News

Missing Journalist: IG assures NUJ of resolving case

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, on Monday assured the Nigeria Union of Journalists of the Force’s readiness to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of Tordue Henry Salem, a reporter with the Vanguard Newspapers.

The I-G gave the assurance when members of NUJ, FCT Council carried out a peaceful march to his office in Abuja.

The journalists were there to express displeasure with the silence of the police on the matter.

Baba, represented by Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed that Salem’s case was with them, explaining that it was officially reported to the National Assembly Police Station on October 15. He said from their investigation, Salem slept in the house of his sister somewhere around Life Camp on October 12, woke up on October 13, took a Bolt Taxi to the National Assembly, where he worked for Vanguard.

He added: “After close of work, he was last seen at the National Assembly between 4pm and 5pm on October 13 and thereafter his colleagues never saw him again.

“On October 15, the matter was formally reported at the National Assembly’s Police Station.

“The attention of the FCT Commissioner of Police and IG were drawn to the case.

“The IGP gave a firm instruction that all materials and human resources should be deployed at locating and understanding the rationale behind Salem’s disappearance.

“As I speak to you, we have made significant progress in investigation.

“However,  I am glad that the Chairman of NUJ, FCT Council understood the significance of confidential briefing and because of that request, I would rather do more of confidential briefing.

“But we were able to trace when he left the National Assembly.

“We were able to interact with a young lady who spent time with him that night.

“We have the recordings of the last call he made.

“Also, we were able to speak with six different persons he spoke to that night.

“So, there are a lot of efforts behind the scene taking place.

“The Police intentionally kept quiet on the case.…

Entertainment / News

Dozens of Netflix employees stage protest over Dave Chappelle’s ‘The Closer’

Netflix staff, transgender activists and supporters recently staged a walkout outside the streamer’s Los Angeles offices over Dave Chappelle’s ‘transphobic’ jokes in his ‘The Closer’ stand-up comedy show.

The protests held on Wednesday, saw the protesters demand for inclusivity from the global streaming platform by calling for the funding of more trans and non-binary talent as well as the rejection of transphobic content.

Several videos currently making the rounds featured several Netflix stars including Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye), Jameela Jamil (The Good Place) who took turns addressing the demonstrators.

Prior to the protests, Netflix had reportedly released a statement in solidarity with the protesters. However, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos had released a statement saying he ‘screwed up’ for his initial comment on the heavily criticized show. He also maintained that his stance on not letting go of the show remains resolute.

Netflix and Chappelle have been embroiled in weeks long controversy over the comedy special released in October 5. The stand-up comedy star joked about Transgender people saying ‘gender is a fact’ and that LGBT people are ‘too sensitive’.

Chappelle has laughed off the backlash, recently saying: “If this is what being cancelled is about, I love it.”

Other LGBT celebrities including Elliot Page and Lilly Wachowski have also voiced their support for the protests on social media.

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Breaking News / EndSARS / News

Police arrest two persons at #EndSARS memorial protest in Lekki [ PHOTOS ]

Two persons have been arrested by the Nigerian Police Force at the Lekki Toll Gate, the venue of the #EndSARS memorial protest in Lagos.

It was gathered that one of the arrested was a lone protester dressed in a white, while the other is a journalist with Legit.ng.

The journalist, Abisola Alawode, was assaulted while doing a live streaming reportage of the #EndSARS memorial protest.

Both persons were reportedly beaten, punched in the nose, and subsequently driven away in a police truck. About 30 police trucks and officers are currently at the toll plaza. Remember that the EndSARS protest was sparked by extrajudicial killings committed by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a Nigerian Police Force unit established in late 1992 to combat robbery, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and firearms offense.…

Breaking News / EndSARS / News

Mr Macaroni, Falz lead Lekki toll gate #ENDSARS memorial protest

Popular comedian Mr Macaroni and activist singer Falz are leading the car procession at the #EndSARSMemorial protest at Lekki tollgate in Lagos.

They showed up at the procession weaving Nigerian flags and shouting #ENDSARS.

The process at the toll gate, which was the epic center of the nationwide protests last year, was despite a ban on public gathering and heavy security presence.

