A report by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) has described as unacceptable the Nigerian military’s delay in owning up to the killing and injuring of dozens of civilians in its erroneous airstrikes.
The report released yesterday said 39 civilians were killed in the erroneous airstrikes on January 24, 2023, that killed 39 civilians and injured at least 6 others at Kwateri, in Nasarawa State, adding that at least 300 innocent people have been killed in airstrikes targeted at bandits or Boko Haram terrorists in the last seven years.
“Since 2017, over 300 people are reported to have been killed by airstrikes that the Nigerian air force claimed were intended for bandits or members of the Islamist armed group Boko Haram, but instead hit civilians,” the report said.
The report called on the Nigerian military to provide full accountability for their actions and financial compensation and livelihood assistance based on the needs of the victims and their families.
The report further noted that the Nigerian authorities have provided little information and no justice. “The government should ensure an urgent, independent, impartial, and transparent inquiry into the attack that took place in Kwatiri, a small settlement in Nasarawa State.
Tinubu holds first meeting with governors
President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with the state governors at the presidential villa, Abuja.
engagement with all the governors of the 36 states of the country.
The Cable understands that the meeting commenced at about 12:36 pm on Wednesday.
The governors of Zamfara, Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Ogun, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Lagos, Rivers, Osun, Jigawa, Benue, Taraba, Delta, Enugu, Rivers, Oyo, Plateau, Kebbi, Abia, Imo, and Bauchi — are present at the meeting.
The deputy governors of Edo and Niger are representing their states.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), are also in attendance.
DSS denies medical team access to Nnamdi Kanu – Lawyer’s you have been assigned to the group z
Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has said the Department of State Services (DSS) did not allow the medical team to see his client.
Vanguard reported yesterday that Kanu’s medical team arrived at the DSS headquarters in Abuja to give proper care to the IPOB leader.
Hours later, Kanu’s brother alleged that the self-determination group leader was not allowed to see his doctors, as they were asked to leave the medical facility on Tuesday.
Confirming the development, Ejimakor, via a Twitter post, confirmed on Wednesday that Kanu did not receive medical attention from his doctors.
Kogi Guber: PDP Stakeholders, Ex-Exco Members In Kabba/Bunu Defect To APC
Ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State, scores of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of the state, including former Executive members of the opposition party, have continued to join the All Progressives Congress (APC)
Another set of PDP members officially decamped on Monday and were warmly received into the APC by Governor Yahaya Bello at the Banquet Hall of the Governor’s office.
Governor Bello, in his welcome address, emphasised that the APC provides equal opportunities for both old and new members.
While welcoming the decampees, he called on those still in opposition to join the winning team and contribute their quota to his administration’s efforts at enhancing the socio economic well-being of the people of Kogi State.
The governor also announced that the state university in Okunland, initiated under his administration, would enroll its first students before the end of his tenure.
Governor Bello urged the people not only to unite for political participation but also to foster stronger bonds that could attract socio economic development to the state, noting that a politically united Kogi State has a lot to benefit under the current administrations, both at the federal and state levels.
