Peter Obi says Nigeria is gradually descending into anarchy

Amid recent wanton killings in various states, including his home state Anambra, Peter Obi, a candidate in the last presidential poll, has warned about Nigeria’s “frightening gradual descent into anarchy.”

The opposition politician and former Anambra governor condemned the recent killings in Mangu LGA in Plateau, noting that “different reports of violent and criminal acts across the country have remained a source of serious worry to Nigerians.”

“The reports of violent attacks by gunmen in the Mangu council area of Plateau State, where many lives, including women and children, have been lost, come with grave concern,” he added.

While urging security agencies to tackle “incessant acts of killing, kidnapping, maiming and other acts of terrorism,” Mr Obi said, “I most sincerely urge the security agencies and the government to rise to the occasion of arresting this frightening gradual descent into anarchy.”

Peoples Gazette reported how gunmen on Tuesday laid an ambush on the diplomatic convoy conveying staff of the U.S. Embassy to Anambra on a humanitarian mission.

The Anambra police command revealed Thursday the gunmen killed nine people in the convoy.

In Plateau, a violent clash between Fungzai and Kubat in the newly created district of Bwai in the Mangu council left at least 60 people, including women and children, dead.

One killed, three injured in Kwara road crash

One person has been reported dead and three others injured in a lone fatal accident in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara.

This is contained in a statement issued in Ilorin on Thursday by the Kwara Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Frederick Ogidan.

The statement said the accident, which occurred on Tuesday at Wariko along Lafiagi road before Gbugbu village, claimed the life of the commercial vehicle driver identified as Mohammed Idris.

Three other injured passengers in the accident were identified as Usman, Bkatachi and Fati, a female.

According to the statement, the accident occurred at about 10.30 pm due to overspeeding.

The deceased was burnt to ashes, the FRSC added.

The three injured victims were taken to the Lafiagi General Hospital for treatment by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

Nine killed during attack on U.S. Embassy convoy in Anambra- Police

Anambra police command has revealed that nine persons lost their lives in an ambush attack on the U.S. Embassy convoy in the state on May 16.

The command’s disclosure is contained in a press statement through DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, Anambra police command spokesman, in Awka on Thursday.

Mr Ikegna said the information about the incident was received by Anambra state police command, through an official of the U.S. consulate.

The command disclosed that through its preliminary investigation, it gathered that the officials of the USA consulate were on a mission to assess the impact of erosion in Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA).

The statement said the attack took place along Atani/Osamela road in Ogbaru LGA by suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN)/Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

However, the command disclosed that upon arrival at the scene of the incident, the joint security team sighted and engaged the assailants in a shoot-out but they escaped through a nearby forest.

Mr Ikenga said the Command continued their search jointly with security forces comprising police tactical teams from the command and troops of the Nigerian Army as well as the Nigerian Navy.

The PPRO said they raided a camp in Ugwuaneocha community of Ogbaru LGA, which was suspected to be the hideout of the assailants, but discovered that it had been deserted.

However, he disclosed that two persons of interest have been arrested and they are currently assisting the police in their investigation.

The statement also revealed that the criminal camp has been razed down by the joint security team.

The Command listed the following persons as the fallen heroes of the U.S. consulate, Jefferson Obayuwane (RTD DSS personnel), Sunday Prince Ubong, Ekene Nweke, Hassan Etila, Avwuvie Kaye, Monday, Bukar . A. Kabuiki – (Police), Emmanuel Lukpata – (Police), Friday Morgan -(Police), and Adamu Andrew – (Police).

The PPRO said that the remains of the deceased persons have all been recovered and deposited in a morgue.

He said that the state police command and other security agencies are working round-the-clock, in concert with the Government of Anambra State, to find and rescue the missing officials.

Mr Ikenga urged members of the public to support its effort to get the identities and locations of the culprits, through provision of quality information.

The Commissioner condoles with the families and friends of the deceased persons.

