TheNewsGuru

Tag: Sunday

  • JUST IN: Buhari jets to Ghana Tomorrow

    JUST IN: Buhari jets to Ghana Tomorrow

    President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Sunday for Accra, Ghana to attend an emergency Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS, convened to discuss the recent political developments in Mali.

    Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, announced the visit on Saturday via a statement.

    The President is expected back in the country “at the end of the one-day Summit.”

    According to Mr Adesina, the meeting is at the instance of the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo.

    Prior to the Extraordinary Summit, the President had met with the Special Envoy and ECOWAS mediator in Mali, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who briefed him on the latest developments in the country following his meeting with key political actors in the West African country.

    “As the situation in Mali continues to evolve, Nigeria had condemned the May 24 military coup, the subsequent detention of the president and prime minister by soldiers, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilian officials detained,” the statement added.

    “President Buhari will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Adebayo, and Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.”

  • At least 59 killed, 129 injured in Sunday’s protest crackdown in Myanmar – Reports

    At least 59 killed, 129 injured in Sunday’s protest crackdown in Myanmar – Reports

    Sunday clashes between anti-coup protesters and security forces in Myanmar left at least 59 people killed and 129 injured according to hospital data, the Myanmar Now news agency reported on Monday.
    The actual toll is estimated to be even higher. 

    The reports came from three hospitals — Yangon General, Hlaing Tharyar, and Thingangyun Sanpya — but doctors and rescue workers expect the final toll to be much higher, Myanmar Now stated.

    The largest demonstrations were reportedly held in Yangon, Mandalay, Bago, and Hpakan.

    On Sunday night, following the protests, martial law was declared in two of Yangon’s industrial townships – Hlaing Tharyar and Shwepyitha – the news agency said. 

    Regardless of the casualties, the protests have continued in Mandalay and Yangon since Monday morning, Myanmar Now noted.

    On Feb. 1, the country’s military overthrew the civilian government, arrested State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, and declared a year-long state of emergency.

    This week marks the sixth week since the protests against military rule started in Myanmar.

    The total death toll is estimated at more than 100 since the start of the unrest in early February.
  • IGP ignores calls to halt setting up SWAT for disbanded SARS, insists training commences Sunday

    IGP ignores calls to halt setting up SWAT for disbanded SARS, insists training commences Sunday

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has ignored nationwide calls to postpone the setting up of a new police unit; Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    The embattled police boss on Thursday outlined the structure of the new outfit and also reaffirmed that the training of men and officers of SWAT will commence next week.

    According to a memo from the IG to Deputy Inspectors General, Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police and Commandants of Police Colleges, the new SWAT outfit will comprise of officers and men that will be selected based on clearly defined criteria.

    They are to be specially trained in weapons handling and tactical operations.

    Adamu said they will be oriented to operate within very high professional and ethical standards, rule of law and best international policing practices that will align with national democratic values and yearnings of the citizens.

    He said the mandate of the SWAT Team will be intelligence-led and limited to response to robbery attacks, response to scenes of weapon-related crimes, rescue Operations, special operations involving high-profile criminals that constitute threats to national security, including anti-banditry, and counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations which will require special tactical response.

    The IGP said the outfit shall comprise of a State Commander, Second­ in-Command and thirty-six (36) other officers and men.

    The breakdown is as follows: one Chief Superintendent of Police as State SWAT Commander, one Superintendent of Police as 2 I/C State SWAT Commander, there Deputy Superintendents of Police as Section Commanders, and three Assistant Superintendents of Police as 2I/C Section Commanders.

    Others are 24 Inspectors and Non Commissioned Officers as Operatives and another six NCOs as drivers.

    He said in the long-term, the number of SWAT Teams per state will be expanded based on the assessment of the security realities of each State Command.

    On the selection criteria he said they must be between the ages of 25 – 40 years for operational elements and between the ages of 35 – 45 years for command elements.

    The IGP said they must have not less than seven years policing service experience and be physically fit to withstand the rigour of SWAT Training and Operation.

