Rescue Team Tows Away BRT Bus In Train Collision

The Lagos State rescue team has retrieved the government staff bus that collided with a moving train on Thursday morning in the PWD, Ikeja area of the state.

It was reported that two people were confirmed dead while an unspecified number of people were injured.

Army recovers 1,671 voters card and ballot papers from Lagos apartment

1,671 Permanent Voters Cards have been recovered from an apartment in Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos State by personnel of the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.  

While three persons were arrested in the apartment, the prime suspect is reportedly on the run.

The security operatives also recovered ballot papers, cutlasses and Indian hemp from the apartment.  

The Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Isang Akpaumontia, who paraded the suspects and recovered PVCs, ballot papers and other items before journalists at the Ikeja Cantonment, said the arrest and recovery were made following a tip-off. 

Most of the recovered PVCs had the year 2022 as the registration number, while others had years 2011, 2012 and 2021 with all the owners being residents of Lagos State.  

Apkpaumontia said;  

“Earlier today (yesterday), three young men were arrested with 1,671 PVCs.  This was after early information was received. With the support of the Department of State Services, DSS, we were able to arrest them. 

“They were arrested with some drugs, dagger, charms and over 1,000 PVCs.  They were arrested at the Apapa general area, in a house where we traced them to. The owner of the house, who is the prime suspect, was traced to a hotel. But he took off.  

“We are going to hand these suspects and exhibits over to our immediate headquarters to do the needful because things have to be done the way they should, so as to discourage others who think they can take laws into their hands and go scot-free.”

Train Crushes Lagos Govt Staff Bus At Ikeja

A Lagos State Government staff bus with registration no 04A- 48LA was on Wednesday morning crushed by a moving train at PWD, Ikeja area of Lagos.

The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the accident in a statement.

“The accident recorded many casualties as the staff bus was fully loaded with govt staff going to the office this morning,” the statement added.

Nigerian ‘most wanted’ prostitution ringleader Madam Joy extradited to Italy

Joy Jeff, a ‘most wanted’ Nigerian woman who runs a prostitution ring and was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment, has been extradited to Italy.

Ms Jeff was flown back to Italy – where she committed the crime, after fleeing Rome to Abuja.

The Italian police confirmed on Wednesday that the culprit had been declared wanted since 2010, shortly after she was sentenced.

In a statement, the police described Ms Jeff as a “prominent figure” in the Nigerian mafia.

“She was arrested in Nigeria on June 4, 2022, on an international warrant issued by Italy,” the statement added.

A video clip released by the Italian police showed Ms Jeff being flown from the Nigerian capital Abuja to Ciampino airport in Rome, where she was taken away in a wheelchair by police, according to Reuters.

The extradition was facilitated by a treaty signed by Nigeria and Italy in 2020.

Italian investigators in the eastern city of Ancona said Ms Jeff played a leading role in trafficking women to Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

They added that women, mostly young ladies, were forced into prostitution by violence and threats.

“Africa today is a strategic location when looking for fugitives and fighting organised crime,” said Vittorio Rizzi, an Italian police chief responsible for international coordination.

Mr Rizzi said Ms Jeff had been convicted in absentia.

Three Ebonyi gunmen killed, lethal weapons seized- Police

The police command in Ebonyi says it killed three and arrested two suspected gunmen.

This is contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abakaliki by the command’s spokesman Onome Onovwakpoyeya.

The police command said it seized two AK-47 rifles, one locally-made pistol, one AK-47 magazine, 30 AK-47 live ammunition, 20 AK-47 expended ammunition and other incriminating items from the alleged gunmen.

“On March 7, at 23.45 hours, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ivo Divisional Headquarters received a distressed call that gunmen were firing sporadically and had set ablaze two vehicles and a filling station. On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer swung into action and left for the scene,” the police explained.

“While at the scene, information revealed that unknown gunmen were sighted sitting down in a public place at Ogwor community in Ishiagu.”

It added;

“While on their way, the men were ambushed and attacked, and an Assistant Superintendent of Police was shot, but the patrol team engaged the hoodlums with superior firepower. During the gun duel, one of the hoodlums was neutralised, and others fled with bullet wounds.”

According to the statement, the DPO called the headquarters for reinforcement.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Sunday Olaleye, intercepted the distress call and immediately directed tactical teams to storm the place with the description of the vehicle and the route through which the hoodlums were escaping,” said the police statement.

“On sighting the police operatives, the hoodlums engaged them in a gun duel at Osso junction, where two of the hoodlums were equally neutralised and two arrested.”

One dies in Lagos market fire

One person died in a fire on Wednesday at an auto spare parts market in the Ajegunle area of Lagos.

In a statement on Wednesday, Margaret Adeseye, the director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, said the number of shops and goods affected in the incident could not be immediately determined.

“At about 03:28 a.m. on Wednesday, a Fire outbreak was alerted to Akere Spare Parts Market, Kirikiri Road, Akere Bus Stop, Olodi-Apapa, Ajegunle, Lagos that saw the Ajegunle fire station of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service as first respondents,” the statement said.

It added;

“Upon arrival, it was discovered that rows of shops that traded in auto spare parts were well alight that led to Sari-Iganmu and Ilupeju fire crews of the agency joining up to subdued the raging fire and salvage a nearby major market petroleum filling station with a fully loaded 33,000 litres PMS tanker amongst other adjoining buildings.”