He extended his condolence to the USA Consulate over the tragic incident and assured that efforts would be deployed to track down the perpetrators of the heinous crimes and bring them to justice.

Court remands Seun Kuti for four additional days

The police in Lagos state have secured an order from a Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos State to remand afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, for additional four days.

The police had approached the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Olatubosun, for an extension of the remand order until May 22.

The head of the Chambers of the Nigeria Police, DCP Simon Lough (SAN) in the application filed before the court said the extension is needed to allow further investigation into the case.

Seun is currently standing trial after a video of him slapping and pushing a police officer on Third mainland bridge surfaced online on May 13.

The police charged him with slapping an inspector after driving dangerously on the bridge and deliberately blocking a moving police vehicle.

Kuti was first arraigned on Tuesday, May 16, during which the police secured an order to detain him for 48 hours.

The magistrate, however, held that he should be admitted to bail in the sum of one million Naira with two sureties in like sum, at the end of the 48-hour remand.

She said that one of the sureties must be a landlord within the jurisdiction of the court.

She had adjourned the case until May 22 for mention and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the case file and forward a copy to the state director of public prosecutions for advice.

Gunmen kill policeman attached to Delta State Government House

Gunmen have killed a policeman attached to the Counter Terrorising Unit attached to the Delta State Government House, Asaba.

According to the PUNCH, the policeman simply identified as Solomon, among others, were on a mission to River State when they ran into an ambush by unknown gunmen on East-West Road, in Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Some members of CTU in Government House went for a mission in Rivers State on Friday, and ran into an ambush by unknown gunmen,” a source said.

“The gunmen shot at their vehicle, they retaliated and unfortunately, Solomon was shot dead while other members of the team escaped.

“It is sad for Solomon to die in the mission. Solomon was among the police team that escaped last February incident when unknown gunmen killed three policemen on the entourage of Governor Okowa.

Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident, said the convoy ran into the gunmen while they were operating.

“Yes, I can confirm that it happened. He was not the target. What happened was that the gunmen were operating when their convoy ran into them. In the process, he was hit by a stray bullet. The incident occurred in Rumuji, in the Emuoha Local Government Area section of the East-West Road.” the PPRO said.

FG approves e-platform for birth, death registrations

The federal government has approved the development of an Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS), a platform that will effectively keep electronic records of birth and death registrations.

This is contained in a statement issued by Ifeanyi Nwoko, spokesman for the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

The commission said for the eCRVS, N5.3 billion private sector funds would be injected by the concessionaire Messrs Barnksforte Technologies, while the National Population Commission would be the project grantor.

The ICRC said the project seeks to capture and verify births and deaths in Nigeria and provide attestation and verification of certificates to end users on the platform.

“Prior to this, these registrations have been carried out manually, a process that has been characterised by low coverage and inadequate data,” the ICRC said.

The agency also explained that the federal government approved the establishment of an Aviation Leasing Company (ALC) under a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

He said the approval was to inject private sector funds into infrastructure development and boost the nation’s economic growth.

The commission said both approvals were given following the issuance of Full Business Case (FBC) compliance certificates by ICRC, the agency statutorily established to regulate PPPs.

The ICRC said the ALC, which Messrs AJW Consortium would execute as concessionaires, seeks to provide an opportunity for local aircraft leases to both domestic and international carriers.

Man arrested with police uniforms in Lagos, claims he picked them from a dustbin

The police in Lagos state has arrested a middle-aged man identified as Issa Majafara after police uniforms were found on him.

According to police sources, Majafara was apprehended along Iyana-Iba market road on May 16.

Two police trousers, one camouflage T-shirt and one police face cap were recovered from him.

When interrogated, the suspect claimed he picked the items from a dustbin.

The suspect is currently in police custody and will be arraigned as soon as the investigation is completed.

Federal Government concessions Abuja and Kano airports

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA, Kano, have been successfully concessioned by the federal government.

Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Minister of Aviation, James Odaudu, said the concessioning came after approval from the Federal Executive Council, FEC.

