Kaduna: Bandits kill 3 out of 26 kidnapped persons in Sabon Tasha, threatening to kill more

Three out of the 26 people kidnapped from Ungwan Bulus in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been executed by terrorists on Monday night, with threats of killing more by12noon Monday, if their demands are not met.

The Chief of Ungwan Bulus, Gideon Haruna Goni confirmed this to newsmen who visited his palace on Tuesday April 19.

He said that the terrorists called the community to inform that they should go and pick corpses of those killed around Dutse Community, along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

He said that the terrorists called that if they don’t pay the N20m before 12pm on Tuesday (April 19, 2022), others would be assassinated.

“They have threatened to kill more, especially women if their demands are not met. 26 were abducted, one was released, three were killed.

“The one that was released was based on health grounds. He has liver problem,” the Chief said.

The Chief while speaking, said that on March 31, the bandits invaded the community around 8pm, shot and killed two people, while 26 were abducted.

“We came together as a community, raised some amount and they called us and told us to pick corpses of victim’s from Dutse.

“I am appealing to them not to kill anyone, we are appealing to the state and federal government as well as religious clerics to come to our rescue so that the killings will stop.

One of those whose family members were kidnapped, said that they have been able to raise N7m, but the terrorists insist on the N20m or they will keep killing the victims.

2023: Afe Babalola calls for polls’ suspension, urges FG to adopt interim government

Legal icon and elder statesman, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN),  has proposed an  interim government  to succeed  the current administration at the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure in 2023.

Babalola, who is the founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUA), Ekiti state, stated this Monday at a media parley in Ado-Ekiti.

He said the interim government should be in office for six months to chart a new course for Nigeria.

The silk also said the 2023 elections should be suspended until Nigeria has “a new-look peoples’ Constitution which should provide for part-time legislators and non-executive president.”

Babalola further said members of the interim government should be drawn from all living former presidents and vice-presidents; some selected ministers and governors and delegates of prominent professional associations.

“The professional associations could be the Nigeria Medical Association, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Academic Staff Union of Universities and Civil Society Organisations,” he added.

The elder statesman noted that such delegates should be elected on zero party basis.

He said it was regrettable that the current 1999 Constitution, foisted on Nigerians by the military was no longer in tune with the realities of the day.

“The same Constitution has made politics become not only very attractive, but the only lucrative business in Nigeria today.

“What this means is that any election that holds under the present scenario will end up producing transactional and recycled leaders, with no ability to turn things around,” he said.

The university proprietor advised that the new Constitution which should be coordinated by the interim government, should spell out rules and regulations on improved qualifications of those contesting elections.

He added that the new Constitution should provide for part-time legislature and not full-time, considering the attendant waste of resources.

“The new Constitution should also provide that there shall be no salary, but sitting allowances only for lawmakers.

“It should provide a true federal system of government, instead of the expensive presidential system of government. I suggest parliamentary system of government, with a unicameral legislature.

“The new Constitution should also provide a body at the local, state and federal levels to screen all aspirants on the sources of their wealth and means of livelihood, criminal record which includes pending suits,” Babalola said.

The legal luminary added that any person that would become the president of Nigeria should not be older than 60 years of age and must have a varsity degree.

(Blueprint)