On Thursday, the National Hospital, Abuja, discharged the sextuplets delivered on January 30.

Precious Nwachukwu had the children after 13 years of marriage.

While handing the babies over to the parents and other helpers, the chief medical director, Muhammad Mahmud, said that the successful delivery of the babies and their care was a good feat recorded by the hospital.

He also said the babies, who had gone through certain stages of care to ensure that they were healthy, were given the best chances of survival by the neonatal unit of the hospital.

Mr Mahmud also applauded the family for keeping hope alive all these years and pushing themselves despite challenges.

He commended the philanthropists who had come to assist the family, adding that they still needed more support from all Nigerians to properly care for the children how they should be cared for.

The chief consultant neonatologist, Mariya-Mukhtar Yola, said birthing and caring for the sextuplets was indeed one of the rarest occasions the unit had had.

She said at birth, all the babies had special health challenges, thereby needing respiratory support and support with sugar levels, temperature, feeding, blood and even infection prevention.

The father of the babies, Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, appreciated the hospital for caring for the wife from four months into the pregnancy up till delivery.

He also thanked them for caring for the pre-term babies until they were fit to be discharged.

“We need the help of the teeming Nigerians and the amazing mother we have up there in the person of the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu. We have named the last daughter after her,” said Mr Nwachukwu.

“We really desire that you come to our aid. The home that we are taking these children to now is a concern, and how to sustain them to be good citizens of Nigeria is a concern, but I know that you all can help us.”

The babies – four girls and two boys – were conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and were delivered at 30 weeks through Caesarean section.

The wife of Abia governor, Priscilla Otti, distributed 600 bags of 50kg rice, 1,000 kegs of 2.5 litres of groundnut oil, and cash to persons with disabilities on Thursday.

In a speech at the event in Umuahia, Ms Otti said the gesture demonstrated her commitment to supporting PWDs to assist them navigate over the economic challenges facing the country.

She affirmed her determination to continue to provide support and opportunities for vulnerable persons, adding that the palliative support programme would lead to more positive developments in future.

“There are a lot of interventions from the federal government, like the NG-cares. I know that members of your community might not have fully benefitted from them. We are going to work assiduously to ensure that you are included in these interventions,” she said.

Mr Otti said she was delighted to see the efforts made by most members of the disabled community to harness their exceptional abilities and become self-reliant despite facing some challenges.

She assured the PWDs of the government’s resolve to provide support and opportunities for self-reliance that could make a significant difference in their lives.

She appealed to philanthropists and good-spirited individuals to support the government’s efforts toward improving the welfare of PWDs.

The commissioner for sports and youth development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the Abia government had created various platforms that could be used to improve the welfare of PWDs.

Mr Ananaba said the government prioritised the interest of PWDs.

He said the government was interested in ensuring they received equal opportunities as their counterparts to become empowered and positively impact society.

The Nigeria Customs Service says it has begun distributing seized food items to hungry citizens to help mitigate the current hardships.

However, the agency said persons with a verifiable National Identification Number (NIN).

Speaking at the flag-off of the exercise in Lagos on Thursday, the comptroller-general of customs, Wale Adeniyi, said the federal government ordered the distribution of the seized food items.

Mr Adeniyi said customs was working with other agencies to distribute the seized foods directly to needy Nigerians. Mr Adeniyi said Nigerians would require a verifiable NIN to benefit.

“Our target includes artisans, teachers, religious organisations and other Nigerians within the area of customs operations, including the border areas.

“The intention of this distribution is to reach out directly to members of organisations that have structures to ensure the maximum impact of the exercise.

“The effort of the distribution is to ensure robust security protocol throughout the process as officers will closely monitor the entire supply chain to prevent any misuse or possible diversion of food items,” said Mr Adeniyi.

He said that the gesture was part of the federal government’s efforts to reduce food prices in the country.

The customs boss added, “We collaborate with other sister agencies of the government, while customs is the lead agency because the food items are with us.

“Among us here are the police and DSS, and tomorrow, we are going to have a full department of all the sister organisations for proper monitoring.”

