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Youth Group Accuses Dickson Of Diverting N12 Billion

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Youth Group Accuses Dickson Of Diverting N12 Billion
Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson
Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson

A Youth group in Bayelsa State, called the Democratic Youth Watch, DEYOW, has accused the state governor, Seriake Dickson of diverting a loan of N12 billion which he collected on behalf of the state government to undertake capital projects.

The group also condemned the governor for taking credit for the rehabilitation of some internal roads in the state, a project the group said was actually carried out by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

In a statement signed by Ayawei Zikala and Anthony Ebiendu, Chairman and Secretary of DEYOW respectively, the group wants Governor Dickson to clearly explain to the people of the state how he utilized the alleged N12 billion loan.

The statement read in part: “The governor declared the said money at a time civil servants were being owed salaries for several months and when the governor was asked to use the said N12 billion to settle outstanding civil servant salaries, he declined and insisted that the loan was collected to fund projects across the state.

“But after independently inspecting the many abandoned projects across the state, we are convinced that the state government didn’t put a dime from the N12 billion into any of abandoned projects littered across the state.

“Therefore, it is high time the governor began to explain to Bayelsa people how that money was spent.”

The group also pointed out that it was “aware that in an attempt by the state government to cover up for the said N12 billion they have misappropriated, the government falsely took credit for projects being funded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).”

“It is no longer news that the NDDC has since come out in the open to state without any fear of contradiction that the state government lied when it said repairs on all internal roads in Yenagoa were being funded by the restoration government.”

DEYOW said it would continue to demand accountability from Governor Dickson, as it would not “allow our leaders to enslave our future.”

However, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jonathan Obuebite, explained that the amount in question was N10 billion, not N12 Billion as alleged by the group.

Obuebite also waved off the allegations as another ploy by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, led by Timipre Sylva, to “paint the government in bad light” and “incite the people.”

He said: “We are aware that Sylva and his army of dishonorable party men have engaged the services of some media organizations to publish damaging details of how the money was allegedly diverted and embezzled by the government.

“For the records the said funds is ten and not twelve billion naira.

“So far the government has spent a substantial amount of it to contractors handling various projects in the educational sector including the ecumenical centre, dualization of Igbogene road, construction of terminal building at the Bayelsa International Airport in Amassoma to mention but a few,” Obuebite said.

Aisha Buhari Dedicates Award To Nigerian Military

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Aisha Buhari Dedicates Award To Nigerian Military

aisha-buhari-dedicates-award-to-nigerian-military

Wife of Nigerian President, Aisha Buhari, has dedicated an award she received in the Belgian capital, Brussels, to the Nigerian military men and women.

The First Lady was presented with the award for her role in supporting victims of insurgency in the Northeast.

She said “I whole-heartedly dedicate the award to the Nigerian military men and women who who have lost their lives and those at the war front battling to restore peace in the country.”

The President’s wife is currently in Brussels Belgium to attend the Crans Montana African Women’s Forum, where Women Heads of State and Government, Ministers, Ambassadors, Parliamentarians, Businesswomen, Activists, Heads of Organisations gathered from all over the World to address the role of Women in the fight against radicalisation and terrorism.

At the forum, she spoke on “Women’s role in global security”.

She was presented the award by Didier Reynders, Belgian deputy prime minister and minister of foreign and European affairs

Customs Sack 29 Senior Officers

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Customs Sack 29 Senior Officers

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Another Batch Of 29 Senior Officers Of Nigeria Customs Service Has Been Shown The Way Out In The Ongoing Exercise To Rid The Service Of ‘Bad Eggs’.

A statement signed by Custom’s spokesperson, Wale Adeniyi, stated that the dismissed officers are among 44 senior officers who were punished for actions capable of compromising national economy and security.

Recall that 17Junior officers were also dismissed from the service last week, for various offences, including bribery, drug addiction, use of fake certificates and absence from duty.

In addition to the sacked senior custom personnel, “Ten other officers were retired from Service, while the appointment of one was terminated,” the statement added.

