Governor Charles Soludo’s government has offered a scholarship to Nkechinyere Umeh, an Anambra indigene with the highest score in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Education commissioner Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Awka, said Ms Umeh scored 360 out of 400.

Ms Chuma-Udeh said the student was offered a scholarship by Mr Soludo’s government to study at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

“Nkechinyere Umeh has been declared the best by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), having scored a cumulative mark of 360 in the 2023 UTME.

This is a testament that efforts by Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration to reposition the education sector is yielding the desired dividend,” said the statement.

The Anambra government added,

“This scholarship will encourage and motivate her to do more in future and also serve as an example to other students of the state.”

The commissioner stated that Mr Soludo’s administration would continue to pay serious attention to education in the state.

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it arrested no fewer than 243 motorists without driver’s licences within one month in Ondo.

Ezekiel SonAllah, the sector commander in Ondo, said this at a one-day mega rally organised by the FRSC to sensitise motorists ahead of the Eid Kabir celebration.

Mr SonAllah, who said the arrest was made through the special patrol in May, said the motive was to eradicate road crashes in Ondo.

The sector commander, therefore, called on motorists to check their vehicles’ eligibility before embarking on any journey, saying it had become necessary for motorists to shun whatever would cause highway crashes.

He said,

“We are in the rainy season now. Therefore, we must have functional wipers, light system and standard tyres to avoid crashes. Please, don’t manage your life because, as a breadwinner of your family, many people are looking and waiting to celebrate the Sallah with you and remember that only the living can celebrate.”

Mr SonAllah added,

“Moreso, a driver’s licence is the only legal document that permits you to drive. Some drivers will tell you they have been driving for years and they are masters, but you are not a master if you don’t obey traffic rules.”

The FRSC commander explained that “if it’s a must for you to drive to stay alive, you must have a driver’s licence because we will not allow you to ply our roads without a driver’s licence.”

An Area Court in Jos on Tuesday sentenced a teenager, Ibrahim Ali, for stealing a goat valued at N20,000.

The judge, Shawomi Bokkos, sentenced Mr Ali, 18, after he pleaded guilty to the offence and begged for leniency.

The judge gave the convict an option of N10,000 fine or three months’ imprisonment and asked the convict to pay a compensation of N20,000 to the complainant or one-month imprisonment in default.

Earlier, the police prosecutor, Insp Monday Dabit, told the court that the case was reported at the Rantya police station on April 5 by John Dung, who accused Ali of trespassing into his farm to steal the goat.

The prosecutor further told the court that during the police investigation, the convict confessed to having committed the act.

On Monday, Bamidele Amos, the NDLEA commander in Zamfara, expressed concern over increasing drug abuse among youths, revealing that more than 14 million Nigerians engage in substance abuse regularly.

Mr Amos stated this at an event organised by the NDLEA Zamfara command to mark the 2023 World Drug Day held in Gusau.

The NDLEA commander said,

“As stakeholders, we must join hands to work against the evil act. As of 2021, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that Nigeria has 14.3 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 abusing drugs.”

He added,

“I believe as of now, in 2023, if we take another statistics, it will be higher than it was in 2021. Nigeria as a nation cannot allow things to continue that way.”

The anti-narcotics commander listed the consequences of drug abuse among youths, including cultism, anti-social behaviours, mental health challenges, crime and criminal activities.

“We need to sensitise people. We need to do advocacy to engage all stakeholders to educate the general public about drug abuse so that we cut down on the rate and its consequences in society,” said Mr Amos.

According to him, the agency is ready to partner with all stakeholders in a war against drug abuse, adding,

“We are trying to maintain a balanced approach to the drug war.”

Sani Halliru, the state president of the National Association of Patent and Practitioners Medicines (NAPPMED), said drug abuse was inimical to societal growth and development as drug abusers become mentally and medically handicapped.

Mr Halliru assured that the association would maintain its position as a partner of NDLEA and all relevant stakeholders in ensuring a drug abuse-free society.

The representative of Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, Kamal Isah, advised against self-medication among members of the public.

Mr Isah noted that taking drugs without a doctor’s prescription harmed one’s health.

Among the dignitaries who attended the event were officials from NAPPMED, health workers, security agencies, NGOs, CSOs and the media.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it recorded 424 benefit claims and 121 backlogs and disbursed more than N1.3 billion to 303 injured and deceased personnel from 2021 to date.

This is contained in an NSCDC insurance payment statistics record provided by NSCDC spokesman Olusola Odumosu on Monday in Abuja.

A breakdown of the sum paid indicated that more than N35 million was paid to personnel with various degrees of injuries, N260 million as backlog, and more than N78 million as burial benefits to the next of kin of deceased personnel.

The report further indicated that the disbursements were made under the NSCDC’s staff welfare and Group Personal Accident (GPA) policy.

Mr Odumosu said the NSCDC commandant general, Ahmed Audi, would continue working tirelessly to ensure all outstanding benefits were duly paid to beneficiaries.He said this was to serve as a morale booster to others.

