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‘๐—œ ๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฑ 600 ๐—ฏ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐˜๐˜€ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐˜€๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ’, ๐—š๐˜‚๐—บ๐—ถ ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐˜€ ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐—ด๐—ผ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—น๐—ฒ

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Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi, has lashed out at those calling for his arrest over his continued commentary on banditry and national security.

The Islamic cleric has for years positioned himself as an intermediary between the government and bandit groups, a role that has drawn both support and condemnation from the public.

Some of his critics have accused him of shielding bandits and terrorists by asking the government to negotiate with them instead of resorting to full force.

In a statement shared via Facebook on Sunday, the cleric defended his dealings with the gunmen, describing his opponents as โ€œspineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic peopleโ€ who prefer outrage to truth.

Gumi condemned the rising calls for his arrest, insisting that he has committed no crime by engaging with bandits in an attempt to secure peace.

He said the loudest voices demanding that he be picked up by security agencies are driven by bigotry, ignorance and intolerance for differing viewpoints.

โ€œARREST HIM!!! These are the only words some spineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic people can utter,โ€ he wrote, arguing that his critics have chosen to politicise his peace efforts rather than reflect on Nigeriaโ€™s worsening insecurity.

Gumi recalled a major intervention he led in January 2021 in Sabon Garin Yadi forest, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to him, he was escorted by the then Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, who represented the Inspector-General of Police on the mission.

He said the meeting, attended by more than 600 armed bandits and their commanders, was part of a broader peace initiative aimed at persuading criminal elements to surrender their weapons, embrace dialogue and stop attacks on local communities.

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โ€œI was at Sabon Garin Yadi forest, accompanied by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Policeโ€ฆ This meeting was part of a peace initiative where we preached to over 600 bandits and their commanders, who agreed to lay down their arms in exchange for security and basic amenities,โ€ he said.

The cleric insisted that the negotiation was transparent, legitimate and conducted with the approval and knowledge of the authorities.

He stressed that the conditions presented by the bandits, provision of basic amenities, protection from arbitrary arrests and assurances of safety, were never honoured by the government, leading to the collapse of the peace window.

He expressed frustration that instead of interrogating why the authorities failed to implement agreed conditions, some Nigerians prefer to target him personally.

โ€œThe purpose of the meeting was an effort to de-escalate violence by having bandits surrender their weapons and embrace peace.

โ€œThe outcome was that over 600 bandits agreed to lay down their arms. They presented conditions to the governmentโ€ฆ None fulfilledโ€, he said.

Gumi questioned why his mediation efforts, which he said were undertaken in the national interest, should provoke calls for his arrest.

โ€œSo, what is there to arrest for? For calling them to lay arms or amenities for them, or to educate the nation on their side of the story?โ€ he asked.

He further ridiculed what he described as the hypocrisy of his detractors, insisting that free speech remains a constitutional right and that differing opinions must not be criminalised.

โ€œIs free speech no longer part of our constitutional right? Is their call for arrest not also prejudiced and an incitement to more violence?โ€ he queried.

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The cleric urged Nigerians to rise above what he called emotional reactions and consider practical approaches to ending the banditry crisis, warning that hate-driven narratives only worsen insecurity.

According to him, silencing voices that advocate dialogue does nothing to address the deep-rooted socioeconomic and security failures fueling insurgency and rural banditry.

Gumi concluded with a prayer for national unity, describing bigotry and intolerance as major threats to peace.

โ€œMay Allah protect our nation from bigotry, stubborn and complete intolerance of contrary views and opinions,โ€ he wrote.

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Veteran Yoruba broadcaster and comic actor, Timothy Agboola, widely known as Ereke Ni Shop, has died

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Veteran Yoruba broadcaster and comic actor, Timothy Agboola, widely known as Ereke Ni Shop, has died after battling an illness.

It was reports that the entertainer passed away on Wednesday at a private hospital in Lagos after reportedly being sick for a long time.

Agboola built a strong reputation in Yoruba broadcasting and comedy.

Over the years, he became popular for programmes that mixed humour with storytelling while also promoting Yoruba culture and traditions.

Many listeners saw him as someone who loved his heritage and proudly represented Ijesa culture through his work.