The Corporation American Airport Consortium emerged as the preferred bidder, which comprises the Corporation American Airports, Mota Engil Africa, and Mota Engil Nigeria.

The company will make upfront payments of $7 million for NAIA and $1.5 million for MAKIA.

During the concession period, total projected nominal revenues accruable from the combined concession of NAIA and MAKIA exceed $4 billion, of which over 70 per cent will be payable to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN.

Odaudu further stated that the concessioning of Abuja and Kano airports were in alignment with the Aviation Roadmap, approved by Mr. President on 18th October 2016, and signifies the Ministry’s commitment towards revitalizing the nation’s aviation sector.

The partnership arrangement will be effective for 20 years for NAIA and 30 years for MAKIA.

The statement read;

“Following a thorough and comprehensive evaluation process that commenced with the Request for Qualification (RFQ) advertised in local and international media on 16th August 2021, and subsequent rigorous evaluation of technical and financial bids, coupled with due diligence visits conducted from 27th – 29th December 2022 and 9th – 10th January 2023, the Corporacion American Airport Consortium has emerged as the preferred bidder.

“The consortium, composed of The Corporation American Airports, Mota Engil Africa, and Mota Engil Nigeria, is globally recognized for its superior technical expertise in the design, construction, management, and operation of infrastructure.

The Corporation American Airports, a New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listed airport operator, has presence across three continents, managing 53 airports in six countries and serving approximately 82.4 million passengers in 2019.

“The concession of NAIA and MAKIA will considerably enhance the operational efficiency and profitability of these airports, repositioning them to operate optimally and competitively.

During the concession period, total projected nominal revenues accruable from the combined Concession of NAIA and MAKIA exceed $4 billion United States Dollars.

Over 70% of these projected revenues will be payable to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), thereby generating additional revenue sources for the Federal Government.”

Nigerian lesbian couple gets married in the U.S.

Nigerian lesbian couple, Dr. Elizabeth Ekpo and Krystle Ekpo, got married in the U.S. The wedding was held in New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

The bride’s sister, Chanda Anderson, shared the wedding photos on her Facebook page on Tuesday, May 16.

One of the photos reads;

“Nigerian Queens” “My baby sister Krystle got married to the love of her life Dr. Elizabeth Ekpo this past weekend in NOLA. I gained a additional sister Liz. I wish the both of you happiness and joy forever. Congratulations I Love you all Always.” she wrote.

One dead, five wounded in Ogun multiple road crash

On Tuesday, a multiple auto crash on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway left one person dead and five others injured.

FRSC spokeswoman in Ogun, Florence Okpe, said the crash involved seven males and one female as five vehicles and two motorbikes.

Two persons escaped unhurt.Ms Okpe attributed the crash to speeding and wrongful overtaking.

The FRSC official also stated that the driver of a truck involved in the crash lost control due to brake failure, ramming into other vehicles before plunging into a river.

Another vehicle went up in flames due to the collision.

“The corpse has been deposited at the General Hospital, Ota, while the survivors are receiving treatment at the same hospital,’’ Ms Okpe added.

The FRSC sector commander in Ogun, Ahmed Umar, advised motorists to desist from dangerous driving.

Over 30 killed as gunmen attack another Plateau village

Gunmen have killed over 30 persons in Tanknale village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, said the incident occurred at about 11pm on Tuesday, May 6, 2023, barely a day after gunmen attacked Fungzai and Kubwat communities villages, in Mangu, killing over 40 persons.

In a statement on Wednesday, May 17, Alabo said the state Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, had directed the immediate deployment of armed personnel to the area

“The commissioner of police expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident that has claimed the lives of yet-to-be-identified persons from various villages within the area,” the PPRO said.

“At about 11:56 p.m. on Tuesday, we received a distress call from one of our police officers in charge of Tanknale village of Mangu that some gunmen were shooting sporadically in a nearby village.

