Author: Chronicle Editor

An ill-famed bandits’ leader identified as Dogo Gide has been killed by a rival bandit group in Zamfara state. Gide was said to be recuperating from gunshot wounds sustained in a fight at Kuya Bana forest of the State. According to a source familiar with the happenings in the area, Dogo Gide had been in his hideout in the forest when he was ambushed and killed by the rival faction. Residents say that Gide’s death is a timely advantage in the war against insurgency in the Northwest. Gide had been known for his brutal attacks on several communities in Zamfara, Niger,…

Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada addressed supporters in the southern city of Kandahar, officials announced Sunday, his first public appearance since taking control of the group in 2016. Akhundzada has been the spiritual chief of the Islamist movement since 2016 but has remained a reclusive figure, even after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. His low profile has fed speculation about his role in the new Taliban government, formed after the group took control of Kabul in mid-August — and even rumours of his death. On Saturday, he visited the Darul Uloom Hakimah madrassa to “speak to his brave soldiers…

Iyorchia Ayu has emerged as the new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the main opposition party concluded its national convention in Abuja on Sunday. Ayu succeeds suspended national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who is in court disputing his removal. A total of 3,600 delegates voted for the new PDP National Working Committee members at the two-day convention with most candidates emerging by consensus. Only the office of the deputy national chairman (South) was put to a vote out of the 21 NWC positions. Taofeek Arapaja defeated former Osun state governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to win the slot.…

Pay TV platform, GOtv, has announced the addition of a brand-new package ‘GOtv Supa’ to its selection of packages. The new package will be available to the African audiences from 1st November 2021. This festive season, the proudly African entertainment provider is reaffirming its commitment to audiences by introducing the package that packs a Supa punch, without putting extra pressure on the purse strings. “With the festive season fast approaching, families need affordable ways to spend time together, we hope the launch of this entertainment-focused package will do exactly that. And bring families together during this special time of year,”…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari “over his failure to probe allegations that over ₦880bn of public funds are missing from 367 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), to ensure the prosecution of those suspected to be responsible, and the recovery of any missing or diverted public funds.” The suit followed the grim allegations contained in part 2 of the 2018 annual audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation that ₦880,894,733,084.811 was spent by 367 MDAs without any appropriation. In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1281/2021 filed last week at the…

Urges media to verify information before reporting The Zamfara State Police Command has dismissed reports by some online media outfit that 20 security operatives were killed by bandits. The police confirmed that three security operatives were killed in the ambush in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara state. “The attention of Zamfara State Police Command has been drawn to misleading report published by Daily Post Online, that “no fewer than 20 operatives of Nigeria Security agencies have been reportedly butchered in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State and bodies set ablaze by the notorious bandits operating in the state”. “The Command…

The Taliban called on the United States and other countries on Saturday to recognise their government in Afghanistan, saying that a failure to do so and the continued freezing of Afghan funds abroad would lead to problems not only for the country but for the world. No country has formally recognised the Taliban government since the insurgents took over the country in August, while billions of dollars in Afghan assets and funds abroad have also been frozen, even as the country faces severe economic and humanitarian crises. “Our message to America is, if unrecognition continues, Afghan problems continue, it is…

A convoy carrying Borno state governor Babagana Zulum came under fire from militants this week, forcing him to cut short a trip to the northern town of Malam Fatori, three military sources said on Saturday. The attack, which raises questions about the governor’s pledge to close displaced persons camps and send those in them back to their villages, took place on Thursday, the sources said. “Troops battled for nearly an hour,” one military source said, adding that all those in the convoy laid on the ground during the fighting. Malam Fatori sits near the border with neighbouring Niger. Repentant terrorists…

Sergio Aguero was taken to hospital for tests after suffering “chest discomfort” as Barcelona drew against Alaves in their first match since the sacking of Ronald Koeman. Aguero went down clutching the top of his chest and received treatment for several minutes before being helped off the pitch just before half-time. Barcelona later said he was admitted to hospital to have a “cardiac exam”. Luis Rioja earned Alaves a point after Memphis Depay’s opening curling effort. Former Manchester City striker Aguero, 33, was taken away in an ambulance and Barca interim boss Sergi Barjuan told La Liga TV: “I can’t…

The Nigerian government has indicated willingness to join membership of the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog in a bid to address the challenges of money laundering and terrorism financing. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN made this known as he virtually participated at the extraordinary ministerial committee meeting of the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). In a statement by Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,…