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Northern Youth Assembly Calls for Immediate Release of Minors Charged During Protest

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The Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) has called for the immediate withdrawal of all charges and the unconditional release of minors alleged to have raised foreign flags during an “End Bad Governance” protest in Nigeria. The protest took place from August 1 to 10, 2024, across the country.

In a press release issued which was signed by Dr. Ali Idris Mohammed, President of the Northern Youth Assembly, and Dr. Garba Abdulhafiz, Secretary General.the Assembly, representing the nineteen northern states chapters, expressed their dismay over a viral video showing underage children looking hungry, depressed, and malnourished, arraigned before the high court in Abuja. “It is our adamant belief that the event at the court was nothing but yet an additional damage done on the little integrity left of the Nigerian Judiciary, and the Nigerian criminal administration system, as a whole,” the statement read.

The assembly criticized the continued detention of the minors by federal government authorities, describing it as a blatant disregard for the provisions of Nigerian criminal law, which mandates that all criminal cases must be presented before the courts within 48 hours. “The continued detention of those helpless and poor children by the Federal Government authorities is not only a blatant disregard to the provisions of the laws of the land but also a deliberate scheme to destroy the future of those young people or even jeopardize their lives,” the statement added.

The Northern Youth Assembly highlighted that raising foreign flags during protests is a global practice, indicating citizens’ dissatisfaction with their government. “It is our understanding that this Government has assumed the status of an undemocratic regime which has no regard for the written or extant laws of the land,” the assembly stated.

The assembly also referenced a recent protest led by Yoruba Nation advocate Mr. Sunday Igboho in London, where no arrests were made despite the gravity of the actions. “Except for some minors who raised some foreign flags at the behest of the mastermind and sponsors, none has also been arrested or exposed by the Nigerian security operatives,” the statement noted.

The APC government began the trial of minors arrested in August for participating in the protest against poor governance. The assembly described the sight of malnourished young protesters collapsing in court due to severe hunger and sickness after over 90 days of detention as an affront to the criminal justice system, humanity, and democracy. “It is both unacceptable and deeply disquieting that children, minors, and young Nigerians have been held since August on the allegation that they had sought to destabilize the government,” the statement emphasized.

The Northern Youth Assembly implored President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the withdrawal of all charges and the release of the minors unconditionally. “We wish to implore His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to order the withdrawal of all the charges and the release of those boys unconditionally, to avoid further embarrassment to the Government and to the Nigerian criminal justice system,” the statement concluded.

 

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Stands Firm on Sexual Harassment Lawsuit.

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has reaffirmed her commitment to pursuing her sexual harassment lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, vowing to see the case through to its legal conclusion.

Despite calls from Akpabio’s lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), urging her to withdraw the suit or provide extrajudicial clarification, Akpoti-Uduaghan has insisted that such matters must be resolved within the judicial system. She emphasized that the assessment of evidence belongs to the courts alone and rejected any attempts to circumvent due process.

The senator further accused Akpabio of leveraging media narratives to manipulate public perception while evading institutional accountability. She warned against efforts to litigate the matter outside the courtroom, stressing that legal proceedings should not be undermined by external pressures or public relations tactics.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawsuit has drawn national attention, with legal experts and political observers closely monitoring the unfolding case. As the legal battle continues, she remains resolute in her stance, advocating for due process and institutional integrity in addressing allegations of misconduct.

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Excessive Heat Blamed for Explosion at Giwa Barracks, Army Confirms

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. The Nigerian Army has attributed the explosion at Giwa Barracks to the soaring temperatures in Maiduguri, dismissing speculations of an attack.

In an official statement issued by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations at Headquarters Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI, the army confirmed that the incident involved the explosion of ordnance stored in one of their ammunition facilities. “The explosion was due to the current high temperatures in Maiduguri, which led to the detonation of some munitions,” Kovangiya stated.

Authorities were quick to contain the situation, deploying multiple fire response units to prevent further damage. “The situation has, however, been brought under control with the combined efforts of the Borno State Fire Service Department and fire trucks from various security agencies,” Kovangiya assured the public in his statement.

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In addition to firefighting efforts, troops from Operation HADIN KAI have been mobilized to secure the area and prevent any form of exploitation by miscreants. “Troops have been deployed to protect the public and prevent miscreants from taking advantage of the situation,” Kovangiya emphasized, highlighting the army’s swift response to secure the affected region.

The army has also urged residents of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council to remain calm and disregard any unfounded rumors of an attack. “The general public is therefore urged to please discountenance any speculation of an attack and remain calm,” the statement concluded.

As investigations continue into the incident, authorities are expected to assess the impact of extreme weather conditions on military storage sites to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

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Viral Video Misattributed to ISWAP Sparks Misinformation Concerns

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A video circulating widely on social media has sparked controversy and confusion, as it is being falsely linked to ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) and attributed to a recent comment by Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Nigeria. However, security analyst Zagazola Makama has debunked these claims, clarifying on his verified Facebook page that the footage has no connection to Borno State or Nigeria.

According to Makama, the video in question originates from Burkina Faso and features members of JNIM (Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin), a militant group active in the Sahel region. The misrepresentation of this footage is not only misleading but poses significant risks, as it can fuel unnecessary tension and undermine trust within communities.

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Makama emphasized the importance of verifying information before sharing it online, especially in sensitive matters like security and governance. “It’s unfortunate how quickly misinformation spreads, especially when people don’t take time to verify facts,” he stated.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of misinformation in the digital age. As social media continues to play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion, users are urged to exercise caution and responsibility in consuming and sharing content. False narratives, particularly in matters of national security, can have far-reaching consequences, including heightened anxiety and strained relationships between communities and authorities.

Governor Zulum has not commented on the video, but the clarification from Makama highlights the need for vigilance and critical thinking in the face of viral content. As Nigeria and other nations grapple with security challenges, the spread of unverified information only adds to the complexity of addressing these issues effectively.

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