TheNewsGuru

Author: Emmanuel Bagudu

  • NAF loses personnel in gun duel with Zamfara bandits

    NAF loses personnel in gun duel with Zamfara bandits

    The Nigerian Air force (NAF) said it has lost one of its Special Forces Personnel, Aircraftman Sunday Enwa.

    Enwa according to NAF lost his life during a gun battle with bandits near Yar Katsina, Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    In a Press Release made available to TheNewsGuru.com on Monday by NAF Spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola disclosed the troops pursued the bandits and cornered them at the Maje Riverline, neutralizing 30 of them.

    The statement reads;
    “Troops of Sector 1 of Operation HADARIN DAJI have neutralized no fewer than 30 armed bandits at the Maje Riverline near Yar Katsina under Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. This was achieved when the troops from Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) at Kekuwuje, Kwatarkwashi and Maru, comprised mostly of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces (SF) personnel, were mobilized in response to reports that scores of armed bandits, along with a large number of rustled livestock, were spotted heading towards Kekuwuje-Yar Kastina Road.”

    “The troops made contact with the armed bandits along the Yar Katsina Road and overpowered them with superior firepower in the ensuing gun battle….”

    “Unfortunately, one NAF SF personnel, Aircraftman Sunday Enwa, who fought gallantly during the encounter, paid the supreme price while 3 others, who sustained gunshot wounds during the operation, have been evacuated for medical treatment.

    The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf all officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the family of the fallen hero and prays that the Almighty God grants his soul peaceful repose. The CAS also urges all NAF personnel to remain resolute and continue to work assiduously, in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, to rid the Northwest of all criminal elements.”

  • Two killed in Southern Kaduna as troops foil attack

    Two killed in Southern Kaduna as troops foil attack

    Troops of the operation safe haven have foiled an attack by unknown gunmen in Kizachi Village, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The attack led to the death of two residents of the community, Musa Garba and Yakubu Yawo.

    State commissioner for internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan disclosed this in a press statement made available to TNG on Tuesday.

    According to Mr Aruwan two people were also injured in the attack.

    He said the victims were ambushed by the attackers between Bakin Kogi Village and Narido Village as they made their way from Baking Kogi Market.

    ”Governor Nasir El-Rufai has tasked security agencies to ensure a detailed investigation into the incident,” Aruwan said.

  • BREAKING: Kaduna denies approving FG’s resumption date for schools

    BREAKING: Kaduna denies approving FG’s resumption date for schools

     

    The Kaduna State Government has said news of the purported resumption date of schools in the state 18th January, 2021 is fake and mischievous.

    Permanent Secretary State Ministry of Education, Phoebe Sukai Yayi made this known in a press statement made available to TheNewsGuru.com.com, TNG on Friday.

    According to her, “…the ministry is informing the public that the news is FAKE and MISCHIEVOUS as Kaduna State Government is yet to make any announcement on that. The state government is assessing the Covid-19 pandemic with keen interest and will issue a statement when it seems fit and safe for the students to resume”

    “Meanwhile, the public is hereby enjoined to disregard the purported statement” she added.

    TNG reports that the Federal Government recently approved schools to reopen on January 18 but under strict COVID-19 protocols.

  • BREAKING: Atiku receives COVID-19 Vaccine in Dubai [Photos]

    BREAKING: Atiku receives COVID-19 Vaccine in Dubai [Photos]

    Reports reaching TheNewsGuru.com, TNG from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) indicates that Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has received the Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine.

    According to reports, Atiku arrived Dubai on Wednesday morning and was later spotted in the afternoon same day receiving the vaccine alongside top Dubai’s business men.

    With this development, the ex-VP becomes the first Nigerian Citizen to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine.

  • BREAKING: UK kickstarts inoculation of citizens with Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

    BREAKING: UK kickstarts inoculation of citizens with Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

    An 82-year-old man has become the first person in the world to receive the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab.

    The UK government believes the development could be “a pivotal moment” in fighting coronavirus.

    The UK began vaccinating citizens with the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus jab amid a surge in cases.

