News & Announcements

A journalist with Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), Naziru Ya’u, has been hit by a stray bullet inside the Kano State Government House.

Ya’u, who is a correspondent attached to the Kano Government House, was said to have been rushed to the clinic where he was treated and discharged by medical experts in the facility.
As gathered on Saturday, the reporter was said to have been hit by the bullet inside the government house at about 6.30 pm yesterday.

The incident occurred amidst the observance of World Press Freedom Day set aside by the United Nations, on May 3rd annually.
In an interview, after he was discharged, Ya’u narrated that while inside the government house, he suddenly discovered that his body had been forcefully pierced.
He added that the next discovery after the sudden change in body temperature was blood oozing out from the part where the bullet pieced him.

The victim lamented that hours after the incident, the origin of the stray bullet was still unknown and could not ascertain if the security personnel inside the Kano Government House had commenced an investigation to unravel the perpetrator.
A medical personnel at the clinic was said to have told the victim that the injury could have been severe if the bullet removed was shot at close range.

Following the incident, police personnel stationed at the Government House have initiated a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances leading to this alarming event.
As of the time of compiling this report, there is no official statement from the Kano Government House regarding the shooting.

However, the silence on the matter has prompted a wave of speculation and unease among the press community, highlighting the perils faced by journalists even in supposed places of safety.
Efforts made to contact the Spokesman to the governor, Sanusi Tofa, for the state government’s reaction to the development proved abortive as calls made to his telephone line did not go through.

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s war-torn east, on Friday, handed a death sentence to eight soldiers, including five officers, for desertion and cowardice when fighting M23 rebels, AFP reports.

AFP said that prosecutors had sought the death penalty against 11 soldiers on trial in the same case, but the Goma court acquitted three of them, ruling that the charges against those soldiers were “not established”.

The troops were fighting against the mostly Tutsi M23 (March 23 movement) rebels, who took up arms again in late 2021, seizing large swathes of North Kivu province.

“They never fled from the enemy nor abandoned their position — on the contrary,” said Alexis Olenga, a lawyer for one of the five officers facing charges.

Olenga said the soldiers were based at Lushangi-Cafe, a federal army position close to the strategic town of Sake, 20 kilometres (12 miles) down the road from North Kivu’s capital Goma.
These were the first capital punishment sentences since authorities decided on March 13 to lift a suspension on executions that had been enforced since 2003.

The failure of the army and its auxiliaries to halt the advance of the M23 rebels has raised suspicion that the security forces had been infiltrated.

Several military personnel as well as members of parliament, senators and business leaders have been arrested and accused of “complicity with the enemy”.

For the last 20 years, death sentences have been handed down in the DRC, especially in cases involving the military or armed groups, but have systematically been commuted to life in prison.
Human rights groups and the Catholic Church have called on the government to abolish capital punishment for any crime.

A 14-year-old boy who lost his life on Tuesday after a man wielding a sword stabbed the youth, two police officers and two other people in a street attack in east London has been identified as Daniel Anjorin.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
BBC reports that Anjorin attended Bancroft’s, the same independent day school as Grace O’Malley-Kumar, one of the victims in the Nottingham stabbing incident.

In an official statement, the Metropolitan Police reported that the suspect rammed his van into a property on Laing Close, resulting in a collision that injured a 33-year-old man.

Subsequently, the suspect physically assaulted the victim, causing a wound to the neck.

Additionally, a 35-year-old man sustained lacerations to his arm during an assault within a neighbouring residence. The Metropolitan Police have stated that although both victims’ injuries are severe, they are not deemed life-threatening.

Following these, the suspect proceeded to attack Anjorin.

“It’s with great sadness that one of those injured in this incident… has died from their injuries,” Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell from London’s Metropolitan Police told reporters at the scene.
“He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died a short while after.”
According to Buckingham Palace, King Charles III expressed his disbelief at the stabbings and commended the bravery of the emergency services.

“His thoughts and prayers are with all those affected — in particular, the family of the young victim who has lost his life,” a spokesman said.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a post on his X account said, “such violence has no place on our streets.”

