Lifestyle

Bandits kill 11 in Kaduna community

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Bandits on Sunday killed 11 people at Kurmin Masara in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, said several others were injured in the attack.

Aruwan said: “Security personnel have begun search-and-rescue operations and are pursuing the attackers on multiple fronts.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai has expressed regret over the incident and prayed for the souls of those who lost their lives in the attack.

“He also expressed condolences to their families, and wished the injured a swift recovery.”

Lifestyle

70-year-old man digs his grave, buys casket, prepares own burial ceremony

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A 70-year-old Kenyan man identified as Leo has revealed that he is preparing for his own death.

The 70-year-old man who is married to nine women dug his own grave, bought a white garment and acquired a casket where he will be buried once he dies.

During a session interview with AfriMaxTV, Leo stated he had to take that shocking step because most people in his community were poor.

Speaking further, he mentioned that those in his community found it financially hard to bury people to organize a befitting funeral to honour the dead. He also stated that he didn’t want to be a burden to anyone.

He revealed he had gone ahead to buy his casket and enough drinks to entertain guests that would grace the burial ceremony.

Leo also noted that he has also paid for his pallbearers for the emerging occasion. He stated that he has been using his time to celebrate the remaining days he has on earth.

Watch the session below.

Lifestyle

Police rescues victims of human trafficking in Katsina

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The Katsina State Police Command revealed that it has rescued seven victims of human trafficking in Yankara village in Mai’adua Local Government Area of the State.

The Command’s spokesman, Gambo Isah, who made the revelation in a statement on Friday, said the victims were rescued following a raid on a hideout in the village.

Isah also disclosed the names of the victims. They include: Success Oshoopkeme, Isaac Debora, Amoruwa Ade, James Rebecca, Emmanuel Godwin, Zainab Tijjani, and Taofik Olawale.

The statement read: “In the course of investigation, victims stated that they were brought to the village by their agent, who, on sighting the police team, took to his heels and escaped with their GSM phones.

“They further stated that they are on their route from Nigeria to Libya through the Niger Republic border.

“Investigation is ongoing. They will be handed over to the NAPTIP office, Kano, for further investigation and arrest of the traffickers.”

Lifestyle

Dowen College board chairman, others retire after debacle from Oromoni’s death

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The fallout from the death of Sylvester Oromoni continues as the chairman of the management board of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, Dr. Olumide Phillips, has stepped down from office.

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the institution’s spokesman, Tomi Borishade, who disclosed that the Dowen College Founder, Dr. Olumide Phillips, and other founding members of the Board have resigned from their roles.

The statement read in part, “The founding members of the Board of Governors including the founder and Chairman of the Board, Dr. O. Olumide Phillips, have decided to retire and pass the baton of change to a new generation of seasoned professionals who will run with the vision, leadership passion, commitment and values they have worked rigorously to establish.

This will also enhance communication and effectiveness with the Parents Teachers Forum.”

Furthermore, the institution stated that it was collaborating with the Lagos State Government regarding areas of improvement in order to forestall future occurrences

“Dowen pledges to implement infrastructural changes to the hostels and school facilities to enhance safety and oversight within the school premises while commiserating with the family of late Sylvester Oromoni,” the statement read.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the school was closed by the state government after outrage over the death of Oromoni due to alleged bullying by his colleagues.

However, the Lagos State Police Command, at a press conference, claimed that the late Oromoni died of natural causes, a position that was faulted by the family’s lawyer, Femi Falana.

Lifestyle, World News

Texas synagogue siege: Black man charged with selling gun to British hostage-taker Malik Faisal Akram.

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A man who allegedly sold a gun used by a British man to take hostages at a Texas synagogue has been charged with a federal firearms crime.

Henry “Michael” Williams, 32, sold a pistol to Malik Faisal Akram two days before the hostage-taking, according to US authorities.

Mr. Williams has now been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Akram was shot and killed when police stormed the synagogue. According to a criminal complaint released by the US Department of Justice on Wednesday, Mr. Williams had previously been convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and attempted possession of a controlled substance.

On 13 January, he is alleged to have sold Akram a semiautomatic pistol, which authorities say Akram used during the hostage incident at Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, on 15 January.
Four people including the synagogue’s rabbi – were held hostage during the 10-hour stand-off with police, which ended when police stormed the synagogue to rescue the hostages and shot Akram dead.