    According to a DW report on Monday, Brian Pinker, an 82-year-old dialysis patient, was the first person to receive the vaccine at a hospital a few hundred metres away from where it was developed.

    “I am so pleased to be getting the vaccine today and I’m really proud that it is one that was invented in Oxford,” he said. “The nurses, doctors and staff today have all been brilliant and I can now really look forward to celebrating my 48th wedding anniversary with my wife Shirley later this year.”

    A ‘pivotal’ moment

    As many as half a million doses are ready to be administered over the next 24 hours, the British government said.

    The vaccine costs just 3 pounds ($4.10, €3.35) per shot.

    It also can be stored in regular refrigerators, making it easier for GPs and healthcare workers to distribute.

    British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said in an interview with broadcaster Sky News on Monday that it was “a triumph for British science” and “a pivotal moment” in fighting COVID-19.

    Germany’s BioNTech, along with its US partner Pfizer, was the first company in the world to develop an effective vaccine against the virus.

    But it is five times more expensive and must be kept at -70 degrees Celsius (-112°F).

    Hundreds of thousands of Britons have already had their first shot of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine.

    England lockdown calls mount

    On Sunday, the UK recorded more than 50,000 new coronavirus infections for the sixth day running.

    Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labour Party, called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to impose a third nationwide lockdown in England to curb the rise in cases.

    The UK has seen an uptick in infections after authorities announced they had discovered a new variant of the virusthat appears to be more contagious.

    “It is a very difficult situation in terms of the growth of the virus,” Hancock said.

    Asked whether the government was considering imposing a new national lockdown, he answered: “We don’t rule anything out.”

    The other parts of the United Kingdom are responsible for their own health policies.

    Northern Ireland and Wales are already under lockdown. The Scottish government is currently reviewing what to do next.

     

    Source: DW

  • Kaduna govt demolishes building used for sex party, arrests organisers

    Kaduna govt demolishes building used for sex party, arrests organisers

    Following the arrest of organisers of the maiden edition of the Kaduna sex party, the building that would have hosted the event, has been demolished.

    Officials of the Kaduna State Urban State Urban Planning Development Agency carried out the exercise.

    According to the Public Relations Officer of the agency, Nuhu Garba, the property located at Sabon Tasha in Chikun Local Government Area of the state, was pulled down on Thursday.

    This, he said, was in accordance with the laws guiding the agency over properties in the state.

    Garba said, “The law has vested the agency the power to demolish any building that contravenes the rights of occupancy.

    “For instance, if a residential building is turned into something other than the purpose it was meant, the law gives us the power to demolish such property especially if it’s against the public interest.

    “We are in Narayi (another suburb) too to carry out a similar assignment. We are currently demolishing another building that promotes illicit acts.”

    Recall that the Kaduna State Police Command had on Wednesday said it made some arrests in connection to the maiden edition of Kaduna sex party in the state.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, had said operatives were able to trace the venue and made some arrests.

    The party, which received high publicity on social media and slated for December 27, 2020, at an undisclosed venue in the capital, was aborted.

    Part of the requirements by participants on the invitation obtained by our correspondent was that males and females were expected to be naked.

  • Photos: Days after TNGCIJ Investigative report, Dangote, First Patriot Honour CDA; Resume Projects in Kogi, Ebonyi

    Photos: Days after TNGCIJ Investigative report, Dangote, First Patriot Honour CDA; Resume Projects in Kogi, Ebonyi

    By Emmanuel Bagudu

    Dangote Industries Limited mining Coal in Awo-Akpali, Ankpa Local goverment area of Kogi State and First Patriot Limited, a Salt mining company in Agalegu, Ikwo Local Goverment Area of Ebonyi State have resumed developmental projects in the various Communities where they exploit minerals.

    TheNewsGuru.com Centre for Investigative Journalism (TNGCIJ) during an investigation under the Natural Resources and Extractive Resources Project (NAREP), funded by ford foundation and supported by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, gathered that the two companies dishonoured the community development agreements they entered into with their Communities by abandoning and deliberately refusing to carry out projects in their host Communities.