“The CG has ensured that injured personnel get their deserved compensations as the insurance benefits are paid on the basis of first come, first served, subject to proper documentation,” stated the NSCDC official.

Mr Odumosu added,

“NSCDC will continue to do its best to protect the nation’s critical national assets and infrastructures against vandals and ensure that the good citizens of Nigeria enjoy the dividends of democracy.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a fake senator, Ifechukwu Makwe, over alleged €5.7 million internet fraud.

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said this in a statement on Monday.

According to the statement, Mr Makwe was arrested in the Guzape area of Abuja following credible intelligence about his internet-related fraud activities.

“Upon arrest, it was discovered that the suspect, bearing many aliases (Fahad Makwe, Senator Tompolo, Tom Makwe, Dr Bran), defrauded a Spaniard of €5.7 million,” said the EFCC.

“Makwe allegedly claimed to be a U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent and diplomatic solicitor, succeeded in defrauding his victim using fake identities.”

The anti-graft commission added,

“The suspect allegedly started defrauding the victim since 2013 when he first met her on social media.”

EFCC said the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

The police command in Zamfara, on Tuesday, assured residents of a peaceful and secure atmosphere during Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

Armed bandits often terrorise Zamfara residents, especially in remote areas.

Police commissioner Muhammad Bunu gave the assurance in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman ASP Yazid Abubakar.

“Bunu while meeting with all area commanders and divisional police officers under the command, tasked them to ensure adequate security coverage and peaceful conduct of Eid-el Kabir celebrations across the state,” said the police statement.

“The command also deployed additional patrol teams to all nooks and crannies of the state to ensure maximum security before, during, and after the festival.”

It added,

“Officers and men of the command must be professional in their conduct and must ensure they respect human rights,” the statement quoted the commissioner as saying.

Those coming to the state to celebrate sallah have been assured of a safe environment to freely go about their normal activities without let or hindrance.”

The police chief urged “the people of the state to be security conscious and to report any suspicious person to the relevant authorities for prompt action.”

The FRSC in Ondo says it has deployed sufficient men and materials to ensure road safety during the sallah celebration.

Its sector commander, Ezekiel SonAllah, said the command had approved the deployment of 1,026 personnel, four ambulances and 18 patrol vehicles for effective patrol of the roads and highways during the festive period in Ondo.

He disclosed that the personnel deployed comprised regular and special marshals to ensure zero crashes during and beyond the Sallah celebration.

He said,

“Our personnel are in high spirits and fully prepared for the festival while an ambulance each will be stationed at Ilara-mokin, Ore, Ikare-Akoko and Owo on a 24-hour rescue service.”

Mr SonAllah explained that the command was partnering with stakeholders, especially toll vehicle owners, to recover broken-down vehicles quickly.

“This is the rainy season. I want to appeal to motorists to ensure that their vehicles are in good working condition. They must have functional wipers, good lighting system and must have good and standard tyres,” the FRSC commander explained.

He added,

“We must be very careful as we are using the highway during the rainy season because we expect every driver to assume that he’s the only sane person on the road.”

Mr SonAllah, however, applauded the Ondo government’s massive road infrastructural development across the state and admonished motorists not to speed while driving.

The federal government has suspended the ongoing construction of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to ease traffic for commuters travelling during the forthcoming Eid el-Kabir holiday.

The federal ministry of works and housing announced in a statement that the road construction would be suspended from Tuesday, June 27 to Sunday, July 2.

Olukorede Kesha, the federal controller of works in Lagos State, said a traffic management team has been deployed to manage traffic on the highway. The ministry said construction activities will resume by Monday, July 3, 2023.

“Due to the recent heavy traffic flow being experienced on the Lagos-Shagamu route in the last couple of days, the inclement weather conditions, the forthcoming Eid Kabir and the advice of the traffic management team deployed to manage traffic-related issues on the project, construction activities on this ever busy and very important highway will be suspended from Tuesday, 27th of June to Sunday, 2nd of July, 2023,” the statement reads.

“Travellers are advised to cooperate with the traffic management team deployed on the highway to manage traffic.

“Construction activities will resume by Monday, 3rd of July, 2023.”

The federal government of Nigeria has announced Wednesday, June 28 and Thursday, June 29, as public holidays to mark the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

Oluwatoyin Akinlade, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Interior, made this known in a statement on Monday and further expressed hope, peace and unity in the country.

“The federal government has declared Wednesday June 28th and Thursday June 29th 2023 Public Holidays in commemoration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration and heartily felicitates with the Muslim Ummah at home and in the diaspora”.

He encouraged Nigerians “to make sacrifices for the growth and development of our communities and our great country, Nigeria”.

“We are hopeful that the prayers and sacrifices that come with this great celebration as well as the message of Eid-ei-Kabir will bring about peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.”

Four people are under intensive care at a Lagos hospital following a Monday morning gas explosion in the Agege area of the state.

The incident which happened in the wee hours of the day was caused by leakage of gas cylinders from a shop, beside Apostolic Church, in Agege.