An FBI analysis of Akram’s phone later found he had exchanged several phone calls with Mr. Williams between 11 and 13 January.
When interviewed by FBI agents on 16 January, Mr. Williams told officers he recalled meeting a man with a British accent but could not remember his name, according to the justice department.
When interviewed a second time this week, following an arrest for an outstanding state warrant, Mr. Williams was shown a photograph of Akram and confirmed that he had sold him the pistol in Dallas.

Mr. Williams allegedly told officers that Akram said the gun would be used to intimidate someone who had owed him money.
“As a convicted felon, Mr. Williams was prohibited from carrying, acquiring or selling firearms,” US Attorney Chad E Meacham said in a statement. “Whether or not he knew of his buyer’s nefarious intent is largely irrelevant – felons cannot have guns, period.”

Mr. Williams made an initial court appearance at a federal court in Dallas on Wednesday afternoon. A detention hearing has been scheduled for 31 January.
On Tuesday, Manchester police announced that two men were taken into custody as part of an investigation into the incident.

Lifestyle

Inspector, two others killed as Police engage bandits in shootout in Ogun

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The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the death of an Inspector, Omolayo Olajide, who was gunned down during a shootout with gunmen suspected to be bandits.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday, said two of the bandits were also killed in the gun battle which happened on Tuesday.

Oyeyemi said police operatives attached to the Ayetoro Division had received a distress call that a group of bandits were attacking some Fulani herdsmen at Saala Orile forest.

“Upon receiving the distress call, the DPO of Ayetoro, CSP Bernard Ediogboyan, immediately led his men and operatives of the Joint security Intervention squad (JSIS) to the scene.

“On sighting the policemen, the bandits opened fire on them and the policemen returned ‘fire-for-fire’.

“At the end of the encounter which lasted for about twenty minutes, two amongst the bandits were shot dead while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

“Regrettably, an Inspector of Police, by name Omolayo Olajide, lost his life during the gun duel,” Oyeyemi said.

He listed some of the items recovered from the bandits to include three locally-made guns, 16 live cartridges, assorted criminal charms, one cutlass, one small phone and an unregistered Bajaj motorcycle.

Lifestyle

EFCC arrests ‘yahoo boy’ with charms in Lagos

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A Lagos-based Disc Jockey (DJ), Michael Jackson has been arrested by men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency disclosed this on Wednesday, in a statement made available to press.

According to the statement, Michael is suspected to be an internet fraudster, and was arrested after “credible intelligence” was received by the Commission.

The EFCC noted that Michael Jackson was arrested on Tuesday over his alleged involvement in Internet fraud, adding that fetish items were found in his possession.

The statement reads: “Jackson, who poses as Ella, a transgender woman, allegedly defrauded unsuspecting victims of millions of Naira.

“The suspect, who also claimed to be a Disc Jockey, DJ, had in his possession fetish items, which he claimed was ‘for grace and success’.”

Lifestyle

It’s illegal to ask States to fund Police Trust Fund’, Court orders FG to refund Rivers

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The Federal High Court in Abuja, in a new ruling, has faulted and tagged as illegal, the prospect of the Federal Government asking States to fund the Police Trust Fund.

This was contained in a ruling pronounced by Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court on Wednesday.

After declaring the deductions as unconstitutional, the court went on to order that all money deducted from the Federation Account belonging to Rivers State be refunded to the state.

The judgment comes on the heels of a suit filed by the Rivers State Government against the Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice; the Accountant General of the Federation; the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, and Federal Ministry of Finance.

The Rivers State Government, through its Attorney General, had approached the court seeking to stop the deduction of funds from the Federation Account for the funding of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund scheme.

During the sitting, the court noted that it was unlawful for the Federal Government to deduct funds from the Federation Account to fund the Nigerian Police force and other agencies not listed in the constitution.

Lifestyle

APC is a santuary of corruption and TI report validates our stance —PDP Minority Reps Caucus

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Lawmakers under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives have berated the Federal Government led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plunging the country into the abyss of corruption.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Minority Caucus via its spokesman, Ndudi Elumelu, who revealed his fears as Nigeria ranked 154 out of 180 countries in the latest 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International.