Mr Adeniyi said the rice distributed was certified for consumption by the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) before being re-bagged to 25kg to reach as many Nigerians as possible.

The customs boss said 10 points had been created for the processing, and interested Nigerians should come with their NIN to restrict people from benefiting twice.

He added that customs would work with the police to ensure the food items were not resold.

Mr Adeniyi, however, urged Nigerians to report any incident of misuse or unauthorised resale of the food items. He said customs would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone possessing food items in their stores.

Mr Adeniyi said customs officers had intercepted over 20,000 bags of 50kg of parboiled rice, beans, maise, millet, and soya beans.

The customs boss added that the area commands detained over 50 trucks containing the food items.

He said other items seized included 2,500 cartons of 963 bags of assorted dried fish, dry pepper, seasoning, salt, cooking oil, macaroni, sugar and garri.

A consultant physician at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Samuel Ajayi, has advised Nigerians to reduce salt intake to prevent or lower their high blood pressure.

Mr Ajayi gave the advice in an interview on Thursday in Ibadan.

He said having a healthy diet (diet with fruits and vegetables and drinking water of at least three litres a day) could also help regulate blood pressure.

According to him, reducing alcohol intake, losing weight if overweight or obese, exercising regularly, cutting down on caffeine consumption, and cessation of smoking can also help in reducing high blood pressure.

“There are several medications that can be used. However, doctors can choose certain medications, depending on age, the presence of other diseases like diabetes or the presence of complications of hypertension, such as heart failure or kidney disease.

“It is also important to have regular blood pressure checks and regular follow-ups with doctors,” he said.

The consultant physician listed things that could increase the risk of hypertension, including being overweight, eating too much salt and not eating enough fruits and vegetables.

Others, he said, were not exercising, drinking too much alcohol or coffee (or other caffeine-based drinks), smoking, stress, age over 65, having a relative with high blood pressure and being of the black race.

He said in about 10 to 15 per cent of cases, hypertension happened as a result of an underlying health condition or taking certain medicine.

Mr Ajayi said that health conditions that could cause hypertension included kidney disease, diabetes, sleep apnoea (where the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep) and interruption of normal breathing.

“There are some medicines that can increase blood pressure, which are contraceptive pills, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen.

“There are also some pharmacy cough and cold remedies, some herbal remedies, particularly those containing liquorice, and some recreational drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines like Molly.

“In these cases, the blood pressure may return to normal once the drugs are stopped,” he said.

Mr Ajayi also explained that when the blood pressure is too high, it strains the blood vessels, heart, and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys, and eyes.

“Persistent high blood pressure can increase the risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and heart failure.

“Reducing blood pressure by even a small amount can help lower the risk of these health conditions,” the consultant physician said.

The Adamawa State Police Command has nabbed three suspected kidnappers and rescued a female victim.

The Command added that its operatives worked with some local hunters.

“The Adamawa State Police Command, in collaboration with hunters, has busted a kidnapping syndicate and arrested three suspected kidnappers terrorizing the people of Gombi general area and rescued a 16-year-old female victim,” the command said in a statement.

The statement, obtained on Wednesday from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Nguroje, said the arrest and rescue came after the police received a tipoff from some good Samaritans.

“Operatives of the Adamawa State Police Command attached to Crack Squad in collaboration with Hunters of Baka Gombi, following a tip off, stormed a kidnapping den at Fotta village, Gombi Local Government Area and arrested a three-man gang,” it added.

The statement named the suspects as Alhaji Habu, 41 years old; Adamu Buba, 36; and Lawali Ahmadu, 38.

“The suspects were all arrested at a certain house situated at a remote side of Fotta Village where they camped their kidnapped female victim and demanded Eight Million Naira (N8,000,000) ransom,” the statement explained.

“The rescued victim has been identified as Aisha Saidu and was kidnapped three days ago from Buma Village of Shani Local Government Area, Borno State, now receiving Medical attention.”

The Osun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has promised to partner the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to tackle corruption.