    He said the physical fitness test will include Cooper’s Test.

    The SWAT personnel must be certified as medically, emotionally and psychologically fit and will all as a critical pre-requisite undergo and pass medical examination, psychometry and toxicological screening for drug of abuse which will be conducted by the Police Medical Services during training. Those found to be unsuitable shall be discharged, he said.

    He also said they must not have any pending disciplinary matter or any serious previous record of professional misconduct touching on intemperate behaviour, incivility to members of the public, corrupt practices and misuse offirearms among others.

    Adamu said officers and men to be selected must not be from the recently dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

    He said the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which will act as the protocol that will regulate the processes, conduct and operations of the SWAT Teams is being developed.

    He added that officers and operatives of the Outfit shall be held accountable based on the extent of their compliance with the SOP.

    Adamu said the personnel would be kitted with specially branded uniforms, kits and accoutrements.

    “Under the new policy, no personnel will be authorized to use any uniform, kits or accoutrements other than as approved for the Outfit and officially issued to them.

    On no account must they also undertake any operation without the branded items. The details of this shall be contained in the Standard Operating Procedure of the Outfit,” he said.

    The Police Boss said no personnel of the team shall be engaged without being screened, specially trained and certified as a SWAT Officer.

    “The basic training will be three weeks long and shall be conducted at the PMF Training College, Illa-Orogun, Osun State; PMF Training College, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State; and PTS Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State commencing from Sunday 18th October, 2020.

    “The first batch of the training shall comprise of fifty (50) officers and men to be selected from the FCID, the 36 State Police Commands and the FCT.

    In order to facilitate the immediate take-off of the newly approved NPF-SWAT Team, he directed the DIG FCID and Commissioners of Police in each of the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT to screen and select a total of 50 officers and men from each of their commands.

    He said the DIG FCID and each Commissioner of Police across all the State Police Commands are to arrange and transport the 50 selected officers in their respective Command to the Training Colleges for which they are scheduled.

    “All the officers and men MUST arrive and document on Sunday 18th October, 2020 at their designated training facility.”

  • Sunday attack: How Gov Zulum’s convoy was ambushed with donkey

    Sunday attack: How Gov Zulum’s convoy was ambushed with donkey

    Boko Haram terrorists on Sunday used a donkey strapped with explosives to ambush the convoy of Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum as he was returning from Baga to Maiduguri.

    According to reports, Zulum had departed Baga around 10:30am, as suspected Boko Haram terrorists were said to have opened fire on his convoy.

    Sunday’s attack came two days after he had survived another attack while travelling to an area near Lake Chad.

    At least 18 people were killed in that ambush, among them were 14 police officers and soldiers and four civilians.

    What happened in Sunday’s attack?

    Governor Zulum was returning from Baga where he had accompanied hundreds of residents who returned to the town they fled in 2014 following deadly jihadist attacks.

    When soldiers saw the donkey on the road, they shot at it. Explosives then went off and the militants immediately came out from their hide-out to open fire on the convoy, an official who was in one of the vehicles in Governor Zulum’s convoy told the BBC.

    A number of insurgents were killed in the ensuing shoot-out. No-one in the convoy – including the governor – was injured but some vehicles were damaged by bullets, the official said.

  • NiMet to Nigerians: Prepare for cloudy, thundery activities Friday to Sunday

    NiMet to Nigerians: Prepare for cloudy, thundery activities Friday to Sunday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy and thundery activities from Friday to Sunday across the country.

    NiMet`s weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja predicted cloudy skies over the Northern region on Friday, with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Bauchi, Gombe, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, and Kaduna in the morning hours.

    According to the agency, there are prospects of isolated thunderstorms over Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, leaving other places in the northern region cloudy during the afternoon and evening period.

    “The north central region should be mainly cloudy with prospects of rain over parts of Plateau, Nassarawa, Benue and southern Abuja in the morning hours.

    “ Moderate rains are expected over parts of Niger, Kwara, Kogi and Abuja during the afternoon and evening period.

