1. 453 new COVID-19 cases recorded by NCDC
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has recorded 453 new COVID-19 cases of Saturday, August 8, bring the total to 46,140.
Six deaths were recorded, just as the 20 states where the new cases were reported from, including the epicentre of the virus, Lagos, reported a drop in cases.
According to the latest report by NCDC, all states reported below the 100 mark.
The states are FCT-75, Lagos-71, Benue-53, Delta-39, Borno-30, Enugu-25, Plateau-24, Osun-20, Abia-19.
Other are Oyo-17, Kaduna-16, Kano-13 Ebonyi-13, Ogun-9, Kwara-7, Ondo-6, Gombe-3, Ekiti-2, Akwa Ibom-1 and Rivers-1.
Till date, Nigeria has recorded a total of 46,140 confirmed cases, 33,044 discharged and 942 deaths.
2. Gunmen kill, cart away bodies in Rivers community
According to the Vanguard, Resident's in Bunu are still pondering in fear over gunmen who stormed the community in Tai Local Government Area, Rivers state, killing yet unspecified number of persons and carting away their bodies to unknown destination.
Youth Leader in Bunu, Justin Wabah, narrated that, “Around 2am Saturday, there were heavy gunshots in our community. Opposite Bunu-Taagu Road by the Songhai, we discovered thick pool of blood on the road side where a motorcycle was burnt.
“The volume of blood suggested some persons may have been killed and the corpses taken away. We searched the surrounding bushes but could not find any body. Some residents ran into the bush without light in that thick darkness in fear, sustaining injuries in the process.
“We have been experiencing much killings here and there and it is not giving us a good face. We need security patrol. Koroma Police Division has no patrol vehicle. We need regular police presence on this our road because this is not the first time we have recorded this very act.”
Rivers state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nnamdi Omoni said he was yet to be briefed of the incident, promising to contact the DPO in the locality to be abreast with details before offering police position.
3. Killings: Police arrest protesters in Southern Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command on Saturday arrested some protesters, who took to the streets of the sate today over what they described as “genocide” in the southern part of the state and the government’s inability to arrest the situation.
The protesters were said to have paralysed activities at the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, located in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
The protesters comprising youths defied security operatives whose presence was said to have been intentional to intimidate them into aborting their demonstrations.
The youths insisted that the federal and state governments must find a lasting solution to the killings in Southern Kaduna.
The protesters clad in dark attires, carried placards with inscriptions such as “Enough is Enough,” “We cannot continue like this,” “Southern Kaduna lives matter,” “Government has failed us,” “Allow us to defend ourselves if you can’t,” “End killings in Southern Kaduna,” among others.
The state PPRO, Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the arrest of some of the protesters, claiming that there was no prior notice of the procession by the protesters.
“Some of them were arrested because they did not inform us about the procession. I cannot tell you how many of them were picked now but I will get back to you later,” Jalige told our correspondent.
4. CNPP Knocks Nigeria Police Force Over Indiscriminate Arrest Of Protesters
The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties has condemned the indiscriminate arrest of protesters in the country, urging all security agencies to stop militarising Nigerian youth.
The CNPP also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call his security chiefs to order and end ceaseless killings in the country.
Reacting to the arrest of several protesters in Kaduna State in a statement issued on Saturday by its Secretary-General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the CNPP said, “Policemen who have been in hiding since the ongoing massacre of citizens in Southern Kaduna have suddenly woken up from slumber to arrest defenceless youths asking them to do their constitutional job of protecting lives.
“Security of lives and property is the only reason a government should primarily exist. If a government cannot protect lives and property as a primary duty as enshrined in Chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution as amended, leaders under such government should hide their faces in shame.
“At a time members of international community are raising red flags to their citizens not to travel to Nigeria, the police and other security agencies are busy arresting frustrated young people who are urging them to protect their lives and that of their parents.
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Nation’s security chiefs to order and save the country from impending violence as these peaceful demonstrators could be forced to become confrontational, leading to a serious threat to law and order.
“Mr President, it’s time to end the incessant killings in Southern Kaduna and other parts of the country and restore the confidence of Nigerians and the international community in the ability of Nigeria to take charge of her internal security.
“Nigerian security agencies should learn to be more civil and stop manhandling and militarisation defenceless young citizens for demanding good governance and responsible leadership. Enough of bloodshed.”
5. Former Nigerian Senator, Buruji Kashamu, Is Dead
Former lawmaker representing Ogun-East Senatorial District and businessman, Buruji Kashamu, is dead.
It was gathered that Kashamu died at the First Cardiology Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos.
He was said to have been on a life support machine for weeks at the hospital after slipping into a coma following Coronavirus complications.
6. Buhari charges new NAF officers to defend Nigeria
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), has charged the newly commissioned Nigerian Air Force officers of Direct Short Service Commission Course 29/2020 to positively deploy the knowledge acquired during their training to defend the territorial integrity and national interests.
The President gave this charge on Saturday during the Passing Out Parade of 114 DSSC officer cadets held at the NAF Base, Kaduna, after six months of military training at the NAF’s Military Training Centre.
The NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola in a statement, said the successful completion of military training of the officer cadets was another laudable step by the current NAF leadership as part of its human capacity building initiatives to meet the nation’s security challenges.
The statement titled, ‘Internal security: President Buhari charges newly commissioned NAF direct short service officers to defend the nation’s territorial integrity, national interests,’ disclosed that the commissioned officers include two medical consultants, 14 medical and veterinary doctors, 20 nurses and 78 other medical specialists.
While congratulating them for withstanding the rigours of the training, the Reviewing Officer/special guest of honour at the POP, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, reminded them that the occasion was just the beginning of yet another challenging but rewarding career as young officers in the NAF.
He further reminded them that the military profession requires absolute discipline, loyalty and hard work, among other virtues.
“Such noble service demands exceptional courage, commitment and patriotism and Nigeria will continue to demand such qualities from you”, he added.
Speaking further, the President stated, “Therefore, as you graduate, I urge you all to positively deploy the training that has been inculcated in you to defend the territorial integrity and national interest of our dear country.”
7. INEC inaugurates election result viewing portal
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday began the use of its dedicated election result viewing portal, known as “The INEC Result Viewing (IReV) for publication results for polling units. Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said IReV would enable Nigerians view polling unit results in real time as voting ends on election day.
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