BAUCHI State Governor Bala Mohammed has approved the recruitment of 3,000 new teachers to boost education in the state.
The approval came a few weeks after The ICIR reported the toll which inadequate teachers took on the state.
The reportuncovered the dire state of primary and secondary schools in the state because of the qualified and adequate number of teachers.
The report found that many schools in the state were understaffed, with some having only one or two teachers to manage entire schools, while others had teachers who were not qualified to teach certain subjects.
In one school, a teacher who was employed to teach social studies was also teaching Mathematics and the English Language, despite having no formal qualifications in these subjects.
The teacher admitted that he was struggling to teach these subjects and that the students were not learning effectively.
The investigation also found that the state government had not recruited new teachers in over a decade, despite the growing demand for education in the state.
According to the investigation, the last recruitment of teachers in the state was in 2014, and since then, many teachers have retired or passed away without being replaced.
The report discovered that the shortage of teachers has led to a decline in the quality of education in the state, with students performing poorly in national exams.
For instance, in 2019, only 23 per cent of students in Bauchi State public schools got credit in five subjects, including Mathematics and English, while in 2020, the percentage increased to 24 per cent.
The investigation also found that the state government had shown a lack of commitment to addressing the teacher shortage, despite acknowledging the problem.
In addition, the government failed to implement effective recruitment strategies, and the few teachers were often overworked and underpaid.
The report highlighted the need for the state government to take immediate action to address the teacher shortage and improve the quality of education in the state. This includes recruiting new teachers, providing training and support for existing teachers, and improving the working conditions and pay for teachers.
In response to the investigation, the state government announced plans to recruit new teachers who will be deployed to junior and senior secondary schools across the state.
Thiswas disclosed in a statement released on the state government’s website on Friday, January 17.
According to the project coordinator for the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in the state, Ali Gar, 2,000 of these new teachers will be assigned to junior secondary schools, while1,000 will be posted to senior secondary schools.
The goal of this recruitment exercise, according to the state, is to strengthen the educational system and empower young girls through education.
The state government said the approval of the recruitment was part of Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration’s efforts to improve education and create a more inclusive learning environment.
THE Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism seeks applicants for its Journalist Fellowship Program.
The programme gives visiting journalists worldwide an opportunity to critically reflect upon their profession, research a subject of their choice under the supervision of an academic specialising in that area, and enjoy the breadth of academic, cultural and social life at the University of Oxford.
Applicants must have at least five years of journalism experience and strong English skills.
Mid-career journalists can apply for a fellowship at Oxford University, United Kingdom.
Most journalist fellowships are fully funded and cover living costs and accommodation.
The deadline for the application is February 13, 2025. Interested applicants can apply here.
IN 2024, Nigeria battled a resurgence of monkeypox as the country recorded 1,484 suspected cases and 124 confirmed cases across 28 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by epidemiological week 44, 2024.
This is according to the latest data released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, with two distinct clades: Clade I and Clade II. The disease can be transmitted through close contact, such as sex, skin-to-skin contact, and talking or breathing close to another person.
While the exact reservoir of monkeypox is still unknown, the virus can spread both from animal to human and from human to human with transmission occurring when a person comes into contact with the virus from an infected animal, human, or materials contaminated with the virus.
The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), the respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Symptoms of the disease usually include an acute illness with fever >38.3°C, intense headache, lymphadenopathy, back pain, myalgia, and intense asthenia, followed by a progressively developing rash often beginning on the face and then spreading elsewhere on the body and soles of feet and palms of the hand.
According to the NCDC, children between ages zero to five are mostly affected by the mpox disease outbreak in the country.
The 2024 data contrasts with that of 2023 when 1,182 suspected cases and 98 confirmed cases were recorded over 52 weeks.
But despite the spike in infections, no fatalities have been reported this year, offering a glimmer of hope compared to previous outbreaks that were accompanied by deaths in 2022 and 2023.