According to the PDP lawmakers, this was further proof that the ” APC is a sanctuary of corruption, which provides cover for its corrupt members to continue in looting our national treasury.

The statement reads, “The TI report is a direct validation of the position of the Minority Caucus that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its government are hopelessly corrupt and lacking in ideas and programmes that would positively impact on our people.

“The TI Report also validates the stance of the Minority Caucus that the APC is a sanctuary of corruption, which provides cover for its corrupt members to continue in looting our national treasury; a development that has brought infrastructural stagnation and economic hardship in the country.

Moreover, the Minority Caucus notes Nigeria’s continued decline in corruption rating since the APC took over in 2015. This points to the fact that the situation and its attendant woes to Nigerians will continue to worsen as long as the APC remains in power.

“Such proclivity for corruption is complemented by fake promises and false performance claims, which have been the stock-in-trade of the APC and its government.

“As representatives of the people, the Minority Caucus has intensified its checks mechanisms particularly in our strict monitoring of all provisions in the 2022 budget to ensure the delivery of all approved items.

“Furthermore, the Minority caucus assures that it will never relent in fighting for the wellbeing of the people and urges Nigerians to remain focused in their determination to vote out the APC in 2023 and usher in a government that truly cares for their interest.”

Lifestyle

Ebonyi PDP publicity secretary arraigned for alleged spread of fake news

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The Ebonyi State publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nwoba Chika Nwoba, has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Abakaliki, the State capital, for allegedly spreading fake news on social media.

Earlier in January, Nwoba was arrested by the Ebube Agu security network and handed over to the police for prosecution.

His arrest reportedly generated uproar by his party.

Nwoba, who was arraigned before a magistrate, Blessing Chukwu, on Wednesday, was also said to be disseminating false information about the State Governor, Dave Umahi.

He was alleged to be using his Facebook page to spread fake news capable of causing confusion, and problems in the State.

According to the 15-count charge against him, the offence he committed is punishable under section 4 of the state’s Cybercrime Prohibition Law No. 012 of 2021.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Lifestyle

FG debunks reports of free DNA tests for Nigerians

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The Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora on Tuesday, debunked reports claiming that the Federal Government is set to commence free DNA tests for Nigerians.

Mamora made the clarification in an interview with The PUNCH while reacting to some Nigerians’ comments on social media that the minister had said government hospitals and clinics would start conducting free DNA tests in June.

The tweets had generated several reactions. While certain individuals expressed joy at the opportunity of exposing paternity fraud, other citizens wondered if the government would be able to finance the free tests.

A tweep, with the username Chijioke, P.HD, was among the first to tweet about a free DNA test attributing the statement to a Health Minister.

He wrote; ‘There will be free DNA test in government owned hospitals from June this year. -Nigerian Health Minister.’

Another tweep, with the username, Maxvayshia, stated; With this news on free conducting of DNA tests in Government Hospitals and Clinics (if implemented), the High Courts are really going to get very busy in the coming months, another user.

However, the minister debunked it saying; “This is a false claim. At no point did I or the minister say this. The claims about free DNA tests are not true.”

Lifestyle

Police arrest NURTW bigwigs following Lagos Island crisis

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The Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command has arrested some prominent members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state.

Among those arrested were Kunle Poly and Sego, whom the Police said were principal suspects in the recurring clashes in the Idumota area of Lagos Island.

The vicinity suffered a big crisis on Monday, leading to the halting of commercial activities in the area, and the loss of lives too.

Reports say that two persons were feared killed during the clash which was between two factions of the transport union – Eyo boys, reportedly loyal to a union leader known as Kunle Poly, and Kosoko boys.

The arrest was effected today at a meeting where the two NURTW members along with some other stakeholders converged,” RRS said.

“Kunle Poly and Sego are currently being transferred to Zone II, Onikan, Lagos.”

In Monday’s clash, one person was said to have been shot dead while another bled to death from machete cuts inflicted on him.

Meanwhile, the violence forced traders in markets around the area to shut down their shops and run for dear life.

Lifestyle

Court remands killer of five-yr-old Hanifa in custody alongside two accomplices

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Alleged killer of five-year-old Hanifa Abubakar, Abdulmalik Tanko, has been remanded in prison by Kano State Magistrate Court 12 sitting at Gidan Murtala.