    “Cloudy morning is expected over the southern region with prospects of light rains over parts of Enugu, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers state,“ it said.

    The Agency forecast cloudy skies to prevail over the southern parts during the afternoon and evening period.

    According to NiMet, cloudy morning is expected over the northern region on Saturday, with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Kaduna.

    “The afternoon and evening period holds better prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Katsina, Kano and Bauchi.

    “ The north central region is expected to be cloudy in the morning hours. Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over part of Plateau, Nassarawa and Abuja.

    “Cloudy skies are anticipated over the entire southern region throughout the forecast period,“ it said.

    The agency envisaged cloudy skies over the northern region on Sunday in the morning hours.

    It predicted isolated thunderstorms over parts of Adamawa and Taraba, leaving other parts of the north in cloudy condition in the afternoon and evening period.

    NiMet forecast the north central cities to be cloudy in the morning.

    It said there were better prospects of isolated rains over parts of Niger, Plateau and Abuja during the afternoon and evening.

    According to the agency, the southern states are expected to be cloudy during the morning hours.

    It said there were chances of isolated rains over parts of Cross River in the afternoon and evening period.

  • Sultan declares Sunday Sallah day as Lagos Chief Imam tells Muslims to observe prayers at home

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar on Friday declared Sunday as Eid-il-Fitr day.

    The declaration followed the no report of moon sighting in the country.

    The ongoing Ramadan ends Saturday, marking the end of 30-day fasting.

    A statement by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Prof Sambo Wali Junaidu, said the council did not receive any report from various Moon Sighting Committees across the country confirming the sighting of the moon of Shawwal.

    NSCIA Secretary-General Prof Ishaq Oloyede confirmed to The Nation that the moon was not sighted.

    Oloyede said “fasting continues tomorrow (today).”

    The Sultan, Prof Junaidu said, had accepted the report of the committee and accordingly declared Sunday, May 24 as the first day of Shawwal (Day of Eid-il-Fitr).

    “The Sultan felicitates with the Muslim Ummah and wishes them Allah’s guidance and blessings. The Sultan while urging the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for peace, progress and development of the country,” he said.

    The Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla advised Muslims to abide by the Sultan’s directive.

    This, he said, would ensure a national unity.

    He urged Muslims to observe the Sunday Eid prayers at home.

    Sheikh Abou-Nolla “This year’s Eid-il-Fitr is an unusual one coming at a time when the world is battling a global pandemic – the COVID-19 with its prevalence significantly impacting on every sphere of our lives particularly on social interaction. Recognising the need for our collective survival, in consonance with the Islamic principles that place high premium value on human lives, all Muslims should maintain a high level of personal hygiene such as regular hand washing, sanitising, practising social distancing and staying in our current locations to minimise the spread of the virus.

    “We enjoin Muslims to observe Eid prayers at home, as this exceptional circumstance demands, and as have been advised by Muslim scholars all over the world.”

  • NiMet predicts dust haze for Sunday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted reduction in horizontal visibility over most parts of the country with thick dust haze expected over the northern region.

    The NiMet’s waether outlook released on Saturday in Abuja further predicted dust haze condition in Central region with horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km within the period of forecast.

    “For northern states, thick dust haze condition is expected over the region within forecast period with day and night temperatures of 30 degree Celsius to 35 degree Celsius and 11degree Celsius to 19 degree Celsius.

    “For central states, dust haze condition is anticipated over the region with horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km and localized visibility of less than 1000m within the forecast period.

    “Day and night temperatures of the region are expected to be from 28 degree Celsius to 36 degree Celsiue and form 11 degree Celsius to 23 degree Celsius respectively,” it said.

    According to NiMet moderate dust haze condition is expected over southern states inland cities with localized visibility of less than 1000m throughout forecast period while haziness is anticipated over coastal belt throughout forecast period.

    It envisaged day and night temperatures of the region to be 30 degree Celsius to 39 degree Celsius and 16 degree Celsius to 24 degree Celsius respectively.

  • NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains for Sunday

    NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains for Sunday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and rains for Sunday.