The virus, however, remains a significant health concern, with experts warning about its potential to disrupt public health and economic activities.
Nigeria’s mpox outbreak is the largest in West Africa this year, with confirmed cases concentrated in urban centres like Lagos, Ogun, and Rivers states. On Gender distribution, males account for 63 per cent of confirmed cases, while females make up 37 per cent.
The most affected demography is individuals aged 21–35 years, the backbone of the country’s workforce.
This demographic breakdown suggests a significant impact on the working-age population, with potential socio-economic implications. While the virus has been endemic in Nigeria since 2017, the scale of the 2024 outbreak was higher.
Lagos tops cases
Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Delta states reported confirmed cases during the most recent week, with Lagos accounting for three of the six cases reported.
NCDC data shows that mpox cases have steadily risen in the past three years. In 2022, the country recorded 762 confirmed cases and seven deaths. The following year, the numbers dropped to 98 confirmed cases and two deaths, but 2024 saw an alarming rise in suspected cases despite no reported deaths.
Regional epidemic
Nigeria’s outbreak is part of a larger epidemic sweeping across Africa, where the disease has been declared a public health emergency. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reports over 37,000 cases across 15 African Union Member States (AUMS), with nearly 1,500 deaths since the beginning of 2022 and as of 28 July 2024.
In 2023 alone, 14,957 cases and 739 deaths (CFR: 4.9 per cent) were reported from seven AUMS. This is a 78.5 per cent increase in the number of new cases compared to 2022.
However, in its 2025 report, the WHO’s external situation report noted that across Africa, 14,700 confirmed cases and 66 deaths of mpox cases were reported between January 2024 and January 2025.
Central Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), remains the epicentre, contributing over 4,900 confirmed cases and nearly 629 fatalities. Uganda and Burundi also face significant challenges, with 1,552 and 3,035 confirmed cases reported, respectively.
The disease has further spread beyond endemic zones, with Rwanda and Kenya recording smaller clusters of infections. Travel-related cases from affected African countries have been detected globally, highlighting the transnational nature of the epidemic.
In response to this crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in August 2024.
The WHO in the IHR (2005) defines, a PHEIC as “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response”.
The WHO’s criteria emphasise the seriousness, suddenness, and cross-border implications of the situation, prompting the director-general, alongside an emergency committee, to issue temporary recommendations to guide the global response.
Vaccine access challenges
In response to the outbreak, Nigeria launched its vaccination campaign in November 2024 after receiving 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine from the United States.
The campaign targeted three priority groups: frontline healthcare workers, close contacts of mpox cases, and people living with HIV. However, the limited vaccine supply has drawn criticism, with many saying the vaccines were grossly inadequate for a population of over 200 million.
According to ACDC, vaccinations were administered at three sites in each of the selected states, including FCT, Bayelsa, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River.
The logistical complexities of the cold chain requirements, coupled with Nigeria’s large population, demanded meticulous planning in terms of time, scope, and budget, according the agency’s National Coordinator in Nigeria, Oluyinka Olayemi.
The Africa CDC has pledgedto deliver 10 million Mpox vaccine doses by 2025, which marks a significant commitment to strengthening health security across the continent.
Vaccination is an essential component of a comprehensive mpox response strategy, alongside timely testing and diagnosis, effective clinical management, infection prevention measures, and active community engagement. Vaccines are particularly crucial for curbing transmission and controlling outbreaks, according to WHO.
THE World Justice Project (WJP) is accepting entries for the Anthony Lewis Prize for Exceptional Rule of Law Journalism.
The Lewis Prize recognises journalistic courage and craft that strengthens accountability, advances adherence to the rule of law principles, and builds awareness of the foundational importance of the rule of law.
The Lewis Prize celebrates outstanding reporting on the rule of law issues such as government accountability, human and civil rights, access to justice, open government, corruption, criminal justice and judicial independence.
Journalists worldwide who have outstanding reports on rule of law issues can compete for a cash prize.