“The commissioner immediately mobilised all assets in the command to the scene to ensure that the suspects are arrested and brought to book.

“Further information from the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), ACP Bawa Sale, who was also present at the scene, reveals that with help from other security agencies in the command, the hoodlums were chased away.”

He stated that due to the superior firepower of the security personnel, the gunmen abandoned four motorcycles, a Sharon vehicle, and some items used for their nefarious activities.

“As we speak, the culprits are on the run while our officers are still on their trail with the aim to ensure that they are neutralized and arrested,” the police spokesman added.

Alabo further quoted the Plateau State Commissioner of Police as calling on residents of the affected area to remain peaceful, adding that security agencies have modalities on ground to arrest the criminals.

He also called on the residents with useful information to avail it to the security agencies for prompt action.

Three injured, others reportedly kidnapped as gunmen attack commercial vehicle in Ekiti

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers attacked a commercial bus in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State, injured three passengers and reportedly abducted others.

The incident happened along Iju/Itaogbolu/Ikere-Ekiti road on Monday evening, May 15, 2023.

It was gathered that the commercial driver and his passengers were coming from Ado-Ekiti and heading to Akure, the capital of Ondo State when the gunmen numbering about five and armed with guns and other dangerous weapons started shooting sporadically causing the vehicle to run into a ditch.

Sources said some of the injured passengers left behind are currently receiving medical attention at a private health facility in Ikere-Ekiti.

“Three occupants of the vehicle escaped with gunshot injuries.

We cannot say specifically about the remaining three, but people believe they were taken to the bush by the gun,” a source told the PUNCH.

Recounting his ordeal, one of the injured passengers, who claimed to be a civil servant, said he boarded the vehicle from Ado-Ekiti to Akure at about 4:30pm on the fateful day.

He explained that they were attacked by the gunmen at a damaged portion of the road between Ikere-Ekiti and Iju in Ondo State.

Spokesperson of the Ekiti State Command, Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the incident, however, claimed it was an attempted robbery.

“It was not a kidnapping incident, though we are still investigating because we are looking at an attempted armed robbery,” the PPRO stated.

“About three persons were injured in the attack and we have not received a report of any traveller kidnapped.

Those that were affected are receiving treatment in hospital and investigation has commenced as directed by the state Commissioner of Police, Dare Ogundare, to ensure that those who perpetrated the act are brought to book,” he added.

Also confirming the incident, the Commandant of the Amotekun Corps in Ekiti State, Brigadier Joe Komolafe, said his men and other sister security agencies were combing the bush in the area to rescue the victims without harm.

Court remands father for allegedly raping his 16-year-old daughter in Ondo

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Akure, has ordered that a motorcyclist, Bayo Akinfenwa, to be remanded at Olokuta Correctional Centre for allegedly raping his 16-year-old daughter.

The incident occurred in March this year at Ayeyemi Akintunde Street in Ondo State.

The defendant was Monday, May 15, 2023, arraigned on a one count charge of rape.

The police prosecutor, Supol Matins Olowofeso told the court that the defendant committed the offence sometimes in March, 2023 in his residence.

The charge read,

“That you, Bayo Akinfenwa sometime in March at midnight at Akintunde Street, in Ondo, did unlawfully have carnal knowledge of your daughter, one 16-year-old Akinfenwa.

According to the charge, the offence contravenes Sections 357 and 358 of the Criminal Law of Ondo State, 2006.”

The magistrate did not take the defendant’s plea.

The prosecutor applied for the remand of the defendant at Olokuta Correctional centre pending the issuance of legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP.

Magistrate Folashade Aduroja ordered the remand of the defendant and adjourned the case till May 25 to enable the defendant file a counter affidavit to the application.

Nigerians complain so much about public hospitals- Federal Government

The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) has called for a desirable and quality health system in Nigeria, noting that citizens lodge an “avalanche” of complaints against public hospitals.

