SHOCKER:READ WHAT MUSLIMS YOUTH DID TO CHRISTAINS IN NIGER STATE

According to a statement issued by the assistant director of army public relations, Major NC Agwu, on Monday May 30: “At about 6pm yesterday, May 29, one Mr Methodus Chimaije Emmanuel, a 24-year-old trader based in Pandogari, Rafi LGA of Niger state was attacked and killed by a mob in the town on allegation of posting a blasphemous statement about Prophet Muhammad on the social media. Troops of 31 Artillery Brigade of 1 Division, Nigerian army on operation MESA quickly intervened and restored law and order while a dusk to down curfew was imposed in the town. Early this morning however, the rioters embarked on further violence, looting shops and blocking the Lagos – Kaduna Road, a major artery connecting the northern and southern parts of the country. Again, troops in conjunction with the personnel of Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took control of the situation to forestall escalation of violence and any threat to the peace in the town. Regrettably, one church, one house and a shop were burnt while 25 other shops were looted following the violence. Three other persons including a personnel of the NSCDC also lost their lives. Some arrests have been made in connection with the violence and the suspects handed over to the the police. The military and other security agencies are currently embarking on confidence building patrols in all nooks and crannies of the town. As part of the measures to de-escalate tensions and ensure a lasting peace in the town, the military is working with the Local Government Council authorities and community leaders, including the Kagara Emirate Council to pacify all aggrieved parties and build on the peace so far established. However, while the military will continue with its current non- violent approach to maintaining peace in Pandogari town, it will not take kindly to any unscrupulous element who would attempt to visit violence on innocent and law abiding Nigerians. The general public is therefore warned to abide by the conditions of the curfew so far emplaced. All law abiding citizens are enjoined to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of intimidation. They are to be rest assured that the security forces will remain fully present to guarantee their safety and security across the length and breadth of the town, within their rules of engagement.”

INFO ON THE LABOR STRIKE

A Nigerian union defied a court ban to launch a general strike on Wednesday in protest at a planned hefty increase in fuel prices, though many businesses and government offices opened as normal. The government hopes lifting costly fuel subsidies, causing prices to rise by up to two thirds at the pumps, will help alleviate the worst crisis in decades in Africa's biggest economy. A wave of strikes ensued the last time Nigeria tried to introduce a similar measure in 2012, and authorities eventually reinstated some subsidies. This time around the Nigerian Industrial Court blocked industrial action due to the risk of civil disorder, but late on Tuesday the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said it would go ahead with its planned indefinite strike anyway, starting on Wednesday. "The government was not ready to accede to our demands, so we walked out of the meeting," Chris Uyot, deputy general secretary of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), told Reuters. A second union, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), abandoned its strike plans in response to the court ruling. Reuters witnessed government offices, shops and banks in the capital Abuja mostly opening as normal on Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT Some 300 union activists gathered there to stage a march, and some 200 protested in the commercial capital Lagos, where some banks and many shops were also doing business. 'LEFT WITH NO CHOICE' A fall in oil prices has eaten into the foreign reserves of Nigeria, which relies on crude sales for around 70 percent of national income. The central bank has adopted a fixed exchange rate to protect further depletion of reserves. On Tuesday, vice president Yemi Osinbajo said President Muhammadu Buhari had been "left with no choice" but to raise petrol prices. "What can we do if we don't have foreign currency? We have to import fuel," Osinbajo said. Nigeria needs to import almost all of its fuel as its refineries are largely out of action after years of neglect and mismanagement. There were some flight delays on Wednesday as airlines struggled to get jet fuel, but airports in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt in the oil-producing Niger Delta were operational

FUEL HIKE:NANS TREATENS THE GOVERNMENT

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ekiti State chapter, is to shut down all tertiary institutions in the state on Tuesday, to protest the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, fondly called petrol by the federal government. NANS, in a statement by the chairman of the chapter, Comrade Shina Awopeju, on Sunday, said the astronomical increase of the pump price of petrol from N87 to N145 by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government , was ‘’cruel , wicked, insensitive and brazenly oppressive.’’ Awopeju said all tertiary institutions in the state, both private and public , would be shut down on Tuesday, May 17 in protest if President Buhari refuses to reverse the policy, he described as ill-timed and obnoxious. NANS chastised President Buhari for allegedly failing to fulfill his electioneering promises to Nigerians, in spite of the overwhelming supports accorded him during the 2015 presidential poll. “Nigerians are gradually losing trust in President Buhari, because what we are getting were not the kind of change we bargained for. “The federal government should find a way of making our refineries functional and operational than to be increasing fuel price at will,” NANS posited.    

EFCC AFTER FANI KAYODE'S HOUSE

EFCC lay siege to Fani-Kayode’s house again following his alleged role in the $115 million bribe reportedly dispensed by the immediate past minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke – Fani-Kayode urges the EFCC to endeavour to carry out their functions within the ambit of the laws – He says the anti-graft agency has raided his home four times already this week The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has again invaded the residence of the former minister of aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode. This was disclosed in a statement by Jude Ndukwe, the SA media to Fani-Kayode and made available to NAIJ.com. Fani Kayode who was the spokesperson of the Goodluck Jonathan campaign organization was officially invited by EFCC, after the anti-graft agency claimed that he had a role in the $115 million bribe reportedly dispensed by the immediate past minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison- Madueke.But in a statement made available today, May 12, the ex- minister has urged the EFCC to endeavour to carry out their functions within the ambit of the laws. The Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has again invaded the residence of the former minister of aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode The statement reads: “Earlier today, the EFCC invaded the residence of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode even when he was still in their custody. What miffed us most was their mode of operation which was forceful, provocative and dangerous as they wielded their guns with needless threats. The worst is that the invasion was without a warrant as they forced their way in, and after terrifying all the staff at home including the infant, they whisked the laundry man away even though he was later released. “This is the fourth time the EFCC operatives would be invading Chief Fani-Kayode’s residence in just under a week. We condemn this act of executive lawlessness, harassment and intimidation. Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has served this country even at the highest levels and he deserves some courtesy. “We call on the EFCC to endeavour to carry out their functions within the ambit of our laws and stop brazenly betraying the fact that Chief Fani-Kayode is under persecution. The world is watching!” Fani-Kayode was made to present himself at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on May 9, Monday, after uniformed agents stormed his home Abuja at the weekend.He learnt that the anti-graft agency actually has three cases of financial crime against him. His home was first raided last Friday, May 6, by EFCC operatives.