“Four officers were given written warnings to be of better conduct while another 4 officers who were investigated and tried for some offences were exonerated.”

Adeniyi also stated that “Four of the officers who got the hammer were of the rank of Deputy-Comptroller of Customs, while five were Assistant-Comptroller.

“Others were seven Chief Superintendents of Customs and four Superintendents, among others,” the statement read.

The customs spokesman reiterated the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hammed Ali to rid the service of corrupt and undisciplined officers.

He added that the Customs had strengthened its structure and process for investigation of offences in order to handle reported cases promptly and professionally.

At a management meeting to consider the report of the disciplinary committee, the Comptroller General said: “We will give all officers fair hearing in line with the principle of natural justice.

“We will however insist that sanctions be punitive, not only to match the offence committed, but to serve as deterrent to others.”

He added that “the process leading to the actions taken on the officers was painstaking in line with the Public Service Rules, as all the officers were served with Queries indicating offences committed, before they made appearances before the Special Investigation Committee.

“The Committee’s recommendation was discussed and approved by the Customs Management, … and thereafter referred to the Presidency for ratification, in the absence of a substantive Board for the Nigeria Customs Service.”

All the officers affected in the exercise have been communicated accordingly.

The Comptroller-General also warned officers that punitive sanctions will continue to be used to discipline officers who refuse to embrace change.

The dismissed senior officers were accused of: “improper examination and release of containers without proper documentation and payment of duties, illegal release of goods in advance before the arrival of vessels, collection of bribe to release prohibited items, release of export prohibitions, fraudulent sale of seized items, use of fake certificates and bribery to secure auctioned goods.”

Rivers APC Threatens To Sue Amaechi’s Accuser

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Rivers APC Threatens To Sue Amaechi’s Accuser

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers state has given Justice Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court, a 7-day ultimatum, within which to withdraw the allegation of bribery against the minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi or be prepared to go to jail.

Okoro had accused Amaechi of being behind his arrest by the Department of State Security, DSS, saying that the minister was persecuting him for refusing to compromise the election cases of Abia, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.

Amaechi, the immediate past Rivers State governor, had since denied the allegation.

The Rivers APC, in a statement by the chairman, Davies Ikanya, said Okoro’s allegation breaches the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offence Act 2000, describing it as “wild and baseless.”

The party pointed out that while the judgement in the election dispute was given by the Supreme Court on January 27, 2015, Okoro alleged that Amaechi tried to bribe him on February 1, 2015.

“One does not need a soothsayer to see that Justice Okoro is very confused and thinks that by mentioning the name of Amaechi in his letter, he would deceive Nigerians and play down the gravity of his sins and crimes against Rivers State people and Nigeria as a whole,” the statement read.

Ikanya wondered why Amaechi would approach Justice Okoro seeking to influence an election that was marred by irregularities and violence, and had been upturned by both the Tribunal and the Appeal Court.

He added that justice Okoro, if his claims were true, had violated the provisions of section 23, sub-section 1 of the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offence Act 2000, which makes it mandatory for any public officer to report any offer of bribe to the police or the ICPC, failure of which the public officer would be “liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand naira or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both fine and imprisonment.”

The Rivers APC chairman further state: “For failing to report the fictional bribery attempt by Amaechi, Justice Okoro has committed an offence that attracts up to two years imprisonment.

“We are hereby giving him one week to retract his worthless and satanic letter and apologise to Amaechi or we may be forced to set in motion a machinery to invoke the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offence Act 2000.”

Buhari’s Nominee Insists ‘Senate Must Go’

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Buhari’s Nominee Insists ‘Senate Must Go’

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Aliyu Abubakar, Nominated By President Muhamadu Buhari For The Position Of National Commissioner Of The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Has Insisted That A Bicameral Legislature Was Not Necessary In Nigeria, Therefore, The Senate Should Be Scrapped.

