Connect with us

Columns

IGP Egbetokun: Foreign Mercenaries Involved in Planned Protest

Published

on

Spread the love

“We have credible intelligence on foreign mercenaries’ involvement in this planned protest,” says Nigeria’s police chief Egbetokun.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Friday said that credible intelligence at the disposal of the Nigeria Police Force, revealed that foreign mercenaries are deeply involved in the planning of the anticipated August first nationwide protest in the country.

The IGP also issued a stern warning to clandestine groups plotting to destabilize the country and hoodlums seeking to exploit protests for their criminal agendas.

Egbetokun, who made this disclosure while, addressing a press conference at the Force Headquarter in Abuja, also noted that the police will not tolerate the killing of innocent citizens, destruction of public infrastructure and private property, or looting of private businesses.

He said: “We note those who have spoken out against any form of protest at this critical juncture, fearing enemies of our country may be manipulating the process. We confirm their fears are genuine, as we have credible intelligence on foreign mercenaries’ involvement in this planned protest. The Nigerian police urges all Nigerians to exercise caution and think twice before joining any protest group. While we alert citizens to the sinister motives of certain groups planning to wreak havoc, it has become clear that even a peaceful protest at this time may be ill-timed”.

Acknowledging the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protests, Egbetokun noted that in the interest of public safety and order, the police orders all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where protest is intended to take place.

He noted that to facilitate a successful and incident free protest, the protesting groups must provide some requisite information. He itemised these requisite information to include but not limited to proposed protest routes and assembling points

He said that by providing this information, the police will be enabled to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety, and designate specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.

“Establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise, and minimize the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity,” he said.

The police boss encouraged all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights. According to him, we are committed to working with all Nigerians to promote peaceful expression and maintain public order.

Noting that the police intelligence team has been monitoring development surrounding protest threats, Egbetokun said that while some groups call for violent protests, emulating Kenya’s recent events, others advocate for peaceful demonstrations.

“However, some individuals promote peaceful protests with violent undertones, raising concerns about their sincerity.

We have our own history of violent protests in Nigeria, and I don’t believe we have to look to other countries to note the dangers of unchecked demonstrations.

We commend patriots who have withdrawn from the protest due to the apparent sinister motives and ignorance of those calling for violence,” he concluded.

 

Columns

“I have no love for fake friends, pretenders”— Mikel Obi replies 2Baba

Published

on

Spread the love

 

Mikel Obi has finally responded to 2Baba, shedding light on why he allegedly snubbed the music icon during a chance meeting in London.

Reflecting on their shared history, Mikel said:
“We grew up together in Jos, and you achieved fame before me. I reached out to you several times, but you never responded. Then, the same God who blessed you answered my prayers, and fame found me too.”

He expressed his surprise been approached by 2Baba in a London mall after years of silence:
“Now that I’ve made it, suddenly you recognize me? Life has taught me that no one wants to associate with failure. That’s why I stay in my lane for peace and only keep connections with those who stood by me before fame.”

Concluding his statement, Mikel emphasized his stance: “I have no love for fake friends or pretenders.”

Continue Reading

Columns

Nagasaki driver returns 25-yr ‘partner’ RX-7 to Mazda at ceremony on 80th birthday

Published

on

Naoko Nishimoto shares her thoughts in front of her longtime "partner" Mazda RX-7, in the city of Nagasaki on Dec. 18, 2024. (Mainichi/Kazuki Kawashima) © The Mainichi
Spread the love

NAGASAKI — A decades-long driver of a Mazda RX-7 sports car fulfilled a pledge to turn in her license on her birthday on Dec. 18 and passed the vehicle along to its maker.

At the ceremony held in a local Mazda dealership, Nagasaki resident Naoko Nishimoto commented with her hand on the hood, “Thank you so much for the 25 years we have shared our lives together, ‘Seven.'”

“Seven” is the name she gave her beloved coupe.

When Nishimoto was working as a clerk at the age of 55, she was looking to buy a new car and fell in love with the RX-7 when she first happened to see it in the anime series “Initial D”. “Its outline is beautiful,” she thought. She immediately bought a brand-new silver model for around 3 million yen (about $19,300 at the current rate).

After she had used the vehicle for daily outings like trips to the supermarket and racked up about 77,500 kilometers over 25 years of use, she made up her mind to give up her driver’s license in December 2022, when she turned 78. After her search for the car’s next owner was reported in the news, Mazda Motor Corp. put in an application.

A young designer at Mazda gave Nishimoto a sketch of the adored cruiser during the ceremony. “The RX-7 was the first car I was responsible for marketing after joining the company. Ms. Nishimoto lovingly drove this car for 25 years, and we will maintain and handle it with care from here on,” Mazda President Masahiro Moro wrote in a letter that was also passed to her.

“For the two years after I decided to let it go, I had particularly fond memories of riding in Seven to photograph seasonal flowers and scenery. I loved the feeling of oneness with the car,” Nishimoto said.

The car will hereafter undergo maintenance before beginning its second life as a promotional vehicle.

The RX-7 integrated Mazda’s technical prowess and included a high output, low noise and vibration rotary engine. Around 810,000 of the vehicles were produced between 1978 and 2002. Having plenty of overseas fans, the car was featured in “Fast and Furious,” and it has been immortalized in the street-racing manga, anime and game series “Initial D” as the car owned by the protagonist’s rival.

Continue Reading

Columns

Judges Must Reject Gifts From Governors,Ministers “- NBA President, Osigwe

Published

on

Spread the love

 

Afam Osigwe, president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), says it is unconstitutional for members of the cabinet or governors to be giving gifts to judges.

Osigwe spoke on Thursday during Politics HQ, a programme on News Central TV.

The NBA president’s comments came months after Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), announced the construction of quarters for judges in Abuja.

In September, the FCT minister flagged off the construction of 40 houses for judges in Abuja, which sparked a public outrage.

He said 20 of the houses, when completed, would be allocated to judges of the FCT high court, while 10 would be given to the judges of the federal high court and 10 to those of the court of appeal.

Kindly follow Ekwutosblog for verified News and Current Affairs in addition to insightful contents that inform, inspire, educate and entertain you always.

Continue Reading

Trending