Akintayo Adaralewa, Osun NSCDC commandant, made the promise during a courtesy visit to ICPC resident anti-corruption commissioner, Demola Bakare, on Monday in Osogbo, the state capital.

Mr Adaralewa said the NSCDC would continue to make its personnel available for the ICPC during its anti-corruption operation.

The commandant commended the commission’s efforts in the fight against corruption, which had eaten deep into every sector.

He said there was a need to join forces to tackle corrupt practices.

Mr Adaralewa urged Nigerians to collaborate with the ICPC in the fight against corruption.

In his response, the ICPC boss said it was important for all government agencies to collaborate to stem the tide of corruption in the country.

However, Mr Bakare said one of the challenges the commission faced in the state was a lack of relevant information by the public to eradicate corruption.

He appealed to members of the public and the NSCDC to share information and intelligence that could assist the commission to minimise corruption in society.

Mr Bakare said the commission was ready to partner with the NSCDC in the fight against corruption.

Alheri Ibrahim-Sanchi, the director of veterinary services in the Kebbi Ministry of Animal Husbandry, says the state government has stepped up efforts to mitigate the spread of avian influenza (bird flu) that reared its ugly head.

He disclosed this while addressing journalists shortly after fumigating a farm infected with the disease in Amanawa village, Kalgo, outskirts of Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.

The disease has so far killed 14 peacocks in the affected facility. Mr Ibrahim-Sanchi said the essence of the exercise was to curtail the spread.

The fumigation was carried out by a team of professionals under “One Health”, comprising experts from ministries of animal husbandry, health, environment, information, and principal partners.

He explained that some peacocks were reported to have been ill, and the pattern of mortality became worrisome, “so we send a team of veterinary doctors for preliminary investigation.

“Upon investigation, we found it necessary to take samples sent to the Veterinary Diagnostic Reference Laboratory in Jos.

“When those samples were analysed, unfortunately for us, they returned positive for ‘Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1)’, so, this is what necessitated this exercise, to first of all come to the scene where these birds were resident and do the needful.”

The director said the main task was to ensure that the incident did not go beyond the affected facility, assuring that the team would go ahead and take active surveillance, “which is a pattern of seeking other likely cases that may be occurring in our state.”

Mr Ibrahim-Sanchi appealed to poultry owners to remain calm but be vigilant and intensify bio-security, adding that “it is a disease that can cause high economic loss for poultry owners.”

He advised poultry farmers to share information with their colleagues and minimise the number of people visiting the poultry.

Mr Ibrahim-Sanchi added that the ministry, in collaboration with sister ministries and agencies, was trying to sensitise the public to the disease.

Also, in an interview, the director of public health at Kebbi Ministry of Health, Abubakar Bagudu-Muhammad, confirmed that the disease had the potency to affect humans, adding that “it is also pathogenic, meaning it can be transmitted from one person to another.”

Mr Bagudu-Muhammad charged veterinary zonal officers, local government disease surveillance and notification under health, zonal officers of the Ministry of Environment and focal persons at the ward and community levels to be vigilant and put more attention on the border axis.

There was tears on Saturday, as the remains of Lady Caroline Aguiyi – Ironsi , the daughter of Nigeria’ s former Head of State , General Thomas Umunnankwe Aguiyi-Ironsi was on Saturday, laid to rest at Umuana village, Ndume Ibeku in Umuahia North local government area of Abia State.

Lady Caroline, who died at 68, was popular in the community for her kindness to the people and advocacy for the ordinary people.In his message at the event, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, described the late Lady Caroline Aguiyi-Ironsi as a woman of substance with a heart of gold, pure and natural.

Otti, who was represented by his Deputy, Ikechuckwu Emetu, posited that Caroline was a truly caring woman who touched the lives of so many people with her kindness, warmth, and compassion.

He called on the family to remain strong and look forward to the positive side of life in recognition of the legacy of love and generosity exemplified by the deceased.