A US$10,000 prize will be awarded to the winner who will be honoured at the World Justice Forum in Warsaw, Poland, June 23 to 26, 2025.
The deadline for the application is March 2, 2025. Interested applicants can apply here.
THE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has deployed prospective corps members (PCMs), for the Batch C Stream II orientation exercise across the country.
A statement by the NYSC, on X on Monday, January 20, noted that some PCMs deployed to Lagos State would undertake their orientation course in Ekiti, Ondo, and Osun States.
It added that PCMs deployed to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would have their orientation in Nasarawa and Kaduna States.
The orientation camps, which opens nationwide on Wednesday, January 22, are set to provide participants with the essential training and guidance required for their mandatory one-year national service.
The agency advised PCMs against travelling at night while heading to their designated orientation camps.
The corps members are expected to receive their posting to places of primary assignment at the end of the orientation exercise.
The Batch C Stream II deployment is part of the NYSC’s effort to ensure that all eligible graduates participate in the service, aimed at fostering national unity and integration.
Established in 1973, the NYSC is a programme designed by the Nigerian government to foster national unity, promote patriotism, and equip young people with self-employment skills, among other objectives.
Every Nigerian graduate under 30 must participate in the service, during which they are deployed to various states to work in different sectors.
Since its establishment by the former military head of state, Yakubu Gowon, shortly after the country’s civil war, the NYSC has undergone various reforms and has significantly lived up to its mission of unifying Nigeria, despite palpable challenges, including corruption, militating against it.
ISESE, is the Yoruba word for tradition but it refers to the religious, and spiritual concepts and practices of the Yoruba people which is their traditional religion. The practitioners honour a range of gods and goddesses, including Osun, Esu, Sango, Obatala, Oya, Obaluaye, and Yemoja. Central to this belief system is Eledumare, revered as the supreme entity and source of all existence. This report is the third instalment of The ICIR series ‘The Others‘
Isese, which the traditionalists claimed is one the first religions in Africa, has a firm root in the Southwest part of Nigeria and has also spread to other places around the world like Cuba, Brazil, the Benin Republic, and the United States of America (USA).
Despite its age-long existence, adherents of Isese are struggling to gain ground in Nigeria, a country dominated by Christianity and Islam which traditionalists refer to as “foreign religions”. According to them, the coming of the Abrahamic religion posed a threat to the “real religion” and its practitioners. They also blamed the movie industry’s negative portrayals and actions of security agencies for the way people perceive the religion. This has contributed to adherents of the religion being constantly attacked, disparaged, shunned, and discriminated against.
Discriminated against for being an Isese adherent
The Mogaji Onibudo of Ibadan land and president, oftheInternational Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR), Fayemi Fakayode, faulted the manner traditional worshippers are being disparaged. He said the hatred emanates from those practising foreign religions but want to put their religion above those of their land.
The mogaji onibudo of Ibadan land and president, of the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) Fayemi Fakayode
Fakayode, an Ifa priest, saidwhen he was a student at the Adeyemi College of Education where he obtained his National Certificate of Education (NCE) and first degree respectively, he had lecturers who discriminated against him because he wasn’t a christian.
“I have a lecturer who gave me an E in a 3-unit course even though I was the president of the department, I was also the president of Ibadan students at Adeyemi College of Education at that time. So a person who heads all these associations, including the financial secretary of the student union, is not brilliant?” Fakayode asked.
“I had a CGPA of 3.9; I needed just 11 points to achieve a first-class before I was given an E because he asked me to come to his church and I refused. I did not because of that “stop practicing Isese,” Fakayode stated.
The ICIR did not independently verify the claim by Fakayode.
He stated that the discrimination had continued to the next generation as his child is also at the receiving end.
“My child faced similar discrimination in school when a hostel mate blamed a stomach ache on milk my child provided. This lead to mockery and he became reluctant to share anything again,” he stated.
Fakayode said issues like intimidation and discrimination have made many children of traditional worshippers convert to Islam and Christianity.
