Here are the top breaking news as reported by major online platforms in Nigeria.
BREAKING: APC suspends, Abe, Aguma, others
The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State has suspended Sen. Magnus Abe, Hon. Igo Aguma, Barr. Wogu Boms and Livingstone Wechie for anti-party activities.
The party also expired all the members of the party who were yesterday inaugurated as caretaker committee members of the state, local governments and wards in the state by Igo Aguma.
Similarly, the party announced the expulsion of all members of the party who took the party to court despite the moves and interventions of the national leadership of the party.
Speaking, the State Caretaker Committee of the party, Isaac Abbot-Ogbobula, noted that the suspension of Abe, Aguma, Wogu Bom, was based on a communication from the wards and local government of the said person.
Source- Vanguard
COVID-19 second wave: Buhari govt wants to stop Christmas celebrations – Biafra group claims
Biafra Nations League, BNL, has accused the Federal Government of trying to destabilize the Christmas and New Year celebration.
The group said the government wants to achieve this by declaring a second wave of Covid-19.
Princewill Chimezie Richard, National Leader of BNL, described the Presidential Task Force, PTF, declaration of the second wave of COVID-19 as “highest scam of the year 2020”.
The BNL leader also warned Nigerians on using the COVID-19 vaccine.
He dismissed rumour that the death of some prominent Nigerians, especially the Cross River State Police Commissioner and an Army commander in Rivers State was caused by COVID-19.
Source – Daily Post
Atiku mourns murdered Emir’s aides
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, Saturday, expressed sadness over the brutal murder of aides and security details of Emir of Kaura Namoda, Alhaji Sanusi Muhammad Asha by bandits that attacked his convoy on Friday.
Reacting to the attack in which two other persons were also killed, Atiku explained that the rate at which life is becoming cheaper in Nigeria is worrisome.
According to him, the frequency and ease with which bandits now kill for fun stopped lest outlaws take over the affairs of the nation.
In a statement signed by his media adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, Atiku added that a situation where the people are afraid to leave their homes for fear of their lives being terminated by bandits is a cause for anxiety, even as he called on federal government to be more proactive in the war against insurgency.
Source – Vanguard
Again Boko Haram ambush motorists, passengers along Maiduguri-Damaturu road
Suspected members of dreaded Boko Haram sect on Friday evening laid ambush along 125km Maiduguri -Damaturu, which claimed 5 lives with an unspecified number of motorists and passengers abducted, after looting foodstuff and properties.
The incident according to one of the anonymous survivors who was shot in the leg and now receiving treatment at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) said the incident took place at about 5pm on Friday.
“We were coming from Abuja to spend the Christmas with my family, unfortunately in between Jakana- Auno village near Maiduguri, we stormed into Boko Haram ambush who opened fire sporadically at different directions, targeting any vehicle which declined to stop.
“Although, in the commercial vehicle we were using, our driver manoeuvred to escape the scene, but the insurgents opened fire and killed two occupants, while I was lucky only to sustain a fracture in my leg due to stray bullets”. He said.
Vanguard reports that the security situation along Maiduguri-Damaturu road, especially around Auno which is about 10km drive from Maiduguri, Jakana, Mainok and other communities situated along the road is worrisome at this critical time when people travel for the yelutide.
All effort to get confirmation from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Okon proved abortive at press time, but a security source confirmed the incident, insisting that dozens of people were abducted with killing of five persons and injuring many others on Friday near Jakana village.
Source – Vanguard
Kankara schoolboys: Ohanaeze says kidnap, release of students fake, gives reason
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, Worldwide, has described the abduction and release of the 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Kastina State as an award winning drama of the year, 2020.
The Okechukwu Isiguzoro-led Ohanaeze group wondered the rationale and idea behind the drama.
According to the OYC, the display may have been carried out to make the service chiefs appear capable or “resist the idea of sacking them from office.”
OYC, in a statement signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, its President General and Mazi okwu Nnabuike, Secretary General, also said the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau provided the new blankets displayed by the 344 abducted pupils.
“The evidence of (provisions of) new blankets for over 344 pupils of Kankara boys by Boko haram insurgents makes the abduction fake or jankara and organizers of the drama as amateurs.
“Northern leaders have refused to accept their leadership failures in governance, most of their political leaders are behind the insecurity situations in the north and are benefiting immensely from the huge budgetary allocations mapped out for insecurity challenges, the Kankara boys abduction is business as usual for Northern leaders.”
Source – Daily Post
Nigeria to start manufacturing vaccines soon — NAFDAC
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Friday expressed confidence that Nigeria would soon start manufacturing its own vaccines, with the upgrading of existing laboratories across the country.
She disclosed that achieving the ISO 9001 in June 2019 which is the world’s most recognised Quality Management System (QMS) standard places the country in good standing to strive to get to the maturity level three which enables the country manufacture its own vaccines.
Adeyeye noted that the agency is leveraging technology to trace vaccines, especially when the covid-19 vaccines arrive the country. She explained that this will enable it track and trace vaccines received to ensure that they are safe and monitored for adverse reactions on patients.
Speaking during the NAFDAC’s Staff Recognition Award Ceremony for 2019 and 2020, where serving and retired staff were rewarded for excellence and dedication, Prof. Adeyeye said, “NAFDAC is a leading national regulator in Africa. The agency is driven by international standards and best practices.
Source – The Nation