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President Buhari Meets With Traditional Leaders Of Nigeria from across the six geo-political zones in the country in Abuja where he expressed his concern about some issues as it affects the Nigeria nation.

The President told the traditional leaders that he was worried about the fact that some workers in some states are been owned salaries for months just as many pensioners have not been collecting their dues for much longer time.

The President told the leaders that the Federal Government has released N760.17 billion in two tranches of the Paris Club loan refund to states for outstanding salaries and pensions but some governors are believed to have spent the cash on other things. This he said was a deviation from what they were specifically advised to do.

He said he was “living with the problems of this country day-by-day and mostly those of the ordinary people”.

“There are Nigerians that haven’t been paid for six months; there are Nigerians that have not been paid their retirement benefits for years.

“I’m appealing to the governors (that was why we voted money; we borrowed money), please make sure anybody under you, pay them because most of them depend on that salary to pay rent, school fees, ’’ he said.

He stressed that the mismanagement of the national revenue over the years was responsible for the economic challenges facing the nation.

Buhari promised to pursue programmes and projects that would better a lot of Nigerians. Nigeria, he said, should use its huge population to advantage.

The President spoke also on security, saying all hands were on deck to secure the country.

On unity, he said: “We know our limitations; we have to continue to strengthen our constitution, to strengthen the resolve of our people to live together, work together.

On agriculture and this year’s planting season, Buhari said: “We are lucky this year than last year and this year the rainy season is good. If it were not good I must confide in you that I was considering which country to run to.

“But God answered the prayers of many Nigerians. The rainy season last year was good and this year, with the report I’m getting, it is good. We thank God for that; otherwise, there would have been a lot of problems in this country.”

Members of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria were led to the meeting by Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar III, who thanked God for bringing the President back in sound health. He urged the President to tighten his belt and take on the mantle of leadership.

He said with a monarch from each of the geopolitical zone assuring Buhari of their support, the President should take their comments as honest and the tonic he needed to work hard for the nation.

He said: “We will continue to preach peace and stability, justice, transparency and accountability and anti-corruption.”

One traditional ruler each from the six geo-political zones spoke at the meeting.

For the Southwest, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwunsi, thanked God for the President’s safe return and for restoring him to good health. Buhari was away in London for medical reasons. He spent 103 days.

He said: “From the Southwest, we thank God for your life and we pledge to support you from our communities because we are closer to our people. We will continue to preach to our people that we should continue to foster peace in our country. We will continue to caution our youths against hate speeches.

“We cannot leave the development of the country all to the government but we have to work hand in hand. We assure you that we will support all your initiatives.”

For the Northwest, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said the traditional rulers identified with Buhari’s commitment to national security.

For the Southsouth, the Jaja of Opobo said: “We express our commitment to your programmes.

“We know there is tension here and there, but as traditional rulers, we don’t eat politics. The economy has to be fixed. Coming from the region that produces the mainstay of the economy, even though the country will soon diversify the economy before we diversify let’s protect the one that we still have.

“We are pleased to work for peace and stability in the region so that we can all see the benefits of the commodity.”

For Northcentral, the Gbom Gwom Jos, Jacob Buba Gyang, also thanked God for bringing the President back to celebrate Sallah with fellow Nigerians.

He said: “The issues of health and security are not issues to play politics with, but issues in which we should put heads together so that the country can progress.

“We commend your efforts on security and agriculture.

“a few days ago, just when we thought peace had returned to the plateau up, it was truncated with the attack on Ancha village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, leading to 20 deaths.”

Gyang praised the President for ordering the security agencies to fish out those responsible for the attacks.

Speaking for the Southeast, South East Traditional Council Chairman Eberechi Dick said: “Our hearts are full of joy that you are back. You shook our hands when you came in and that shows you believe in one Nigeria. We prayed for you and you are back. We prayed for you because your agenda for Nigeria is good.

“As your children, when we cry, it is for you to ask us to stop crying, that you will fix whatever is making us cry like the bad roads.”