Responding on behalf of the family, former Minister of Defence and son of late General Aguiyi-Ironsi, Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi thanked Governor Otti for identifying with the family during the trying period and prayed for God’s wisdom and good health to enable him deliver on his ongoing programmes in the state.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to pray for his mother, Mama Eunice Afeni-Jonathan and his family following the death of his elder sister, Madam Obebhatein.

Jonathan said the death of Madam Obebhatein traumatised their mother.

He spoke during the burial of Madam Obebhatein in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Friday.

Jonathan noted that Madam Obebhatein, who died aged 70 on January 11, 2024, was his only surviving sibling from his aged mother.

According to him: “Death, as they say, is something we all pass through. But the time it comes also matters. Yes, we will all die someday but the time matters.

“My elder sister died at a time that we can gather these celebrities to celebrate her, but that our mother is to mourn her is the nasty aspect of the whole thing.

“My mother has lost her first child that ought to mourn her when God calls her. I have to sincerely thank the Bayelsa State First Lady and other women who came around her because I was then in London.

“If you knew what she used to be and what she is now, you would know that she is still traumatised. So continue to pray for my mum. God will see us through. I thank you.”

The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Shehu Umar Nadada, has paraded 12 suspects arrested for child trafficking and other criminal activities in the state.

The suspects, linked to the sale of 45 children, were paraded on Friday in Lafia.

A total of 57 suspects were arrested by the state Police Command from January 1 to date, according to Nadada, who spoke during a press briefing at the state Police Command Headquarters in Lafia.

The suspects include three suspected kidnappers, three armed robbery suspects, and twenty suspected fraudsters, along with others arrested for rape and motorcycle/vehicle theft.

One of the cases involved the abduction of a five-year-old boy in Keffi, where Ismaila Adamu was arrested for his involvement in a syndicate specializing in child theft.

This led to the arrest of several other suspects involved in the theft and sale of children.

Nadada stated that analysis conducted on the suspects’ phones revealed that 45 children had been stolen and illegally adopted by unsuspecting members of the public across the country.

He said the suspects confessed to theft and selling the children at different prices, ranging from N350,000 to N1,500,000, depending on their age and gender.

They also revealed that they conspired with Social Welfare officers of some ministries to produce fake documents and sell the children to willing buyers.

The Police Commissioner stated that six children have been rescued in Abuja, Ondo, and Lagos states, respectively, and efforts are ongoing to arrest more suspects involved in the crime and recover more of the stolen children.

“The suspects have confessed to the theft and selling of so many children at different prices ranging from N350,000 to N1,500,000, depending on their age and gender.

“The suspects further stated that they steal and sell the Children by conspiring with Social Welfare officers of some ministries; where they produce fake documents and sell the Children to willing buyers.

“So far, Six (6) children have been rescued in Abuja, Ondo and Lagos State respectively. Effort is ongoing to arrest more suspects involved in the commission of the crime and recover more of the stolen Children,” Nadada said.

Various items were recovered from the suspects, including fake foreign currency, firearms and ammunition, 10 motorcycles, and 2 vehicles, among others, as exhibits.

The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA) says it has registered 3,918 intending pilgrims for the 2024 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, out of 5,001 slots allocated to the state.

The agency’s chairman, Aliyu Musa-Gusau, disclosed the figure after a meeting with the 23 local government assistant Hajj registration officers on Saturday in Sokoto.

Mr Musa-Gusau, who was represented by the director administration of the agency, Ladan Ibrahim, maintained that the agency would close collection of payment of balance and complete package for 2024 Hajj on Feb. 12.

According to him, the closure of the 2024 registration is based on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, directives that all payments of the balance and for the purchase of seats should be complete by Monday Feb. 12.

He warned that any person who failed to complete the payment after initial deposit of N4.5 million, or pay the whole N4,699 million, risked missing out on this year’s Hajj.

The chairman explained that 1,806 intending pilgrims paid N4.5 million and above, while 2,895 intending pilgrims paid below N4.5 million.

He, therefore, urged the depositors to endeavour to complete the payment, or those willing to pay for the whole package, to do so before the Monday deadline.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested five suspected internet fraudsters.

