The Labour Party (LP) has demanded the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, following the expiration of her six-month suspension.
The call was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by LP’s national publicity secretary, Tony Akeni.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March. In a letter dated August 28, she notified the National Assembly of her intention to resume on September 4, which she said marked the end of the suspension.
But in a response dated September 4, the acting clerk of the National Assembly said the suspension remained in force pending the outcome of her appeal before the Court of Appeal.
Reacting, LP said it had been informed of the position of a US diplomat on the face-off between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Kogi senator.
The party noted that the diplomat shared a letter written by Fatoumatta Njai, a Gambian lawmaker and member of the Pan-African Parliament, condemning the Senate’s defiance of a subsisting court order that nullified Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
In the view of the American diplomat, the ‘abuse of the rule of law by the Nigerian senate against a subsisting court judgment which, since July 4, 2025, nullified the suspension of Senator Natasha and implicitly ordered her unhindered return to the senate, is shameful for your country’,” LP quoted.
Njai, in her letter dated September 9, urged the Nigerian Senate to “immediately reinstate” Akpoti-Uduaghan, warning that defiance of court orders undermines democracy in West Africa.
Obasempire reports that the banned Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites, has refuted allegations that they killed two police officers during a confrontation with security forces.
The two officers were brutally slain on Sunday after a violent clash between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command and IMN members.
The command while reacting to the incident, accused the Shi’ite sect of an “unprovoked attack” on its men at Wuse junction by a traffic light.
The command said the group attacked its men with stones, wielding machetes, locally made explosives, and knives.
However, the IMN, while speaking with The Whistler, denied the allegations by the police.
A leader of the IMN group, Abdullahi Musa who led the procession on Sunday in Abuja, told the publication that the police command opened fire on its unarmed” members during a procession, which he described as “religious” observed by Shi’ites across the world.
He insisted that police officers in plain clothes killed their colleagues so they could put the blame on them.
Musa explained that the two-day trek which kicked off on Saturday, was aimed at joining its members around the globe in solidarity against the brutal assassination of Imam Husain (AS), a revolutionary leader who sacrificed his life fighting against injustice, tyranny and oppression.
Musa revealed that contrary to the narratives of the police, its members had duly informed the public, through a statement and the FCT Police Command through a letter, issued by its lawyer before embarking on the procession.
He said, “Before we embarked on this procession, we had issued a statement since Friday, to let the public know that the usual Arbaeen trek is going to take place on Saturday and Sunday, and this statement was published
“The commissioner of police was invited and he was fully aware. Before we came in the morning, they had asked us where we were starting the procession and we told them. We decided to divide ourselves into two. The initial plan was to take off from Banex so that people could converge at the Wuse market bridge.
“Unfortunately, early in the morning on Sunday, the police went and dropped six vans of fully armed policemen at Banex and Berger under the bridge. When we saw this, we decided to change routes, so we would not have issues with them because we know they usually attack us.
“If police came to protect you, would they come with armoured tanks and boxes of ammunition? Will they come to protect you during a procession, is that how they do? because this is not the first time, they always attacked us.
“We decided to go to Wuse Zone 3 junction and then trek to Wuse market, but before we arrived at Wuse market, we heard that they had arrested some of our brothers and sisters.
“We didn’t talk to them, but as we arrived at Wuse market, Wallahi, I swear to God almighty, I was in the front, and we were holding placards and citing in Arabic, ‘Imam Husain, we are with you and we are matching in solidarity’ and carrying flag signifying ‘Ashura’ and these people opened fire, not even tear-gas.
“They opened fire with live ammunition, I was there, and everybody started running. So, I am not aware of all these allegations they are saying that our people killed police. How? Were we armed? We were not armed. We were only carrying placards. Is a placard a weapon? If the people knew that we were armed, they would not face us.”
In a further response to the police report of razing police vehicles, Musa said, “Today we found out that there is a brother who was arrested by Policemen in mufti, looking like Agberos (touts). It is the policemen in mufti that set those vehicles ablaze.
“If there is any officer that was killed, he was killed by his fellow officers in mufti or uniforms. We do not kill anyone, but advocate for a better life for Nigeria.”
Obasempire reports that members of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Bureau, Intelligence Response Team, have neutralized several suspected kidnappers, including ringleader Musa Wada-Magaji, also known as Sabo, in the Mpape vicinity of Abuja.
The elimination of the criminals occurred subsequent to a raid on their hideouts in Mpape by law enforcement officers.
The spokesperson for the Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
FPRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi
He highlighted that Wada, alias Sabo, orchestrated numerous abductions for ransom plaguing areas such as Mpape and Bwari in the FCT; Kagarko in Kaduna; as well as Masaka and Nukun Village in Nasarawa State.
Furthermore, he mentioned that Wada’s demise followed the recent killing of one of his associates, Musa Wada, on February 8, 2024.
Adejobi said: “In the early hours of February 9, 2024, around 2.40 am, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Bureau, Intelligence Response Team, acting on intelligence, successfully attacked, neutralised and eliminated many notorious kidnappers, including the kidnapping kingpin identified as Musa Wada (Sabo) Magaji, in an operation conducted around Mpape, Abuja.
“The team also destroyed the camps of the dreaded kidnappers who have been thorns in the flesh of Abuja residents in recent times.
“The armed bandits engaged the police operatives in a gun battle that lasted for about 30 minutes, which left many of the bandits fatally injured, while one of the police operatives sustained bullet wounds.
“This significant achievement follows closely on the heels of the neutralisation of Abubakar Wada, an associate of Musa Wada, on February 8, 2024, who served as a lead to their hideout.
“Musa Wada, aka Sabo, was the mastermind behind numerous kidnappings for ransom activities plaguing areas including Mpape and Bwari in the FCT; Kagarko in Kaduna; Masaka, and Nukun Village in Nasarawa State.
“His modus operandi involved identifying wealthy targets and mobilizing armed gangs to carry out abductions for ransom.”
The FPRO added: “The successful raid on their hideout, situated in the outskirts of Mpape Hills, was conducted by men of the FIB-IRT through a surprise assault, resulting in the elimination of these notorious criminals.
“Additionally, items recovered from the hideout include mobile phones, multiple SIM cards, charms, and hard drugs, which are crucial pieces of evidence aiding ongoing investigations.
“Efforts are on to recover additional arms and ammunition and other equipment they use for their nefarious operations.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, and will continue to employ proactive measures to dismantle criminal networks and bring perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice, against all odds.”
