Nigeria Times

The Jika da Kolo community in Yadin Kidandan, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, is mourning the loss of over 25 people, reportedly killed in a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike aimed at combating terrorists. The incident, which occurred over the weekend, has ignited tension between local villagers and the military.

Local sources claim that 23 worshippers in a mosque and several others at a nearby market were killed during the airstrike. However, the NAF maintains that the operation targeted a known terrorist enclave in the Yadi Forest area and denies the presence of civilian structures, such as mosques, within the strike zone.

The Air Force stated that the airstrike successfully eliminated terrorists and destroyed a logistics base used by bandits, but villagers insist that innocent civilians were among the victims. Abdullahi Ismail, a local councillor, confirmed the incident, acknowledging the presence of bandits in the area but noting that many innocent residents were also caught in the attack.

Witnesses from the community describe a scene of devastation, with 23 mutilated bodies recovered and buried according to Islamic rites. One survivor recounted hearing a loud explosion near the mosque and local market around 2 p.m., resulting in widespread casualties, including farmers and children.

Villagers have called on the Federal and Kaduna State governments to investigate the airstrike, urging the authorities to ensure such incidents do not happen again.

In response to the allegations, NAF’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, asserted that the airstrike targeted a terrorist logistics base. He emphasized that intelligence and surveillance confirmed the presence of terrorists in the area, adding that no mosque existed in the targeted zone.

The NAF reiterated its commitment to eliminating terrorist activities in the North-West and North-Central regions and vowed to continue its operations to dismantle bandit networks.

In a recent social media disclosure, Princess Banke Oniru has accused coordinators of the #EndSARS protest of improperly distributing millions of naira generated during the movement against police brutality in Nigeria. The protests, which gained global attention in late 2020, were sparked by widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings, extortion, and torture by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force. The movement culminated in the tragic events at Lekki Tollgate, where unarmed protesters were allegedly shot by security forces.

In her posts on X (formerly Twitter), Oniru claimed that, despite initially rejecting financial offers from the Lagos State Government, some protest coordinators eventually accepted and shared substantial funds. She indicated that these included payments of 1.5 million naira and 1 million naira, which she later distributed as giveaways to supporters. Oniru stated, “The #EndSARS coordinators shared millions of money severally,” providing details about collecting cash from prominent social commentator Sarah Ibrahim.

Oniru expressed her initial reluctance to accept government funds, fearing it would compromise the integrity of the movement. However, she later altered her stance when it became apparent that the funds could be used to benefit the victims of the protests.

In contrast, Sarah Ibrahim responded to Oniru’s claims, asserting that she did not accept the 100 million naira offer made by the Lagos State Government. Instead, Ibrahim mentioned that after consulting with her lawyers, she advocated for the funds to be directed toward supporting the families of victims and those injured during the protests.

In her detailed account, Ibrahim explained that she had repeatedly refused meetings with the government due to her anger over the Lekki incident. However, after discussing the situation with legal counsel, she eventually attended a meeting where officials proposed the financial offer. Despite the initial offer, Ibrahim maintained her position, stating, “I did not want anything to do with the money,” and insisted that any compensation should be handled transparently and through appropriate channels.

The allegations have raised further questions about the management and accountability of funds raised during the #EndSARS protests. Efforts for clarity from the Lagos State Government regarding these claims have yet to receive a response.

Numerous customers of First Bank Plc have taken to social media to voice their frustrations regarding frequent and unexplained debits from their accounts. The complaints have surged over the past two weeks, with many customers expressing concern about the nature of these charges.

On the bank’s official Facebook page, users like Udoh Blessing raised alarms about receiving multiple debit alerts labeled “QS” along with their phone numbers. Blessing questioned the legitimacy of these charges, stating, “What’s that for please cos I didn’t recharge via the line and keep receiving debit alerts of #200, 139, 34, 100 and so on. It’s getting out of hand.”

Another customer, Esther Maurice, echoed these sentiments, revealing she had been debited over ten times in the month. She commented, “Please oh First Bank of Nigeria, what is the meaning of MTN: USSD and so on Debit? Cause I’m going crazy here.” Many customers expressed that they felt their funds were not safe in the bank, citing multiple debits without making transactions.

One user, Irreplaceable Gichi, shared a troubling experience, stating, “Someone sent me 1,500 only for me to come back the next day and my balance is remaining 900 out of the money sent. It is not fair, you people should look into it.” Stephen Ochoche also reported being debited four times within two weeks without any transactions, highlighting the growing concern among customers.

In response to the wave of complaints, First Bank acknowledged the issues on social media and urged customers to check their direct messages for more personalized assistance. The bank replied swiftly to each complaint, expressing empathy and requesting specific details such as account numbers, amounts, and dates to investigate the issues further.

The financial institution reiterated its commitment to resolving customer concerns and maintaining service quality. For urgent matters, First Bank directed customers to contact their support through dedicated channels, including their complaint portal and helplines.