    In Kogi, Awo-Akpali village where Dangote Industries Limited mines coal, residents reported that work has resumed in the health care centre and schools under construction which was early abandoned. TNGCIJ gathered that plans are also underway to complete abandoned bridge and unfinished graded roads.

    Honourable Markus Okigbo who is the chairman of the Awo-Akpali village, Ankpa LGA disclosed this to TNGCIJ in a Telephone call. “….. Work has resumed in the health care centre and the school which was earlier abandoned…. They plan to see us after the holidays to finalise how to complete other aspects of the CDA, thanks to your Investigations Sir……” Okigbo said.

    Tony Chiejina, spokesman of Dangote Industries Limited confirmed the development where he said “…. all differences with the host Community have been resolved….”

    In Agalegu, Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State on the other hand, Ms Princes Emmanuel, a youth leader in the community told TNGCIJ that First Patriot LTD have started grading roads. According to her they are forced to do that due to the questions TNGCIJ keep asking them during the NAREP Investigations.

    Executive Director of First Patriot LTD who spoke to TNGCIJ via WhatsApp confirmed he has resumed grading of roads and promised to share pictures of the finished work soon.

  • More European Countries Begin Covid 19 Vaccination

    More European Countries Begin Covid 19 Vaccination

    More European Union (EU) nations have kick-start mass Covid-19 vaccinations geared towards putting an end to the global pandemic.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reported days ago that outside the EU, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Serbia have already started the inoculations against the Pandemic.

    European Union member states, including France, Italy, Austria, Portugal and Spain have since launched mass inoculation programs against the novel virus with many countries starting with health care workers.

    The first shipments of the two-dose vaccine from Pfizer arrived across the EU late Friday and early Saturday. Each member nation has been tasked with taking the lead on how to implement the rollout, with three member states — Germany, Hungary and Slovakia — starting vaccinations a day early on Saturday.

    Just hours after the vaccines arrived in Slovakia, authorities began administering their first doses on Saturday evening. Front-line medical staff in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients were among the first to get the vaccine. President Zuzana Caputova was scheduled to get vaccinated on Sunday.

    Slovakia was the second EU country after Hungary to start the vaccination campaign immediately after the arrival of the first doses, upsetting plans for a coordinated rollout on Sunday of the first COVID shots across the 27-nation European Union.

    Millions of initial doses produced
    From Sweden to Cyprus, Lithuania to Italy, the push to get people their first shots is now under way, 11 months after the first cases were reported in Europe. EU leaders have dubbed the launch of the drive “V-Day,” a moment of unity in a pandemic that has killed more than 1.7 million people worldwide.

    Edith Kwoizalla, 101, was one of the first Germans to be vaccinated at a care home in Saxony-Anhalt.

    Elderly population a priority

    Edith Kwoizalla, aged 101, was one of the first Germans to be vaccinated. She took the first of two doses at a care home in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt on Saturday, a day before the official launch. German Health Minister Jens Spahn said he expected 1.3 million doses to be delivered by the end of the year, with double that number by the end of January.

    Mobile teams deployed across Germany
    The country is largely relying on mobile teams to distribute the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine, such as here at a care home in Grossräschen, in Germany’s eastern Brandenburg state. Most of the more than 400 planned vaccination centers will not be up and running until the next few days.

    The Pfizer/BioNTech is expected to work against the new variant

    The vaccine, developed partly by a German firm, has been snapped up by governments around the world. BioNTech has “scientific confidence” that its coronavirus vaccine will also work on the new variant detected in the UK, company CEO Ugur Sahin told DW. The proteins on the mutated form of the virus were 99% the same as the prevailing virus, he said.

    Hungarian soldiers carry the first shipment of Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines at the Del-Pest Central Hospital in Budapest

    Hungary starts a day early
    Hungary began vaccinating health care workers on Saturday, a day ahead of the EU’s planned start date. Hungary has recorded over 316,000 cases and more than 9,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

     

    Polish paramedics vaccinated first
    A Warsaw paramedic was one of the first people to receive the vaccine in Poland on Sunday. The first batch of 10,000 doses was transported from Pfizer’s facility in Belgium to a warehouse in central Poland a day earlier. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called the launch “a great step in fighting the epidemic.”

