The Army Pledges to Investigate the "Assault of a Couple" in Abuja.

A viral video that surfaced on Tuesday, depicting several soldiers, including a major general, assaulting a couple in the capital city, has garnered the attention of the Nigerian Army. Eyewitnesses reported that the soldiers confronted the couple for allegedly "unlawfully overtaking" their convoy. The footage captured military personnel striking the man while his wife screamed and protested. The man exclaimed, "How did I bash your car? Oh God!!" as he endured multiple punches, visibly suffering in pain. Blood was observed dripping from his forehead after being slapped by a soldier. Following the assault, the couple claimed that the major general and his aide handcuffed them and forced them into the trunk of a vehicle, from which they were taken to the Gwarimpa police station. Reports indicate that the soldiers instructed police officers to detain the couple indefinitely. In a statement released on Wednesday, army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu announced that Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the acting chief of army staff, has mandated an immediate investigation into the incident. "The Nigerian Army (NA) has been made aware of a viral audio-visual recording circulating on social media, allegedly showing a senior Army officer and two other soldiers involved in a confrontation with a man and woman in the Abuja area," the statement noted. "The details surrounding this incident remain unclear at this time. However, the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered a prompt investigation to clarify the true circumstances of this altercation. "The NA is dedicated to serving and protecting all law-abiding citizens, as outlined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We encourage the public to remain assured that thorough diligence will be exercised to arrive at a logical conclusion regarding this matter."

Tompolo Laments that the Oil Thieves' Barons in Lagos and Abuja Want me Dead.

The proprietor of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Government Ekpemupolo, widely recognized as Tompolo, has asserted that influential oil theft barons in Lagos State and Abuja, the nation's capital, are conspiring for his downfall. Tompolo made this assertion during a recent visit by the national executive of the Nigerian Bar Association, headed by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), to Oporoza, the administrative center of the Gbaramatu Kingdom. He accused powerful individuals from outside the Niger Delta of being the masterminds behind the oil thefts occurring in the region. He noted that his efforts to safeguard the pipelines in the Niger Delta have led to significant opposition from various quarters. In light of this, Tompolo has advocated for enhanced collaboration between the Navy and other security agencies to improve surveillance of the country's crude oil pipelines in the Niger Delta. He remarked, "In the course of this work, we have encountered considerable resistance from individuals in Lagos and Abuja. The situation is such that, following my legal battles, I am unable to travel freely due to the threats posed by key figures involved in this conflict. If I wish to travel to Abuja for a visit, I must be accompanied by security personnel. Even with two or three guards, I find that none of them are supportive of my efforts, and they are now aligning with prominent figures engaged in oil theft."

Gunmen Kill Policemen in Ohafia Community in Another Strike in Abia State

An unidentified group of gunmen has reportedly killed several police officers in the Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. According to sources, the incident occurred around 7:30 AM on Wednesday in the Ugwuaba area of the Asaga community within Ohafia LGA. This latest attack follows a recent incident in which a police inspector was killed and another officer injured during an assault on the convoy of Ginger Onwusibe, a member of the House of Representatives, in Ubakala, located in the Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State. The attack took place on Sunday at approximately 9 PM in the Ubakala community. The police officers, who were assigned to the federal lawmaker, were reportedly traveling when the gunmen ambushed their convoy. Notably, the lawmaker was not present in the vehicle at the time of the assault, during which the assailants, dressed in black and wearing police jackets, obstructed the convoy containing two policemen and a driver in a Toyota Corolla. The gunmen allegedly opened fire on the officers after they identified themselves as police personnel. Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Abia State Command and an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday. She indicated that tactical teams have been deployed to pursue the fleeing suspects. Chinaka emphasized that an investigation into the incident is ongoing and reaffirmed the commitment of the Abia State Police Command to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The House of Representatives is Considering a Second Reading of the Diaspora Voting Scales Reading.

