A former Judge of the Enugu State High Court, Justice Stanley Nnaji, has been shot dead by gunmen.
Recall that a video posted on Twitter by The Nigerian Barrister @TheNigerianBar showed armed men dragging Nnaji out of his car at a deserted crossroad.
The video also shows a pileup of cars behind the judge’s car – all not moving as the incident unfolded.
Police has described the location as the popular Ebeano Tunnel Roundabout off Garden Avenue in Enugu.
A volley of shots was heard before the men jumped into the black SUV and drove away.
The video, filmed by a resident overlooking the crossroad, contains the voice of the recorder.
Enugu police commissioner Mohammed Aliyu has ordered a full-scale manhunt of armed assailants.
Justice Nnaji was a Judge of the Enugu State High Court until he was dismissed following his role in the removal of Governor Chris Ngige, the then Governor of Anambra State in 2007 via a questionable ex-parte order.
His killing comes hours after the former Special Adviser on politics to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, was shot dead by gunmen in Owerri, Imo State.
Gulak was on his way to Abuja from Owerri when he was killed Saturday night.
The police have announced the arrest of the gunmen who killed Ahmed Gulak, an All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain.
Recall that Gulak was shot dead in Imo State on Sunday morning.
The driver of the vehicle that took him to the airport was said to have been grilled by security agents and he described the Vehicles the Hoodlums used as One Toyota Camry 2005 Silver color, Toyota Sienna 1998 Model Gold Color, Toyota Hilux White colour and Lexus RX 330 Gold Color.
A situation report showed that before Gulak was killed, some persons blocked the Imo Airport road at Obiangwu Junction in Ngor~okpala LGA.
According to him; “Police teams from the Special forces,PMF, IRT, IMO State Command Tactical Units who have all reached the Scene of the killing were directed to immediately Proceed on Patrol and look for those Vehicles.
“Fortunately at Afor Enyi Ogwgu junction in Same LGA the Police Teams came in contact with the Hoodlums with same Vehicles mentioned by the Driver, The Hoodlums were said to have confiscated a trailer loaded with Onions from the North at Enyiogugu, Mbaise, and were busy sharing the onions to the local Population as they also took positions to Protect themselves and attack any incoming Security agents. Three people were killed in that incident.
“The Hoodlums on sighting the Police teams immediately Opened fire on the teams and the Galant teams returned Fire and eventually fatally wounded 10 of the Hoodlums during the gun battle while others were pursued as they escaped with their vehicles. 3 of the Four Vehicles Toyota Sienna, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Camry use by the IPOB/ESN Terrorist for their Operation were Demobilized/Recovered and 7 of the Terrorist with bullet wounds were completely burnt down inside the Toyota Sienna and Hilux Vehicles that caught fire during the Gun battle.
“3 Ak47 Rifles, 1 English Pistol, 5 Ak47 Magazines, 92 Ak47 Ammunition, Several Charms and 3 Operational Vehicles of the IPOB/ESN were recovered.
“Serious efforts in progress to trace and arrest Several wounded IPOB/ESN Terrorist members who are hiding in the surrounding Forrest and villages. The 3 bodies of the IPOB/ESN Terrorist not burnt down were brought to the Police state Headquarters while efforts to recover the burnt bodies of the Hoodlums to the Police state HQ in Progress.”
However, a Special Assistant to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Social Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugw, described the arrest as a major boost in the investigation into Gulak’s murder.
“I can confirm from Intel from credible security sources that ipob/ESN terrorists were responsible for the attack that murdered Sen. Almad Gulak and they have been apprehended, and scores neutralized in the process by our gallant security operatives.”
On 30/5/2021 Sequel to the killing of Ahmed Gulak by Some criminals who suddenly came out to block the Imo Airport road at Obiangwu Junction at Ngor~okpala LGA of Imo state.
The Driver of the Vehicle conveying Ahmed Gulak to the Airport was immediately interviewed and he described the Vehicles the Hoodlums were using as One Toyota Camry 2005 Silver color, Toyota Sienna 1998 Model Gold Color, Toyota Hilux White color, Lexus RX 330 Gold Color.
Police teams from the Special forces,PMF, IRT, IMO State Command Tactical Units who have all reached the Scene of the killiN were directed to immediately Proceed on Patrol and look for those Vehicles.
