The Federal Government on Thursday alerted Nigerians to some wrong videos in circulation purportedly depicting the plights of some Nigerians who are said to be victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

It cited three of such videos which it said are footage of different incidents which do not involve Nigerians.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this at a press conference in Abuja.

Mohammed urged those circulating the wrong videos to desist from such since such acts were capable of causing more havoc.

He also urged opinion leaders and celebrities to watch their words.

He also urged Nigerians who he said were justifiably angry to stop carrying out reprisal attacks.

The minister also assured all Nigerians and foreigners that the government has put in place proper security measures to ensure the safety of lives and property in the country.

He assured all stakeholders that all those who looted properties under the guise of protests would be arrested and prosecuted.

Nigeria rapper and actor, Ikechukwu Onunaku, known as Ikechukwu, has alleged that he was attacked by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad on Wednesday night, at the Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos State.

The ace rapper said the SARS operatives pulled him out of the Uber he was in, bundled him into their Hilux van and drove him to Lagos Island.

Ikechukwu took to his Instagram page to narrate his ordeal, he wrote that he was assaulted and forced to empty his ATM account even though one of them recognised him as a popular personality.

The rapper further said the SARS operatives said they would implicate him If he dared proved stubborn.

“I was kidnapped by SARS last night. Two mins away from my house, taken to Lagos island and made to exhaust my atm allowance or I would be killed and no one would know”, Ikechukwu wrote.

The rapper further wrote that, Not by armed robbers. But when u are robbed and they are armed fully, 5 ak-47’s. Blows to the head and bundled into a vehicle. Isn’t it the same thing. And then after u will now tell me our govt is working. Things are in place. Bla Bla. Let me tell u now straight up. I don’t care who u are if u are rolling solo in this town and sars get u. Day or night. If they get ur phone. It’s over for u. They don’t have names or numbers on their uniforms.

They literally said to me ” na u burn this our Hilux here yesterday abii”. Acting like they didn’t know who I was and were gonna rope me in anything they felt or do with me what they would. After collecting all the money in Lagos island they start laughing telling me I’m too stubborn that when will I introduce them to don jazzy.

Oh, so u know me. One even bragged about working a lot with wazobiafm. Thanx for that info at least now I have a point to start my own investigation. I could’ve been shot and left in the dark space on that dark road. No id no phone. Who would id me? Who would be looking for me for days? Afterall my people saw me enter uber heading home. On the island. Shey, I’m safe. Good morning. It’s a good day to be alive.

I don’t even know what hashtag to put sef. It’s ok. I recorded a video initially from when I got home last night but it was too long and it made me cry again. So I just said lemme just yan straight no need for in the moment. Just the facts. We are not safe. End of story. Know as u dey take move.
Shout out to @@chris_yaks who was with me thru the whole ordeal. I hope to say u dey alright.

The leadership of Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and its MTN Branch are calling on the governments of Nigeria and South Africa to genuinely explore all diplomatic measures to end the violence against Nigerians in South Africa and reprisal in Nigeria

The association in a statement issued on Thursday described the violence in both countries as unfortunate and disturbing and should be nipped in the bud before it destroys the age-long diplomatic relations between both countries.

The statement signed by the PTECSSAN General Secretary, Okonu Abdullahi, and PTECSSAN MTN Branch, Elisha Adamu, urged the presidency to take punitive action against the organisers and perpetrators of these attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in the country.

According to the labour leaders, the right of Africans to live peacefully as law-abiding residents in any country on the continent must be respected.

They reminded the South Africans government of the immense contributions of the Nigerian Government and its people to the anti-apartheid struggle for the country’s liberation when over $10.5m was donated to the South Africa Relief Fund by Nigerian workers and students.

PTECSSAN also condemned the reprisal attacks on MTN Nigeria and other South African business interests in Nigeria.

The association said, “We understand the pain and frustration of our people because of xenophobia going on in South Africa but we must not as a people succumb to the temptation of reprisal as this will be tantamount to stooping so low to the level of the South Africans. We must know that any reprisal is uncivilised and will be counterproductive, hence, condemnable.

The labour leaders enlightened Nigerians that majority of members of Board of Directors of MTN Nigeria and other South Africa business interests in Nigeria were Nigerians who had contributed immensely and still contributing to the growth of the country.