A legislative proposal aimed at amending the constitution to facilitate voting for the diaspora has successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. This bill, co-sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Sodeeq Abdullahi, intends to modify the 2022 Electoral Act to enable Nigerians living abroad to participate in elections. Initially passed for a second reading in July, the bill was subsequently assigned to the Committee on Electoral Matters for additional legislative consideration. Following its successful second reading on Tuesday, the bill has now been directed to the constitution amendment committee for further legislative proceedings.

Osimhen is the Best Striker in the World, According to Galatasaray Manager Buruk.

Galatasaray's team manager, Okan Buruk, has asserted that Victor Osimhen is presently the finest striker in the world. The Nigerian international has displayed remarkable performance since his loan transfer from Napoli to the Turkish Super Lig champions in September. At 25 years of age, Osimhen has netted eight goals in nine matches for the Yellow and Reds. In contrast, Erling Haaland has scored 15 goals in 16 appearances for Manchester City. Nevertheless, Buruk contends that Osimhen surpasses the Norwegian in terms of current form. “There are not many elite strikers in Europe,” Buruk stated, as reported by the Turkish website, Assist Analiz. “Haaland may be the first name that comes to mind, but given Manchester City's recent losses, I would argue that Osimhen is the best at this moment.”

Shanties and illegal Motor Parks Along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway are Demolished by the Abia Government.

The government of Abia State has commenced the demolition of makeshift structures and the dismantling of unauthorized motor parks along the Abia Tower section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, as well as in the Amachara area of the state capital. Mr. Kingsley Agomoh, the General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), stated during the operation that this initiative reflects the government's dedication to improving the state's environment and maintaining order in public spaces. He noted that the proprietors of the illegal motor parks and shanties had been previously notified and given ample time to dismantle their structures and relocate their operations to the Ohiya Trailer and Bus Terminal. The General Manager further asserted that the government will no longer permit the presence of illegal motor parks or the construction of shanties, which undermine the visual appeal of the state capital. He urged the owners and operators of trailers, buses, and other transport services to move to the Ohiya Trailer and Bus Terminal, which is a more appropriate facility for their activities. He assured the public that this operation is not intended to target specific individuals but is conducted for the overall benefit of the state. Agomoh reiterated that the state is experiencing a significant transformation in its infrastructure, with various projects initiated by the current administration greatly enhancing the physical environment of the state. He encouraged residents to support the government's sincere efforts towards the development of a new Abia.

South Africa's President Takes up the G20's Presidency from Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva.

South Africa has made history by becoming the first African nation to assume the presidency of the G20, a significant coalition of the world's largest economies. During the G20 summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva officially transferred leadership to Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, on Tuesday. In his inaugural address, President Ramaphosa committed to prioritizing the development of Africa and the interests of the Global South throughout his presidency. "We will seize this opportunity to firmly place the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South on the G20 agenda," Ramaphosa stated. He identified three primary areas of focus for South Africa's presidency: fostering inclusive economic growth, tackling food security, and harnessing artificial intelligence and innovation to promote sustainable development. Ramaphosa expressed his determination to pursue enhanced global economic growth while ensuring that no individual is marginalized in the process. Currently, South Africa stands as the sole African member of the G20, which encompasses the world's largest economies. The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union, with Spain holding a permanent guest status. Key member nations include prominent economies such as the United States, China, Germany, and India. As the inaugural African leader of the G20, South Africa seeks to advocate for issues related to industrialization, employment, and the reduction of inequality, while also facilitating discussions on pressing global challenges. "As South Africa, we commit to advancing the G20's efforts towards achieving enhanced global economic growth and sustainable development. We will strive to ensure that no one is left behind," Ramaphosa concluded. On Tuesday, leaders from the world's 20 major economies convened once more, following a lighter agenda after the issuance of a joint declaration the previous night. This document, which calls for a global agreement to address hunger, increased aid for Gaza, and the cessation of the war in Ukraine, was characterized by broad statements rather than specific actions. The collective statement received support from the group members; however, it did not achieve total consensus. Additionally, it advocated for the implementation of a future global tax on billionaires and proposed reforms aimed at the potential enlargement of the U.N. Security Council beyond its current five permanent members.