In an interview with LBC, Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Police Commissioner, said, “The first thing you have to say is for the parents involved, who’ve lost their 14-year-old, and that is just horrific, and it’s everyone’s worst nightmare.
“I’m sure we’re all thinking about them.”
Separately, Holy Family Catholic School, where the teenager’s mother is employed, released a statement.
“It is with great sadness that I share with you the news of the death of the child of one of our staff members.

“Please keep Mrs Anjorin, her husband and their other children in your prayers.”
A resident, who asked AFP not to be named, recounted the experience of hiding behind a window as the suspect was outside her home, yelling, “Do you believe in God?” at the police.
“We were very scared and trying to hide and not show ourselves through the window because he was standing right next to our house and he could have seen us if he looked up,” she added.

In the fight against cross-border banditry, the Niger Armed Forces have apprehended a notorious Nigerian bandit kingpin known as Kachallah Mai Daji near the border town of Illela, Niger.
According to Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Kachallah Mai Daji has left a trail of terror and devastation across northeastern Nigeria over the past decade.

“He has killed dozens of people, burnt down villages, kidnapped hundreds and imposed levies on villages for almost ten years,” Zagazola Makama said
The bandit leader was said to be particularly active in the Illela region, terrorising villages such as Tozai, Sabon Garin Darna, Darna Tsolawo, Tudun Gudali, Basanta, Ɗan Kadu, Takalmawa, Gidan Hamma, Ambarura, Gidan Bulutu and many others in the surrounding areas.

Kachallah Mai Daji was captured by Nigerian forces as he attempted to rustle livestock across the Nigeria-Niger border.

“He was apprehended by Nigerien forces when he tried to rustle livestock through the country border,” the report added.

On Sunday, no fewer than 11 persons reportedly died and five were injured when two vehicles drove over suspected bandit’s landmines in Gamboru-Ngala and Dikwa local government areas of Borno State.

The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company has reduced the tariff for its Band A customers to N206.80 per kilowatt-hour from the previously approved N225/kWh by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The company’s spokesperson, Olufadeke Omo-Omorodion, announced this change in a notice given to our correspondent on Monday.
According to the notice, this reduced tariff for Band A customers will take effect starting Monday, May 6, 2024.

The DisCo has committed to providing a minimum of 20-hour daily power supply for those connected to Band A feeders, while the tariffs for customers on other bands will remain unchanged.
Previously, Band A customers were charged N225/Kwh, but under the new review, the charge has been lowered to N206.80/Kwh.
This decision to lower the tariff likely stems from widespread public dissatisfaction with the recent increase in electricity rates, which industry observers, Civil Society Organisations, and labour unions have criticized as insensitive.
In a notice to its customers on Monday, Ikeja Electric said “Please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kwh to N206.80/kwh effective 6th May 2024 with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily,”.
The tariffs for Bands B, C, D, and E remain unchanged

Life is ephemeral, yet a dirge when the song stops abruptly The transitive nature of life makes it more cruel, and devasting to realize that no one can boast of living out of life. One day, we are here, and another we are gone!

In my growing life, I am privileged to encounter several personalities, of various statuses, and at every opportunity that I come in contact with someone, I make it a point of duty to take a positive virtue that would help to improve me.

I didn’t have the privilege to meet the Late Professor Yinka Olomojobi face to face until the news of his untimely death which struck me in an unpleasant circumstance. How? When? Was he ill? Who killed him OMG!

I stood motionless for nearly ten seconds, and within the flash of these moments, I recalled his reassuring voice and commitment to fairness and justice as they reverberated through my thoughts, it dawned on me that I wouldn’t hear that reassuring voice again except that I would have to dig deep into my selective retention recall to bring back memories of his sweet and impressionable personality.

His death is shocking and devastating for all who understand the quality of good work as shown in his recent recent Book publication titled “The Convergence Between Human Rights Law, And Humanitarian Law” which avid readers are yet to fully digest.

Once again his cruel death is a pointer to the transient nature of life as I start to question why good people don’t live for too long and why wicked people tend to experience longevity.