The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

He said that they were arrested on Friday at Kansho village in the Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to him, the arrest is sequel to the actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet – related offences.

He stated, “The suspects are Shima Francis, Ode Jesse, Odey Linus, Kingsley Obinna and Emmanuel Inaleguwu.

Items recovered from them are one iPhone and five android phones.

They suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.’’

The Council of Knights of Anglican Diocese of Umuahia, Abia State has reiterated the ban it placed on the shooting of traditional guns, popularly known as Cannon or Egbe Mkpo N’ala.

This resolution is contained in a communique issued to the newsmen at the end of the re-dedication of the Council Of Knights, Diocese of Umuahia (Anglican Communion) held from Friday.

The communique, jointly signed by Sir. Nnamdi Asinu-Anosike, Chairman; Sir. Godfrey Anonye, and others, said, “the Council reiterated that there would be no Cannon shooting (Egbe Mkpo N’ala) before, during and after the burial of a Knight or Lady”.

The resolution also advised the Ladies and Knights to live a life worthy of emulation so as not to be seen as enemies of the church and cross.

The communique warned that a Knight who contradicts the oath of allegiance at any point would be stripped of his Knighthood.

The Council of Knights claimed that the current state of the Nigerian nation has drastically reduced the standard of living and caused an upsurge in criminal activities like insecurity, kidnapping, and robbery among other societal ills.

According to them, “This has led to an increase in the number of enemies of the Cross of Christ”.

As court shifts trial till March 12, five Rivers State men charged with terrorism offenses by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) have challenged the jurisdiction of Federal High Court Abuja to try them for alleged offenses committed in Rivers.

The five defendants charged with terrorism are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.

They had, in yesterday’s proceedings, orally attacked the territorial jurisdiction of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court on the ground that the alleged offences were committed in Rivers State.

However, the oral application was turned down by the court, which insisted that being a court of record, all applications and motions must be brought before it in writing as required by law.

Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon rejected the oral application sought to be moved by counsel to the 1st and 2nd defendants, Lukman Fagbemi.

Olajuwon, who was taken aback by the mode, rejected the move and advised the lawyer to come formally with any motion or application.

The Judge said that the senior lawyer should be diligent in the conduct of proceedings in relation to the case of his clients.

He also turned down the request by the defendants to adjourn the case until their proposed application to challenge the territorial jurisdiction of the court is determined one way or the other.

Governor Babagana Zulum has inaugurated a committee to stop the incessant farmers and herders clashes that often resulted in loss of lives and shortage of food crops in Borno.

During the committee’s inauguration at the Government House in Maiduguri, Mr Zulum said the committee’s mandate was to determine the causes of conflicts between farmers and herders in Borno.

While charging the committee to complete the task within two months, the governor urged it to recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.

Mr Zulum also tasked the committee to identify and document the grazing reserves and their current status in Borno.

The committee comprises 21 members and includes security agencies, the Miyetti Allah Association, the Alhaya Development Association, and representatives of traditional institutions.

Similarly, the governor inaugurated the Bama Phase II Reconstruction Committee and the Streetlight Maintenance and Installation Committee. He tasked the committee to identify IDPs willing to return to Bama town, Kumshe, Darajamal, and Tarmuwa in Bama LGA and resettle them accordingly.

“Bama Phase II reconstruction is prompted by the relative peace enjoyed in the state, coupled with our resettlement efforts towards ensuring the voluntary return of internally displaced persons to all safe areas to enable them to regain their sources of livelihood,” Mr Zulum said.

He added that the reconstruction of LGAs along the border, such as Bama, Abadam, and Kukawa, was prioritised to allow the return of Nigerians seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

“The eight-member Bama reconstruction committee is headed by the State Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe.

“The streetlight maintenance and installation committee consists of six members, with the Commissioner of Budget and Planning, Babagana Mallumbe, as chairman.

“The committee will ensure the maintenance of streetlights, with priorities on Maiduguri Metropolis and Jere Local Government, while also considering other major towns across the three senatorial zones.