He added that he faced job discrimination due to his traditional beliefs, with subtle hints in interviews and hostility from colleagues.
A prominent traditionalist, the Baba Ijo Ose meji, of Ibadan, an Ifa Priest, Awoniyi Omorodoye Amosun, lamented that traditional religion is being disrespected and belittled, while its practitioners consistently choose to respond with love and consideration, mindful of the harmonious relationships their ancestors maintained.
He warned that if their ancestors were to retaliate against the disrespect in kind, it would lead to conflict.
Amosun, who is the Otun Awise of Ibadan land, expressed concerns over the intense criticism and attacks on traditional religion from various directions.
He highlighted past violent clashes between Muslims and masquerade groups, resulting in loss of lives, and called for greater self-regulation within the Muslim community.
Amosun also noted that some individuals from his community, upon gaining influence, often disregard traditional customs.
The Baba Ijo Ose meji, of Ibadan, Awoniyi Omorodoye Amosun
He further alleged that traditional religions face ridicule and discrediting efforts from other religions through media channels. He called for traditional practitioners to speak out against these attacks, believing that the world is increasingly recognising the flaws in other religions.
“They are looking for all avenues to wipe out traditional religion and they are overdoing it in Ibadan,” he said.
The Otun Awise, Amosun complained that when crimes like murder or money rituals occur, security agents unfairly link them to traditional worshippers, even when the perpetrators have prefixes like ‘Alhaji’ or ‘Pastor’ before their names.
He argued that it’s not traditionalists who engage in such acts, but rather individuals from other religions who bring in foreign charms and practices.
He alleged that foreign religions, specifically Christianity and Islam, are actively working against the traditional Isese religion. He claimed that in cases of conflict, the police and courts tend to favour Christians and Muslims, against traditional worshippers.
An Ifa Priest, Adepoju Taiwo Ifadairo, a student of Ekiti State University, and an herbalist based in Ibadan, Oyo State said the challenges and opposition he has faced due to his beliefs are countless but do not bother him again.
“Sometimes some of my lecturers would tell me that Jesus said we should do this and that. I don’t usually interrupt them but when they are done, I politely explain to them what Ifa is and what other deities represent,” he said.
Ifadayo Osunsanmi, an Osun and Ifa Priest, said, “in Yoruba culture,Ifarefers to the revered deity, Orunmila, also known as Ifa, who embodies wisdom, knowledge, and intellectual growth, and is considered a powerful symbol of insight and understanding, has been bastardised as many people do not even want it attached to their names.”
According to Ifadairo, no religion preaches the truth like the traditional religion.
“These people will come to Africa and tell us the Orisas our forefathers have been worshipping are not good. Sometimes they will pay cash to buy some of them,” he inferred.
Movie industry impact negatively on Isese religion – Adherents
Thestrength of the Nigerian movie industry has gone beyond the spheres of Africa and has attained a global status. The industry plays a significant part in reflecting Nigerian culture, traditions, and societal issues, resonating with local audiences.
The Yoruba movie industry, also known as Nollywood Yoruba, is a significant component of the Nigerian film industry. The movies churned out by this industry have been blamed as being one the militating factor against Isese religion. According to Ifadairo, the film industry has caused a lot of damage to the Yoruba land through their movies.
Ifa Priest Adepoju Taiwo Ifadairo believes the film industry has caused a lot of damage to Yoruba land through their movies. ICIR/2024
He stated that many people have never visited the house of a herbalist but the movies they watch have polluted their minds with all manner of negativity regarding traditional religion.
“You can see where they will tell a herbalist to make use of three human heads or use someone for money rituals. It is not like this during our forefathers, where unimaginable things are done to get rich.
“What our forefathers usually used in those days were different species of rats and fish among other animals,” he stated, stressing that spiritual fortifications are “normal things” in Yoruba land and do not require using humans as a ritual.