Fortunately at Afor Enyi Ogwgu junction in Same LGA the Police Teams came in contact with the Hoodlums with same Vehicles mentioned by the Driver, The Hoodlums have already confiscated a trailer loaded with Onions from the North and were busy sharing the onions to the local Population as they also took positions to Protect themselves and attack any incoming Security agents.
The Hoodlums on sighting the Police teams immediately Opened fire on the teams and the Galant teams returned Fire and eventually fatally wounded 10 of the Hoodlums during the gun battle while others were pursued as they escaped with their vehicles. 3 of the Four Vehicles Toyota Sienna, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Camry use by the IPOB/ESN Terrorist for their Operation were Demobilized/Recovered and 7 of the Terrorist with bullet wounds were completely burnt down inside the Toyota Sienna and Hilux Vehicles that caught fire during the Gun battle.
3 Ak47 Rifles, 1 English Pistol, 5 Ak47 Magazines, 92 Ak47 Ammunition, Several Charms and 3 Operational Vehicles of the IPOB/ESN were recovered.
Serious efforts in progress to trace and arrest Several wounded IPOB/ESN Terrorist members who are hiding in the surrounding Forrest and villages. The 3 bodies of the IPOB/ESN Terrorist not burnt down were brought to the Police state Headquarters while efforts to recover the burnt bodies of the Hoodlums to the Police state HQ in Progress.
About 200 students of an Islamiyya school located at Tegina in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State have been abducted.
It was gathered that One person was shot dead while another lays critically injured after gunmen carried out the kidnap operation at about 4:30pm on Sunday.
A resident of the area Zayyad Mohammed confirmed the incident to newsmen on Sunday.
According to him, the Salihu Tanko Islamiyya school where the incident took place, was built by a retired Immigration Officer.
Details of the attack are still sketchy, but according to sources, the Islamiyya school is not the usual Sangaya boarding Islamic school, but a conventional one where parents send their children on a daily basis for the purpose of acquiring Islamic education.
At the time of filing this report, the police were yet to make any comments regarding the development.
The Police have confirmed the killing of Ahmed Gulak in Imo State on Sunday morning by ‘bandits’.
Recall that the news of the politician’s death broke on Sunday morning but a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bala Elkana, confirmed his killing, adding that the security agency would probe the incident
The Police blamed Gulak’s driver for taking an irregular route.
In the statement made available to newsmen by Sp Bala Elkana Police Public Relations Officer,stated that the Police also claimed Gulak left his hotel room without informing the security agencies giving the fragile security situation in the state.
“On the 30/5/2021, at about 07:20 am armed bandits intercepted and attacked a Toyota Camry cab carrying Ahmed Gulak and two others who were on their way to Sam Mbakwe Airport to catch a flight.
“Ahmed Gulak left his room at Protea Hotel without informing the Police nor sister agencies in view of the fragile security situation in the South East and Imo in particular.
“He left without any security escorts and while the cab driver took the irregular route to the airport, six armed bandits, who rode in a Toyota Sienna intercepted, identified and shot at Ahmed Gulak at around Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area close to the Airport.
“The Commissioner of Police Imo, CP Abutu Yaro, has directed a discreet investigation into the matter as tactical and special forces have been deployed to cordon the area and arrest perpetrators,” the statement added.See full statement below :
On the 30/5/2021, at about 07:20hrs, armed bandits intercepted and attacked a Toyota Camry cab carrying Ahmed Gulak and two others who were on their way to Sam Mbakwe Airport to catch a flight.
Ahmed Gulak left his room at Protea Hotel without informing the Police nor sister agencies in view of the fragile security situation in the South East and Imo in particular. He left without any security escorts and while the cab driver took the irregular route to the airport, six-armed bandits who rode in a Toyota Sienna intercepted, identified and shot at Ahmed Gulak at around Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area close to the Airport.
The Commissioner of Police Imo CP Abutu Yaro, fdc has directed a discreet investigation into the matter as Tactical and Special forces have been deployed to cordon the area and arrest perpetrators.
The former Special Adviser (Politics) to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, has been killed by unknown gunmen in Owerri, Imo state.
