The Harbingerngr News

AS the stand-off over the Strait of Hormuz continued, following its effective blockade by Iran, the US and the gulf state are trading threats of further destruction of energy and oil infrastructure across the Middle East with US President, Donald Trump, saying Tehran would face possible obliteration of its energy facilities if it failed to reopen the channel within 48 hours  In a swift response, Iran threatened to irreversibly destroy US-linked energy sites across the Middle East if its power plants were targeted. The 48 hours deadline expires today. Trump’s ultimatum came hours after two Iranian missiles struck southern Israeli towns of Arad and Dimona, injuring more than 160 people in the most destructive attack since the war began.  This, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed to retaliate “on all fronts”. Iran had blocked the vital waterway, which carries a fifth of global crude oil trade in peacetime, as its key leverage in the war. The standoff has se...

•Most states back move; others warn of abuse, repression   •North divided; Kaduna, Plateau, Kano, Taraba set pace  •Tinubu can’t create it by fiat — Afenifere  •Lawmakers, governors face crucial test   •We’ll address Nigerians’ concerns — Senate THE push for state police gained fresh momentum at the weekend as rising insecurity across the country forced governors, lawmakers and stakeholders into a defining debate, with most states backing the proposal while others warned of abuse, repression and political misuse. From the North to the South, the fault lines are clear: while many states are already laying structures for decentralised policing, critics insist Nigeria lacked the safeguards to prevent governors from turning such outfits into instruments of control. While governors of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Abba Yusuf of Kano State and those of Zamfara, Taraba, Kebbi, Adamawa, Nasarawa and Kwara states argued that state police...

*Says Electoral reforms urgent, unavoidable AHEAD of the 2027 general elections, Conveners of GoNigeria, yesterday, warned that surveys have shown that less than 50 percent of Nigerians have confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. While it stated that credible electoral reform remains urgent and unavoidable, the group called for the strengthening of public confidence in the electoral process. GoNigeria, in a statement titled ‘Electoral reform and the sanctity of Nigeria’s democratic future’, by its convener, Mr Atedo Peterside and 24 others, noted that electoral reforms, judicial reforms and freedom of speech, among others, are critical for Nigeria’s democracy. The statement reads: “Four pillars are critical for Nigeria’s democracy: electoral reform, judicial reform, freedom of speech, and the security of life and property. These pillars are the practical guardrails required for a democracy that is durable and productive. “Among these pillars, electoral refor...

Rotimi Amaechi (left) and President Bola Tinubu. FORMER Minister of Transportation and presidential aspirant, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has condemned the recent bombing in Maiduguri, Borno State, describing it as a tragic incident and a reflection of the worsening insecurity in the country. Amaechi, in a statement commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the Monday night bombing in the Borno State capital, expressing sympathy with the victims and residents affected by the attack. The former Rivers State governor said Nigerians should not continue to live in fear while grappling with persistent insecurity, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains the fundamental responsibility of government. According to him, the Maiduguri bombing highlights the urgent need for stronger and more decisive measures to address the country’s security challenges. Amaechi said the repeated attacks on communities across the country have continued to raise concerns about...

THE Benue  State government has announced that the state recorded 383 suspected cases of Lassa fever, with 47 confirmed positive cumulatively. It said no death has been recorded in the past 11 days, even as the state continues to monitor and respond to the outbreak. Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche who disclosed these,  yesterday, in Makurdi. According to the commissioner, recent laboratory findings indicate a significant drop in new infections, with only six cases confirmed out of samples tested within the last 11 days. “We have not recorded any mortality in the last 11 days. So far, the cumulative number of suspected cases has increased from 251 to 383, while confirmed cases stand at 47,” Ogwuche said. He further noted that infections among health workers remain at 14, with two fatalities recorded since the outbreak began in the state. Ogwuche also disclosed that 20 patients were currently receiving treatment in isolation centres, with 14 at the B...

THE Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has expressed concern over reports of an incident involving a Federal High Court judge in Abuja and a defence lawyer, insisting that no judge has the power under Nigerian law to order a legal practitioner to kneel in court. In a statement, NBA President, Afam Osigwe, said the association was disturbed by reports that Justice Mohammed Umar allegedly directed a lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, to kneel in the courtroom during proceedings. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, when Abubakar appeared as lead defence counsel for Omoyele Sowore. According to the NBA, the trial judge allegedly issued the directive after the lawyer raised his voice while addressing the court over the suitability of a hearing date.  The judge was also said to have threatened committal proceedings for contempt. The association said it viewed the development with “utmost seriousness,” noting that it had implications for the dignity of the leg...