“Sometimes when they ask someone to go and consult Ifa in a movie, they might ask for the person’s heart or any part of the body after death, this is not correct,” he added.
On the negative impact of Yoruba movies on Isese, Amosun – earlier mentioned – said there is a deliberate attempt to use the movie industry and communication channels to destroy Isese.
“They will cook something up and send it to the theatre practitioners to use and write stories that are untrue like saying, traditionalists are killing people for atonement, bringing seven pregnant women for sacrifice. These are all the things they are using against us but that doesn’t stop one from progressing.
“The movie industry is filled with people who don’t have any knowledge of Ifa acting as Babalawos in the movie. Then the scriptwriters are mostly Muslims and Christians, they are writing it to promote their religion,” he claimed.
The movie industry is filled with people who don’t have any knowledge of Ifa acting as Babalawos in the movie. Then the scriptwriters are mostly Muslims and Christians, they are writing it to promote their religion
Amosun accused foreign religions of sponsoring efforts to undermine traditional religion, using their wealth to promote their own beliefs while disparaging indigenous practices.
He warned that denigrating the traditional religion and its adherents will have consequences, as they are the original owners of the land.
He urged them to stop speaking ill of traditionalists and to cease portraying them negatively in movies, which often depict herbalists as engaging in human sacrifices and murder, a misrepresentation of reality.
Indian, Chinese movies promoting their religions but we are killing ours – Actor
The director, of Crown Troupe of Africa, a dance-theatre group, Segun Adefila alluded to the point made by traditional worshippers that the Nigerian movie industry is working against our culture and tradition.
According to Adefila, art is the means of expression through which one introduces his or her culture to the world but the reverse is the case in Nigeria.
Director Crown Troupe of Africa and Actor Segun Adefila
“What we see in Indian films, is how we accepted everybody is rushing to America because of the soft power America was able to push. You cannot watch American movies without seeing an American flag. and they tell you of all their beautiful cities.
“The Chinese too, if you observe, we never see any of those things. For instance, in Indian films, you never see where a white or a foreigner in suit will come and win them in their shrine. It is their shrine that always overcomes. It is well portrayed when they talk about Buddhism, Hindu. The Hindu shrine is well taken care of, and well protected, so it’s highly restricted.
“We are the ones that have problems. We demarket ourselves,” Adefila stated.
While stating that the movie industry should have corrected cultural misconceptions, he explained that films often depict a pastor using their Bible to collapse a shrine, perpetuating harmful stereotypes about traditional practices.
“I went to a country one day, somebody came to pick me up at the airport, the first thing the person said to me was that he was scared of me as a Nigerian, that he had seen our movies, we have black power. So something we should be proud of has now turned against us,” Adefila stated.
According to the actor, he shares the opinion that the film industry reinforces harmful narratives about Isese religion, instead of promoting understanding and dispelling misconceptions.
First, we have, to know that before Western interference, before colonialism, our ancestors thrived and survived on their intellectual heritage and knowledge systems.
Stigmatisation is an issue
Ifadairo believes that traditionalists are being stigmatised due to their beliefs and claims it is affecting their morals.
“There is also shame, for when they (traditionalists) are in a place filled with Muslims or Christians that are talking or playing, they don’t want anyone to know that they are traditionalists so they pretend to be like others.“
An Ibadan-based Ifa Priestess, Ifayemisi Atinumosaid, “I was at a naming ceremony a few months back and the pastor saw me sitting down there with my beads on. He said to me “You that want to do this and that, Orisa worshippers you are going to hell fire.For peace to reign, such words should not be coming from religious leaders.”
Ifayemisi queried the intimidation and harassment of Isese adherents and recalled experiencing a situation where she was asked to remove her Ifa bead while in school, but she refused, comparing it to asking an ‘Alhaja’ to remove her veil.
She also mentioned that some men have made comments suggesting that dating her would invite supernatural retribution if they broke her heart, to which she responded that she is human and wouldn’t harm anyone even if they treated her poorly.