The statement added, “Workers in MTN Nigeria and other businesses of South Africa origin are Nigerians, not South Africans. Therefore, those involved in the reprisal must have a rethink and refrain from further attack in the interest of our economy and wellbeing.

“It is irrational for Nigerians to attack Nigerians, their means and places of livelihood. Nigeria is currently battling with a high rate of unemployment and any act capable of worsening the surly and pitiable situation must be condemned, discouraged and resisted by all and sundry.”

The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brig-General Shauibu Ibrahim, has warned corps members against indulging in armed robbery, cybercrimes or any other crimes during their service year.

Ibrahim stated this while addressing corps members during his unannounced visit to the NYSC  permanent orientation camp, at Dankingeri, Kebbi state.

The DG said, “I want to advise you because at all the camps I have visited, I have become pastor and imam. Shun social vices, cultism, cyber crimes, 419, robbery. Please don’t indulge in it.

“A corps member was shot last week for robbery. What did he steal? Handset. It is not good (or) pleasant news at all. You can imagine the embarrassment he has caused to himself, his parents and the scheme.

“Please don’t indulge in any form of crime. Once NYSC completed its investigation, NYSC will just hand over such corp member to the security agency for their own investigation.

“And we will call your parents that their son or daughter was caught in robbery or cybercrimes. Let us not indulge in these,” he advised.

The DG also warned the corps members against unauthorized journey, which he said has contributed to majorities of fatal accidents that had left many incapacitated, stressing that they must desist from such trips to avert untimely death.

Bandits have reportedly ambushed and killed a Catholic priest at Kufai Amadu in Takum Local Government Area of  Taraba State, setting him and his vehicle ablaze.

The cleric was said to be on his way to Takum for a peace meeting with his fellow clergymen on how to resolve the lingering Tiv, Jukun crisis when he was attacked and killed.

According to Channels Television, the chairman of the council, Shiban Tikari, disclosed that after killing him, the attackers set him and his car on fire.

The Reverend Father, David Tanko, was attacked by Tiv militias, Tiraki alleged. He is from the Wukari Local Government Area of the state.

The police are yet to respond to several calls and text messages sent to the Spokesperson, David Misal, according to the report.

Four persons were on Wednesday feared killed and three others injured after suspected cultists resumed hostilities at Oworonshoki, a Lagos suburb.

It was gathered that the fight, which was between Aiye and Eiye cults, started around 6:30am at L&K bus stop and later spread to Olopomeji and Akinjuomo streets.

The cultists were said to have stormed the areas armed with cutlasses, axes and bottles, which they used to attack one another.

But for yesterday’s clash, Oworonshoki, notorious for cult wars, robberies and other violent activities, had been peaceful for some time.

Among those feared killed were Ibrahim alias Iso, Mumuni Abade and Dodo. Three others sustained deep machete injuries.

It was learnt that those killed were mainly members of the Aiye cult, said to have been hacked to death.

When our correspondent visited the area yesterday, there was fear, as traders were seen locking up their shops.

Armed policemen were also sighted at three locations conducting stop and search on vehicles and tricycles.

Police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said the police were only aware of one death.

He said a suspect, Yusuf Adesafe, has been arrested, adding that peace has been restored to the area.

The embattled leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, will soon embark on another medical trip.

Like the botched trip to Delhi, India, the Shiite leader would be accompanied by security operatives, it was learnt yesterday.

A top member of the IMN, who spoke with our correspondent in confidence, said the Department of State Services (DSS) is preventing El-Zakzaky’s family members and close associate from visiting, adding that they have since collected their phones.

El-Zakzaky and wife were taken to the DSS facility in Kaduna on arrival aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight E 9-11 by noon on August 16, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

Following the way their leader and his wife were whisked away by the security operatives, members of the IMN vowed then to resume the suspended protest until their leader and his wife are given proper treatment and freed.

The source said: “You know that El-Zakzaky and his wife were immediately taken to Kaduna facility of the DSS immediately they arrived in the country from their medical trip.

“They collected their phones. Now his people want to visit him, but the security operatives are preventing them from visiting.

“Till now, nobody is allowed to visit him. And immediately he and the wife left for India, the security operatives moved some of his personal properties from his home in Kaduna. I learnt they are planning to take him out for another medical trip. But the day is not made known yet.”