Speaking for the Northeast, the Lamido Adamawa said Nigerians were happy to have the President back to the country hale and hearty.

“God brought you back to Nigeria and we are all very happy. We will continue to pray for God to strengthen you more and give you the courage to continue to do more for the country, ” he said.

SCORES of youths were allegedly injured, yesterday, as gunmen suspected to be soldiers, who came in Hilux Pick-up vans, allegedly attacked the Umuahia country home of leader of  Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

One of the persons allegedly wounded by uniformed men at Leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu’s home in Umuahia, yesterday. The IPOB claimed, last night, that five people were killed and about 30 others were injured in the attack.

However, videos of the clash showing clubs and stone-wielding youths, who clashed with the troop, indicated that scores were injured. One of the youths, who was shot on his right thigh was seen battling for life as his colleagues administered first aid. IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, told Vanguard that the attackers wore army and police uniforms and drove into the palace of the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu, who is the father of Nnamdi Kanu and started shooting people. He said in a statement: “We did not clash with anybody or group. The attackers wore Nigerian soldiers and Nigeria Police uniforms and came to kill our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in his compound at Afaraukwu, Umuahia and started shooting sporadically and killed five people and up to 30 other people had bullet wounds. After attacking our people, they drove off. They came in five Hilux vans.” Meanwhile one of the allegedly wounded IPOB members was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where doctors were battling to save his live. A doctor on duty at the emergency unit of the hospital said the IPOB member sustained gunshot injury at “the thigh region.” We neither attacked nor killed anyone — Army However, a statement signed by Major Oyegoke Gbadamosi, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 14 BrigadeNigerian Army said: “The attention of 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, has been drawn to fictitious news going round especially on the social media that troops have invaded the home of Nnamdi Kanu and killed three persons. “This is far from the truth. Rather, it was a group of suspected IPOB militants that blocked the road against troops of 145 Battalion while on show of force along FMC-World Bank Road in Umuahia town, Abia State at about 6.00-6.30pm, today (yesterday). “They insisted that the military vehicles would not pass and started pelting the soldiers with stones and broken bottles to the point of injuring an innocent female passerby and a soldier, Corporal Kolawole Mathew. “The troops fired warning shots in the air and the hoodlums dispersed. No life was lost. “Therefore, the public are kindly enjoined to disregard the rumours going round and the fictitious photographs of purported victims of attack. “Both the soldier and the innocent female passerby have been evacuated to the unit’s Medical Inspection Room and are receiving treatment. “We would like to use this opportunity to warn mischief makers threatening the peace and security of the country through falsehood such as above. Members of the public are please requested to go about their lawful business and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or security.” Ohanaeze, ECA, MASSOB react Contacted on the issue, President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, declined comments until after consulting with the Abia State Chairman of Ohanaeze and other Igbo leaders. Secretary of the Eastern Consultative Assembly, Evangelist Elliot Uko, wondered if the attack was a prelude to the Operation Python Dance 11 that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, has planned to carry out in the South-East. ‘’We (ECA) are warning that if the Army did not fish out the culprits who shot at the residence of Nnamdi Kanu, it will be setting a motion for uncontrollable crisis that will overwhelm the country. ‘’The idea of going to shoot at Nnamdi Kanu’s residence will only deepen the anger and bitterness in the land. This will be idiotic and counter-productive,’’ he said. Reacting to the development, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, said the attack was another attempt by the Chief of Army Staff to intimidate the people with an army of occupation. MASSOB leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, who frowned at the development, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff to order the withdrawal of soldiers from the South East without further delay or be prepared to face legal action for alleged violation of human rights. MASSOB said: ‘’President Buhari should understand that Nigeria as a signatory and member of United Nations and African Nation on human and people’s right which is enshrined in human and people rights charter, should stop violating peoples right in the name of giving security where there is no threat to security. “The operation python dance or Egwu-eke in Biafran land is act of frustration