     

    Politicians aim to ease concerns
    EU leaders and scientists have gone to great lengths to insist the vaccine is safe. In the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Andrej Babis (seen here) was at the head of the line for his vaccination on Sunday. In Vienna, three women and two men over the age of 80 got the vaccine in the presence of Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

     

    ‘I didn’t feel anything’: first Swedish patient
    Sweden, which has received praise and criticism for its looser handling of the pandemic, is expecting an initial batch of 10,000 shots, along with Norway. Denmark expects to have enough shots to initially vaccinate 40,000 people in care homes, followed by health care staff and those people with a high risk of illness. Iceland will receive 10,000 doses early in January.

    Andreas Raounas, 84, becomes the first patient on the island of Cyprus to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

    First doses arrive in Cyprus
    An 84-year-old man became the first patient to receive the coronavirus vaccine in Cyprus. While Europe has some of the best-resourced health care systems in the world, the sheer scale of the effort means some countries are calling on retired medics to help. Other countries have loosened rules for who is allowed to give the injections.

    Vaccinations begin in Austria

    A health care worker at the Hospital Favoriten in Vienna was one of the first in line to receive the vaccine. Austria is rolling the vaccine out through a three-stage program, starting with health care workers and people over the age of 65. Austria has recorded over 350,000 cases and more than 5,800 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

     

    France: A million vaccinations by February
    Mauricette, a 78-year-old French woman, was the first person to receive a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the Rene-Muret hospital in Sevran, on the outskirts of Paris. France is aiming to vaccinate the first million people by the end of February. The country has been one of the hardest hit in Europe, with over 2.6 million recorded cases and nearly 63,000 deaths.

     

    Thumbs up in Italy
    Italy began distributing the first batch of 10,000 shots on Sunday at the Niguarda hospital in Milan (seen here). In Rome, a 29-year-old nurse was the first to receive the jab at Rome’s Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases. Health workers were first in line, with those over 80 to follow.

     

    Portugal aims for 10% of the population
    The first phase of Portugal’s vaccine rollout aims to inoculate 10% of the population, with front-line workers and those over 50 with preexisting conditions taking priority. Here, a medical worker receives the vaccine at Santa Maria hospital in Lisbon.

     

    Ambitious rollout in Spain
    Spain is set to receive 350,000 doses from Pfizer-BioNTech per week, with a total of nearly 4.6 million to be delivered over the next three months. The government has said it aims to vaccinate between 15 million and 20 million people in the first half of 2021. Here, a 72-year-old receives the first injection at the Vallecas nursing home in Madrid.

    Source: DW

  • BREAKING: Notorious bandit, kidnapper, Nasiru Kachalla killed by security agencies

    BREAKING: Notorious bandit, kidnapper, Nasiru Kachalla killed by security agencies

    The Kaduna State Government said it has confirmed the killing of Nasiru Kachalla, a notorious bandit and kidnap kingpin in the State.

    The State Commissioner for Internal and Home Security Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan disclosed this in a press statement on Monday.

    According to the statement, Nasiru Kachalla was killed alongside many of his cohorts in a gun battle on Monday afternoon.

    “Kachalla, has been on the run for masterminding several criminal acts, including kidnappings, killings, cattle rustling and banditry, was killed in a clash between his gang and a rival group of bandits.

    “Human intelligence networks confirmed that criminals from the rival sides were also killed, including some of Kachalla’s lieutenants.

    “The clash occurred in a forest around the boundaries of Kajuru-Chikun local government areas of Kaduna Central Senatorial District. A dispute over a large herd of rustled cattle is said to have triggered the fatal confrontation.

    “Kachalla and his gang were involved in several crimes, including kidnappings, killings and banditry on the Kaduna-Abuja road and also in the Chikun/Kajuru general areas.

    “He was the mastermind of the 9th January 2020 kidnapping of seminarians of Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna, and the 24th January 2020 kidnapping of Mrs Bola Ataga and her two children.