Stand-up comedian and social commentator, Francis Agoda, aka I Go Dye has praised Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and the youths for the peace enjoyed in the state so far.

The comedian who was speaking at the instance of the 28th aniversary of the creation of the state, urged all not to let the crisis that bedevilled the state in the past rear it’s ugly face again.

He noted that militancy, ethnic crisis and kidnapping of expatriates were done of the things that once gave the state a setback.

According to him, “The journey towards the creation of Delta State began with a collective aspiration, which witnessed a bond of diversity, creating Delta State of Nigeria in love and brotherhood. Reflecting on this 28th anniversary, a lot has happened to us as a people. Today, I felicate with all Deltans, urging us to expand our collective goals towards greater capacity, sustaining peace and resourcefulness.

In retrospect, we must continue to promote peace and live together as one, because the years of militancy, ethnic crisis and kidnapping of foreign expatriates led to the departure of many oil companies in Delta State, which created unemployment and loss of social support from the companies because their operational offices were relocated out of Niger Delta region.”

He urged the authorities to open all seaports across the nation, continue to promote peace, as no community can thrive in rancour.

While urging Okowa to expand on the state’s human resorce development, he noted that the latter’s administration has been a fertile ground for continuous development in the state.

The Auchi Magistrate’s Court 1 building in Auchi, headquarters of the Etsako-West Local Government Area of Edo has collapsed following a heavy rainstorm on Wednesday.

A Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the court on Thursday reports that the rainstorm also destroyed property worth several thousands of Naira in other parts of the town.

NAN also reports that judicial activities at the court have now been suspended due to the rainstorm and the subsequent collapse of the building.

The Magistrate Court had been in dilapidated for the past three years as judicial officers find it difficult to carry out their duties at the premises.

Following a public outcry, the state government ordered that the court be merged with Magistrate Court II, located on the Auchi-Okene highway, pending its renovation, but since then, nothing had been done until the building finally caved in.

The court’s Assistant Chief Registrar, Benjamin Iteghie, expressed shock over the incident and appealed to the state government for help.

“The rainstorm has wreaked havoc on our buildings; as you can see, we no longer have a roof over our heads.

“We are appealing to the relevant authorities to come to our aid, as the court is no longer conducive for judicial proceedings and activities,’’ he said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) Ilorin Zonal Office has arrested three legal practitioners for allegedly defrauding a Pastor, Adetunji Adedoyin, of his property valued at about N20 million.

The anti-graft agency named the accused lawyers as Salman Rafiu, Sulyman Abaya and Saka Hammed, while it said that others who are at large are, Olarewaju Aluko and Mr Na’ Allah Suyuti.

In a statement by the EFCC in Ilorin on Wednesday, it said that the petitioner alleged that the suspects fraudulently obtained a court order through false representation and sold his property without his consent or briefing them to defend him in the legal proceedings which they instituted.

“I was informed that I was served summons all through the Court proceedings whereas it was R.A Salman who picked and arranged his colleagues,  Abaya Sulyman and Saka Hammed to stand for me and these lawyers forged my signature on some documents purporting to consent in court to the sale of my hostel”, he said.

Adedoyin also said that “The truth of the matter is, I never set my eyes on these people (lawyers) prior to or during the court proceedings, and neither did I participate directly or indirectly in the proceedings. I also was not aware of the proceedings from the beginning to the end.

“Earlier in 2016, after seeking advice on what to do, I engaged a lawyer, Victor Okojie, in Ilorin to pursue justice for me because all attempts I made failed. Victor Okojie later linked me with the buyer Mr Na’ Allah and the buyer’s lawyer, Ayodele Aluko Olarewaju. The buyer felt my pain and explained that he has expended about N12.5 million for the acquisition of my property. He said he was willing to release it only if I can pay back the money”.

The petitioner further explained that he was able to pay the sum of N4.2million to the buyer’s account in order to recover the stolen property which they released for him as at that time.

“The hostel was taken over again in March 2019 by the alleged buyer Mr Na’ Allah through his lawyer, Aluko Olarewaju on the grounds that I have not paid the outstanding balance”.

The statement also said that the suspects had earlier denied all the allegations against them until when the operatives of the EFCC confronted them with some alleged forged documents which they claimed emanated from the petitioner.

“The principal suspect in the case, Barrister Salman Rafiu, were showed an affidavit prepared by them and purportedly signed by the petitioner”.