Abubakar, who was nominated to represent the North East region on the NCC board, made the remarks during his screening by the Senators committee on communications on Wednesday

The Bauchi State nominee was part of the protesters, some months ago, who said they wanted a unicameral legislature, scrapping of the Senate and removal of Bukola Saraki as Senate President in view of his corruption trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

When one of the committee members confronted him to explain why he led the protests, Abubakar, rather than back down on his position, reiterated it and gave reasons why the senate should be scrapped.

“Senators receive huge transport, wardrobe and dressing allowances and they purchase expensive cars from public purse, an economic loss to the country,” Abubakar said.

“The Senate is an avenue for wastage of scarce economic resources of the country… Senate must go,”

After the screening exercise, Abubakar, however, tried to tone down on his comments.

He said: “It is not true that I told members of the committee that the Senate should be scrapped.

“They asked me whether I was part of the group that agitated for the scrapping of the Senate and I said yes because of so many things involved in the Senate and their budget.

“They asked me to state the reasons why we were agitating for the scrapping of the Senate, I said it is because of their huge budget; they consume a lot of resources from the government; they put it in their own budget.

“Also, they have transport allowance and, yet, they budget a lot of money to acquire vehicles.”

Earlier, during the screening session, the Senate committee said it noted some “irregularities” in the personal and academic records of Abubakar.

Abubakar had submitted his birth certificate as well as an affidavit and police extract with the same date, claiming loss of credentials.

The committee pointed out that the fact that the dates on the documents were after Abubakar had been nominated by the President, suggests they may have been “procured”.

Also, Abubakar’s highest academic qualification is a “Diploma in Computer” from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University with a statement of result dated September 23, 2016 – again a date after his nomination.

He was then asked to explain why he submitted documents received after he had been nominated and if he’s suitable for the NCC job with his academic background in view of the expertise required.

Abubakar said he “did not bother to go for the credentials having been self-employed prior to the nomination,” adding that he “only went to school merely for knowledge.”

Buhari Nominates 46 Non-Career Diplomats

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Buhari Nominates 46 Non-Career Diplomats
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded names of 46 non-career ambassadorial nominees to the senate.

The presidential letter was read during plenary by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Among those that made the list are former deputy governor of Niger state, Musa Ibeto; former deputy governor of Plateau state, Pauline Tallen; former justice of the Supreme Court, George Oguntade and former senator from Lagos state, Olorunnimbe Mamora.

Below is the full list:

Abia – Uzoma Emenike; Adamawa – Clifford Zara; Akwa Ibom – Godwin Umo; Anambra – Christopher Okeke; Bauchi – Yusuf Tuggar; Bauchi – Baba Madugu; Bayelsa – Stanley Diriyai; Benue – Enyantu Ifenne; Borno – Mohammed Hayatuddeen; Cross River –            Etubom Asuquo; Delta – Francis Efeduma; Ebonyi – Jonah Odo; Edo – Uyagwe Igbe; Ekiti – Ayodele Ayodeji.

Enugu – Chris Eze; Gombe – Suleiman Hassan; Jigawa – Muhammad Dalhatu; Kaduna – Muhammad Yaro; Kaduna – Deborah Iliya; Kano – D. Abdulkadir; Kano – Haruna Ungogo; Katsina – Isa Dodo; Katsina – Usman Bugaje; Kebbi – Tijani Bande; Kogi – Y.O. Aliu; Kwara – Nurudeeen Mohamed; Kwara – Mohamed Yisa; Lagos – George Oguntade; Lagos – O. Mamora.

Lagos – Modupe Irele; Nasarawa – Musa Muhammad; Niger          – Mohammed Ibeto; Ogun – Ade Asekun; Ondo – Sola Iji; Osun – Adegboyega Ogunwusi; Oyo – Ashimiyu Olaniyi; Plateau -Pauline Talin; Plateau –       Haruna Abdullahi; Rivers – Orji Ngofa; Rivers – Sylvanus Nsofor; Sokoto -Ahmadu Suka; Sokoto –   Kabiru Umar; Taraba – Mustapha Jaji; Yobe – Modu Bura; Zamfara – Garba Gajam; Zamfara – Abdullahi Garbasi

Many Nigerians abroad are reportedly passing through rough times and would need ambassadors in their various countries of abode who know what it takes to promote the country’s interests abroad, to protect such Nigerians’ rights.

