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BREAKING: Buhari sacks SSS DG, Ita Ekpenyong, appoints replacement

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President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Director General of the State Security Service, Ita Ekpenyong.

In his place, the President appointed Lawal Musa Daura as new head of the agency, which serves as Nigeria’s secret police.

The removal of Mr. Ekpenyong and appointment of his replacement was announced Thursday by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi, via a statement by the Director of Communications in his office, Haruna Imrana.

The former director general later spoke to PREMIUM TIMES, saying he was not sacked but that he resigned at about 10 a.m. Thursday.

That claimed could not be independently verified at this time.

According to the statement by the Head of Service, Mr. Daura, who is returning to the SSS from retirement, was born in Daura, Katsina State, on the August, 5, 1953.

He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1977 – 1980.

He started his carrier in the State Security Service in 1982 and rose to the rank of Director.

He was at one time the Deputy Director, Presidential Communication, Command and Control Centre, at the Presidential Villa Abuja between 2003 and 2007.

He also served as State Director of Security Service at various times in Kano, Sokoto, Edo, Lagos, Osun and Imo States.

He attended various professional courses both home and abroad including the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) Kuru.

The appointment is with immediate effect, the statement said.

The removal of Mr. Ekpenyong, who was appointed DG of the agency on September 8, 2010, has long been expected.

Under him, the SSS became openly partisan, especially in the run-up to the 2015 general elections.

Rather than gathering intelligence necessary to make the country safe, the agency busied itself more with harassing and arresting opposition figures, ransacking firms and offices with ties to the All Progressives Congress and appearing on television to disparage opposition politicians and their party.

On July 25, 2014, operatives of the SSS descended on the corporate headquarters of TNS-RMS, a Lagos-based research agency, holding its staff hostage, ransacking its offices and premises and whisking away three of its personnel.

The company’s offence was that it was, at the time, conducting an opinion poll on the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun state. The SSS struck because it got intelligence that the poll would indicate that Rauf Aregbesola of the APC would win the election. Mr. Aregbesola later won that election.

On November 21, 2014, the agency raided the APC data centre in Lagos, arresting its staffs and accusing the party of “cloning INEC Permanent Voters Card with the intention of hacking into INEC data base, corrupting it and replacing them with their own data”. The SSS is yet to prove that allegation till date.

The SSS also consistently disparaged the APC in the media, accusing the party and its leaders of being behind the deadly Boko Haram insurgency.

And after the Osun election, the agency’s spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, rushed to the media, claiming that some opposition APC politicians offered the Service’s personnel 14 million naira bribe.

The SSS is yet to substantiate that allegation and no one has been charged to court for bribery.

Perhaps due to its brazen partisanship during the Goodluck Jonathan era, President Buhari has related with the agency with suspicion since his assumption of duties at the presidential villa.

Mr Buhari ordered a reorganization of the security arrangement at the presidential villa, an exercise that saw the SSS sidelined, and its operatives removed from key beats and restricted to guarding only the “outer perimeter” of the State House.

Several top officers of the agency had repeatedly pleaded with Mr. Buhari to sack Mr. Ekpenyong rather than continue to humiliate the Service and all its personnel.

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Stop the killing of Christians or you face spiritual battle,prophet Ikuru sends a strong Easter message

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By Collins Nkwocha

The prophetic hall of fame and Ambassador of peace, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry has sent a strong warning to those killing Christians in Nigeria to stop it or face spiritual consequences and battles

Speaking to newsmen today in Lagos about Easter celebration, the prophet of the nation condemned the killing of Christians nationwide ” I want to ask, what do you gain from killings, what is the joy you derive from making people widows and widowers, making children orphans,it’s a pure act of wickedness and cruelty, how will you be killing because you want to draw the attention of the government,if there’s anything, meet the government and dialogue with the government because there’s punishment for those that kills people, because the prison is meant for them, killing should not be encouraged because it’s an evil act”

I want to enunciate that those killing Christians should desist from it because grave doom and calamity awaits them “it’s barbaric, devilish and satanic to shed blood,God is against it, humanity is against it, let’s use the reconciliatory spirit of Easter to foster national unity and togetherness to promote love and peace in our country so that we can remain an indivisible entity ”

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Tinubu for 2027,Atiku is an expired politician,Obi is a joke,Amb.Okoro drops a bombshell

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The Director General of Importers Association of Nigeria Taskforce, IMAN Amb.Chijioke Okoro John has accused the Nigerian Customs service of being responsible for the insecurity that has been ravaging the Nigerian nation.