Macaroni, who was in a Lexus SUV, told reporters Nigeria must listen to the demands of youths and embrace good governance.

Falz, who also drove himself, said Nigerians must learn to stand up for their rights.

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Business / Entertainment / politics

Andy Uba threatens N5b lawsuit against Heritage Bank over staff’s protest at his Home

A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, Senator Andy Uba, has threatened lawsuit against Heritage Bank over a trending video of its staff protesting at the entrance of his residence in Abuja.

About three days ago, some staff of the bank, while on a loan recovery drive, protested at the gate of the senator, asking him to come to the bank and repay his loan.

The protest by the bank staff trended and went viral on the social media.

In a letter dated June 23, 2021 and signed by his lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), Uba said the action of the bank staff had exposed him to ridicule, shame and embarrassment.

He asked the bank to tender unreserved apology in five national dailies and pay him N5 billion as damages.

Part of the letter reads: “Our client’s attention has been drawn to a video currently being shared on WhatsApp, showing not less than 25 [twenty-five] staff of the Abuja branch of Heritage Bank Plc., wearing customized Heritage Bank Plc., T-shirts; carrying placards and signages with defamatory inscriptions written on them, at the front gate of the residential premises of our client, in Asokoro Abuja. The said video which we have seen, had a voice over by one of your bank’s staff with the following narration:

“‘Good morning ladies and gentlemen, today is Monday the 21 st day of June 2001, and we have here the staff of Heritage Bank Plc., Abuja. We are in front of Senator Andy Uba’s house in Abuja. Senator Andy Uba has been owing the bank for a couple of years now and we are here for a peaceful meeting with him, very peaceful meeting to ask him to kindly repay those loans because those are depositors fund and those monies, if they are not repaid will throw the number of people you see here with their families out of work and we know the situation of the economy now.’

“Despite your veiled denial, the …

News

Nigeria police disperse protesters wounding one: Activist

 

Nigerian police dispersed a crowd of protesters Monday in the capital Abuja, injuring one, according to activists.

It was unclear what the protest was about or how many people were present but activist Omoyele Sowore, a well-known opposition figure who has organised previous protests against bad governance said he was wounded by a police officer.

Sowore posted a picture of a wound on Twitter but police have denied the reports that he was shot, saying there was “no record of such incident” at this time.

“Contrary to the speculation, police operatives professionally restored calm at the Unity Fountain following attempts by a group of protesters to incite public disturbance,” police spokeswoman Mariam Yusuf said in a statement.

“The protesters who went on the rampage were resisted by police operatives in order to prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order,” Yusuf added.

Nigerian police dispersed a crowd of protesters Monday in the capital Abuja, injuring one, according to activists.It was unclear what the protest was about or how many people were present but activist Omoyele Sowore, a well-known opposition figure who has organised previous protests against bad governance said he was wounded by a police officer.

Sowore posted a picture of a wound on Twitter but police have denied the reports that he was shot, saying there was “no record of such incident” at this time.

“Contrary to the speculation, police operatives professionally restored calm at the Unity Fountain following attempts by a group of protesters to incite public disturbance,” police spokeswoman Mariam Yusuf said in a statement.

“The protesters who went on the rampage were resisted by police operatives in order to prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order,” Yusuf added.

“Sowore has just been shot by a female police officer… She fired a teargas cannister directly at Sowore,” activist Inibehe Effiong said on Twitter.

One of his lawyers Marshall Abubakar told AFP he had been rushed to hospital.

“I am with him at the (hospital) theatre now trying to ascertain but it

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News / Stories

Nigerians demonstrate over rise in kidnappings

Hundreds of angry protesters in Nigeria have burnt tyres and blocked a major road leading from Niger State to the capital Abuja to condemn a rise in kidnappings in the area.

The residents of Gauraka town north-west of the capital called on the government to offer better protection and demanded the immediate release of 12 hostages who had just been seized by men on motorbikes.

The protest blocked dozens of vehicles including fuel trucks.

Local media in Nigeria reported that at least 14 people were kidnapped in nearby towns last week.

President Muhammadu Buhari has been under increasing pressure to address the country’s numerous security challenges, including frequent mass kidnappings for ransom.…