PCC made the call on Tuesday at a town hall meeting held at Ikeja.

In his address, the PCC chief commissioner, Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf, said;

“Nigeria government has been making tremendous attempts and consistently introduced various formative efforts over time to attain universal health coverage for all.”

Mr Ayo-Yusuf said the PCC received complaints about poor services every day.

“Due to the avalanche of unabated complaints being received on a daily basis, the Nigeria ombudsman is, therefore, critical and really concerned about the inherent fallout, particularly as it affects the end users of these basic health outlets and facilities,” stated the PCC chief.

He added,

“This is in a bid to ultimately instil corporate discipline in the operation of all sectors within the socio-economic and political landscape.”

Mr Ayo-Yusuf explained that the ombudsman decided to organise this event to collectively, clinically diagnose and access the performance index of NHIA given the reported complaints against many health service care provider sectors.

“The motive of the forum is to arrive at a holistic framework that shall guarantee everyone an improved quality health service delivery system that will be cost-effective and beneficial to all parties,” he noted.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2022, signed into law to repeal the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Act of 1999 and established the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

“The law makes it mandatory for all Nigerians and persons resident in Nigeria to be beneficiaries,” Mr Ayo-Yusuf added.

Federal Government inducts eight outstanding women into Nigeria’s hall of fame

The federal government has inducted eight female achievers into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame at the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) for their outstanding performance in their professional fields.

While inducting the individuals, women affairs minister Pauline Tallen commended them for their contribution and exceptional feat.

She urged them to mentor young folks to sustain the tides of women’s development and participation.

Ms Tallen also called on women affairs commissioners to replicate the Nigerian women’s hall of fame structure in their states to recognise and document the contributions of women at the subnational levels.

“As we recognise and pay tribute to women by women, I believe that many more women are out there whose works and contributions have not been documented,” the minister explained.

“I, therefore, call state commissioners of women affairs to duplicate such structures so that the feedback process will be established and activities decentralised.”

According to Asabe Vilita-Bashir, NCWD director-general, the hall of fame features records of pre-colonial and contemporary Nigerian women who played leading roles in different aspects of society.

“The hall of fame also provides role models for younger girls and the society at large on the ultimate potential of women in Nigerian society. The criteria for selection are first women, historic or living to achieve recognition in the field of endeavour or a lifetime of achievement in that field,” stated Ms Vilita-Bashir.

The inductees included the first international president of the Medical Women Association, Eleanor Nwadinobi, the first African woman to invent a wearable technology, Bolarinwa Kemisola, the first female monitor-general in the 44 years of the Nigerians Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, AIG, Aisha Baju among others.

Actor Adekola Tijani Reveals Last Conversation With Murphy Afolabi

Nollywood actor, Adekola Tijani has revealed his last conversation with his late friend and colleague, Murphy Afolabi.

He made this known in an interview with Goldmyne TV during Afolabi’s funeral on Monday evening.

Tijani claimed that he had no idea Afolabi was predicting his death when he sent his quota for their monetary contribution ahead of schedule.

He said in Yoruba language,

“I still called him yesterday (Sunday) when he sent money for a contribution we always do on Sundays, he sent it early and I questioned his decision to send it early.

“His response was we don’t know what will happen the next day or in the next minute. I didn’t know he was bidding me farewell.

‘’He called me after his birthday so that I could come and take some of the clothes he used for his birthday shoot. I told him not to worry but I didn’t know he was passing a message across to me.”

Murphy Afolabi was said to have fallen in the bathroom at his house in Ikorodu, Lagos, on Sunday morning, May 14.

Man arrested for killing friend in Adamawa

The Adamawa State Police Command on May 15, apprehended a 34-year-old man identified as Inuwa Yunusa, for allegedly stoning his close friend, Augustine Otti, to death and robbing him of the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (100,000).

A statement from SP Suleiman Nguroje, says the suspect who is a resident of Gyawana, Lamurde Local Government Area, subdued the deceased by hitting him with a strong object on the head and then threw him into a gutter.