    NiMet’s weather outlook for Saturday in Abuja predicted partly cloudy conditions with chances of thunderstorms over Kebbi, Maiduguri and Yobe axis of Northern states in the morning hours.

    The agency forecast thunderstorms over this region later in the day with day and night temperatures values to be 33 to 35 degree Celsius and 23 to 25 degree Celsiue respectively.

    ” For Central states, there are prospects of thunderstorms and rains over Kwara, Yola, Jalingo, Mambilla Plateau, and Makurdi axis in the morning.

    ” Later in the day, thunderstorms are likely over few places in this region with day and night temperatures values of 26 to 31degree Celsius and 17 to 23 degree Celsius respectively, ” it said.

    According to it, thunderstorms and rains are likely over few places in the western part of Southern states in the morning hours.

    NiMet envisaged prospects of thunderstorms and rains later in the day with day and night temperatures of 28 to 31degree Celsius and 21 to 24 degree Celsius respectively.

  • Security Challenges: Speaker Gbajabiamila visits Zamfara on Sunday

    Security Challenges: Speaker Gbajabiamila visits Zamfara on Sunday

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila will on Sunday July 14, 2019 visit Zamfara State as part of his efforts to assess security challenges in some states across the country.
    During the visit, the Speaker is expected to travel to some specific Local Government Areas in the state that are most affected by activities of bandits and kidnappers.
    The Speaker, who will be in company of some members of the House, will also meet specific individuals such as government officials, including the state governor, community and religious leaders.
    The Speaker’s visit would afford him the opportunity to see the situation on ground, return to the House and together with members make necessary recommendations to the Executive arm of government.
    It is expected that the Executive arm will leverage on the assessment of the House on the security situations in the affected states and take further action.
    After his emergence as Number 4 Citizen, Speaker Gbajabiamila promised to visit the states that have been facing security challenges.
    This is in line with the Speaker’s campaign slogan themed ‘Nation Building: A Joint Task.’
    After Zamfara State, the Speaker will also visit other states such as Katsina, Borno, Taraba, Adamawa, Benue, among others.

  • Trump confirms mass deportation of illegal immigrants commences Sunday

    US President Donald Trump confirmed Friday that agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency will launch raids across the country this weekend to round up thousands of undocumented migrants for deportation.
    “They came in illegally,” he told reporters at the White House. “They are going to take people out and they are going to send them back to their country.”
    Trump said ICE would focus mainly on people with convictions, including gang members, but also others.
    “It starts on Sunday and they’re going to take people out and they’re going to bring them back to their countries,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
    “Or they’re going to take criminals out, put them in prison, or put them in prison in the countries they came from.”
    While the focus will be on removing criminals, Trump said the raids would also target “people that came into our country, not through a process, that just walked over a line. They have to leave.
    The ICE raids are expected to take place in 10 major cities, pursuing people for whom courts have already issued removal orders, according to media reports.
    They could potentially target families who have been inside the United States for many years, with homes, businesses and US-born children, the reports said.
    Migrant communities and immigration and rights activists around the country were girding for the raids.
    Migrants were being told to not open their doors to ICE agents if they do not have search or arrest warrants, to record their encounters with agents, and to call immigration attorneys for help.
    Democrats warned the Trump administration Thursday about breaking up long-resident families with members who are inside the country legally.
    House leader Nancy Pelosi called the ICE plan “heartless” and said Sundays are when many Hispanic immigrant families are in church.
    “These families are hardworking members of our communities and our country. This brutal action will terrorise children and tear families apart,” she told reporters.
    “Many of these families are mixed-status families,” she added, referring to families who include members in the United States legally and illegally, such as migrants with children born inside the country.
    According to the Pew Research Center, there are about 10.5 million undocumented migrants in the United States, and two-thirds have been in the country more than 10 years.
    Ken Cuccinelli, acting director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services, said Wednesday that ICE has removal orders for some one million migrants, but added that it has nowhere near the manpower or facilities to arrest and deport that many.