from Nigerian government and the Chief of Army Staff, who has failed to capture the Boko-Haram leader, Shekau on the stipulated date given to him. “General Tukur Buratai has never deemed it fit to launch operation ‘machiji or kunama meaning operation snake bite or scorpion sting respectively against the Hausa/Fulani herdsmen who went about killing people, raping women and young girls, setting people’s houses ablaze; instead, he is coming to Biafra land to launch unnecessary security operation that is needless due to no threat to security. “This All Progressives Congress, APC-led government is full of dictators and human right violators. We cannot run away from our fathers’ land, no amount of military and police deployment will deter us from pursuing our legitimate right for self determination which is Biafra actualization. “It is unfortunate that Chief of Army Staff and his troop have failed to restore peace in North East where Boko-Haram has been in control for many years now. ‘’Nigerian security agents have failed to arrest Alhaji Yerima Shetima of Arewa youths and the sponsors for the quit notice they issued to Ndigbo, yet they are busy hunting for those that are not hunting them or disturbing them in any way.” Police confirm clash The Abia police commissioner, Leye Oyebade, who confirmed the incident, said in a text message that: “I have just spoken to the C.O. [Commanding Officer]. He said a repaired Military armoured vehicle was used to patrol the Umuahia metropolis. I gathered that they were shooting sporadically, which led to the IPOB group wielding daggers, throwing broken bottles at them. “Unfortunately, a police man on guard duties going to work was macheted by the IPOB group, while a soldier and a civilian were equally injured. All are being treated in the Police Clinic for minor injuries sustained. Normalcy has since been restored.” The alleged invasion of Kanu’s home came barely two days after the Army announced a deployment of troops to the region on a special operation it called Operation Python Dance II. Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, who disclosed this, last Friday, at a press conference, hinted also that the exercise, codenamed Python Dance II, would be in five South Eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo. According to the Army boss, who was represented on the occasion by the Chief of Training and Operations, Maj. Gen D.D Ahmadu, the exercise will be conducted in 82 Division area of responsibility of those five states and the exercise is scheduled to take place from September 15 to October 14, 2017. Buratai said the objective of the exercise was to effectively contain the reported cases of kidnapping and other vices prevalent in the South East every Yuletide season. “The need for troops to be exercised, refreshed and imbibe the requisite skills to cope with these emerging security challenges within the 82 Division area of responsibility in aid of civil authority necessitates this exercise, “he added. According to him, emphasis will be placed on raids, cordon and search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points, patrols, humanitarian relief activities such as medical outreach and show of force to curb the rising threat to national security in the South Eastern part of the country.” “Exercise EGWU EKE II has become more expedient due to the mindless assassinations (even in religious places), attacks on security personnel and theft of weapons, kidnappings, armed banditry and violent agitations by secessionist groups, amongst other crimes that have recently bedevilled the region. “It is pertinent to mention that the security, safety and well-being of innocent and law-abiding citizens of the states mentioned above have been adequately factored into the planning of the exercise. Thus, the rights of individuals as enshrined in the constitution would be respected and safeguarded. “Additionally, EGWU EKE II is also conceptualized to transit into real time operations, thereby fulfilling both training and operational objectives of sharpening operational skills of personnel as well as providing an avenue to conduct operations against violent criminals and agitators when called upon. “As precursor to a peaceful ‘ember’ period and yuletide, provision has already been made for the smooth conduct of the exercise. EGWU EKE II will be unique with the establishment of Brigade Headquarters in each of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. “It is noteworthy to mention that EGWU EKE II is set to be another epoch making activity that would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s determination at sustaining its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to aid the civil authority to bring about peace and security in the south eastern part of our dear country in particular, and the entire nation in general,” he said. He, therefore, advised members of the public, especially residents of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states not to panic as their safety and well-being was guaranteed at all times. A similar exercise was conducted  between November 27 and December 27, 2016.

WATCH HAS THE NIGERIAN ARMY TANK ARRIVES THE HOME OF NNAMDI KANU’S FATHER RESIDENCE AND THE SHOOTINGS THAT TOOK PLACE