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Edo: Pastor Ize-Iyamu Wins APC Primary Election
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has won the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which held in Edo state on Monday, June 22.
The chairman of Primary election committee, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo declared Ize-Iyamu winner of the direct primary, defeating Pius Odubu and Osaro Obaze.
He pulled 27,838 votes, while his closest rival, Dr Pius Odubu scored 3,776, while Mr Osaro Obaze pulled 2,751 votes.
With his victory, Ize-Iyamu has now emerged the governorship candidate of the party ahead of the September 2020 election.
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DHQ Vows Decisive Response To Killers Of Soldiers In Delta
The Defence Headquarters on Monday vowed that there would be measured responses and injurious consequences for killers of its personnel in Delta State.
No fewer than 15 military personnel were killed during a communal clash over a land dispute in Bomadi and Okuoma communities in Delta State.
The personnel attached to the 181 Amphibious Battalion were responding to a distress call when they were ambushed and killed on Thursday.
The DHQ, in a statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, stated that its rule of engagement and human rights laws would be respected while dealing with the culprits.
The statement partly read, “The senseless and barbaric killings of these men is a tragedy. They were killed in a dehumanised and unspeakable manner. Accordingly, on behalf of the CDS, Gen CG Musa, the armed forces mourn the loss of these gallant troops who paid the supreme sacrifice for the nation. We console their families, colleagues, and loved ones over the tragic incident. They have died trying to restore peace in the nation.
“It is necessary to reiterate that both the Constitution and the Armed Forces Act saddled the military with the responsibility of the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation. Accordingly, the armed forces consist of citizens from every nook and cranny of the nation that have taken an oath of allegiance to put themselves in harm’s way to defend our great country.
“The military assures all that there would be measured responses and injurious consequences for the perpetrators of these dastardly acts. Nevertheless, the armed forces being a disciplined force that complies with rules of engagement, laws of armed conflict, and respect for human rights would be tempered by these provisions. We would not be led by emotions but by the rule of law.”
Buba also denied reports of reprisal attacks by troops in the community after the incident.
According to him, the community had been deserted before the arrival of the troops on the scene.
Buba urged those dishing out false information on the incident to stop disrespecting the dead.
He called on the community to assist the military in arresting the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
Buba said, “It is against this background that the military debunks all claims that the military embarked on reprisal attacks in Okuama Community after the incident. The community was deserted even before troops arrived at the scene.
“Importantly, those involved in peddling this misinformation, disinformation, and fake news that the military had embarked on reprisal attacks on the community following the incident should desist from further dishonouring our fallen heroes.
“Rather, it behooves the community leaders, elders, and even the people of Delta State to assist in the investigation to identify the perpetrators of the dastardly act so that they can be held accountable for their actions.
“Furthermore, it must be noted that the dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities remains unresolved. It, therefore, implies that there could be untoward activities not initiated by the military.”
Buba, however, urged Nigerians to resist the temptation of sharing the gory videos of how the soldiers were killed.
“We urge the public to resist the temptation of allowing any videos of the incident of the killed personnel from going viral. Their loved ones are still alive, even though they have died protecting our country and its citizens.
“It would be dishonoured to the fallen heroes to allow such ugly videos of their demise go viral. Above all, as the military mourns, it remains ever determined to ensure the safety and security of citizens across the country,” he said.
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Voice, Data Services Affected By Undersea Cable Cuts Restored – NCC
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says the voice and data services affected by the cable cuts have been restored.
NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr Reuben Muoka, stated this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
Muoka said that services were restored, following its disruption on March 14, which affected data and voice services due to cuts in undersea fibre optics on the coasts of Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal.
“We are pleased to announce that services have now been restored to approximately 90 per cent of their peak utilisation capacities,” he said.
Muoka said that all the operators who were impacted by the cuts had taken recovery capacity from submarine cables which were not impacted by the cuts.
According to him, mobile network operators (MNOs) have assured the commission that data and voice services will operate optimally, pending full repairs of the undersea cables.
He said that the MNOs had managed to activate alternative connectivities to bring the situation back to normalcy.
“We extend our appreciation to telecom consumers for their patience and understanding during the downtime caused by the undersea fibre,” he said.
(NAN)
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Court Sentences Five To Death For Murder In Rivers
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced to death, five individuals for the murder of Umezuruike Alex, the Onelga Security Peace Advisory Committee, OSPAC, commander of Omudioga community in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.
OSPAC s a local vigilante group resident in some communities in different local government areas of Rivers State.
Okechukwu Orji from Atali community in Obio-Akpor LGA, Igwe Promise, Iheanyi Igwe, Morrison Igwe, all from Omudioga in Emohua Local Government Area, and Goodness Monday from Akwa-Ibom State, were convicted on charges including conspiracy, cultism, murder and illegal possession of firearms.
The trial Judge, Justice Sika Aprioku, acquitted the sixth defendant, Alex Deiwe.
Justice Aprioku affirmed that the prosecution, led by Essein Edet, proved its case against the five convicts.
Following the conviction, the judge sentenced the convicts to death by hanging, or, alternatively, administration of a lethal injection until confirmed dead.
The court emphasized that the convicted individuals not only murdered the OSPAC commander but were also involved in kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state prior to their arrest and prosecution.
The late Omudioga OSPAC commander, Alex, was brutally murdered and dismembered by cultists in 2021 for his efforts in combating criminal activities in the area.
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