Pantami: Your Argument is Pedestrian, Ozekhome tells Presidency Insists minister can be prosecuted PDP accuses APC leaders of supporting terrorism Gombe APC stands in solidarity with minister Moghalu alleges double standard Tobi Soniyi, Chuks Okocha, lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome Communications and Digital alleged terrorist acts before Crimes Commission Act, (APC) and its leaders of Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja (SAN), has faulted and Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami. the enactment of the Terrorsim 2004 (EFCC Act). a conspiratorial silence in and Segun Awofadeji in dismissed as pedestrian, all In a statement he issued (Prevention Amendment) Act This is as the leadership of the face of the worrisome Gombe the arguments put forward Friday night, Ozekhome 2013, he could be prosecuted the Peoples Democratic Party revelation in which Pantami, by the federal government argued that even though under Section 46 of the (PDP) yesterday accused the Abuja-based constitutional in defence of the Minister of Pantami committed the Economic and Financial All Progressives Congress Continued on page 8 IPOB Commander, Six Others Killed in Joint Military, Police Operation…Page 12 Sunday 25 April, 2021 Vol 26. No 9513 www.thisdaylive.com T N400 RU N TH & REASO Imo Boils Again as Hoodlums Attack Uzodimma’s Country Home Three security personnel killed Property worth several millions burnt Amby Uneze in Owerri attacked the country home of the state, leaving three Yesterday’s attack was about and the state headquarters of April 5. That was in addition of Imo State Governor Hope security personnel dead the fourth in the state in the the National Correctional to assaults on other police Unknown hoodlums in the Uzodimma in Omuma, Oru and property worth several last three weeks. The state Centre, both in Owerri, the early hours of Saturday East Local Government Area millions destroyed. police command headquarters state capital, were attacked on Continued on page 5 Students’ Killing: Nigeria is at War, Soyinka Cries Out Seek help, stop improvising with human lives, laureate tells Buhari President mourns, describes killing as a barbaric terror attack It’s shocking, Northern governors lament The already over-stretched sinews of moral restraint have been snapped off the casing of nation being, and nothing is left but the collective wails of impotence. Not for the first time, what many hoped was a Natural Law of Limitations has been contemptuously, defiantly breached – Soyinka Deji Elumoye in Abuja, youth in the country. And has Gboyega Akinsanmi in Lagos called on the administration and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos of President Muhammadu Buhari to seek help, saying Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole the killing of three of the Soyinka has cried out about the endless martyrdom of Continued on page 10 TINUBU GETS HONORARY DOCTORATE ... Dangote, Wale Tinubu, Others L-R: Registrar, Federal University of Agriculture, Mrs Helen Nyitse; a former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of APC,Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and Vice-Chancellor Federal University of Agriculture,Prof. Anande Richard Kimbir, during the conferment of the Donate N1.3bn for ICICE Mosque... Pg 10 Honorary Degree Doctor of Science in Management at Federal University of Agriculture,Makurdi, Benue State...yesterday 2 SUNDAY APRIL 25, 2021 • THISDAY SUNDAY APRIL 25, 2021 • THISDAY 3 4 SUNDAY APRIL 25, 2021 • THISDAY ͺͽ˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER 5 PAGE FIVE Buhari, Northern Govs Sad over Passing of Sardauna's Daughter Deji Elumoye in Abuja on October 31, 1945. She back to Sokoto from Dubai and Governor of Plateau of Emirs of Kano and Bichi, inculcating positive values had 23 grandchildren. Her for burial according to State, Simon Lalong, has Hajiya Maryam Ado Bayero. to the younger generation President Muhammadu mother was the late Aminatu Islamic rites. commissered commiserated They described her and also promoting peaceful Buhari has expressed sadness Abubakar (Gwaggon Kano). Also, the Northern States with the government and as a loving, humble coexistence and tolerance over the death of Aishatu According to the family, Governors Forum, in a people of Kano State over and exemplary mother among people of different Ahmadu Bello, second the deceased will be flown statement by its chairman the demise of the mother that devoted her life to persuasions. daughter of the late Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto. President Buhari, in a reaction to Aisha's demise by his Media Assistant, Garba Shehu said, "the deceased lived a worthy and humble life and was an embodiment of discipline and fine character." According to him, Aishatu, who is the mother of Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Danbaba, "was not only prominent on account of her birth into a powerful family, but also for her own decent character that endeared her to so many people. "At 75, Aishatu lived a fulfilled life