The Gidigba Group, a socio-political interest group, has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Inspector-General of Police to enforce the judgment on local government autonomy in Edo State.

The group made the call in a statement issued by its convener, Solomon Idugboe, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Benin.

This call comes in the wake of the recent suspension of local government chairmen and their vice chairmen by the Edo State House of Assembly.

Idugboe stressed that it was essential to allow the democratically elected chairmen to resume their duties.

He warned that any delay in action by the presidency could lead to chaos in the state.

“The elected council chairmen should be allowed to return to duty,” he said.

The convener also emphasised that a viable and autonomous local government system is crucial for grassroots development.

According to him, the actions of the Edo State government are undermining this principle.

“Since then, many Nigerians have intervened, including the Attorney General of the Federation, who recently warned that governors have no right to interfere in local government affairs.

“However, all interventions have fallen on deaf ears, as thugs, allegedly linked to the state governor, have been seen carrying out illegal impeachments.

“Despite the clear statement from the AGF, the government has resisted implementing the ruling, which has sparked tensions,” he added.

With the president’s support, Idugboe stated, the Inspector-General of Police could provide security to enable the council chairmen to return to duty safely.

He said this would restore the rule of law and ensure the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment. (NAN)

The Federal Government has urged the Katsina State Government to support its new ‘Operation Save Corridor North-West’.

This is with the view to giving the surrendering bandits an opportunity to surrender their arms and release all the kidnapped victims for peace and stability.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Maj.-Gen. Ebikunle Ademola-Ajose, made the call when he visited Gov. Dikko Radda, on Wednesday in Katsina.

He said that apart from the operational assessment visit to the states under him, the Chief of Defence Staff, also directed him to discuss with the state government based on the recent development.

Ademola-Ajose said, “This is because some bandits are saying that they want to negotiate.

“Candidly speaking, we are not in the business of negotiating this deal.

“But when you are trying to solve this wicked and perennial problem, a programme like this is something you look upon.

“The CDS directed me to inform you that the Federal Government has initiated Operation Save Corridor North-West. It is similar to the one initiated in the North-East.”

The GOC added that the CDS had written to the four states on how they can partner in the programme.

Ademola-Ajose is also the Theater Commander of Operation Fansan Yamma, covering Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina States.

According to him, the initiative will give the surrendering bandits an opportunity to surrender their arms, release all the hostages and reintegrate back into the society.

Responding, Radda said that the government had a security meeting and discussed issues related to the peace deal in Batsari Local Government Area.

“The meeting highlighted two things to be done and set up a committee to work on it.

“There should be a stakeholders’ engagement, because we must have the buy-in of the community before we get acceptance in this deal.

“There also must be laid down conditions to be forwarded to them for their acceptability or otherwise,” he said.

According to Radda, without the involvement of the community, it would not be successful, saying, ”this is because it had happened before.

“I have mentioned several times that I may not negotiate with the bandits. I will not beg them to come and negotiate with me.

“But, if they surrender and say they want to negotiate, the state government is willing to listen to them, and provide all the necessary support for their lives and their animals.

“We are willing to do it, but we need to look at all the challenges, and the pros and cons of it

“They are our people, they were born here, including their parents and grandparents, but chose to be criminals.

“If they chose to be good people, we will be willing to accept them,” he declared.(NAN)

Husband allegedly sets his Wife on fire as Governor’s Wife reacts

Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has vowed to ensure the prosecution of the man who allegedly set his wife ablaze in Abagana, Njikoka local government area.

Soludo, the founder of Healthy Living Initiative, told journalists on Thursday in Awka, that she would follow-up closely on the case and ensure that justice was served.

“I saw the viral incident and directed an immediate visit to the scene of the incident.

“I have received details of the incident from the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo and her Health counterpart, Dr Afam Obidike, who visited the scene.

“I will ensure that the case is followed closely until justice is served,” she said.

Recall that the victim, Mrs Chioma Nwaka, a mother of five boys, was seen in a viral video clip on social media on Tuesday, scampering for safety while carrying a third degree burn around her body

According to eyewitnesses, the victim’s husband, Mr Sunday Nwaka, a middle-aged man, poured fuel on her and immediately set her on fire over a misunderstanding.

It was passersby and neighbours who managed to put out the fire, though it had dealt significant burns on the victim.

She was then rushed to a medical facility in Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area, where she was pronounced dead at around 3.a.m on Wednesday.

The suspect has been arrested and would soon be charged.

The governor’s wife, who described the incident as gruesome and evil, lamented the rising cases of domestic violence and abuse in many homes.

She called for serious social reformation, beginning with a systemic approach to fighting drug use and related problems.

“The state government takes issue of domestic violence and abuse as serious crimes, and no one who is found guilty of such offences will walk free.

“However, the state government will find the best approach to take care of the five children of the victim,” she said.(NAN)