Speaking to newsmen today during a press briefing alongside with a senior member of the organisation, Chief Ikenna Mbamara in Gbagada,Lagos, the DG reiterated that the customs should be held responsible for the lingering and persistent security threat that has crippled and ravaged the nation “nobody should blame president Tinubu for insecurity, the Nigeria Customs is responsible for it,they mortgaged the peace and happiness of the country, the Nigerian Customs have an organised crime system, they do a lot of dubious and shady deals and nobody watches over them ,we must be truthful and tackle the problem of insecurity from the root, it’s the customs that allowed several arms and ammunitions to enter the country and they pretend not to be aware, without the customs allowing arms to infiltrate the country, there will be no insecurity, Nigeria is in this terrible situation because of the customs,I can tell you confidently that the customs are not remitting half of what they are generating to the government, that was why they fought me openly and tried to use the judge against my organisation but the truth prevailed at last”

He advised the president to reform the customs in order to have a genuine and sincere fight against insecurity “the major solution to the insecurity in Nigeria is customs reform,I can tell you emphatically,if not that,any fight against insecurity will never be meaningful or fruitful,if the customs decide to work effectively, insecurity will reduce drastically ,the most corrupt institution in Nigeria is the customs”

Amb.Okoro enunciated that president Tinubu is a political genius and insisted that he claimed power despite the fact that Buhari never wanted him to become the president “I am for Tinubu,I have always supported him and I’m still supporting him ,all those plotting to oust Tinubu are joking,the coalition they are forming in order to dislodge him will be a futile one,Atiku should forget about ruling Nigeria because he’s an expired politician,Atiku’s political glory expired immediately former President Obasanjo secured his second term.,we the members of IMAN have given our unmitigated support towards Tinubu’s 2027 ambition ”

Amb.Okoro commended the DSS for doing a good job in Nigeria,he also applauded Rear Admiral John Okeke for doing a good job ,reducing bunkering activities by 80% in the Niger Delta region.

In conclusion,Chief Ikenna Mbamara advised Nigerians to give Tinubu the needed support in order to end insecurity in the country reiterating that the president inherited the problem of insecurity and he’s doing everything possible to quell the scourge

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Prince Amb. (Dr.) Adedipe Dauda Ewenla Emerges PDP Southwest Ex-Officio, Appreciates Stakeholders, Supporters

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Following his recent election as the Southwest Ex-Officio of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Ambassador (Dr.) Adedipe Dauda Ewenla has extended a heartfelt message of appreciation and goodwill to key stakeholders, leaders, and supporters of the party across Lagos State and the Southwest region.

In a public statement released shortly after his election on April 16, 2025, Prince Ewenla, a proud son of the Baaki Adedipe Royal Family of Lagos, expressed profound gratitude to all party leaders and faithfuls who contributed to his emergence as a key figure within the PDP’s Southwest leadership structure.

“I extend special appreciation and greetings to the leadership and executives of the Lagos State PDP,” he said, singling out notable party elders including Chief Olabode Ibikunle George, the Atona Oodua, and Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu for their unwavering support and leadership.

He further acknowledged the roles played by Lagos State PDP Chairman, Dr. Phillips Aivoji, and Chair of Chair, Mr. Adegboyega Adegbesan, in fostering unity and organization among party executives and local government leaders.

Turning his attention to the women of the party, Prince Ewenla gave special praise to respected party matriarchs such as Chief Mrs. Aduke Maina, State Woman Leader Alhaja Idowu Akinsanya, and Chief Mrs. Yeye Oge Alhaja Mojisola Kariola Balogun, stating, “When it is time to celebrate your children, none of you will be left out.”

He also lauded the contributions of Lagos PDP Youth Leader Agboola Akinpelu and Olabinjo Ibrahim (BJ), extending warm regards to all youth leaders and members across the state.

A native of Alimosho, Prince Ewenla paid tribute to his political roots by appreciating the Alimosho PDP leadership, especially Hon. Shodiya Isiaka and Elder Council Chairman Hon. Alani Ige, for their financial, moral, and physical support.

He also recognized personal allies and team members, including Evangelist Shodiya Adebayo, Ologundudu Rotimi, Omisope Adewale (Champion), Hon. Femi Awodeji Smart, and other close supporters and staff of Adedas.

In closing, Prince Ewenla extended special thanks to two prominent Southwest PDP leaders—His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State—for their confidence in his leadership.

“Your leadership, vision, and steadfast commitment to the unity and progress of the PDP have been the foundation upon which our successes are built,” he stated. “Thank you for this great honor. I will serve with dedication, humility, and integrity.”

With renewed commitment to the growth of the PDP in the Southwest and across Nigeria, Prince Ewenla concluded by wishing continued unity and progress for the party and all its stakeholder.

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