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Wednesday, 11 September 2024 14:35
Many Feared Dead As Vehicle Crashes Into Anambra Market
Several persons have been feared killed after a speeding vehicle rammed into the Oye-Agu Market, Abagana, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident, it was gathered occurred at about 11:10am on Wednesday, causing several items of the traders spilling on the road.
Eyewitnesses near the scene said the driver of the Toyota Sienna vehicle lost control of its brakes and rammed into the market, crushing some of the roadside traders.
Details of the crash and the actual casualty figure are still sketchy.
However, the incident has caused panic and crowded scenes in the market environs with various rescue efforts ongoing.
Some of the injured victims were being rushed to a nearby hospital.
The President-General of the Abagana Community, Ben Okongwu, who confirmed the incident to journalists further revealed that no fewer than three persons died in the crash, including an under-aged child, while some other persons sustained some degrees of injuries.
However, when contacted, the Spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps in Anambra State, Margaret Onabe, said she was not aware of the incident, promising to make enquiries and get back.
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Wednesday, 11 September 2024 14:24
Police arrest spy policeman who accused Obaseki of embezzlement
The Nigeria Police Force announced on Wednesday the arrest of a Supernumerary Police Officer who urged Edo State residents not to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Àsue Ighodalo.
In a video seen by our correspondent, the spy policeman accused the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, of embezzlement and undermining democracy.
He stated, “This election on 21st September is not just about APC, PDP, and Labour. It’s about the evil acts committed by Godwin Obaseki and Ighodalo against the people of this state. They have fought and betrayed democracy, abandoned the rule of law, stolen our resources, and now is the time for judgement.
“This is the time for the people to tell them that we are the rightful owners of this state. Obaseki and Ighodalo have financially ruined this state, leading us into debt.
“Furthermore, they’ve used our resources to build their personal estates. Today, Obaseki and Ighodalo have used state resources to establish Globus Bank. I recall that during Adams Oshiomhole’s tenure, Ighodalo was asked to chair a state economic team, but he refused because there wasn’t enough money to pay him.
“That’s how he recommended Godwin Obaseki. You can see they are trying to make governance a family affair between two friends. We, the Edo people, will not allow that. Now is the time to bring Obaseki to justice.”
The officer further alleged that Obaseki had avoided consequences due to his immunity as governor, but warned that he would be held accountable after his tenure.
He added, “Obaseki has committed numerous crimes against the Edo people. He has been spared due to the immunity granted by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Soon, his immunity will expire, and the Edo people will hold him accountable. We know they will lose, and Obaseki knows it too.”
In response to the video, Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi condemned the remarks made by the spy policeman in an official statement.
Adejobi clarified that Supernumerary Police Officers are private individuals trained by the Nigeria Police for specific security duties and are not regular police officers.
He explained, “The NPF strongly condemns this act and clarifies that the individual in question is not a regular officer of the Nigeria Police Force but a Supernumerary (Spy) Police Officer employed by a private company.
“Supernumerary Police Officers are private individuals trained by the Nigeria Police for specific security functions, usually within their place of employment. They are not on the NPF payroll and do not swear an oath of allegiance like regular police officers. While they have the right to belong to any political party and freedom of expression, the Police frown upon the use of an official SPY uniform for political activities.”
Adejobi confirmed that the officer had been arrested and was under investigation.
He added, “The individual involved has been arrested for further investigation. We reiterate that his political comments do not reflect the views of the Nigeria Police.
The public is urged to disregard such statements and trust in our continued commitment to professionalism, neutrality, and the rule of law.”
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Wednesday, 11 September 2024 14:23
Only 32 Policemen With 9 Guns Deployed To Secure 200 Villages In Katsina – Governor Radda Laments
The Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda has lamented that his state doesn't have enough police officers to counter insurgency.
According to the governor, only 32 police officers are assigned to patrol a particular Local Government Area (LGA) within the state.
Although the Governor did not specify which LGA he was referring to, Radda noted that it encompasses ten wards and more than 200 villages.
