Like the storyline goes in the popular British historical TV series, Merlin (which explores the life and rule of Britain agelong monarch, King Arthur and his servant/wizard, Merlin), the reappearance of the dreaded vigilante group, Bakassi Boys, maybe the much-needed salvation the people of the South East have been calling out for.
Before the latest developments, the southeastern region of Nigeria has tried to have an effective security apparatus – something that mirrors the Western Nigeria Security Network popularly known as Operation Amotekun.
This has led to the creation of regional security outfits such as the Eastern Security Network (ESN) created by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Ebubeage security outfit championed by the South Eastern governors.
However, the impact of both organizations has not been felt and some could argue that the effort has been counterproductive – to say the least.
This may have led to the reappearance of the disbanded matchet-wielding security group – the Bakassi Boys – whose modus operandi is jungle justice. The latter fact is the reason their return may not go down well with a lot of people as it is a touch-and-go kind of situation.
They have been seen in vans on the streets of Awka, Anambra State, chanting war songs and no one can tell why they have suddenly reappeared or who is behind them at this time.
The police seem to be powerless at the moment, however, although he denied knowledge of the fact, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Ikenga Tochukwu, has said the command is willing to partner with other stakeholders in combating crimes in the state as the spate of insecurity continue to rise unabated.
It would be recalled that the reign of the group in Nigeria started in 1998 as the crime rate in the commercial city of Aba, Abia state reached astronomical heights. With the blessings of the then governor, Ori Uzor Kalu, they achieved success in terms of crime reduction in the city.
They would further gain national popularity when they moved to Anambra State at the behest of the then governor, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, and saw to the capture and killing of the popular occultic prophet, Eddy Nawgu.
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has denounced efforts made by some private individuals and stakeholders to turn over the management of the Eastern security outfit, Ebubeagu, to them.
In a statement released by the secretary-general of the apex-Igbo organization, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said it would be illegal to so as the constitution does not require that they carry out such responsibility. The statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA on Thursday, June 17, 2021, read:
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has rejected the calls from well-meaning Igbos to take over Ebubeagu Southeast Security Outfit, saying that there were no consultative meetings and people’s approval or authorization for the outfit before its formation.
“Southeast governors should be encouraged to sufficiently provide necessary logistics and reinstate the chairman of southeast Governors Security Committee who resigned based on logistics deficiencies in operation.
“Unlike the Amotekun, where the southwest Governors provided adequate facilities and logistics, Ebubeagu was built on emotional ground and sentiments.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo are not saddled with the Constitutional rights of protection of lives and properties in the Southeast, and we are independently funded through communal support of Ndigbo without any governments consent, it will be horrible to compound the responsibility of Ebubeagu on us, Southeast Governors are capable of providing logistics and we are in full support of them.”
Davido pays N2 million per haircut – Singer’s Barber Reveals
Nigerian afrobeats superstar Davido Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, pays as much as N2 million every time he gets a haircut, according to his long-term barber, Kufre Nnah.
Kufre made the revelation in a social media post, in which he shared a picture of himself working on Davido’s hair.
The Barber, who runs his business as Kayz Place, also revealed that he’s been Davido’s Barber since he was 12, when he used to pay only N200 to get a haircut.
Disclosing that Davido now pays him N2 million per haircut, Kufre admired the singer and appreciated him for being a part of his journey over the years.
Kufre’s post, which also had pictures showing Davido’s haircut up close, was captioned:
“I started cutting Davido’s hair when he was just 12 years old, when he used to pay me 200 Naira. Today, he’s paying 2 million for a haircut…what a journey! So proud to have been part of his story from the beginning. Big thanks to you, brothe,r for trusting me all these years. Your success is truly inspiring.”
Recall that earlier this weekend, on Saturday, Davido was out showing up for another long-term associate, his manager Asa Asika, at his traditional wedding where he was on groomsmen duties.
In his heartfelt speech at the ceremony held in Lagos, Davido recounted how he and Asa worked hard together to build their music empire from absolutely nothing.
Davido hailed Asa for being more than just his manager, saying he’s his ‘shield,’ his sanity, and his brother in every battle.
PDP Crisis Worsen as NEC set to decide fate of Rebel Members
Party elder Chief Bode George has warned that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may expel some prominent members at its upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on May 27. In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, George said the NEC was prepared to take decisive action against members who no longer adhere to party rules or its founding principles.
“Those who cannot abide by the rules and regulations of the party, we can throw them out,” he said.
George criticised some party members for placing personal interests above public service.
What is democracy? It’s all about the management of the resources of the land for the benefit of the people. That is not what they have done now,” he lamented.He stressed that the NEC would hold a closed-door session to confront internal issues head-on.
“We should tell ourselves some serious home truths and come back to the position as laid down by the founding fathers of our party,” George said.
Since the 2023 elections, the PDP has been grappling with deep internal divisions.
Instead of consolidating as a viable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party has struggled with disloyalty and factionalism.
A flashpoint in the crisis is the conduct of some high-profile PDP members who have openly backed APC President Bola Tinubu.
Chief among them is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who recently declared his support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, despite remaining in the PDP.
This stance has drawn sharp criticism from the party, with some members accusing the leadership of overlooking blatant acts of disloyalty
Ex-US President Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer
Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, according to a statement released by his personal office on Sunday, May 18.
The 82-year-old was evaluated last week after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms, leading to the discovery of a prostate nodule.
A biopsy confirmed a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), indicating a highly aggressive form of the disease.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” the statement noted.
According to CNN, Biden and his family are reviewing treatment options with his medical team. A source familiar with his schedule confirmed that he is spending the weekend at his home in Wilmington, Delaware.
The announcement comes just days after Biden’s team acknowledged that he had undergone evaluation for a small prostate nodule. Medical experts not involved in his care offered context on the seriousness of the diagnosis.
“Prostate cancer is very common. As we get older, most men are going to have little cancer cells in them,” said Dr Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist and robotic surgeon with Orlando Health.
However, Biden’s Gleason score signals a more severe prognosis.
“A Gleason score of 9 means it’s the most aggressive form of prostate cancer,” explained Dr Benjamin Davies, a professor of urologic oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre.
It remains unclear where the former president is receiving treatment at present. However, efforts to request further details are underway.
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