​NASU, SSANU meet over indefinite strike Tuesday next week

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU, will meet on Tuesday next week to appraise the outcome of the just-concluded three-day protest and decide whether to declare a total and indefinite strike.

This was part of the decision of the National Joint Action Committee, JAC, meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

In a circular signed by Dr Makolo Hassan and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, President of NASU and SSANU respectively, the branches were directed to take a holistic appraisal of the warning protest and take a final decision as regards embarking on indefinite strike.

The circular read, “The National Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU met today, Thursday, 14th January 2021 to appraise the three (3) day nationwide protest as decided at its meeting held on Friday, 8th January 2021.

“Evaluating the nationwide action, the leadership of JAC commended the courage and commitment of members in effectively prosecuting the protests across the Branches.

“The National JAC further observed the need for members of the Unions (NASU and SSANU) to take ownership of subsequent decisions in respect of the way forward after the nationwide protests.

“To this end, Branch Chairmen of NASU and SSANU are hereby directed to convene joint congresses simultaneously on Tuesday 19th January 2021 to take a resolution on the possible commencement of an indefinite and total national strike in respect of non-implementation of the issues contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed and agreed with the unions by the Federal Government on 20th October 2020.

“The resolution of these congresses are to be forwarded to the National Secretariats of the respective Unions via email, while a meeting of the leadership of the National JAC shall be convened on Thursday, 21st January 2021 to collate and take a decision on the Branch resolutions which shall be communicated to the Branches subsequently.

“Please treat this request with the seriousness it deserves. Yours in the struggle.”

​FG not contemplating another lockdown— COVID-19 Task Force

The Federal Government has dismissed reports that it was planning to, again, lock down the country in the wake of the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Presidential Task Force, PTF, on COVID-19 disclosed this on Thursday, in a statement by Mr. Willie Bassey, the Director, Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The statement read: “The attention of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has been drawn to some misinformation circulating on the social media to the effect that the Federal Government is contemplating another lockdown this weekend.

“The PTF wishes to state categorically that there is no such consideration at any of its meetings nor has any recommendation been made to this effect to the President.

“The PTF frowns at such unpatriotic misinformation which is capable of causing unnecessary panic and anxiety among the populace.

“It urges Nigerians to disregard the misinformation and join hands with the Federal Government to contain the spread of the virus in the country by adhering to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) as recommended by the PTF.”

​Police in Bauchi parade 20 suspects of various criminal activities

The Bauchi State Police Command, on Wednesday, paraded 20 suspects for alleged involvement in various criminal offences in the state.

The State Police Commissioner, Mr Lawan Jimta, while parading the suspects, said that the command would not rest on its oars in ensuring a crime-free state.

“During successful operations by the command, 20 high profiled criminals terrorizing the state were arrested,” Jimta said, explaining that they were arrested for various offences ranging from thuggery, rape, ritual killings, among others.

“The suspects were arrested based on reliable security reports on those notorious for thuggery (Sara-Suka), phone snatching, and indecent acts, including sex parties.

“They terrorized residents of the state, the command raised a team of detectives, led by the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), who immediately embarked on around the clock operation that resulted in the apprehension of the suspects,” he said.

Jimeta said the suspects also conspired among themselves and organised a sex party, in Dass town.

“Exhibits recovered, during the operations, included, one ‘Ranki’, one ‘tsitaka’, one machete, one cutlass, (1) locally made AK-49 rifle, Eight (8) knives, a set of shin guard, One face mask and Three (3) handsets,” he said.

The police commissioner said that a 19-year-old suspected ritualist, Abdulkadir Haladu, was arrested and a bottle containing suspected female genitalia, was recovered in his house.

Also recovered, were: “Three bottles containing native medicine, one carton containing some native dry medicines tied inside polythene bags. One dry animal skin, two Islamic native blackboards, one calabash, one hoe and two locally made disks,” he said.

Jimeta commended all stakeholders for their various contributions towards the success of the command.

“The task has not been an easy one, but in line with our constitutional mandate, the police shall remain fierce, tireless and relentless in committing ourselves towards the safety and security of lives and property,” he said