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JUST IN: APC Governor demolishes multi-million naira edifice belonging to another APC Chieftain

The demolition of Crystal Place Mall in Ilorin the Kwara State capital, owned by former House of Representatives member Moshood Mustapha, has sparked controversy in the State, intensifying tensions between Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Mustapha, despite both being members of the same political party.

The mall was reportedly demolished on Sunday night, with police present to maintain order.

Occupants of the complex claimed they received a three-hour eviction notice from the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS) on Friday, citing alleged violations.

Suleiman Abdulkareem, chairman of KW-GIS, clarified that the land was initially allocated to Mustapha for a commercial car park.

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He stated, “He subsequently constructed a shopping mall, and new findings indicate that this structure significantly violates the government’s land use approval granted on March 22, 2013.”

Abdulkareem emphasised that illegal constructions hinder urban planning, road expansion, and environmental protection, which are vital components of the government’s urban renewal initiative. He added that the site was originally intended as a green space for civil servants, pensioners, and the public to enjoy near the new state secretariat complex.

The agency informed tenants to remove their belongings, asserting that the ongoing urban renewal program serves the public interest.

However, Mustapha, through his media aide Dr. Opeyemi Aregbesola, disputed the allegations, asserting that the approval obtained from the State Bureau of Lands in 2013 was indeed for commercial use.

“The now-demolished Crystal Place was built based on the approved building plan and there was never an encroachment on government setbacks.

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“There is no need to sugar-coat it, this is pure political vendetta. Compulsory acquisition of properties by the government is not new; it can be done for overriding public interest but there are processes that should be followed.

“Evicting a landowner without any consideration for his constitutional rights smacks of political vindictiveness”, he stated.

Tensions between Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and former House of Representatives member Moshood Mustapha have escalated following a dispute over the renovation of the N17.8 billion Kwara Hotel.

The governor recently revoked a contract originally awarded to Mustapha for over N5 billion, citing concerns over Mustapha’s capacity to complete the project. The contract has since been awarded to Craneberge at a revised amount.

Mustapha alleged that the demolition of his mall was a retaliatory action by the government in response to his advice regarding the new contract price.

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Former Senate President and former Kwara governor Bukola Saraki criticized the governor’s actions, calling them petty. Saraki, who holds the title of Waziri of Ilorin, noted that while some might expect him to remain indifferent to the mall’s demolition due to his political ties with Mustapha, this was not the case.

He pointed out that Mustapha had a long history of political service under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and working against the PDP structure since 2018.

Saraki alleged that: “However, it is not my style to take positions on issues from the narrow, parochial perspective. It is my view that one should always look at the big picture, a broad perspective of any issue in reacting to it. It is violence against the people of Kwara State and the economy of the state.

“My decision to speak out against this action that reflects the pettiness of the governor and his government, which is anti-people and against the economic development of the state is irrespective of who is involved.”

Saraki further accused the governor of using the demolition as a tool to “intimidate, suppress, and silence all Kwarans,” asserting that it reflects AbdulRazaq’s response to his declining popularity in the state.

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He questioned, “Why is AbdulRazaq only now discovering issues with the Crystal Mall structure after 64 months in office?”

Additionally, Saraki alleged that the governor’s decision to demolish the mall is a reaction to the recent local government elections, during which voters across various constituencies overwhelmingly rejected his party and its candidates.

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Thirteen-year-old Boy dies after ‘attempting viral Social Media stunt

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Thirteen-year-old Boy dies after ‘attempting viral Social Media stunt

A Southern California family is mourning the loss of their 13-year-old son, Nnamdi Glenn Ohaeri Jr., who they believe died after participating in a dangerous social media challenge similar to a past trend that claimed multiple young lives.

The teen was found unresponsive in his bedroom in Murrieta on the morning of February 3, just a day after spending time with his family watching the Grammy Awards.

When his parents discovered him, his mother immediately began performing CPR while his father, Nnamdi Ohaeri Sr., sought help from a neighbor and called emergency services.

Despite their efforts, the boy was later pronounced dead. While initial signs suggested the possibility of suicide, his parents were unconvinced and began their own investigation. They soon learned that their son may have been influenced by a hazardous social media challenge circulating among his peers.

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The challenge, similar to the infamous “Blackout Challenge,” reportedly dares participants to render themselves unconscious. This trend has been linked to several deaths in recent years, prompting warnings from parents and authorities alike.