Following the announcement of his death, many colleagues, friends and fans began sharing messages of condolence on social media.

One of his associates, Idris Shogbola, was among those who first shared the sad news online while mourning the loss of the veteran broadcaster.

โ€œMay the soul of our boss rest in peace. Pa Timothy Agboola โ€˜Ereke ni Shopโ€™. Baba Oloye Repeteโ€ฆ A broadcaster, actor, comedian. May God Almighty give you eternal rest in peace. Amen. Ereke ni Shop sun re o,โ€ he wrote.

Agboola gained wide attention through his unique storytelling style and lively comedy.

His radio shows often combined humour with social observations about daily life, which made him popular among many Yoruba listeners.

During his long career in the entertainment industry, he worked with several well-known entertainers, including Baba Alajeju.

Some of his comedy performances date back to the 1970s when he was already becoming known for his lively stage presence.

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I Donโ€™t Leave My House Without Going Through Newspapers โ€“ Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that he is always concerned about the welfare of the masses.

He disclosed that he reads about happenings in the country every morning before leaving home.

Tinubu stated this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He said that he was a little bit stubborn at the beginning of his administration.

The president also stated that his administration has opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.

He said, โ€œThereโ€™s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. Itโ€™s an addiction. I read all of you.

โ€œIt might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that wonโ€™t.

โ€œAt the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.โ€

Meanwhile, Tinubu has stated that improving Nigeria is a collective responsibility.

He asserted that the countryโ€™s development cannot be the sole responsibility of the federal government and urged the media to hold states and local governments accountable.

The President stated this on Friday when he hosted media executives and proprietors at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Tinubu cited increased financial autonomy for the lower tiers of government and urged the media to extend the same level of scrutiny they apply to his government to the local and state administrations.

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โ€œWeโ€™ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money. But how they use it is in your hands,โ€ Tinubu said.

โ€œSo donโ€™t bombard me alone; look at the local government too. Yes, we can complain itโ€™s not enough; we can complain we are not where we should be. But we have to manage what we have to sustain today, survive tomorrow, and make progress.

โ€œToday, there is no state that is borrowing to pay the salaries of employees,โ€ he told the gathering.

โ€œYes, we can complain that itโ€™s not enough. We can complain we are not where we should be, but we have to manage what we have to sustain today, survive tomorrow, and make progress,โ€ he added.

The ex-Lagos State governor reiterated his commitment to doing the job with dedication.

โ€œAnd I promise you, the job that I continue to do is dedication, patriotic dedication to improve Nigeria. Itโ€™s all in our hands; itโ€™s a collective responsibility,โ€ he said.

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US Lawmaker, Moore Alleges American University Shooter Met ISIL In Nigeria

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United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has alleged that a shooter who attacked Old Dominion University in Virginia met with members of the extremist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Nigeria before carrying out the incident.

Moore made the allegation on his ๐• account on Saturday, in response to the attack.

It was understands that the attacker, Bailor Jalloh, a former Virginia National Guard member and convicted supporter of ISIS, entered a classroom filled with Reserve Officersโ€™ Training Corps (ROTC) students and opened fire.

According to the FBI, the gunman shouted โ€œAllahu Akbarโ€, Arabic for โ€œGod is greaterโ€, before shooting at students inside Constant Hall.

The classroom quickly descended into chaos as terrified students scrambled for safety.

However, several ROTC students bravely confronted the gunman and ultimately subdued him, preventing what authorities believe could have been a far deadlier massacre.

Reacting to the development, the lawmaker claimed that the suspect was earlier imprisoned but was released before the attack despite alleged ties to the terrorist group.

โ€œThe radical Islamic terrorist who attacked Old Dominion yesterday was let out of prison early despite meeting with ISIL in Nigeria and seeking to aide and abet ISIL in carrying out an attack on our homeland,โ€ Moore said.

The congressman criticised the circumstances surrounding the suspectโ€™s release, describing the development as alarming and unacceptable.

โ€œThis is insane, and it MUST END! Thatโ€™s why Iโ€™m introducing a bill to denaturalize and deport any naturalized citizen who seeks to commit a terrorist attack or aids and abets terrorism against the American people,โ€ he said.

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