of modesty, discipline and decent character, virtues that should be emulated by her surviving children and other women," the President stated. Buhari, however, extended his condolences to the Sokoto State Government, Emirate Council, her son, the Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Danbaba and in-law, Ambassador Shehu Malami, Sarki Sudan. He prayed Allah to forgive the gentle soul of the deceased and reward her noble deeds with paradise. Aishatu, the second daughter of the late Sardauna was till her death, a widow of Ahmad Danbaba, the late Marafan of Sokoto. Aishatu’s father was the first and only premier of northern Nigeria from 1954 to 1966, when he was killed in a military coup. CONVOCATION LECTURE AT THE SEMINARY... Late Hajiya Aishatu, who Ekiti State Governor and Guest Lecturer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (right); and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah; during died on April 23, was born the Convocation lecture “Church, Politics and Future Elections” delivered by Gov Fayemi at the Seminary, in Kafanchan, Kaduna State...weekend IMO BOILS AGAIN AS HOODLUMS ATTACK UZODIMMA'S COUNTRY HOME formations in the state. the sources said. to escape. see from my house, these April 24th, a group of Relations Officer (PPRO), The assailants on It was also gathered that the A reliable source from people are dangerous and I hoodlums, numbering about Orlando Ikeokwu (DSP), Uzodimma’s home set hoodlums set two vehicles, the comunity, who spoke think they came to kill the 15, driving in a motorcade of confirmed the incident. ablaze several property in including a Rolls Royce on condition of anonymity, governor. From the way they three vehicles, accompanied Ikeokwu, however, explained the governor's premises, belonging to the governor, said he saw six persons in were shooting and bombing by a tipper loaded with used that the hoodlums only running into millions of naira, parked inside the compound, critical conditions being everywhere, you will think tyres, stormed the country attempted to raze the including choice vehicles. ablaze. In the cause of the hurriedly moved out of the war has started. We were all home of the governor in governor's house but were According to an eyewitness attack, an official of the governor's residence but could afraid, we thought they will Omuma, Oru East LGA, repelled by the security account, the attackers, who Nigeria Security and Civil not confirm their state. come for us in our buildings, and attempted to burn down operatives deployed to the came in large numbers, Defence Corps (NSCDC), The source said, "These but they never did until they the house. scene. wearing black vests, who dared the assailants, people looked mean, they left." "However, vigilant security Ikeokwu confirmed the overpowered the security was killed instantly. drove in a large convoy Reacting to the incident, the operatives attached to the death of three security personnel on duty. However, Although the fire affected and headed straight to the state government attributed governor’s house successfully operatives, saying, "I sympathisers and villagers only some parts of the governor's house. They threw the assault to the activities of repelled the attack and can confirm the story, were said to have struggled building, the governor’s a bomb, because we heard its detractors. consequently minimised the the hoodlums attacked to extinguish the fire on the neighbours, who rushed to a loud explosion and some Commissioner for damage they had planned the governor’s house by governor’s house before the the scene, were said to have of them went in while some Information and Strategy to unleash. throwing in petrol bomb arrival of the state fire service helped in bringing the fire remained outside. Declan Emelumba, in a "In the cross fire that as a result of which two and other security agents at under control before the "They were shooting heavily statement, insisted that the ensued, a few casualties cars were burnt.” the scene. arrival of fire fighters. as they made their way into attack on the governor's house were recorded. Preliminary The PPRO said the Other sources from the A prompt response by a the building, we saw some of was politically motivated, but investigation suggests that attackers were successfully community told THISDAY combined team of the military, them outside carrying second he commended the security the foiled attack may have repelled. However, one that the gunmen, who were no police, air force, and NSCDC hand tyres, which they used operatives drafted to save the been politically sponsored. unarmed personnel of the fewer than 30, arrived about prevented further damage at in setting the vehicles outside situation. "The government has NSCDC was killed in the 8:30am in three vehicles, the governor’s house. But a ablaze.” Emelumba said, "Gallant directed the relevant process, Ikeokwu said, dressed in black attire and police sergeant, and another Another source, who security operatives this security agencies to expedite adding that the hoodlums, military camouflage.