Three women and a man who were injured in the incident have been rushed to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH for treatment.

No casualty was recorded in the explosion but the victims suffered second degree burns.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency on Monday said emergency responders were able to put out the fire before escalating to other buildings in the area.

“A man and three women have sustained injuries after a gas explosion at the Agege area of Lagos State,” the agency said.

Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, the permanent secretary of LASEMA said the victims suffered second degree burns and have been taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

“No loss of life. However, four adults (three females) and an adult male sustained various degrees of injuries (second degree burns) as a result of the incident and have been attended to by the agency’s pre-hospital care, alongside LASAMBUS,” he said.

“The victims have also been moved to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH.

“The inferno has been completely put out by the combined effort of LASEMA LRT, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.”

Mr Oke-Osanyintolu noted that an evaluation will be conducted by the agency, adding that the operation of the shop has been shut down to avert future incidents.

“A post-incident assessment was conducted by the agency’s LRT alongside LASG Fire. The shop has been cordoned to avert secondary incidents. The operation had been concluded,” he noted.

The police have reiterated that blasphemy is a criminal act in Nigeria and that lynching is also a crime.

Religious crisis over blasphemy is rife in Africa’s most populous country, as is the public lynching of perceived blasphemers.

Mob action is common among professed Muslims who take the law into their hands by lynching anyone believed to have insulted or spoken disparagingly about Prophet Muhammed or the Quran.

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson for the police, disclosed this in a tweet on Sunday, when a Twitter user, @kevinpagne, tagged him to the viral video of Usman Buda being brutally stoned to death by angry Islamic fanatics in Sokoto earlier in the day.

“Blasphemy, though an offence recognised by Nigerian law, is not subject to the whims of members of the public for enforcement,” Mr Adejobi said.

The police officer explained that “enforcement of all laws is by constituted authorities through a laid-down procedure in the criminal justice system for possible punishment, not by jungle justice. Not at all.”

Mr Adejobi added,

“Sokoto command has been on it (Mr Buda’ killing). Let’s wait for their report and action. But I think we need to call on our clerics to carry out enlightenment on this.

It was reported on Sunday reported how Islamic fanatics killed Mr Buda in the market at an abattoir in Sokoto.

Lynching alleged blasphemers is considered a righteous act by many professed Muslims in Nigeria.

Mr Buda’w murder came barely a year after Deborah Samuel, a Christian student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Wamako, Sokoto, was killed over a similar allegation of blasphemy by Islamic fanatics.

In May, it was reported how Nigerian police charged Ms Samuel’s killers with “public disturbance” and failed to show up in court as prosecutors.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) command in Kano state has deployed 1,280 personnel to ensure a hitch-free Eid-el-Kabir celebration in the state.

The sector commander, Ibrahim Sallau-Abdullahi, made this known in a statement issued in Kano on Saturday.

Mr Sallau-Abdullahi added that five ambulances, 25 patrol vehicles, one heavy-duty tow truck and other operational equipment were also deployed on major routes and highways for effective operations.

He said that the 1,280 personnel comprised 1,044 regular marshals and 236 special marshals expected to ensure safe, smooth vehicular movement and traffic control across the state.

He also said that the personnel would provide prompt attention to victims of road traffic crashes within the festive period.

“Station officers in the 44 local government areas are also fully involved in the operations.

“Unit commands, ambulance service points and roadside clinics, located along Kano to Zaria Road, will work round the clock to ensure safety of lives and properties,” he said.

He urged motorists to desist from committing traffic offences such as overloading, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, as well as dangerous and wrongful overtaking.

He also warned against excessive speeding, lane discipline, and route violation, underage driving and use of phones while driving.

According to him, “the measure is to ensure free flow of traffic and ensure the safety of lives and properties on highways throughout the celebration period and beyond.”

The commander said that the Eid-el-Kabir special patrol operations would run from June 26 to July 1.

The Amotekun Corps in Osun has arrested two armed robbery suspects for robbing a female trader returning from market in Ila-Orangun.

Bashir Adewinmbi, the corps commander, disclosed this on Saturday via a statement. He said the suspects, Joseph Dennis, 20, and Friday Agogo, 29, both indigenes of Benue State, also threatened to stab their victim with a knife while robbing her.

“A complaint was lodged at the Amotekun Ila Command on Friday by the affected woman.

“The victim reported that at Thick Area Elemo Ogun Community, while on her way to Ila-Orangun town, after selling her farm produce, the suspects attacked her and collected her money and also attempted to stab her with a knife.

“She said though the assailants covered their faces with masks, she was able to recognise the voice of one of them.

“Our operatives, based on the information, quickly swung into action and apprehended the suspects at their hideout,” he said.

The commander said during interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and also stated that they had been in the act of robbery for a very long time.

Mr Adewinmbi said the suspects were handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

The corps commander thereafter advised residents and traders to be cautious of their movements and avoid going through unsafe routes.

He equally admonished them to report criminal activities and suspicious individuals to security agents closer to them.