Abdulmalik, who appeared in court on Monday, was remanded alongside two other accomplices simply identified as Hashim Issyaku and Fatima.

The trio is facing a murder case of killing the young Hanifa after an initial kidnap in December.

Hanifa Abubakar was kidnapped on December 4, 2021, on her way back from school, and then killed by Tanko after initially demanding a N6m ransom from her parents.

Their case file indicated that they were charged for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, concealing and keeping in confinement a kidnapped person and culpable homicide.

Prosecution counsel, Musa Lawan pleaded with the court to grant them seven days for the counsels to prepare the charges and for the accused to be remanded in prison.

The presiding Judge, Magistrate Muhammad Jibril ordered that the trio be remanded in prison custody.

The court adjourned the sitting to February 2, 2022.

Lifestyle

EFCC amends charge against ex-minister Fani-Kayode

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Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Monday, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended 17-count charge of money laundering.

Fani-Kayode was arraigned alongside former minister of state for finance, Nenadi Usman, former chairman of the association of local governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Yusuf Danjuma, and a company, Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Ltd.

Recall that the EFCC had earlier sued the defendants on a 17-count charge of N4.6 billion money laundering.

According to the EFCC, the offences contravened the provisions of sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

In the first leg of the case, chaired by Justice Mohammed Aikawa, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the counts and were granted bail.

Now assigned to a new trial judge, Justice Daniel Osaigor, the defendants are starting the case afresh (de novo).

During the Monday hearing, the amended 17-count charge was read over to the defendants and they each pleaded not guilty.

The court adjourned the case to March 11, for trial, and granted that the defendants continue on their existing bail conditions.

Lifestyle

Angry youths set school ablaze over killing of five-year-old girl Hanifa

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The grisly murder of five-year-old Hanifa Abubakar in Kano State has triggered outrage by the youth who set the school where she was buried on fire.

Ripples Nigeria gathered that the institution was set ablaze by the rampaging youths early Monday.

The school, Noble Kids Comprehensive College, is situated in Kwanar Dakata community in Nassarawa Local Government Area of the state.

Hanifa’s death after her alleged abduction by her teacher who demanded a huge ransom from her parents drew wide condemnation from Nigerians.

The Kano State Police Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Kiyawa confirmed on Friday that Hanifa’s teacher, one Abdulmalik Tanko, was indicted in the murder.

According to Kiyawa, the culprit confessed abducting Hanifa while demanding a N6 million ransom from her parents, in conspiracy with another alleged perpetrator, Hasim Isyaku.

The two suspects allegedly murdered Hanifa on December 18, 2021, having realised that the victim had recognised him.

In order to ensure justice, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje mandated the indefinite closure and withdrawal of the operational license of the school where the girl was buried.

He added that the government had been in touch with Hanifa’s family and would remain so until justice prevails in the case, to serve as a deterrent to others.

Lifestyle

29-year-old lady in confusion as her sister’s estranged husband proposes marriage to her

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A Nigerian lady has shared a situation involving her sister’s estranged husband which has left her totally confused.

She revealed that her elder sister’s husband proposed marriage to her just two months after they got separated.

According to the 29-year-old lady, the man and her sister had been married for five years, and they only separated in November 2021 even though they aren’t officially divorced.

She revealed that after their separation, she and her in-law got close and he was paying her frequent visits to a point where she began to enjoy his company.

However, he suddenly asked for her hand in marriage and she is confused on whether to accept it or not. The lady further revealed that she would be 30 years old on 2nd of February.

In her words; ”Please, I need only matured minds on this.

It’s a serious matter.

My elder sister and her husband were married for 5 years and separated November last year but not divorced yet, though the families have been trying to reconcile them to come back together but my sister’s husband has been adamant about it.

I noticed that ever since his separation from my sister he started visiting my place, and now it has become frequent.

I allowed it because I see him as a brother, but now I am starting to really enjoy his company.

He has been helping me out with stuff and still maintains his kindness towards my parents.

He proposed marriage to me yesterday, and I have been confused.

I will be 30 by February 2nd.

Should I accept His Proposal?”

Lifestyle

Calm returns to Lagos Island after hoodlums clash left two dead, scores injured

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Calm and normalcy has returned to the Idumota area of Lagos Island following a deadly clash between rival factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) which left two people dead and several others sustaining serious injuries.