Ibadan-based Ifa Priestess, Ifayemisi Atinumo
“People believe that being a traditional worshipper, you tend to do bad things to them. They believe that you have charms that you can harm them with,” Ifayemisi said.
Egungun (Masquerade) in danger
Ifakayode who is also the Jagunmolu Awo Agbaye, said fights always break out between adherents of foreign religions and the Egungun masquerades in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during the Egungun festival because some Muslim clerics always try to stop the Egungun from accessing major roads during processions.
But according to him, in Ibadan, there is a way to resolve such issues by involving the king and the government.
“Such incidents have happened in the past when a Muslim cleric called Ajagbe Mo Keferi started stopping masquerades from using the roads.
“Some of the troubles he started are still on the ground today because that was when a lot of masquerades started arming themselves with cutlasses for protection ,” Fakayode stated.
On his part, Amosun claimed that it’s unimaginable for an herbalist to launch an attack on Muslims while they’re praying, stating that such an incident is unlikely to occur. Instead, he alleged that Muslims are the ones who often initiate attacks on others, implying that they are the aggressors.
“Anytime we are having our festival, they will go and give thugs money to come and attack us. Recently, a harmless masquerade came out, it belongs to the government. The masquerade had already returned home when they went to give some thugs money to fight it,” the Otun Awise stated.
Amid the opposition, Ifadairo advised his fellow traditionalists to always be proud of their religion because according to him, there is no way they can prove that traditional religion is not a bad one if those who are practising it cannot be proud of it.
“Don’t let us hide our names, it’s a good name. If someone that has Oluwa before their name or Taofeek or Taoreed are not ashamed of their names as Christians or Muslims, why should we traditionalists be ashamed of ours?he asked.
Ifayemisi on her part encouraged other traditionalists to be proud of Isese and not hide behind the curtains due to fear of harassment.
As for Fakayode, what traditionalists who are scared of associating with Isese require is knowledge which,according to him, is the responsibility of parents
The secular nature of Nigeria stressed
Ifayemisi referenced an incident where an Ifa priest was victimised for choosing not to convert to Islam, highlighting the irony that Nigerian law guarantees freedom of religion, yet some individuals refuse to acknowledge and respect the existence of other faiths.
She emphasised that traditional religion, like hers, predate the arrival of other religions in the region and that they have never prohibited others from practising their beliefs.
Ifayemisi advocated for mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, urging that individuals be allowed to live their lives as they see fit, without imposition or persecution.
We perform our duties regardless of religion, ethnicity, or philosophy – Police
On the allegation that security agents, especially the police, are tarnishing the image of traditional worshippers, the spokesperson of the Oyo State Police command, AdewaleAdefeso, said all allegations against the force are false.
He said the force has always tried to be fair to all in their dealings.
“Idon’t think there has been there has been any revolt in that light about favouring a side. In Oyo, if there is any such situation, they should cite it.
“We have respect for the rights of citizens, residents and non-residents alike. If there is a case they are referring to, they should bring it forward and it will be reviewed accordingly,” Adefeso stated.
Ifayemisi advised the government to add Isese studies to the school curriculum,
“If the government should add Isese studies to the curriculum, the children, the upcoming generations will get to learn about Isese in schools instead of Christian Religious Studies and Islamic Religious studies. People can get to learn. The upcoming generation can get to learn more about Isese from scratch.
She also asked for more government support in all Isese festivals and praised the Oyo State governor for providing security for all the Egungun (masquerades) and all that.
A professor of Philosophy at the University of Lagos, Douglas Anele, expressed his scepticism regarding the existence of a supernatural being and advised that all expenses for pilgrimages should be borne by the pilgrim.
“A sensible government should not be involved in religion except for regulatory purposes,” he stated.
Oyo government reacts
The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Oyo state Governor, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, declared that the state government respects all regions and does not discriminate. He added that the government is very tolerant of all religions.
