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IPC kicks as police detain, arraign Wikki Times publisher, reporter

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Haruna Muhammad

PUBLISHER of online newspaper, Wikki Times, Haruna Mohammed, was detained after honouring an invitation by officials of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) of the Bauchi State Police Command on Monday.

He was detained alongside a reporter, Idris Kamal, over a report on the death of a politician in Bauchi State.

The ICIR gathered that after writing their statements at the SCIID, Mohammed was placed in a cell along with Kamal. It was learnt that the journalists were brutalised by other inmates in the cell.

Despite the presence of their lawyers, Mohammed and Kamal were detained for at least 10 hours before they were released.

The Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in charge of the case, Bilyaminu, however, told The ICIR that Mohammed is being investigated for publishing defamatory report concerning a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi.
The IPO denied reports that the journalists were beaten up in detention.

Nigeria And The Opprobrium Over The Origin Or The Originals

“Yes we are investigating the issue. They published something defamatory about the late APC chieftain here in Bauchi. They came in today, we are still trying to investigate the matter, I don’t know what you mean by rough-handled,” he said on Monday.

The ICIR also reached out to Ahmed Wakil, spokesman of the Bauchi State Police Command, on Monday. He promised to look into the matter and effect the immediate release of the journalists.

“I am presently not in the office, but I am heading back now. If this is true I will do everything possible to see that he is released. I will take up the matter,” he said.
Wakil reached out to The ICIR about an hour later saying that Mohammed would be released in a matter of minutes and the journalists regained freedom shortly after. They were, however, asked to return on Tuesday for further interrogation.

Following their return on Tuesday, June 28, the journalists were arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Bauchi where they were charged with criminal conspiracy, defamation of character and cyber stalking.

The court remanded them in custody till Wednesday, June 29.
The case is connected to a report published by Wikki Times on the sudden death of the APC chairman in the Bauchi Local Government Area of the state on May 18.

According to the report, the late APC Chairman, Hussaini Musa Gwaba, received series of threats before his death.

Wikki Times reported that Gwaba was considered as a threat by an APC member of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi, representing Bauchi Federal Constituency.
Abdullahi eventually filed a petition which led to the arrest and detention of the journalists.

Meanwhile, the International Press Centre (IPC) condemned the harassment and detention of the journalists in a statement released on Tuesday.
The IPC expressed concern over the incident and urged the police to desist from being used as objects of oppression.

“Since the petitioner alleged defamation, the Police should have in the first instance advised him to seek legal redress instead of illegally detaining the journalists for 10 hours on Monday, June 27, 2022 and subjecting them to physical and mental harassment in the process”, IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, said in the statement.

He urged the police to ensure the safety of the journalists, adding that the rule of law regarding petitions should also apply with media professionals as with other citizens.

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NUJ Online Chapel Inaugurated In Enugu

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New exceutives

 

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Enugu state Council has inaugurated a new Chapel; Corporate Online Chapel, bringing to Eleven, the number of Chapels in the Council.

Performing the inauguration of the newest chapel which has Comrade Clinton Umeh, Publisher of Journalist101 as the Chairman, on Thursday at the Rt. Hon.(Dr.) Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi NUJ Press Center, Enugu, the Council Chairman, Comrade Sam Udekwe said the election of the Executive members of the chapel in their last Congress, marked the beginning of the Online Chapel.

He urged the Executives “to ensure that the members of the chapel comply with what we believe in as members of this profession’”

Comrade Udekwe further said, “this is a very promising chapel. You have your membership now I want to assure you that more members will come in. You know what it takes to be qualified to be a member and we expect you to take this to heart while admitting new members because It is not open to just anybody . It is not open to all bloggers , that’s why we say it is Corporate Online. It’s for online practitioners that are Journalists.

There are online publishers that are not Journalists. That’s why we want you to make a difference. So, we want you to show the society that there are online practitioners, the ones that are members of NUJ,” he said.

He charged the executives to take care of their members in line with the tenets of the NUJ profession and maintain peace between themselves anf other members including the NUJ.

Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the Online Chapel, Comrade Clinton Umeh thanked the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Chris Isiguzo for their foresight in creating the Online chapel.

He assured that “members of the Chapel will live up to expectations and work in accordance with what the Constitution says.

This Chapel is a new dawn in online practice and will provide a platform for us to unite all that are qualified under one umbrella to ensure professionalism in the discharge of our duties as Journalists.”

He also thanked the chairman of the state council and members of his executive for their guidance and direction to help the chapel see the light of the day.

