News

Zamfara delegation visits Buhari, says killings by bandits rising

Published

6 years ago

June 11, 2019

Eric

A delegation of concerned Nigerians, Zamfara Advocacy Group, said on Monday that deaths resulting from attacks by bandits were on the increase in Zamfara State.

The group sought more workable responses to the security situation in the North-West state that had led to the deaths of hundreds of lives and destruction of valuable property worth millions of naira by the bandits.

The visit came barely 48 hours after bandits killed about 50 villagers in neighbouring Sokoto State.

Similar attacks occurred frequently in Katsina State lately as well, forcing Governor Aminu Bello-Masari to cancel the inauguration for his second term in office on May 29.

The Zamfara Advocacy Group team, which was led by Usman Balarabe, included the wife of the governor of Kaduna State, Asia Mohammed-Ahmed, and a popular journalist, Kadaria Ahmed.

A statement by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, quoted the group as telling the President that “the situation in Zamfara remains dire.”

It added that Balarabe cited “increased attacks, deaths, injuries and displacement” of victims.

However, the delegation was said to have expressed confidence in the Buhari administration to and the situation by putting in place “solid measures to bring about peace and security and also mitigate the endemic poverty that has made this geopolitical zone one of the poorest in the world.”

Buhari, while reacting to the concerns raised by the delegation, assured his visitors that security agencies were capable of tackling the country’s security challenges.

He told the delegation that the Nigeria police and the armed forces had introduced measures he was sure would address the challenges.

“I assure you, I get daily reports from the people in the field and traditional rulers. I also meet regularly with the leadership of the security agencies, and they have been directed to deploy their personnel to secure our society,” he stated.

The President advised traditional rulers in particular to restrict themselves to their primary roles of being the custodians of the culture and traditions of their people.

News

Appeal Court Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Impounding Vehicles, Fining Motorists

Published

3 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld the judgment that stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court found no basis to set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which restrained the VIO from harassing motorists.

The appeal filed by the VIO was dismissed for lacking merit. Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi delivered in the lead judgment.

The high court had earlier ruled, in a judgment by Justice Nkeonye Maha, that no law authorizes the VIO to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose penalties for alleged traffic offences.

The case arose from a fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by lawyer Abubakar Marshal.

Marshal informed the court that VIO officials stopped him at Jabi in Abuja on December 12, 2023, and seized his vehicle without lawful reason. He asked the court to determine whether their actions violated his rights.

Justice Maha agreed and ordered the VIO and its agents not to impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists, describing the actions as unlawful. She held that only a court can impose fines or sanctions.

She ruled that the VIO’s conduct breached the applicant’s constitutional right to property under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter. She further held that the VIO has no legal authority to seize vehicles or penalize motorists, as doing so infringes on rights to fair hearing, movement and presumption of innocence.

Although Marshal, represented by Femi Falana, SAN, requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded ₦2.5 million.

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, its Abuja Area Commander at the time (identified as Mr. Leo), team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister were listed as respondents.

They appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

News

Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Dambazau, Enang, Ohakim As Ambassadors

Published

4 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and a former Chief of Naval Staff, as a non-career ambassador.

Tinubu also nominated Ita Enang, a former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, as non-career ambassadors.

News

Senate Confirms Chris Musa As New Defence Minister

Published

4 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.

According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.

“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.