    “The criminals later killed one of the seminarians, Michael Nnadi and Mrs. Ataga before releasing her children.

    “Kachalla’s criminal gang was also responsible for the kidnap of six students and two teachers of Engravers College, in Kakau village of Chikun local government on 3rd October 2019.

    “While Kachalla was being pursued, security agents arrested three members of his gang, Tukur Usman, Shehu Bello and Mustapha Mohammed in April 2020.

    “In another development, troops repelled an attempted attack by armed bandits along the Galadimawa-Zaria road in Giwa local government area.

    “The bandits blocked the road for some minutes, shooting sporadically at motorists plying the route.

    “A combined team of the 4 Battalion and Field Engineers Regiment of the Nigerian army mobilized to the location. The road was cleared and normalcy was restored, with no kidnapping or harm to motorists.

    “Troops and police are currently dominating the area with patrols.

    “Furthermore, the government was informed of an incident in a forest located in the Western part of Chikun local government, where armed bandits opened fire on some hunters.

    “Security agencies are carrying out investigations to ascertain the exact location as well as fatalities if any. Citizens will be briefed on the operational feedback as it emerges.

    “In the meantime, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has appealed to Tsohon Gaya, Sabon Gaya and other communities with members missing in the hunting expedition to remain calm,” The statement reads.

  • See list of countries now using COVID-19 vaccine

    See list of countries now using COVID-19 vaccine

    After months of trials, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, which was created by scientists to save the lives of infected patients and to prevent and reduce widespread, is already in use in many countries of the world.

    The virus has infected up to 78 million persons and has killed 1.73 million people worldwide.

    The first country to use the vaccine was the UK early December this year, after several trials of the vaccines on humans. Other countries follow suit.

    Here are the countries of the world where the COVID-19 vaccine is used for both prevention and treatment.

    UK

    90 year old Margaret Keenan, became the first person in the world to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in the UK on the 8th of December. Keenan was administered the first vaccine produced by pharmaceutical giants Pfizer-BioNTech.

    Although shortly after the commencement of the vaccine, a second wave of the virus which appeared more deadly plagued the entire UK forcing it to suspend the exercise and go for another lockdown to contain it.

    Several countries have barred travellers from the UK from coming into their territories.

    USA

    The United State of America has also agreed with the Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine. Sandra Lindsay became the first person in the US to be vaccinated after which more than 1 million people in the USA have so far received the vaccine.

    Canada

    In Canada, an old woman in her 80s reportedly first received the vaccine on the 14th December this year. Canada, a close neighbour to the USA is making use of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by another pharmaceutical company, Moderna. The US has reportedly launched a second phase of it’s Covid-19 vaccination exercise using the Moderna vaccine.

    Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Arabia is among the countries mostly affected by the Covid-19 with up to 360,000 infection records and 6,148 deaths from the infection.

    The country began administering the Covid-19 Vaccine on 17th December this year using the vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech.

    Israel

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became the first person to receive the Covid-19 vaccine on 19th December this year in his country Israel.

    Netanyahu used his vaccination to declare open the commencement of the vaccination in his country Israel. Age 71, prime minister Natenyahu was vaccinated alongside Israel’s minister of Health at the Sheba Hospital where the Pfizer-BioNTech developed Covid-19 Vaccine was used.

    Qatar

    Qatar began free Covid-19 vaccination after 22nd December this year after it received it first delivery of the vaccine from Pfizer late November.

    Mexico

    Mexico began it’s Covid-19 Vaccine with a nursing mother who become the first to receive the vaccine on the 24th of December.

    Recall that the south American country suffered one the world’s highest infections and deaths from the novel Covid-19

    Serbia, Kuwait, Chile, Costa Rica

    Serbia, Kuwait, Chile and Costa Rica also launched the commencement of Covid-19 vaccination on 24th December.

    Russia

    Sputnik V. is a Russian locally developed vaccine and has since been used by the country to vaccinate it’s citizens, since late November with Russian President Vladimir Putin being the among the recipient of the vaccine.