The list of nominees was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, human rights, and Legal Matters for further deliberations.

Almost 900,000 Nigerians Trafficked Overtime

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Almost 900,000 Nigerians Trafficked Overtime

 about-900000-nigerians-trafficked-annually

By Obiejesi Kingsley

The menace of human trafficking has continued to linger in Nigeria with the 2016 global slavery index revealing that about 27 million people have been trafficked overtime across the globe, and in Nigeria alone, 875,500 people are estimated to have fallen victim to human traffickers over the years.

This was made known by Joseph Chidiebere, the Executive Director of Devatop Centre for Africa Development, a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, that is dedicated to tackling the challenges of human trafficking in Nigeria.

He spoke to icirnigeria on the occasion of the European Union Anti-Human Trafficking Day, during which the organization, supported by National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, embarked on sensitization campaigns, to raise awareness on the dangers of human trafficking.

According to Chidiebere, human trafficking is almost becoming an epidemic in Nigeria, especially with the increase in the rate of unemployment, poverty, illiteracy and insecurity.

He said: “Nigeria is described as a source, the transit and the destination of people who are trafficked; which means that so many victims come from Nigeria, some are also brought to Nigeria. Nigeria is among the top countries with the highest number of human trafficking cases.

“Considering the nature of poverty, community crises, insurgency and so many factors that contribute to human trafficking, so human trafficking in Nigeria is very high.

“According to Global Slavery index 2016, there are 875, 500 victims of Human trafficking in Nigeria, though globally we have about 27 million people. As of last two years, it was about 700,000, but it has increased in the last two years.”

The young activist stated that government has a major role to play in the fight against human trafficking.

He noted that NAPTIP, formed in 2003, is doing its best, but lots more need to be done in the areas of enlightenment and prevention, urging Government to properly fund the agency for better performance.

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Joseph Chidiebere, Executive Director Devatop Centre for African Development

“I will tell you that they (NAPTIP) are doing well, but not enough, because the fight against human trafficking is not what one agency can fight alone,” Chidiebere said.

“This is a crime that is worth up to $32 billion, so you can’t leave it in the hands of government alone.”

“I will also say that government has been very reluctant after establishing NAPTIP.

“Yes, NAPTIP has been doing its work but they need to be funded. They are not properly funded.”

He added that “government should also fund private organisations” as is obtainable in other countries of the world.

Chidiebere added that efforts should be directed more on interventions and preventions of incidences of human trafficking, which according to him, is less expensive than trying to rescue and rehabilitate victims after they must have fallen victim to traffickers.

He noted that his organization’s major challenge since inception in 2013 has been the issue of funding, as government and corporate organizations do not take the issue seriously.

“In fact, when I started this campaign as a member of the National Youth Service Corps in 2013, I used up to 80% of my allowance to fund it,” Chidiebere stated.

“I received about N20,000 allowance from the government and another N20,000 from my place of primary assignment, but at the end of the month, I hardly saved 5% of the monies because of passion.

“But as time went on, more people began to show interest, but in summary, the support has been very low. There is need for companies to adopt anti-human trafficking projects as their Corporate Social Responsibility, which will also help the fight.”

He also called on businesses and faith-based organisations to commit to the anti-human trafficking crusade.

“We want the public to know that this is a fight for all, it’s everyone’s concern,” the Devatop Chief Executive Director said.

“We want people to know that we’ve been in this fight and we also need people to be part of this fight.”

Chidiebere said that his institution was working on establishing an ‘Academy for the Prevention of Human Trafficking’.

He noted that a pilot project was launched in 2015, where about 120 people from the various states of the country were selected, trained and empowered “to go to their communities and do step-down training.”