He further indicated that out of the 32 officers, only nine firearms are at their disposal, with just five of those being functional.
Governor Radda disclosed these during a recent interaction with DW Hausa.
He said: “Currently, in Katsina, there is a local government area with 39 policemen and nine guns, and the serviceable guns are five.
“The LGA has 10 political wards, with more than 200 villages. How can a police force with 39 personnel protect them?
“We have come up with an initiative that for any community ready to defend itself, we will give them necessary support and training to engage criminals before the arrival of the security agents.”
Recall that Katsina has faced significant assaults from bandits. Recently, Governor Radda urged the residents to take proactive steps to safeguard themselves from these attacks.
He addressed the community during a town hall meeting held in Daura.
In a widely circulated video, Radda expressed his anger and urged Islamic scholars to educate the populace on the significance of self-defence as outlined in Islamic teachings.
The governor had previously issued a similar appeal in February.
Additionally, his commissioner for Internal Security, Dr. Nasiru Muazu Danmusa, has made a comparable request recently.
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Wednesday, 11 September 2024 14:19
N70,000 Minimum Wage: NYSC Waiting On Nigerian Govt’s Directive
The Management of the National Youth Service Corps has stated that it is waiting for the go-ahead for the implementation of new minimum wage for corpers.
NYSC said the decision on the N70,000 for workers, will be determined by the Federal Government.
The acting Director of the Information and Public Relations unit of the NYSC, Caroline Embu, made this known to our correspondent on Tuesday.
Recall that President Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill of N70,000 into law on July 29, 2024, following weeks of negotiations with the leadership of the organised labour.
Following the approval of the minimum wage, speculations had risen about the new pay for corps members, with some claiming to have received a directive to increase the capacity of their bank accounts to be able to receive above N50,000.
The supposed message read: “Most of the corps members’ accounts opened in the camp cannot take more than N50,000 at once. All corps members are advised to visit their various banks and confirm that their account can take or receive more than N70,000.”
However, the NYSC had released a statement stating that the purported message was “absolutely falsehood.”
“The attention of National Youth Service Corps management has been drawn to misleading information circulating in the media regarding payment of N70,000 minimum wage to corps members and the directive to upgrade their accounts. This is an absolute falsehood which is far from the truth.
“Corps members, parents and members of the public should note that no directive has been received from the relevant sector of government responsible for wages matters. It is, therefore, impossible for the NYSC to issue any information on such,” a statement, signed by the former Director Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, read.
However, asked on Tuesday if the scheme was currently negotiating a new pay for corps members, the acting spokesperson reiterated that the review of the allowance was in the hands of the Federal Government, and not the NYSC, noting that there was currently no change in corps members’ allowances.
“I don’t know how much the Federal Government will pay the corps members, I cannot tell you that for sure right now, because it is a decision of the Federal Government, not the NYSC. The only thing I can tell you now is that when the Federal Government increases the minimum wage, the corps members are expected to enjoy an increase in their allowance too, just like the DG said,” she said.
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Wednesday, 11 September 2024 14:17
Abure Transferred Campaign Money To Wife, Brother, Staff’s Accounts – LP Former National Treasurer, Oluchi Opara
A former National Treasurer of the Labour Party, Oluchi Opara has made an allegation against embattled party chairman, Julius Abure.
She alleged that Abure forged the party’s late chairman’s signature and transferred money to his wife, siblings, staff and his personal company’s accounts.
Oluchi Opara said the party had no money by the time Abure took over from late A.A. Salam, as national chairman of the party. She explained that two months after Salami’s death Abure cleared every money in the party’s account.
According to her, LP came into relevance through the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. She added that Abure cannot point fingers at Obi as he was the one who revived the party and the money the party came to have.
Speaking in an interview with News Central on Tuesday, Mrs. Oluchi said, “I know I came out sometime in February, like you said, to say that the former national chairman of our party, Barrister Julius Abure has to come out clean to explain what had happened to the finances of the Labour Party, allegations of embezzlement, misappropriation, misapplication of power, and a whole lot of things that I came out to say that time, including the forging of the late national chairman’s signature to withdraw money from an account after he is dead.