“Just last week [2024], the government of Oyo State was represented by the deputy governor at the Sango Festival in Oyo. It was a very big event and the government was fully represented and supported the occasion. The ambassador of Portugal was there.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde
“On the issue of pilgrimage, where is the place they want to travel to?” he asked.
He noted that in Oyo State, it’s a common practice to have representatives from three religions offer prayers at official events. Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers each take turns to offer prayers, promoting religious inclusivity and diversity.
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed grief over the loss of one of its officers, Aminu Sahabi Salisu, who was allegedly killed on duty on January 17, 2025, by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.
The commissionin a statement released on Sunday, January 19, described reports circulating on social media about the incident as “false narratives.”
The EFCC, in the statement signed by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said it views with great concern the “irresponsible, callous, inhuman and outrageous” narratives being circulated on social media on the fatal accident.
“It is heinous to reduce the death of a gallant officer who was carrying out patriotic and official duties to social media razzmatazz.
“More worrisome is the fact that some faceless commentators are pitching their tents with an alleged criminal who unleashed terror on officers of the EFCC in their line of duty,” the EFCC stated.
According to the EFCC, the operation that led to Salisu’s death was a raid on a two-storey building in Ifite, Awka, where 37 suspected internet fraudsters were arrested.
The agency said, however, Ikechukwu, who was also in the building, refused to open his door to the investigators and instead fired shots at them, killing Salisu and wounding another officer.
The EFCC said preliminary investigations have revealed that Ikechukwu was involved in coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy, and he is currently in police custody.
“Two laptops, iPads, andseveral recording devices were recovered from his apartment, and his involvement in internet fraud is already established,” the commission stated.
The EFCC warned the public that internet fraudsters are becoming increasingly hazardous to public safety and security and that they should not be deceived into thinking that these criminals are just “Yahoo boys and girls.”
The Commission vowed to bring Ikechukwu to trial and take a strong stance against any future attacks on its officers.
The anti-graft agency said it appreciates the support and condolences from sister agencies and well-meaning individuals and remains resolute in its mission to rid the nation of internet fraud and other acts of corruption.
Salisu, attached to the EFCC zonal command, was killed on Friday, January 17, during a raid on suspected internet fraudsters in Awka.
He had led his team to the house of a cybercrime suspect identified as Ikechuckwu before he was shot dead.
Reports stated that the culprit, a medical doctor from the Ifite area of Awka, fired, killing Salisu and injuring another officer.
The spokesperson of the Anambra Police command, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident.
He said the police responded to a distress call, arrested one suspect, and recovered a pump-action gun, where operatives of the anti graft agency had gone on an investigation.
The social media has been agog about the killing of Salisu, with many blaming his death on the EFCC.
The chairman of the commission, Olukoyede, in November 2023, ordered that sting operations at night be stopped following the arrest of 70 students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, in a midnight raid on off-campus hostels.
The arrest led to outrage from Nigerians and subsequently resulted in the ban of midnight raids by the operatives.
However, many were surprised that despite the ban, the commission went for a night operation resulting in the death of Salisu.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has announced the postponement of a media chat earlier scheduled to be held by its chairman, Olukoyede, on January 19, 2025, at 7:30 pm.
The media engagement was expected to be broadcast across major television networks.
While no reason was provided , the commission assured the public that a new date for the chat would be communicated in due course.
Many believe that the postponement might not be unconnected to the killing of its officer in Anambra.
THE Pulitzer Centre has announced a special grant opportunity for projects centered on COP 30, scheduled to take place in Brazil in November 2025.
Journalists, editors, and independent media outlets are encouraged to submit proposals addressing key environmental issues relevant to the upcoming conference.
The centre seeks to fund projects that explore the connection between the management of rainforest, ocean ecosystems, domestic and global climate policies and actions. The goal is for these reports to inform and inspire the climate community and the public ahead of the next COP discussions and negotiations.