The clash which was said to have started on Thursday night and spilled over to Friday, affected the commercial nerve centres of the area like Balogun, Kosoko, Tom Jones, Martins and Oluwole, bringing trading activities to an abrupt end as traders and shop owners hurriedly closed up and fled the areas.

The rival gangs were said to have shot sporadically in different directions as they displayed assorted arms and ammunition including guns, machetes and charms, and in the process, left many injured.

The popular Idumota market was deserted as traders ran for their lives for fear of getting caught up in the fracas as the street urchins tried to show their supremacy.

While reacting to the clash, the Lagos State government had released a statement appealing to the leadership of the NURTW to end their violence and stop the bloody fights.

The appeal which was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Central Business Districts, Gbenga Oyerinde, urged the warring factions to embrace peace.

Oyerinde who attributed the violence to the infiltration of the area by street gangs and hoodlums from other parts of the state under the guise of membership of NURTW, noted that the government was doing everything within its power to restore the peace of the area.

The situation was later brought under control after the Lagos State Police Command drafted a team of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to the area to restore calm.

A statement posted on the Twitter handle of the RRS on Friday confirmed that peace had returned to the affected areas.

“Idunmota, Tom Jones, Martins, Oluwole and other parts of Lagos Island are calm and peaceful,” the statement reads.

Commuters, traders and transporters are moving on with their normal businesses.

“Policemen from various units and divisions are on ground to prevent breakdown of law and order.”

A Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Gov. Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat, also confirmed that calm had returned to the area after the RRS team was deployed to “ensure law and order.”

“SITUATION REPORT for Idumota Lagos Island: The @rrslagos767, @Taskforce112 and Area A Police Command are fully on ground to ensure peace in the area; Idumota, Tom Jones, Martins, Oluwole and others are calm this morning, everyone is going about their lawful duties.

“Not all shops are fully opened but security agencies on ground have assured market men and women to open their shops, they have also mounted specific positions to forestall any form of violence or hoodlums taking advantage of the situation,” Gawat tweeted.

Lifestyle

NEC to decide on fuel subsidy removal in June

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The National Economic Council (NEC) has said it will only take a decision on the removal of subsidy on petroleum products in June when provisions made for its payment in the 2022 budget expires.

NEC, at its first meeting of the year held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said though conversations on subsidy removal had been ongoing, the council was yet to take a position on it.

NEC, which comprises of the VP and the 36 state governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, Minister of Finance and Budget Planning, Zainab Ahmed, and some select federal ministers, said it would use the intervening period to consult widely so as to come up with a position that would be acceptable to all Nigerians.

Ahmed had announced last year that the Federal Government would remove subsidy in the second quarter of this year, with the announcement causing a lot of furore in the country as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), vowing to mobilize Nigerian workers to embark on a massive strike to protest the proposed subsidy removal.

While fielding questions from State House Correspondents after the NEC meeting, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, said the provision for payment of subsidy was made in the 2022 budget only until June and NEC would only take a stand when the budget provision ends.

Lifestyle

Nigeria’s economy worse under Buhari —World Bank

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A report by the World Bank has noted that Nigeria’s economy under President Muhammadu Buhari was worse than what it used to be 10 years ago.

The report which was released on Thursday, said the hike in food prices in the country had amplified the negative impact of increased poverty on economic growth, noting nearly 110 million people in countries like Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and South Sudan had been in situations characterised by food crises.

The findings of the report which were contained in its flagship report for 2022, titled ‘Global Economic prospect’, said “the Coronavirus pandemic reversed at least a decade of gains in per capita income in some countries,” but in Nigeria, under the Buhari-led administration, the poverty level meant the economy had performed woefully.

The report also noted that disruptions to the supply chains or armed conflicts could contribute to surges in food prices, leaving vulnerable groups suffering the most.

“Further rise in food prices would squeeze households’ purchasing power and erode consumer confidence, causing more subdued growth and hindering poverty reduction,” the report stated.

This is not the first time the World Bank knocked the President Buhari administration over its poor management of Nigeria’s economy.

In 2021, the apex global bank had criticised Buhari’s fiscal policies, specifically noting the negative effect of Nigeria’s Central Bank exchange rate policies on investments and fuel inflation.

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