“I was thinking that he should have come out to explain to Nigerians or even allow an external auditor to audit the accounts of the Labour Party, but he has refused to do the needful instead and he is trying to do a campaign against the man, Mr. Peter Obi, who gave him life, because before now, there was no Abure. Before now, the Labour Party was nowhere.”
Mrs Opara further accused Abure of being ungrateful. She maintained that the factional chairman of LP was trying to divert attention of Nigerians from the campaign fund looting allegation. She challenged him to allow independent auditors to audit the party’s account.
The former national treasurer also stated that contrary to Abure’s claim the party was not in charge of the last campaign fund, the party actually was in charge.
According to her, the account number, a former member of Obi/Datti campaign council, Aisha Yesufu shared on her X account, was the account the party used to receive campaign funds from Nigerians.
“So I think he is ungrateful on his part, on his side, to come out to want to damage the image of an icon, political icon that is known to the world, not just to Nigeria. Abure should come out because I say he who must go to equity must come with clean hands.
“He should not divert attention. He should come out to collect allegations on his head. I think this story is not new to Nigeria because I came out shouting from pillar to post, telling Nigerians that we have to live by example, because you can’t be saying that the government of the day is not doing the right thing, whereas we have corruption, it is under us.
“Let’s even start with Abure. Let’s allow an independent auditor to audit the accounts first. Let’s start with ourselves first before pointing an accusative finger. And again, we did have a campaign account for the Labour Party. So I don’t know why he is coming out to say that we never had a campaign account. We did, we have. Aisha Yesufu mentioned the account number yesterday (Monday). We did have an account. So he should stop peddling lies. To me, it’s an attempt to cover whatever he has done. And that shouldn’t be,” she stated.
When asked to reconfirm that Abure allegedly looted campaign funds of the party, Opara repeated.
“I came out that February I said that the late national chairman’s signature was forged two months after his death. Before the passing of the late national chairman A. A. Salam of blessed memory, the party didn’t have any money in the accounts. Then two months after his death monies were cleared by Julius Abure.
“Abure never bothered what the family was going through at that time. And again at that time when I came out I noticed that he was transferring money to his wife’s accounts, to his brother’s account, to his company’s accounts, to everybody even down to the staff of the office.
“He will use the staff’s accounts to siphon money; at the end of the day, this same staff will send that money to an account that will get to Barrister Abure.
“A lawyer that he claims to be, forged a signature of a late man like the national chairman of our party. He didn’t care what the outcome was going to be.
“If he is saying I’m lying he should let that account to be reactivated so the Nigerians can actually see, to even question him how on earth did the man after his death came out to sign a check for him to clear money from the account. He should stop pointing accusing finger to Mr Peter Obi,” Mrs Opara explained.
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Wednesday, 11 September 2024 14:16
I Don’t Know Why My Native Bullet Proof Vest Failed Me – Teenage Robber Confesses
Sodiq Oyedokun, a teenager suspected of armed robbery, has expressed frustration over how his traditional bulletproof and anti-arrest vest, intended to help him evade crime scenes, failed to protect him.
Oyedokun was arrested and paraded alongside 20 other suspected criminals by the Ondo state security outfit codenamed Amotekun in Akure, the state capital.
In an interview, the suspect, said that he inherited it from his late father who was a herbalist.
According to him, ”my father gave the vest to me. I kept it in our house since it was given to me.
He said it was the first time he had put the vest on during an operation, but he usually goes out with it when going out for an operation.
”The bullet proof vest failed me because I ought to have disappeared from the scene of the operation.
”I don’t know why the vest failed me. I was expected to have disappeared and not arrested at the scene when the Amotekun personnel stormed the venue of the operation.
Meanwhile, also paraded include suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and specialised Okada snatchers said to have been terrorizing the people of the state in recent time.
Adeleye who said that they have been profiled, added that they would be charged to court after thorough investigation.