‘’In addition to that, he stoned the deceased until he was sure he had died before taking away from him the sum of N100,000 Cash.

The suspect brutally killed the deceased on the 18/4/2023 at about 8:00pm while accompanying him to go and complete payment of rice he bought at Mbemum village.

‘’Nguroje said the suspect was apprehended following the recovery of material evidence at the scene of the crime which is linked to him.

He said interestingly, the suspect voluntarily made a confessional statement, adding that he was only interested in taking possession of the deceased money.

Ooni Hails Hilda Baci For Breaking Guinness World Record

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has hailed the Nigerian chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, for breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.

Baci has set a new record for a 100-hour marathon cooking.

The monarch shared Baci’s photo on his Instagram account on Tuesday, praising her resilient spirit and toughness as a woman.

He wrote,

“Today, like millions of Nigerians, I’m intrigued by #hildabaci resilient spirit, which exemplified the toughness but special grace that our women possess. What she demonstrated to our nation and every young person out there isn’t the glitz or reward system of breaking the Guinness World Record for “longest cooking time,” but the inexhaustible perseverance that every woman possesses.

“Every little girl in all our communities and local governments, like Hilda Bassey Effiong, deserves a chance to show the world her capacity to wrap us in her spirit of excellence. She has the ability to influence us, to break new ground in the most complex environments, and to substantially contribute to our nation’s economic prosperity.

“As a nation built upon family values, we must continue to recognise the significant contributions made by women throughout our country’s history. Their words and actions are cornerstones of our existence.”

Ooni of Ife announces wedding date with his 7th wife, Opeoluwa Elizabeth

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has officially announced a wedding date with his seventh wife, Opeoluwa Elizabeth Akinmuda.

According to invitation cards sent by the palace, the wedding Thanksgiving service and celebration is scheduled to hold on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

The occasion will be preceded by the Queen’s ceremonial arrival into Ile-Ife’s old Ife Oodua Palace on Thursday, May 18.

Recall that the monarch picked six women including Elizabeth as wives in 2022. His wedding to the women came after his marriage to Olori Naomi crashed.

Prior to Olori Naomi, the monarch was married to Queen Wuraola who also divorced him.

He married six women between September and October 2022, starting with Mariam Anako, an Ebira from Kogi State, on September 6, 2022.

Then, on September 7, 2022, he married Elizabeth Opeoluwa Akinmuda, an Ondo native. On October 9, 2022, he married Tobi Phillips, a native of Okitipupa, Ondo State, as his third wife.

The monarch went on to pick Ashley Afolashade Adegoke, an Ile-Ife Princess, as his fourth wife on October 14, 2022 and then on October 20, 2022, he married Ronke Ademiluyi, another Ile-Ife Princess, as his fifth wife.

On October 24, 2022, the monarch tied the knot with his sixth wife, Princess Temitope Adesegu.

Police declare 17-year-old boy missing in Delta

The Delta State Police Command has declared a 17-year-old boy, Ola Edun Emmanuel, missing.

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, in a statement on Tuesday, May 16, said the teenager left home on March 29, 2023, to pick up his matriculation gown at Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Uvwie LGA and hasn’t been seen since then.

The PPRO said all efforts to trace his whereabouts had proved abortive.

“One Ola Edun Emmanuel ‘m’ of 28 James Ovie Street, Okuokoko, Delta State whose photograph is on your screen has been reported missing. Age 17yrs, 5ft tall, no tribal mark, dark in Complexion and speaks English fluently,” the statement read.

“The victim left home on the 29/03/2023 at about 0704hrs to pick up his matriculation gown at Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun for matriculation and has not returned home. All efforts made to trace his whereabout proved abortive.

“Anyone with useful information of the whereabout of the victim should contact GSM No. 08085300569 0r report to Ebrumede Division, PPRO’s office Asaba (09155570007 or 09155570008) or the nearest police station.”