It was gathered that Gulak was killed at Obiangwu along Aba-Owerri road on his way to the airport apparently to board a flight to Abuja on Saturday night.
Details of the incident are still sketchy as the police spokesperson in the state, Bala Elkan, said he was yet to be briefed on the matter.
But a Facebook post by one of his friends, Umar Ardo, read: “I just confirmed the sad and gruesome death of my friend and classmate, the former Hon. Speaker of the Adamawa State Assembly, former Special Assistant Political to President Goodluck Jonathan, Barr Ahmed Ali Gulak was said to have been killed last night by unknown gunmen in Owerri, Imo State.”
The Management of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board on Sunday assured residents of the nation’s capital that the Usuma Dam remains safe for potable water supply, despite the recent concern that Abuja water source faces contamination threat.
The management in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mogbo Stella, reiterated that it’s not relenting on maintenance of Dams specifically the Usuma Dam, which serves as residents of the FCT and its environs.
The statement reads in parts, “The concerns of the general public are our priority and will always be attended to with utmost care.
“The FCT Water Board allays every form of fear/rumours emanating from any quarter regarding threat of contamination from its water source as proactive measures are always taken from time to time to forestall any eventuality.
“The FCT Water Board was commissioned to ensure sufficient supply and equitable distribution of potable water to citizens of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and this duty has always been carried out efficiently and effectively.
“FCT Water Board is a public organization tasked with a profound and crucial responsibility which considers her duties to be of utmost importance to members of the general public especially in the area of provision of portable water”,the statement further stated.
Freedom finally came yesterday for the 14 remaining students and three members of staff of Greenfield University, Kaduna, after about 40 days in kidnappers’ den.
They were released after the parents met the demand of the kidnappers for an N180m ransom.
Although the parents and other relations were relieved that they got their children back alive, they were furious with the federal and Kaduna State governments for the alleged levity with which they handled the abduction case.
So angry were the parents that they snatched the students from the police who had allegedly wanted to take the glory for securing their release.
The parents spoke of the physical and mental torture they went through to get the abductees released without any help from government.
They told of how they sold their property to raise the N180million ransom paid to the gunmen who invaded the university campus early on April 20 and carried off 18 students and three members of staff of the institution.
One of the students was killed during the raid while five others were shot dead by the kidnappers in their den to drive home the point that they would kill all of then except a ransom of N800million was paid.
The abductees were let off last night close to Ollam Farms on the Kaduna – Abuja highway.
Soon afterward, some security men around the scene picked them up to hand them over to the police, but the parents of the students would have none of that.
They forced open the gate of the farms to have access to the students before snatching them away.
They branded the government insensitive, uncaring and leaving them to their fate all this while.
They recalled repeated pleas to the state government and the security agencies to help secure the release of the abductees and how they resorted to selling their assets to raise money for the ransom.
The students and staff themselves looked gaunt and traumatised.
Parents and students broke down in tears as they embraced.
One of the parents, (name withheld) said: “we paid N180 million; that is what they collected from us without the help of any government.
“We, the parents, paid. The government did not send a single policeman to go after our children’s kidnappers.”
A crying mother said they also gave motorcycles to the bandits as part of the ransom.
One of the abducted but freed staff, Mrs. Chukwuemeka, expressed appreciation to God that they were able to reunite with their families.
She however said that the bandits did not maltreat them and they gave them normal food. “I gave God all the glory that we returned safely.”
Speaking on what the release of his daughter meant to him and his family, one of the parents, Mr. Bassey, said it was a day of joy and happiness for them.
His words: “After 40 days of trauma, trouble, confusion, disappointment that the future of Nigeria, children of Nigeria were kidnapped, we are very happy that we see them again alive.
“But it is disappointing that the government of Nigeria, both state and federal, could not lift a finger to secure their release. No government showed any intention to help. It was the parents that rallied round to ensure that the students were released.
“We paid a huge amount of money to secure their release; the people collected a number of motorbikes which we had to give because our destiny was tied up.
“There was no effort, no fight by government or security agencies to get them freed. We suffered, sold our properties to rescue our children. No government, no security agencies came to help us. It is shameful that those who did not contribute anything came out to take the glory.’
But he said it was no time yet to decide whether the students would return to the university.
“Now is not a time to take that decision of returning our children to that school. The school authorities tried well. We will take that decision later.”