“The committee will also oversee the conversion of streetlights, which use diesel-powered generators, to alternative solar-powered ones to reduce the rising cost of maintenance,” said Mr Zulum.

Speaking on behalf of all the committees, Lawan Wakilbe, the education commissioner, expressed gratitude to the governor for assigning them the tasks.

He assured the governor of their unwavering commitment to fulfilling their assigned tasks and delivering as scheduled.

The National Association of Nigerian Students has expressed concern over Tuesday’s students’ unrest at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, in Abia.

Reacting to the incident at an interactive session with journalists in Enugu on Wednesday, the NANS President, Pedro Obi, took a swipe at the management of MOUAU for allegedly imposing hard conditions on students during their first semester examinations.

Mr Obi was reacting to the reported “no registration no examination” policy of the university, which allegedly led to students’ violent protest on campus and eventual closure of the university by the management.

He said, “It has come to our attention that students are being denied the opportunity to sit their examinations unless they have made full payment of their school fees. This action by the university management is unfair, especially considering the current economic situation in Nigeria. We are deeply concerned that this approach will lead to a significant number of dropouts, negatively affecting the lives and education of our students, thereby leading to more security challenges in the country.

“The national secretariat of NANS firmly believes that education should be accessible to all, regardless of their financial background. We urge the university management to kindly consider alternative ways of addressing the issue of school fees payment. Such approach could be by splitting the payment into manageable installments per semester, rather than expecting a one-time payment.’’

He also said that the association had consequently set up a five-member committee “to swiftly intervene and bring the situation under control.’’

He said that membership of the committee included Cokey Nwachukwu (Chairman), with Josephine Ikpe-Abasi, Felix Ifeyinwa and Orji Frank as members, while Chijioke Emmanuel (MOUAU SUG President ) is to serve as secretary.

Mr Obi said that the committee would engage in constructive dialogue with the university management to find a resolution that ensures that the rights and wellbeing of the students are protected.

He said, “NANS national secretariat calls on the management of MOUAU to immediately halt this unfair practice and work towards a more student-friendly approach to payment of school fees.

Education should not be a privilege reserved for a select few but a fundamental right accessible to all. We implore the university management to prioritise the welfare of the students and cooperate fully with the committee set up by NANS national secretariat.”

He, however, said that the association “condemns in totality, the destruction of school or government’s property as genuine students should not be found engaging themselves in such act.’’

According to him, such violent acts jeopardise genuine and well intended struggle for an egalitarian society.

“We urge all the MOUAU students to remain calm and patient as the committee works tirelessly to resolve this issue. Having cried out, your voices have been heard and we are committed to fighting for your rights,” the NANS president said.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, has reacted to the students protest, saying that the implementation of “no registration no examination” was not a new policy.

Speaking at a news briefing in the university on Wednesday, Mr Iwe said that the policy had been in place in the institution and “all normal universities across the world.’’

“University is not a place where people can acquire education on credit. The point is that it is either you have the money to pay and be trained or you stay away,” he said.

A final year student of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Adaze Doris Jaja, has reportedly killed herself in a hotel in Ijebu Area of the state.

Jaja was found dead with an empty bottle of sniper beside her.

The deceased was found foaming in her mouth.

While confirming the incident, the Police spokesman, Omolola Odutola, on Tuesday, said the 31-year-old was rushed to the hospital where she was confirmed dead.

Odutola explained that the incident was reported to the Divisional Police Officer, Ago Iwoye Division, on January 27 at about 7:30 a.m.

The body of the deceased has however, been deposited at the university mortuary for an autopsy.

Her words, “the Director of Be-Happy Hotel in Ago Iwoye, Hon. Oduniyi Adelaja, came to the police station and reported that at about 0600hrs (6 am) on the same day, he received information from one Adebayo Israel, a staff member of the hotel, that Adaeze Doris Jaja, a 31-year-old female and a 400-level student of Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago Iwoye, was found lying unconscious and foaming in the mouth.