This situation underscores the challenges faced by customers in ensuring the safety of their funds, raising questions about banking practices and customer service reliability.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has praised President Bola Tinubu for averting a potential ₦5.4 trillion expenditure on petrol subsidies in 2024. He emphasized that previous administrations had inadvertently been subsidizing petrol for neighboring African countries, placing a significant financial burden on Nigeria.

Governor Abiodun made these remarks during a church service held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day. He urged Nigerians to remain patient and resilient amid economic hardships, asserting that the Tinubu administration is focused on repositioning the country for greater growth.

“The federal government under the amiable leadership of our President, Bola Tinubu, wasted no time in embarking on bold and audacious initiatives aimed at repositioning our economy and saving us from bankruptcy. We must persevere,” he stated.

He explained that the removal of the subsidy was crucial, noting, “If not curbed, [the subsidy] would have cost us ₦5.4 trillion by the end of 2024.” Abiodun pointed out that such funds could be better utilized for infrastructure development and social services, referencing the current year’s infrastructure budget of ₦6.7 trillion.

The governor also discouraged participation in the upcoming October 1st protests, advocating instead for constructive engagement with the government. He called for unity and prayers for the nation, warning against actions that could lead to vandalism and destruction.

“Let us be resilient, let us continue to pray, let us persevere, and let us hold on to our faith in Almighty God. Let us engage constructively and work with the government, knowing that this administration is an inclusive one,” he concluded.

The management of Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) in Bauchi State has refuted claims that 30 PhD holders have resigned from the institution. This denial follows announcements made by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which cited dissatisfaction with the university’s salary structure as the reason for the alleged resignations.

In a statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Auwal Hassan, the institution described the claims as “inaccurate and unfounded.” Hassan clarified that SAZU has not received any resignation letters from the supposed 30 PhD holders or any significant number of academic staff for salary-related issues.

“Our records indicate that only six PhD holders have exited or are away from the university in the past 1 year and 10 months, citing various personal reasons unrelated to salary concerns,” he explained.

Hassan also provided insight into the current staff situation at the university, noting that some academic staff are on sabbatical leave, secondment, or leave of absence, while others were dismissed for disciplinary reasons. He stated that SAZU has a total of 397 academic staff, including 18 Professors, 9 Readers, and various ranks of lecturers.

Furthermore, Hassan emphasized that the university, with the support of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has prioritized the welfare and development of its staff. He highlighted that initiatives have been implemented to enhance working conditions, including timely salary payments and addressing promotion arrears.

The situation remains a topic of concern as the university seeks to maintain its staff and address any underlying issues related to employee satisfaction and retention.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially stated that it is not seeking debt forgiveness from China, amid ongoing discussions about debt relief in various international forums. This clarification was provided by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program.

Tuggar addressed concerns about Nigeria’s debt situation and recent engagements with Chinese officials, asserting, “No, that is not what we are discussing with China. When it comes to the issue of debt, our debt-to-GDP ratio shows we are not among the critically indebted nations.”

While Nigeria is advocating for global debt relief measures, including discussions at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Tuggar emphasized that China is open to extending more loans and increasing its investments in Nigeria’s infrastructure and economy. “China is prepared to lend more; China is prepared to invest more in Nigeria,” he stated.

At the 79th session of the UNGA in New York, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, called on world leaders to prioritize debt forgiveness for Nigeria and other developing nations from creditors and multilateral financial institutions. However, Tuggar pointed out that the process of achieving debt forgiveness is gradual and has not yet yielded results in recent discussions.

He referred to Nigeria’s prior experience under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, emphasizing that debt forgiveness requires ongoing engagement rather than being an instantaneous solution. “The effects we felt last time we had debt forgiveness did not just happen with one UNGA,” Tuggar remarked.

According to the Debt Management Office’s Q1 2024 report, Nigeria’s total domestic and external debts amount to N121.67 trillion ($91.46 billion), underscoring the necessity for strategic financial partnerships as the government navigates its economic challenges.

The celebrations for Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary commenced with an inter-denominational church service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja on Sunday. The event was attended by a high-profile government delegation led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, alongside notable figures including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the nation’s Service Chiefs.

During his address, Akume expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future under President Bola Tinubu, asserting that there is hope for the nation. He shared a vision for Nigeria to emerge as the most successful and prosperous country in Africa and beyond.

Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Michael Akinwale, echoed these sentiments during his sermon, emphasizing the need for unity and resilience among Nigerians. He expressed a dream for Nigeria to reclaim its status as a leading nation, stating, “I have a dream that this nation, Nigeria, will be great again. I have a dream that Nigeria will rise again. I have a dream that Nigeria will be a pacesetter for industrialization in Africa.”

Akume further articulated his vision for the country under Tinubu’s leadership, declaring, “There is hope. I have a dream too, that this country, under Asiwaju, will become the most blessed, most successful, and prosperous in Africa and the world.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged Nigerians to remain patient and hopeful, noting that the journey toward prosperity has only just begun. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but emphasized the importance of unity in overcoming them, stating, “Our journey to become a prosperous nation is just beginning, and I urge each of you to be patient, to hold on to hope, and to believe that change is not only possible but inevitable. Nigeria’s brightest days are ahead of us.”