Immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has attributed his appointment to his father’s love for President Muhammadu Buhari. According to him, his appointment in July 2015 was a prize for the loyalty of his father, Yusuf Buratai to Buhari. Buratai’s father was a non-commissioned officer in the Royal West African Frontier Force and a World War II veteran who fought in Burma. The former COAS expressed the views Sunday night during a gala night organised by the 29th Regular Course Association in Abuja in his honour to celebrate him as the longest-serving COAS and his successful retirement. He…

Olawale Fapohunda, Ekiti state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, has instituted a lawsuit against Adamu Mohammed, inspector-general of police, over the dismissal of a pregnant policewoman. Omolola Olajide, an unmarried female police corporal attached to Iye-Ekiti station, was sacked for getting pregnant. Babatunde Mobayo, the state commissioner of police, had justified Olajide’s sack, saying the policewoman contravened section 127 of the police regulation which recommends punitive measures. Section 127 of the police act and regulations provides that “an unmarried woman police officer who becomes pregnant shall be discharged from the force and shall not be re-enlisted except with the approval…

Wole Soyinka has said the conflict between herders and farmers across the country can degenerate into a civil war. In a chat with BBC Pidgin, the Nobel laureate commended the moves to resolve the situation, adding that there is need to prevent further violence. He criticised government’s handling of the situation and accused some security operatives of taking sides. “My fear is that it could degenerate into violence that ends up in—I hate to use the word—a civil war unless we take action. I’m glad that governors are already dialoguing with groups like Miyetti Allah (cattle breeders).” “I’m also glad…

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Myanmar’s cities on Saturday to denounce this week’s coup and demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi despite a blockade on the internet by the junta. In an upwelling of anger in the country’s largest city, Yangon, protesters chanted, “Military dictator, fail, fail; Democracy, win, win” and held banners reading “Against military dictatorship”. Bystanders offered them food and water. Late in the evening, a rumour of Suu Kyi’s release - quickly denied by her lawyer - triggered noisy street celebrations. Cheering and letting off firecrackers, residents said…