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Wednesday, 11 September 2024 14:12
Hit-And-Run Driver Crushes Assistant Superintendent Of Police To Death At Checkpoint in Ekiti
An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who was attached to the Ekiti State Police Command, has been killed by a hit-and-run driver.
The officer identified as ASP Idris Lawal was crushed to death at a checkpoint along Iworoko Road in Ado-Ekiti, state capital, SaharaReporters reports.
The incident happened on Monday night, a police internal memo obtained exclusively by SaharaReporters read.
The signal further revealed that the body of the deceased police officer has been deposited in the morgue.
It read, “Sitrep From Oke-Ila Division; Fatal Motor Accident; Grateful Be Informed That Today Being 10/09/2024 X At About 0023hrs X An Information Received X From Inspr. Segun Adedeji Attached To Patrol Mine X While They Were On Stop And Search Duty X At Ayemi Garage X Along Iworoko Road Ado-Ekiti X A Hit And Run X Unregistered Mecediz Benz Vehicle X White Colour X Knocked Down Ap/No 145800 Asp Idris Lawal X P&G1 Mine X Was Rushed To Ekiti State Teaching Hospital Ado-Ekiti X For Medical Treatment X Was Later Confirmed Dead By Medical Doctor.
“Corpse Had Been Deposited At Eksuth Mortuary For Autopsy X Meanwhile Effort Is On Top Gear To Arrest The Culprit X Above For Your Information Please X Dpo Oke-Ila.”
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Wednesday, 11 September 2024 14:10
Transfer: You Dive Too Much – Mourinho Slams Osimhen
Jose Mourinho, the Fenerbahce manager, has claimed that Victor Osimhen “dives too much”.
Osimhen has joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan deal from Napoli.
This means the striker and his new teammates will fight directly with Fenerbahce for the Turkish League title.
Mourinho joined Fenerbahce in June, months after he was sacked at AS Roma, where he came up against Napoli a few times.
“The last time we played against him during Roma vs Napoli, I had this conversation with him, ” Mourinho told HT Spor.
“I told Osimhen, ‘you are one of the best players in Africa along with Salah. Before there were Drogba, Eto’o and Weah. You can’t be diving.’
“He dives too much, and that’s my problem with him, but after 10 minutes, we are fine.”
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Wednesday, 11 September 2024 14:07
AFCONQ 2025: Why I Substituted Chukwueze Against Rwanda - Eguavoen
Augustine Eguavoen, the interim Super Eagles coach, has opened up on why he substituted Samuel Chukwueze during the second half of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifying match against Rwanda on Tuesday.
Chukwueze was brought off at halftime, with Moses Simon taking his place.
Speaking at his post-match interview, Eguavoen said the AC Milan winger had to be replaced because he had a yellow card and was tormenting the hosts.
“He [Chukwueze] is very good, he’s one of our good players. Today, we came up with a strategy, he got a yellow card and he was tormenting you [Rwanda] guys,” Eguavoen told reporters.
“We had three players on yellow cards so it’s kind of a risk also. We have to make some substitutions and we have players who can go forward also.
“We thought Chukwueze should rest not because he’s not playing well but because of the risk of getting a second yellow card.”
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Wednesday, 11 September 2024 13:55
55-year-old Woman Slumps, Dies While Sharing Testimony in Lagos Church
A 55-year-old woman, Ifeoma, collapsed and died while giving a testimony during a church service at the Zonal Accountant Ministry Church in Ejigbo, Lagos.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:48 a.m. on September 8th during the testimony hour.
According to witnesses, Ifeoma came forward singing to share her testimony when she suddenly collapsed. Immediate efforts were made to rush her to a nearby hospital, but she was later referred to the General Hospital in Isolo, where doctors confirmed her death.
Lagos State Police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident, stating that police detectives were dispatched to the hospital but were informed that Ifeoma’s husband and family had already taken her body to Anambra State for burial.
The exact cause of her sudden death remains unclear, and authorities have not yet announced whether an investigation will be launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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