The project proposals are expected to address the management of rainforests and ocean ecosystems in high-impact regions like the Amazon, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia. Proposals should explore the intersection of climate policies and systemic challenges affecting these ecosystems, focusing on issues like inadequate regulations, destructive supply chains, carbon trading schemes, and the role of scientific innovation in mitigating climate risks.
It should also emphasise the perspectives of local and marginalised communities, and may include cross-border investigations.
The Center values collaboration, innovation, and data-driven approaches, and encourages proposals with strong commitments from credible news outlets for wide-reaching distribution.
Click here to apply. Submission deadline is February 15, 2025.
ISRAEL has agreed to release 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in the Gaza truce deal reached recently.
The truce is to take effect on the eve of Donald Trump‘s inauguration for another term as President.
Mediator Egypt, said Saturday, January 18, that the prisoner’s release is in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages in the first phase of a Gaza truce.
The 42-day ceasefire is set to begin today, Sunday, at 0630 GMT, and as part of the deal, Israel will be freeing a significant number of Palestinian prisoners.
According to the plan, 737 prisoners will be released later today (Sunday).
Countries like Qatar, Egypt, and the USA all played a role in mediating the agreement. It’s also worth noting that militants in Gaza will be releasing 33 hostages as part of the deal.
The ICIR reported that after over a year of conflict, a ceasefire agreement that includes the release of hostages was reached between Israel and Gaza.
Sky News reported that the truce, announced by Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, is set to begin on Sunday, January 19.
This latest development followed prolonged negotiations in Doha, with the conflict leaving thousands dead, injured, or displaced in Gaza.
The Israel-Hamas war has taken a devastating toll, with over 50,000 lives lost and many more affected.
The ceasefire is a much-needed step towards peace, and it’s happening at a significant time – just before Trump’s inauguration for a second term.
The conflict has seen several airstrikes in Gaza, destroying infrastructure, homes, hospitals, and public facilities. Hospitals and humanitarian centres have reported severe shortages of essential supplies like water, electricity, and medical aid.
The
ICIR reported how Israel’s ground offensive, launched in response to Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 hostages.
Meanwhile, the ceasefire deal reportedly includes a six-week initial phase during which Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from central Gaza, enabling displaced Palestinians to return to northern parts of the territory.
Humanitarian aid is also set to increase significantly as part of the agreement, offering some relief to Gaza’s beleaguered population.
Also, the deal includes plans for a second phase, to begin on the 16th day of the truce, focusing on the release of remaining hostages, including male Israeli soldiers, a permanent ceasefire, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.
THE death toll in the fatal petrol tanker explosion at Dikko junction in Niger State has risen to 86.
The number of injured has also increased to 55, all of whom are receiving treatment in the hospital.
The recovered corpses have been given a mass burial in Dikko, Niger State, as the community comes to terms with the tragic incidence.
This Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, in a statement released on Sunday, January 19 said the agency, alongside Gurara Local Government Area and brave, kind-hearted volunteers, conducted the mass burial between 5 pm and midnight.
“Eighty of them were buried in a mass grave at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre premises, while five were taken by their relatives for burial in the town, and one died at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre.”
As of Saturday, the total death toll from the incident was over 50.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Commander in Niger State, Kumar Tsukwam, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Minna on Saturday.
According to Tsukwam, a loaded petrol tanker fell at the scene of the incident and people gathered, scooping spilling fuel.
The FRSC boss said they were engulfed by the fire just as those who went to rescue them were also affected.
He added that despite the devastating situation, personnel from the FRSC and other agencies worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped in the wreckage.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Baba-Arah, said the explosion happened around 9:00 am on Saturday.
According to him, the incident happened when a tanker loaded with premium motor spirit, PMS, crashed, and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another tanker.
Meanwhile, the Niger State government has expressed sadness over the incident.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said Bago described the explosion as heartbreaking,painful,and disturbing.
He sympathised with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.
The governor, however, warned the people to always be conscious of their safety.
He directed all the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to do what was necessary while advising the security agents to ensure security in the area.