However, Ohaeri Jr. had no social media accounts, and his phone was equipped with strict parental controls, leading his parents to believe he learned about the challenge from classmates or friends.

The grieving parents now hope their son’s story will serve as a wake-up call for other families. They urge parents to be vigilant about the content and trends their children may encounter, whether online or through peer interactions.

Ohaeri Sr. reflected on the tragedy, acknowledging that while he had been proactive in discussing topics like drugs with his sons, he hadn’t considered the dangers of social media challenges.

“We don’t talk about not following social media trends or playing social media games,” he said. “And maybe we need to.”

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In the aftermath of their son’s death, the family is left grappling with guilt and unanswered questions. “I’m going through the Rolodex of guilt now, wondering if we checked in enough or if I should have been less strict years ago,” Ohaeri Sr. shared.

The family hopes their heartbreaking experience will encourage other parents to have open conversations with their children about the hidden risks of social media and peer pressure.

Authorities have not yet released an official cause of death, and it remains unclear whether the incident is being investigated as a suicide or an accidental result of the social media challenge. The Murrieta Police Department has not provided further details on the case.

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Several gunmen neutralised as Military personnel hit suspected Bandits in major ambush

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Several people neutralised as Military personnel hit suspected Bandits in major ambush

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) soldiers have killed a number of bandits in Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA), Zamfara State, in a decisive operation that involved targeted airstrikes.

The strike came after a well-planned intelligence operation, according to a report from “Zagazola Makama,” one of the top counter-insurgency publications in the Lake Chad region.

According to sources, the robbers had left Tsafe LGA and were thought to be connected to the notorious bandit boss Ado Aliero.

Their mission was to rustle cattle from nearby communities, a crime they successfully carried out before attempting to escape with the stolen livestock.

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However, their retreat was cut short when they encountered resistance from local security forces. As the bandits moved into a mountainous area, security forces, tracking their movements, set up an ambush. Upon confirming the bandits’ location, the Nigerian Air Force was promptly alerted.

With precision, air assets were deployed to engage the fleeing bandits. Eyewitness accounts confirmed that numerous bandits were neutralized, though the precise death toll remained unverified at the time of the report.

Sources further revealed that at least 23 bandits were killed, with several others suffering injuries. Additionally, a significant number of rustled cattle were recovered by the troops, dealing a severe blow to the criminal operation in the region.

This successful strike underscores the growing effectiveness of coordinated intelligence and military operations in the ongoing fight against banditry and insurgency in northern Nigeria.

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President Tinubu’s Minister takes on Ganduje as fesh crisis rocis APC

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President Tinubu’s Minister takes on Ganduje as fesh crisis rocis APC

The Minister of State for Housing, Yusuf Abdullahi Atta, has cautioned the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Umar Abdullahi Ganduje against any attempts to allow the current Chairman of the APC in Kano to continue in office for a fourth term.

The Minister was quoted to have warned that any attempt to gives the current Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Abbas another chance, would lead to serious crises in the party.

The Minister issued the threats at a caucus meeting in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano, on Saturday.

The Minister said, “we will not take it lightly with anybody trying to return Abdullahi Abbas to office after the expiration of his tenure, because it violates the constitution of the party”.

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“We would not accept the Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas to be imposed on us for the fourth term, this will surely result in us decamping immediately from the party”, he threatened.

“We are saying loud and clear, I swear if Abdullahi Abbas is given another chance all of us will decamp from the party and APC will crash and lose 2027, this is my message to anybody who cares to listen”.

Yusuf Atta alleged that the arrogant and misguided disposition of Abdullahi Abbas as state Chairman is among the many negative tendencies that crippled and made the party to lost power in 2023.

“And up till today, the same person has not changed, therefore we are strongly warning that in any case and anyhow Abdullahi Abbas is given another chance everyone should consider the Party losing 2027.

” We were given good training by our parents and we know who God is, we never dare him but this man doesnt know that, therefore with him as Chairman APC is a foregone party in Kano.”

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Atta said in 2023, APC won the governorship contest with Gawuna and Sule Garo as candidate and deputy but that Anti God remarks of Abdullahi Abbas truncated their victory.

There are reports that the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje is planning on reimposing Abdullahi Abbas to continue as the state chairman of the party for the fourth term.

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