Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe on Tuesday offered automatic employment to two sons of late Sheikh Goni Aisami, an Islamic cleric murdered by soldiers in the state.

Mr Buni gave the offer in Damaturu when members of the deceased’s family visited him to express gratitude for his support to them.

He assured that a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the cleric would be conducted.

The governor pledged more support to the family, adding that the employment would cushion the hardship the family may suffer following the demise of the cleric.

The cleric was shot dead by two soldiers on Friday in Jaji-Maji, Karasuwa Local Government Area of the state.

Dungus Abdulkarim, the spokesman of the state police, said the soldiers, who attempted to steal the deceased’s car, were arrested and would be prosecuted.

The minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, says insecurity in the country is exacerbated by fake news and misinformation.

He said this during his speech on Tuesday at a summit organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) titled “Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security”.

The minister said fake news and misinformation endanger the peace, security and development of any nation.

“I want to most sincerely commend the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), of which I am a proud Fellow, for organizing this event: Citizens Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security. As a key stakeholder in the Nigerian project, I see this as NIPR’s contribution to the discourse on national unity, and also a most practical and positive contribution to the pressing challenges of peace and security in our country,” Mohammed said.

“In recent times, in particular, the issues of

peace and security have been on the lips of many Nigerians, against the backdrop of rampaging terrorists, bandits and kidnappers.

“This crisis of insecurity has, unfortunately, been exacerbated by the twin evil of fake news and misinformation.

“I want to use this important platform to commend our gallant men and women in uniform, and to appeal to all our compatriots to continue to support them in their onerous task of keeping our country safe.

“We must also realize that security is the business of everyone, hence the tagline “if you see something, say something.” Terrorists or bandits are not spirits. They are human beings and they reside in our communities. They must all be exposed and crushed for peace to reign.

“Let me cite some recent instances of fake news and misinformation in this regard. On August 10, the Kaduna State Government had to debunk an online report claiming that hundreds of bandits had laid a siege on the Kaduna-Zaria road.

“The widely circulated message even advised travellers not to enter or leave Zaria due to the presence of bandits at Dumbi and Jaji along the Zaria road.

“Imagine the apprehension and disruption of plans that this fake news could have caused. Imagine its impact on the security agencies who are doing everything, including paying the ultimate price, to keep us safe.

“Also, in April 2022, a drone video went viral showing a group of five men wearing red clothes and cooking inside an unknown forest. Those circulating the video claimed that it was somewhere in Nigeria.

“But when BBC did a fact-check on the drone video, it discovered that it was not in Nigeria. The video was circulated just to create panic among the citizens and put the society on edge.

“In June 2022, there were reports of bandits using a helicopter to attack residents in four communities in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna. The Kaduna state government had to debunk the story by clarifying that the chopper was actually an Air Force helicopter dispatched to repel an attack in the area. Again, imagine the panic that would have been triggered by this fake news.

“Finally, I cannot count the number of fake news that has been attributed to Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the favourite ‘whipping boy’ of the relentless authors of fake news and misinformation.

“After the Kuje attack, one of such fake news quoted me as saying: “The bandits never told us they were coming to Kuje. It was a big surprise.

“As silly as this sounds, you will be shocked that some people still believed and shared it on social media.”

A Yobe Islamic Cleric, Shaykh Goni Aisami, was killed by two soldiers on Friday, 19th August, 2022 between Nguru and Jajimaji in Yobe State, according to MAIDAWAAREWA.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for swift justice, describing the killing as brutal, callous and cold-blooded.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday, 22nd August, 2022 by the director of the Islamic human rights organisation, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The full statement reads: “The most popular Islamic scholar in Gashua, Yobe State, Shaykh Goni Aisami was killed on Friday, 19th August, 2022 by a soldier who claimed to be on duty and begged for a lift from Nguru to Jajimaji town. On their way, the soldier ordered him to stop the car, shot him three times and dumped his body.

“The soldier called an accomplice who is another soldier for assistance because the car failed to start. But all efforts to restart the car failed until local residents saw the Shaykh’s body and noticed them fiddling with the car. They notified the police immediately.

“While we commend the Yobe Police Command for arresting the suspects, we call for swift justice in this matter. The killing is brutal, callous and cold-blooded. The suspects must be arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction as soon as the police completes its investigations. We warn against any hanky-panky.

“These two soldiers are a disgrace to the Nigerian Army. They are the bad eggs. While our gallant soldiers have been having sleepless nights so that Nigerians can sleep with their two eyes closed, criminal elements among them have been robbing and killing innocent people.

“These two soldiers, Lance Corporal John Gabriel and Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon of 241 Recce Battalion Nguru who have confessed to their crimes are bad examples and the law must take its due course.

“MURIC calls for full investigation into the crime. There may be other accomplices apart from the soldier who came to assist him. We are interested in knowing how a soldier who is not on duty travelled from Nguru to Jajimaji with a rifle.

“Who gave him a ‘pass’ or was he on AWOL (Absence Without Official Leave)? Who released a rifle to him and for what purpose? We may be dealing with a criminal syndicate within the army barracks in Nguru or beyond. This case has offered more questions than answers and Nigerians are waiting for responses particularly from the Nigerian Army.”

Kashim Shettima, vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the party, will replicate the feats he recorded as Lagos governor at the federal level.

Speaking at the general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos, Shettima they would hit the ground running if elected into office in 2023.

The vice-presidential candidate said as governor of Borno state, he facilitated the construction of the best schools in the country.

“Nigerians have the capability to see through the worn-out rhetoric and sophistry of pretentious politicians,” he said.

“Nigerians should follow the man wey know the road. From day one, we will hit the ground running. We’ll promptly address the issue of the economy, ecology, and security.

“And we have the antecedents. I built some of the best schools in Nigeria. Go to Borno and see wonders; you will never believe that it is a state in a state of war.

“So, we are going to replicate our achievements in Lagos, in Borno and some of the frontline states so that our nation will be a better place.

“The fundamental issue is pure leadership.”

Tinubu will be up against Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, and Peter Obi, standard bearer of the Labour Party (LP), at the presidential polls scheduled for February 2023.