“After some nine months, they reported that the impact was so rich. This 120 people reached out to about 6000 people and some even organized seminars in schools.

“Two of the participants established their own organizations to fight human trafficking.

“From the pilot project, we realized that if the academy was established, it will be very impactful,” he stated.

Chidiebere urged for more support to establish the Academy in order to train young people, who are more vulnerable to human trafficking.

“Our own ideology is that young people need to be equipped and empowered to be at the forefront of the anti-human trafficking movement.

“We are projecting that in the next five years, every local government area in Nigeria would have at least five trained anti-human trafficking advocates that will to create awareness, observe and report incidences of human trafficking,” he said.

Donald Trump Refuses To Commit To Accept US Election Result

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Donald Trump Refuses To Commit To Accept US Election Result
Republican US Presidential Nominee, Donald Trump
Republican US Presidential Nominee, Donald Trump

Wednesday’s third round of the United States’ Presidential Election turned out to be the most fiery and controversial, especially with Donald Trump refusing to state clearly that he will accept the eventual election result.

Analysts described the development as unprecedented in the history of US elections; it has been the country’s long-standing tradition for a losing candidate to concede defeat and congratulate his opponent after the votes are counted.

When asked if he would accept the result of the election, Trump – who has consistently claimed the election process is ‘rigged’ – replied: “I will look at it at the time.”

“That’s horrifying,” Clinton shot back.

“He is denigrating and he is talking down our democracy. And I, for one, am appalled that somebody who is the nominee of one of our two major parties would take that kind of a position.”

Trump’s response drew sharp criticism from Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who said the candidate was “doing the party and country a great disservice by continuing to suggest the outcome of the election is out of his hands and ‘rigged’ against him.”

Nicolle Wallace, a Political Analyst and advisor to former Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, said that Trump “may as well have laid down in his own coffin with a hammer and nail and pounded it in himself.”

The debate which held in Las Vegas continued the campaign’s bitter tone, with Trump calling his opponent, Hilary Clinton, a “nasty woman”.

Polls show Trump is losing in key battleground states after facing a slew of sexual assault allegations.

The debate came less than three weeks before Election Day on 8 November.

Both candidates declined to shake hands before and after the political sparring, setting the tone for another debate marked by shouting and interrupting.

Trump appealed to the Republican establishment by vowing to appoint Supreme Court justices with a “conservative bent” who would overturn a key ruling that made abortion legal in the US and protect gun rights.

He also stuck to his pledge to deport undocumented immigrants and build a wall round US borders.

Meanwhile, Clinton firmly declared she would stand up for the LGBT community, defend abortion rights, focus on restoring the middle class and equal pay for women.

“The government has no business in the decisions that women make,” she said.

When asked about her paid speech to a Brazilian bank in which she spoke of her dream of open trade and open borders, Clinton said she was talking about energy policy.

In one key exchange, Trump attacked Clinton’s 30 years of “very bad experience” and she responded by going through her timeline, comparing where she was to where Trump was.

Clinton pointed out that while she was in the White House helping to track down Osama Bin Laden, Trump “was hosting the Celebrity Apprentice.”

The Republican nominee has faced damaging fallout after a video emerged of him making obscene comments about groping women, with senior Republicans deserting him.

When pressed about sexual assault allegations made against him by several women in the wake of the video, Trump said the claims had been “largely debunked”.

In addressing the groping accusations, Clinton said: “Donald thinks belittling women makes him bigger”.

“Nobody has more respect for women than I do,” Trump said as the crowd was heard scoffing.

He also blamed Clinton, whose campaign he said was responsible for drumming up the allegations.

Kafanchan Curfew: Residents, Traders Laments As Banks Run Out Of Cash

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Kafanchan Curfew: Residents, Traders Laments As Banks Run Out Of Cash

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The curfew imposed by the Kaduna State government on Kafanchan and its environs in Jema’a local government area following reprisal attacks by irate youths along the Kafanchan-Kogoro road on Sunday has taken a heavy toll on residents and traders who are lamenting their loses.