Prof Olomojobi was a man of many personalities a good husband, a loving father, a father to countless students across the globe, disliked for his forthright character by those who can’t stomach his REALNESS, a hardworking man, an astute believer in the message of “Ubuntu”, a selfless motivator, a man of gratitude; who can thank you for a simple gesture, a million times over, strident to ensure that the right things are done. I still recall his words, to me during a telephone conversation last year. “Sir, I have children, and I have trained and encouraged them to Imbibe the right values in life, and I wouldn’t want anyone to treat them unjustly when they deserve better”. Hmm, these words stuck to my memory and made me realize his strong personality for justice, and in the midst of our conversation, I also found that Prof Olomojobi was not only humble but humble to a fault, as he constantly showed respect with the usage of “sir”, even as a Professor, during the entire conversation.

He wasn’t just a Professor, a Lecturer, and a mentor, but also a prolific writer who wrote several books used by mastering and doctoring classes.

Who on earth would think that snuffing life out of a man with such mind-blowing qualities, and credentials is worthy to fame their ego embers? Unfortunately, they are quick to forget that one day everyone would face that solitary taste of being committed to Mother Earth.

The crushing effect of the dastardly manner Prof Yinka was taken by his killers is tough to bear and hurts deeply. But it leaves me with a simple prayer for his killers. Since they were bold enough to forcefully cut short the life of Prof Yinka Olomojobi in his prime; the conspirers, abductors, and killers WILL NEVER KNOW PEACE and for every drop of his blood 🩸 their generation yet unborn SHALL NEVER KNOW PEACE. Shalom

Rest in Power Prof Yinka Olomojobi

Once regarded as the glamour boy of American theatre and football while playing for
Buffalo Bills player who was involved in a well-serenaded civil lawsuit for his complicity
and charged with the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman in
1994 finally bowed to death after a long battle with cancer before his family at his in Las
Vegas home.
The Simpson Family shared the news of his death stating ‘On April 10th, our father,
Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer; His children and
grandchildren surrounded him. 

During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for
privacy and grace. -.’
It would be recalled that the late Simpson, whose soaring popularity later deepened for
the alleged and later cleared of the killings and was later forced to pay out $33.5million in
damages to the victims’ families after the court found him civilly liable for the murder of
both his wife and friend.
Thereafter, he faced challenges and jail terms for other cases. Before his battle with
prostate cancer which saw him undergo chemotherapy until his demise at the age of 76.

An earthquake struck the East Coast of the United States on Friday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, causing buildings to shake and rattling nerves from Maryland to Maine.

The USGS measured the quake as a 4.8 temblor with its epicenter near Lebanon, New Jersey. It struck a little before 10:30 a.m. ET.

The earthquake was the strongest recorded in the Northeast in more than a decade, according to USGS records.

There were no immediate reports of major destruction or any fatalities. Local and regional officials from cities in the earthquake zone said inspections had been launched to ensure that buildings, bridges and other infrastructure were not damaged.

James Pittinger, mayor of Lebanon, New Jersey, called the earthquake “the craziest thing I’ve ever experienced.” In an interview with MSNBC, he said he had not received reports of any significant damage so far, but added that the shaking caused his dog to run for cover and objects to fall off his shelves.

While a 4.8-magnitude temblor is not considered a major earthquake, even minor shaking can cause damage on the East Coast, which does not take similar precautions as other earthquake hot spots around the world.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the quake was felt across the state.

“My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day,” she wrote on X.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in an afternoon news briefing that no major injuries or impacts to infrastructure were reported, and that people in the city should “go about their normal day.”

Ground stops were temporarily issued at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s website. Flight disruptions at the Newark airport continued into the afternoon.

The Port Authority Transit Corp., which operates a rapid transit route between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, suspended service in the aftermath of the quake.

“Crews will inspect the integrity of the line out of an abundance of caution,” PATCO said in an update on X. “Once inspection is complete, service will resume. No timeframe. Updates to follow.”

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that there had been no impact to its service but that teams will be inspecting train lines. New Jersey Transit alerted riders of 20-minute delays due to bridge inspections following the earthquake.