“An empty bottle of Sniper 1000EC/DDVP was found beside her, and she was immediately rushed to Best Care Hospital and later transferred to Love and Care Hospital in Ago Iwoye, where she was confirmed dead.”

Odutola said that the scene of the crime was visited and the empty sniper bottle was recovered.

The new Assistant Inspector General of Police deployed to Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, Olatoye Durosinmi, has assumed duty.

A statement by the Zonal Public Relations Officer SP. Tunni Ayuba, indicated this on Tuesday in Lagos.

Mr Ayuba said that Mr Durosinmi assumed office on Tuesday as the new AIG in charge of the Zone, comprising Lagos and Ogun states.

“Durosinmi succeeded AIG Ari Mohammed Ali, who has been deployed as the AIG in-charge of community policing, Force Headquarters Abuja,” she said.

According to her, Mr Durosinmi was born on August 19, 1964, and hails from Ayetoro in the Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

“He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology/Anthropology from the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Durosinmi has LLB (Hons) from Delta State University, Abraka, BL from Nigerian Law School, Abuja, LLM from Lagos State University, Ojo Lagos, and a PhD – in view at the Imo State University, ” Mr Ayuba stated.

The ZPRO said that Mr Durosinmi joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police Course 16 in 1990.

She said, “The AIG has served in various capacities across the country, such as the DPO Lion Building Division, DPO Ebute-Ero Division, pioneer DPO Layeni Division, DPO Isheri Division.

“Also the pioneer DCP State CID Kebbi State, pioneer DCP FSWAT, Lagos, Delta, and Kwara State, to mention but a few. He is a vastly experienced police officer who has attended several courses both at home and abroad. His posting is aimed at achieving the IGP’s vision statement for emplacing a modern police force that is professional, secure, and rule of law compliant, from his wealth of experience.’’

Three persons, on Tuesday, died after a truck fell off from an overhead bridge in Jos, Plateau State capital.

It was learnt that the three persons were trapped under the vehicle and died afterwards while three others were also injured.

Residents who gathered at the scene along Zaria Road confirmed the accident to PUNCH Online in Jos on Tuesday, saying about 45 cows were also killed in the crash that occurred between 4 am and 5am.

One of the residents, Timothy Garuba, who spoke with our correspondent, said the accident happened when the truck was climbing the flyover bridge situated within Gada Biu /Kabong community in the early of hours of Tuesday.

Garuba said, “A truck driver lost control on the Kabong fly-over bridge in Jos North Local Government Area early this morning.

The truck was carrying cows and passengers around 4:30 am when it fell off the bridge with passengers and some cows trapped under it. I can count 45 cows that are littered on the ground dead. Some passengers are trapped under the vehicle as well.”

The Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, Peter Langsan, who confirmed the casualty figures said that both the dead and the injured victims had been evacuated to the hospital.

Langsan said, “Our officers and men have just concluded the rescue operation here. It was an articulated vehicle carrying cows and human beings that fell off the bridge. Three persons died and three others were also injured. They have been taken to the hospital.”

Langsan, who attributed the accident to speeding, warned motorists to stop carrying humans in vehicles meant for haulage.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Sunday confirmed that six persons died in an automobile crash on Onueke axis at the Afikpo-Abakaliki road in Ebonyi.

The sector commander in Ebonyi, Igwe Nnabuife, said in Abakaliki that the crash involved 17 people.

Mr Nnabuife noted that six persons died, while 11 were critically injured.

According to Mr Nnabuife, the crash involved five automobiles, including two articulated vehicles and a commercial bus belonging to Peace Mass Transit.

“It happened around 11:50 a.m. at Onuwedu, Onueke axis, Ezza South local government area of Ebonyi. This is a multiple crash and it was caused by wrong overtaking.

“The dead have been taken to the mortuary at Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, while those injured are receiving treatment.

“We advice drivers to always be patient while driving. Always obey the traffic rules and regulations. Avoid dangerous driving and over-speeding to save lives,” Mr Nnabuife stated.