe State Government to partner and find a lasting solution to the problem.” “And also, let me use the medium to call on the security agencies to see whatever they can do to identify the criminals that perpetrated this heinous crime, every human being that kills someone is a criminal and should be dealt with as such, no life is expected to be taken by anyone. “God created every human being and there is no religion that allows that and when a criminal committed a crime, he should be treated as a criminal and we should take all necessary action as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added. He stressed that, “The primary responsibility of any government is to provide adequate security and protect lives and properties, today, people’s lives have been taken and properties destroyed. There must be an urgent action for mitigation.”  “If you look at the destruction of food items, it is massive, we are not talking about the farmers who suffered to cultivate in order to feed themselves and their families only, these food items may also be exported to other areas for support knowing that alot of people are facing hunger in the country presently.

” Following the brutal attack on one of the communities under his representation, he promised that he will do his utmost best to bring sucour to the people of the community but called on National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other relevant authorities to intervene in order to bring relief to the people. Ali Isa assured the affected families of his unwavering support, promising to amplify their plight until meaningful action was taken. The Gombe State Police Command had earlier confirmed that only one Mallam Yusuf Akwara was killed by the assailants while the Police Commissioner, Hayatu Usman ordered an on the spot assessment to determine the level of destruction and ascertain the number of casualties. The Command PPRO, ASP Buhari Abdullahi in a statement issued to Journalists in Gombe stated that the Command deployed Team of Detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department and Men from 34PMF, 59PMF AND Conventional Police to track and bring the perpetrators to book. He added that the CP alongside Commanding Officer, 301 Artillery Regiment, Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Chairperson of Billiri LGA visited the scene for assessment and also to commiserate with the Mai Tangale, Kalmai District Head, Families and Communities affected by the unwarranted /mischievous attack. The CP, Hayatu Usman urged members of the public to be patience and to cooperate with the Police in investigating the ungodly act.

Source: Nigerian Tribune

Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, have arrested 29 suspects involved in illegal oil bunkering and deactivated 42 illegal refining sites in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states. A statement issued by the Assistant Director of Public Relations of the division, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, said military operations, which were conducted from 9th to 15th December 2024, resulted in the deactivation of 42 illegal refining sites, arrest of 29 suspected oil thieves and confiscation of 197,000 litres of stolen products. Jonah said the troops demobilised 32 boats, 12 vehicles and eight motorcycles used for economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.

He said in Bayelsa, four illegal refining sites were deactivated in Biseni Forest, recovering 37,000 litres of stolen crude. Jonah said similar operations in Benkrukru and other areas led to the seizure of more stolen crude and products, including over 5,000 litres of water-laden crude in Sabasuo, and 1,000 litres in Igbomotoru Creek. In Rivers State, three illegal refining sites and boats with 30,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted in Kula, and additional sites in Bille and along the Imo River led to the recovery of thousands of litres of stolen products, including equipment used for illegal refining, he added.

Source: Daily Trust

No less than 20 persons have died in River Benue when a boat conveying them capsized around Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State. Daily gathered that the incident happened on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Community sources said it was a market day in Ocholonya in Agatu LGA and the victims had gone there to trade and were returning to Doma in Nasarawa State, when the wooden boat they were traveling in capsized and drowned all of them. A native of Ocholonya, Adanyi, said that over 20 people, mostly women and children, were in the wooden boat when the incident happened.

According to him,” Yesterday (Saturday) was Ocholonya market, and this market is within Agatu LGA, but the people who were mostly women and children were returning to their base in Odenyi in Nasarawa State when the boat they were travelling in capsized and they all died. Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin Oche confirmed the incident to newsmen on the phone on Sunday. He said the victims were from Nasarawa State. “It it true that there was boat mishap yesterday, and the people came to Ocholonya market, Ocholonya is in Agatu Local Government. “What I learnt was that when they were returning to their base in Apochi and Odenyi communities in Doma in Nasarawa State, the boat they were travelling in capsized.

“I am trying to get my colleague from Nasarawa State to see how we can go there to visit the families and console them. “The conflicting reports are that sources said that 20 people have died, but no recovery of the corpses to my knowledge. “Though, locals confirmed that local divers have recovered corpses, but as chairman I must be able to speak authoritatively, I want to establish contact with divers to know the actual number of bodies recovered but their lines were not connecting. “But somebody giving me the information said that 20 corpses have been recovered, and the person said that he saw those corpses and that some people are still missing.

Oche said that he had informed the commander of Nigeria Navy in the LG to help in the rescue mission. The Benue Command of the Nigerian Police Force said it has rescued 11 persons and recovered 20 bodies. The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, who confirmed that the incident occurred late in the evening on Saturday, said a rescue operation was ongoing.

Source: The Sun 

Gunmen have attacked a renowned human rights activist, Emeka Umeagbalasi, who is chairman of the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), and his family members. Umeagbalasi said the first attack occurred on November 27, when gunmen shot sporadically and snatched his Mitsubishi Hilux car at gunpoint from his driver, Comrade Chike Umeh. The vehicle was later recovered but the gunmen seized it again, demanding N250,000 to release the vehicle and allow the funeral of his father-in-law to proceed peacefully.

According to Umeagbalasi, the car was snatched again at Ezinifite Roundabout in Aguata local government area, adding that his wife, Blessing; son, Chimdiebube, 4; house-girl, Somtochukwu Okafor, 13; and driver, Umeh, 55, were forced out of the vehicle at gunpoint. It was gathered that on the same day, the gunmen also snatched other private vehicles, including an SUV Prado and another SUV, and abducted their occupants and operated for over eight hours, holding nine communities in the area under siege.

The matter was, subsequently, reported at the Ekwulobia Police Division and the Anambra State Police Command issued an official statement, confirming the recovery of a stolen blue Hilux vehicle. The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law has also written to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, seeking the release of the snatched vehicle and domestic items.

Source: Vanguard

A fatal accident involving a J5 Ford bus and a Mercedes truck occurred at Ilubirin, inward Sura, along the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge on Monday morning. According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the collision claimed one life leaving four others injured. The LASTMA Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, in a statement on X.com on Monday disclosed that LASTMA officials, led by General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki, arrived promptly at the scene and began rescue operations.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has confirmed a tragic collision involving a J5 Ford bus (FKJ 724 YC) and a Mercedes truck (FKJ 746 YC) at Ilubirin, inward Sura, along the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge. “The accident, which occurred earlier today, claimed one life and left a total of five individuals affected. “LASTMA Officials, under the leadership of the General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, promptly arrived at the scene and spearheaded the rescue operations.

With the support of concerned bystanders, four victims were extricated from the wreckage, three of whom were rescued alive. “Tragically, one individual, trapped inside the J5 Ford bus laden with pepper and other perishable goods, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.” All survivors were reportedly transported to the General Hospital on Lagos Island for immediate medical attention. The statement added that preliminary findings suggest that the J5 Ford bus experienced brake failure while travelling at high speed, resulting in a collision with the Mercedes truck.

It also noted that emergency response teams, including the response team of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Police Force, among others, collaborated with LASTMA to manage the situation. Traffic congestion had reportedly extended from the accident site to the Unilag waterfront on the Third Mainland Bridge. Still, LASTMA said its rescue team had cleared the accident site, removed the vehicles and spilled perishable goods, to ensure the free flow of traffic along the bridge.

In the statement, Bakare-Oki expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and emphasized the importance of road safety, particularly as the festive season approaches. He also urged drivers, especially those operating heavy-duty vehicles, to avoid excessive speeding and ensure that their vehicles, particularly the braking systems, are in proper working order before embarking on any journey.

Source: Punch