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Hunger protest: Hoodlums vandalise bank, mount armoured tank in Kaduna
Hunger protest: Hoodlums vandalise bank, mount armoured tank in KadunaThe ongoing #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest in Kaduna took a new twist on Monday as protesters regrouped and set fire to a security patrol vehicle belonging to the Kaduna State Vigilance Service in Rigasa, located in the Igabi Local Government Area.
The Zaria office of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency was also razed.
Spokesman for the state police command, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed that hoodlums vandalised a branch of one of the new generation banks at Tudun Wada in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Monday.
He said, “Hoodlums broke into the bank and carted away some valuables and also destroyed some vehicles parked within the bank premises.”
He, however, debunked rumours that “a police armoured personnel carrier was snatched by the violent protesters at Tudun Wada.”
Hassan said, “The driver of the armoured vehicle succeeded in manoeuvring the crowd of protesters who climbed on top of the vehicle since it was carrying live ammunition and couldn’t have used maximum force against the crowd.
He added that “On the same day, protesters vandalised several government properties, including the office of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency on Sokoto Road in the heart of the state. Part of the office was burnt, and furniture and other items were stolen.”
Our correspondent reports that this unexpected escalation has raised concerns about the protests’ direction and the potential involvement of external influences.
This was just as the Kaduna State Security Council, led by Governor Uba Sani, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria metropolitan cities and their environs, effective immediately.
The decision followed a review of the security situation in the state, which revealed that the ongoing protests have been hijacked by criminal elements engaging in looting and destruction of private and public property.
In a statement by the Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, citizens were advised to remain indoors while security forces work to maintain safety and security.
He said the curfew would be reviewed as necessary.
The Kaduna State Government urged citizens to cooperate with the security forces and to report any suspicious activities.
Meanwhile, after a brief period of calm, the protesters, mainly youths and children, reassembled in the city centrechanting “bama so,” meaning, “we don’t want” in Hausa.
They carried no placards stating their demands, only leaves and the Russian national flags.
According to one of the protesters, who wished to remain anonymous, they were angered by President Bola Tinubu’s failure to announce the return of fuel subsidies in his Sunday address to the nation.
Source : The Punch
The Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, says Parliament and government officials are working closely with authorities in the Netherlands following the detention of the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Kwame Ohene Frimpong.
Speaking on the matter on Channel One news yesterday, Mr. Dafeamekpor disclosed that the MP was detained at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on Sunday while travelling on a private trip.
According to him, Mr. Frimpong personally informed him about the incident around 5 a.m. on the day of the arrest.
He said the issue was immediately escalated to parliamentary leadership and other state officials for intervention.
Mr. Dafeamekpor explained that the Majority Leader, who was in transit at Heathrow Airport in London at the time, travelled to Schiphol to engage the detained MP and better understand the situation.
He added that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ghana’s Ambassador to The Hague, the Attorney General, the Speaker of Parliament and the Clerk to Parliament had all been involved in efforts to address the matter.
According to him, a Ghanaian lawyer based in The Hague and qualified to practise there has also been engaged to represent the MP.
“The lawyer is dealing with the issues, but let me confirm that he is fine,” Mr. Dafeamekpor stated.
He noted that Parliament and the legal team were still waiting for official documents, including an authenticated copy of the arrest warrant and other details from Dutch prosecutors handling the matter.
The South Dayi MP therefore urged the media and the public to avoid speculation until all facts surrounding the case are confirmed.
“We want to urge all the media houses not to be throwing in things that have not been confirmed,” he said.
Mr. Dafeamekpor further explained that Parliament’s involvement was partly because the MP was travelling with a diplomatic passport.
He noted that extradition and detention cases involving political figures are not uncommon internationally, citing examples such as former Chilean leader Augusto Pinochet and Julian Assange.
According to him, authorities are hopeful the matter can be resolved for the MP to return to Ghana safely.
He appealed to the MP’s family, colleagues in Parliament and the public to remain calm while diplomatic and legal processes continue.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana Water Ltd has announced temporary water supply interruptions in several parts of western Accra following technical challenges at the Weija Water Treatment Plant.
In a press release issued on May 13, the company explained that the challenges had affected water production and distribution in some communities.
According to the management of the company, residents in areas including Dansoman, Mamprobi, Mataheko, Laterbiokorshie, Korle Bu, La Paz, MacCarthy Hill, Gbawe, Mallam, Tesano, Darkuman, North Kaneshie, Dome, Achimota, Anyaa and Ablekuma may experience low water pressure and erratic water supply.
Management noted that engineers and technical teams were working to fix the problem and restore normal water supply as soon as possible.
The company advised consumers to store water whenever there is flow in their communities in order to manage the temporary disruption.
It urged essential service providers to contact their Assembly Members or the Ghana Water Ltd Call Centre for assistance.
The company apologized to customers affected by the situation and appealed for calm and cooperation while efforts continue to resolve the challenge.
By: Jacob Aggrey