The newly inaugurated executive members are:
Comrade Clinton Umeh Chairman,
Comrade Jonathan Emmanuel Ikechukwu (First News)— ViceChairman
Comrade Odomero Igbodo (Dome TV)—Secretary
Comrade Christian Nwangene ( Aproko Republic)— Assistant Secretary
Comrade Maureen Ikpeama ( Newsline Global)—Treasurer
Comrade Sebastine Okafor— (Journalist 101) Internal Auditor
Comrade Emmanuel Terwase ( Afriquecast)—Financial Secretary.

The event was witnessed by the Vice Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Regis Anikworji, the Secretary, Comrade Ifeoma Amuta, Comrade and among other members.

Journalist 101

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Defence Headquarters Declares 8 Wanted Over Killing Of Soldiers

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The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has issued a declaration naming 8 individuals wanted in connection with the heinous killing of Late Lt. Col. AH Ali and 16 other troops in Okuama, Delta State, on March 14, 2024.

The announcement was made via the verified Defence Headquarters’ X handle on Thursday.

The wanted persons are identified as:

1. Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono (Amagbem)

2. Prof. Ekpokpo Arthur

3. Andaowei Denis Bakriri

4. Igoli Ebi

5. Akata Malawa David Sinclair Okili

6. Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe

7. Reuben Baru

It could be recalls  that the 17 fallen heroes were laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu honoring their memory.

 

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President Tinubu Attends Burial of Slain Soldiers, Offers Scholarships to Families

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President Bola Ahmad Tinubu paying his respect to Slain Soldiers

 

President Bola Tinubu says the federal government will provide scholarships up to the university level for all the children, including the unborn, of the Nigerian Army personnel killed in action at Okuama community in Delta State.

The President, who announced this at the funeral of the personnel at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, on Wednesday, directed the military authorities to ensure that the benefits of the departed are paid to their families within 90 days.

The President also declared that the federal government would provide a house in any part of the nation to each of the families of the four officers and thirteen soldiers.

At the solemn event attended by some state governors, the military hierarchy, and families of the deceased, the President bestowed posthumous National Honours on the 17 fallen heroes.

Lt Col Ali, Major D.E Obi, Major S.D. Ashafa, and Captain U. Zakari were given the honour of Member of the Order of Niger (MON).

Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporals Abdullahi Ibrahim, Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Private Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Adamu Ibrahim, Hamman Peter, and Ibrahim Adamu were awarded Federal Republic Medals.

“On the 14th day of March, Lt. Colonel A. H. Ali, the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, led three other officers and 13 soldiers to the Okuama Community to mediate in the lingering dispute with Okoloba Community.

“They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.

“They did not go with tanks, machine guns, and other weapons. They were on a mission of peace.

“Before the dastardly attack, Lt. Colonel Ali, as the Chief of Army Staff narrated to me, achieved great operational exploits; fighting terrorists and insurgents in the North East and North West before his deployment to the Niger Delta.

“Ali kept faith with his military calling until the end.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, we honour the sacrifice of Ali and the other gallant patriots who died that day. They will forever be remembered as heroes who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price,” the President said.

Reaffirming government’s commitment to justice, President Tinubu vowed to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to account.

While commending the military for not embarking on a reprisal attack on the community, the President declared: “I want to make it clear, once more, that those who committed this heinous crime will not go unpunished. We will find them, and our departed heroes will get justice.

“The elders and chiefs of Okuama also must help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.

“I wish to commend our Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks on Okuama or its neighbouring communities. We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuama are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them,” the President stated.

President Tinubu, while commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes and the entire Armed Forces, prayed God Almighty to comfort the bereaved.

“It is worth restating the debt of gratitude we owe these valiant soldiers and their families.

“As Commander-In-Chief, I do not take the contributions of members of our Armed Forces for granted. I recognize your valour and bravery. I honour your unflinching commitment to making our country safe from criminals, bandits, kidnappers, and insurrectionists.

“While we continue to grieve for the courageous men we lost that day, let us also, on this solemn occasion, be reminded of the unfinished business of working for peace and harmony in our communities. We must begin to rebuild our communities and make them into places where love, tolerance, and harmony will reign.

‘‘Leaders at all levels, especially community leaders and traditional rulers, must work to strengthen the bonds that unite us. We must end the cycle of violence and bloodletting,” the President said.

President Tinubu urged the Armed Forces not to be discouraged by the death of their fellow compatriots but to honour their memory by rededicating themselves to the service and defence of the nation.

“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have a message for you: Do not let the death of your compatriots discourage you.

‘‘There is no higher honour than the vocation you have chosen to pursue. We cherish you. We cherish your labour of love. We salute your daily sacrifice in protecting your fellow citizens from danger. We acknowledge your sacrifices to defend our nation,” the Commander-in-Chief affirmed.

 

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