Also speaking, Mr. Chukwuemeka Lawrence, husband to one of the freed staff said: “we paid ransom before they were released. After the kidnappers called us and told us that government was behind them, that government knew what they were doing, and that we shouldn’t tell government what we were doing that we should look for more money.
“We begged them but they refused to listen to our pleas. We sold houses, two people went to pay N10 million each as they were demanding for more money, government promised that they would help us but deserted us.”
Meanwhile, Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, expressed delight at the students’ release, praying that the bitterness of the last few weeks, would set the backdrop for positive achievements in their lives
Governor El-Rufai according to a statement by the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, conveyed solace and encouragement to the students following their harrowing ordeal.
Tunde Rahman, the spokesman for All Progressives Congress Chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described yesterday’s meeting between his principal and the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a chance meeting
He said there is nothing wrong with the meeting of his principal and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar at the Abuja airport on Friday.
Recall that a viral video had shown Tinubu exchanging pleasantries with Atiku, a Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 elections. Atiku returned to the country after months of his stay abroad.
Many social media users were surprised at the meeting of the two chieftains who belonged to different political parties in the country.
Commenting on the meeting via his Twitter handle on Saturday, Rahman wrote, “On the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu – Alhaji Atiku Abubakar video at Abuja Airport. It was a chance meeting at the airport in Abuja. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had arrived first and was in his car about to leave when Asiwaju arrived.
According to him, “As he was informed about him, Asiwaju walked up to Atiku vehicle to exchange pleasantries with him.
“Those making an issue out of this noble gesture should have a rethink. For the life of me, are they saying if two persons know each other and are friends, they must not greet each other as mature persons again because they find themselves in opposing political parties? If that’s their thinking, this is a warped idea!”
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, has been attacked by gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The NIS headquarters in the state is located few distances away from a Police formation within Ubakala which was previously attacked by these hoodlums and resulted in the death of two Policemen.
Newsfocusng gathered that they bombed the NIS building and opened fire on personnel of the Service, killing many officers in the process and vehicles within the compound were also set on fire.
The Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) located at Umuagu, Umuahia was also attacked by gunmen earlier on Saturday.
The gunmen, numbering over 50, were half-naked. Some were seen hanging live cock around their neck while many of them are armed with AK47 rifles. They attacked the security formation and set it ablaze.
Attempts to confirm the incidents from the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, were unsuccessful as he did not pick calls put across to him.
A security source told our correspondent that a combined team of the military and Police engaged the hoodlums afterwards.
He added that stray bullets killed some people in the process of a gun battle between them.
Meanwhile, soldiers have taken over Umuahia as of the time of this report.
Recall that Umuahia residents woke up seeing men of the Nigerian Army patrolling major streets in Umuahia and manning areas believed to be flashpoints.
The suspended aide of Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Abidemi Rufai, who was accused of stealing $350,000 from Washington State as part of a massive pandemic-related fraud also sought to defraud the Internal Revenue Service of nearly $1.6 million, federal prosecutors alleged on Friday.
Recall that, Rufai, 42, was arrested May 14 as he tried to travel from New York to Nigeria.
He is accused of using stolen identities to take more than $350,000 from the Washington State Employment Security Department as it tried to rush unemployment benefits to people who lost work during the pandemic last year.
The state likely paid out more than $647 million in such fraudulent claims, though $370 million was recovered, officials said last month.
Federal prosecutors in western Washington have been seeking to make sure Rufai remains in custody pending trial, saying he poses a severe flight risk, is facile with fake identities, and that he’s unlikely to ever be extradited if he makes it back to Nigeria.
On Friday, they filed a letter with U.S. District Judge, Benjamin Settle, to bolster that argument. It said that in the last few days, IRS criminal investigators have revealed that they have been investigating an email account associated with Rufai for years.
According to the IRS, the email account was used to file 652 fraudulent tax returns, seeking $1.6 million in refunds, from 2016 to 2019.
“The IRS rejected many of the filings, but accepted returns seeking approximately $900,000,” the letter said. “The IRS is calculating the amount of refunds actually paid out on these returns.”
An attorney representing Rufai, Lance Hester, told The Seattle Times he was not yet familiar enough with the allegations against his client to comment.