While earthquakes in the northeast U.S. are rare, Buffalo, New York, was struck by a 3.8-magnitude quake in February 2023 — the strongest recorded in the area in 40 years.

A 4.1-magnitude earthquake struck the tri-state area in 2017, centered near Little Creek, Delaware, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. And before that, a 5.8-magnitude quake shook central Virginia in 2011, and was felt across much of the East Coast, forcing hundreds of thousands people to evacuate buildings in New York, Washington and other cities.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a post on X that the state has activated its emergency operations center and asked the public not to call 911 unless they are experiencing an emergency.

Frederik J. Simons, a professor of geosciences at Princeton University, told NBC News that the earthquake occurred on a shallow fault system in New Jersey and shook for about 35 seconds.

“The shallower or the closer it is, the more we feel it as humans,” he said.

The quake originated at a depth of less than 3 miles, according to the USGS.

Earthquakes on the East Coast can be felt at a great distance and can cause more pronounced shaking in comparison to those on the West Coast because rocks in the region are often older, harder and more dense. 

“These are competent rocks that transmit energy well,” Simons said.

The earthquake ruptured on the Ramapo fault system, Simons said. The system is relatively old and considered mostly tectonically inactive. It’s at a boundary where the continental and oceanic tectonic plates meet and are stuck together. The plates grind against one another slowly and accumulate stress until something slips.

“There are cracks in it and now and then a little motion accumulates, the stress keeps growing, at very slow rates,” he said. “It’s like an old house creaking and groaning.”

Simons said this was one of the largest earthquakes in New Jersey in recent history. The last notable one was a magnitude-3.1 temblor in Freehold Township in September 2020.

“I’m on campus at Princeton University for the biggest one I’ve felt in a lifetime,” he said. “This shaking was violent, strong and long.”

Some videos captured the moment of the earthquake, including one from a coffee shop in New Jersey.

The East Coast quake struck two days after a powerful 7.4-magnitude temblor shook the island of Taiwan, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 1,000 others. The two incidents are not thought to be related, said Dara Goldberg, a USGS geophysicist.

“We’re much too far of a distance for the stress on the fault of Taiwan to affect New York,” she said.

A prominent jihadist from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), previously linked to the al-Qaeda terrorist militia, was killed in a suicide attack in north-western Syria, activists said on Friday.
The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, confirmed that Abu Maria al-Qahtani and two of his bodyguards were killed in a suicide attack late Thursday in Sarmada north of Idlib.
The jihadist leader, who is from the front-row leadership of HTS, was initially taken to hospital, but later died from the injuries he sustained in the attack.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Al-Qahtani, an Iraqi national, had been released from the militia prison of the HTS just a few weeks earlier.
He was accused with other HTS members of collaborating with “enemy forces,” mainly the U.S.-led coalition forces in Syria, activists said.

HTS is considered one of the strongest armed groups in the rebel stronghold of Idlib and was formerly linked with al-Qaeda.

The militia wants to overthrow the government of President Bashar al-Assad, which now controls two-thirds of the country again, including part of Idlib province.
Idlib is the last rebel stronghold in war-torn Syria. 

The Paramount ruler of Isolo in Lagos State, Osolo of Isolo Land, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Kabiru Alani Agbabiaka, is dead.
It was gathered that Oba Agbabiaka died at the age of 64, three months before the celebration of his 20th coronation anniversary.

According to the report, the monarch died shortly after observing the Eid prayers on Wednesday.
Confirming the dead, the Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area, Olasoju Adebayo, in a statement, disclosed that the deceased monarch would be buried by 4 pm according to Islamic rites.
Olasoju, however, did not disclose the cause of his death.

The statement read, “I have the instruction of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to formally announce the passing of the paramount ruler of Isolo Kingdom, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, Adeola Olushi III, today April 10, 2024. He was aged 64.

“He will be buried today by 4 pm at his palace, 3/5 Akinbaye Street, Isolo, according to Islamic rites. May his soul rest in peace.”
The deceased became the traditional ruler of the town in 2004.
Until his death, HRM Agbabiaka was the Secretary of the League of Awori Obas in Lagos State.