The Kaduna State government declared a 24 hour curfew to quell the reprisal attacks by youths protesting an attack by Fulani herdsmen in which about 20 people were killed in Godogodo Chiefdom on Saturday.

The rampaging youths had set up road blocks along the Kafanchan-Kagoro road on Sunday burning several vehicles in the process.

The government on Tuesday reduced the curfew time from 24 hours to between 6pm and 6am, leaving the residents 12 hours of movement.

When our reporter visited the town yesterday, residents and traders lamented the hardship the curfew had inflicted on them as they said that businesses, especially those conducted at night had collapsed making them lose huge amounts.

Those suffering loses are the hospitality sector, supermarkets, filling stations and other small scale traders who are said to be losing millions of naira daily to the restriction of movement.

Also when the www.icirnigeria.org visited some commercial banks at about 3.00 pm on Wednesday, most of their Automated Teller Machines, ATM, were out of cash as several bank customers were seen on long queues.

While normal banking services were running in the town, most of the banks appeared helpless about the inability of their ATMs to dispense cash to their customers.

A staff of one of the commercial banks in the town told our reporter that they could not load the ATMs “because we are facing shortage of cash in the bank.”

Traders who spoke to the www.icirnigeria.org lamented that they were facing the worst time in business. “We make money at evenings when people go out for leisure, but with this curfew, no one is coming and you know what that means to our business”, says Abraham Tanko, a Bar manager.

For Ibrahim Suleiman who makes money from grilled chicken “life has been hard since Sunday and if this continue, hunger will take over the land.”

Security men remained visible in the metropolis and surrounding community as peace is gradually returning to the troubled town.

The interim Chairman, Jema’a local government, Bege Katuka, has announced that the curfew would remain in force until normalcy return to the area.

Katuka said the measure was to further check breaches of the law by youths who were setting up illegal road blocks in the council.

The chairman, therefore, urged residents to remain calm and not to take the law into their hands.

He also urged them to remain in-doors within the curfew time, explaining that the curfew was to allow the security agents carry out operations to restore peace.

Kafanchan has remained a flash point of crisis in Kaduna State for years resulting from religious and communal tensions with herdsmen attacks as the latest to hit the area.

Kaduna Declares Shiite Group Unlawful,Warns Against Mob Action

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Kaduna Declares Shiite Group Unlawful,Warns Against Mob Action

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The Kaduna State Government has officially declared the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, as an unlawful society, and has warned members of the public against attacking the group..

In a news conference on Wednesday, Samuel Aruwan, media aide to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, said that the state government upholds religious freedoms and the constitutional rights of every resident to practice the religion of their choice.

He added, however, that government also “has a duty to declare unlawful any group that threatens peace and security.”

Aruwan pointed out that government has an obligation to preserve security and uphold the rights of all citizens both to practice faith and not be imperiled or be distressed by the way others exercise their faith.

Recall that the Muhammed Garba-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry, set up by the state government to probe the clash between the IMN and the Nigerian Army, had recommended that the Shiite group be proscribed.

According to Aruwan, government “solemnly declared unlawful a specific group that continues to threaten public order in the state.”

“The IMN was never a registered organization and it refused to conduct itself with full adherence to the laws of this state.”

He noted however that “Other groups in the Shia tradition are active in Nigeria” and are “free to practice their creed without injuring the rights of others.”

“Kaduna state has suffered and endured too many calamities, triggered by persons and groups that insist on foisting their faith or political preferences on others.

It is a hallmark of civilization that every assertion of rights by a citizen is done with full acknowledgement of, and respect for the rights of other citizens,” Aruwan said.

He however warned against individuals or groups taking matters into their own hands and attempting to confront the sect should they choose to disregard government’s directives.

The governor’s spokesman said: “No citizen or group of persons can decide to disobey a valid law, without expecting that law enforcement will do its work.

“We have warned that mob action will not be permitted under any guise. The duty of every citizen is to report every illegal action or suspicious activity to the security agencies” he maintained.

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