However, according to the statement, a man was recovered by the Tolu Police Division around the scene, including the Lagos Neighborhood and Safety Corps and the Red Cross.

The agency said the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained.

Ms Adeseye added that it would “require detailed investigation to ascertain as well as post-incident enumeration to account for the number of lockup shops and wares lost.”

Police arrest seven teenagers for gang-raping 15-year-old girl in Adamawa

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested seven teenagers for gang-raping a 15-year-old girl in Kodomun village, Demsa Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Suleiman Yahaya, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, said the suspects lured their victim into the house of one of them who is her boyfriend, and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.

He said the suspects, Ephraim Emmanuel, 17, Madapwa Fidelis,17, Paka Albert,16, Jude Shido Aventi,18, Harmony Manade,18, Napwanwa Nahim Edmanth,16, and Manbiah Ojes,16, all residents of Kodomun village, were arrested on Sunday, March 5.

“On 4/3/2023 at about 2100hrs, the suspects lured their victim into the house of the first suspect and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her without her consent,” the PPRO stated.

“The incident was reported to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Demsa by a very good Samaritan and a critical stakeholder in policing. Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects took advantage of the victim after honoring the invitation from the first suspect who happens to be her boyfriend too. Unfortunately, she was subdued and forced to submit sexually to all the seven suspects,”

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Afolabi Babatola, frowned at the irritable incident and directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to immediately take over the investigation and ensure diligent prosecution.

“The police boss equally advised Members of the Public particularly parents to be watchful of their children especially the girl child against criminal minded elements who are roaming about seeking who to take advantage of.

“He equally assures the Adamawa State Government and the general public of the Command’s unrelenting effort to see that it ends all forms of Gender Based Violence and assured of immediate prosecution.”

Abuja woman arraigned in court for allegedly defaming Akwa Ibom Governor

A 37-year-old woman, Blessing Edet, has been arraigned before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja, for allegedly defaming the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.

Edet pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge slammed against her by the Nigerian Police.

The charge read;

“That you, Blessing Edet, 37, of No. 18 Buchanan Crescent Wuse II, Abuja, on or before April 11, 2020, sent messages or other matter with the captioned ‘names of married women/politicians’ wives sleeping with Gov. Emmanuel loading through your Facebook page.”

She was also accused of sending a message with the caption

“So, we are going dirty. It’s time to break the final table, stay tuned,” through her Facebook page.

It was further alleged that she wrote on Facebook

“Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Agriculture, Dr Glory Edet, was the actual First Lady of Akwa Ibom, who has overthrown the real wife of the governor.”

Justice Mohammed who presided over the case, granted Edet bail in the sum of N500,000 with a surety in the like sum.

The surety should be a civil servant or somebody with a reasonable means of income.

Edet was also asked to deposit her passport with the court registry. Failure to meet the terms will lead to her being remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

The judge then adjourned the matter till May 10 for trial.

African leaders don’t love their country, they only love their greedy bellies – Simi speaks up against disrespect Africans get outside the continent

Nigerian singer, Simi has lashed out at African leaders over the disrespect their countrymen get outside the continent.

In tweets she shared, Simi noted that Black Africans have to fight for space, respect and survival everywhere they go because the one place that is their birth right is hard on their lives.

The singer also averred that while this should make African leaders wake up, they’ve always shown they only love their bellies and only their children.

She tweeted;

Black Africans have to fight and fight for space and respect and survival everywhere they go because the one place that is their birth right is hard on their lives. One would think this would make African leaders wake tf up and help us fight for our dignity.

Who really wants to go a land of strangers, away from everyone and thing they love? People that want to survive. Nobody chooses that life because it’s good or easy. They just don’t want to die feeling that helpless.

But these leaders don’t love their country. They don’t love their people. They only love their greedy bellies. They only care about their own children. They only care about their families. As long as their wickedness is not happening to them, why stop?

May Yul-Edochie and Judy Yul-Edochie celebrate their father in-law as he turns 76

The wives of actor Yul Edochie, May and Judy, have taken to social media to celebrate his father, Pete Edochie, on the occasion of his 76th birthday today, March 7.

In her post, May expressed her gratitude to the veteran actor for being an awesome father and grandfather. May’s post got a reaction from Yul’s brother who thanked her for celebrating their dad.

Judy also took to her IG page to also celebrate the veteran actor. Describing him as the ‘’Lion of Africa”, Judy prayed that God should keep blessing him and keeping him.

Several parts of Abuja will experience blackout Tuesday- AEDC

The Abuja Electricity Distribution (AEDC) has announced there will be power interruption in parts of Abuja due to annual maintenance on its 2X15MVA B52 injection substation on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

AEDC management, in a statement in Abuja, said that the entire Wuse II, Aminu Kano Crescent, Kumasi, Libreville, Buchanan Crescent, Agadez Street, Parakou Crescent, FCDA Quarters would be affected by the outrage.Other areas are the FERMA headquarters, NEMSA office, Dar-Es-Salam Street, Lingu Crescent and environs.

Similarly, the company said 132kV Gwagwalada-Apo Line 1 in Abuja would be out of supply to enable the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to carry out maintenance on the line between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday.”

Areas and customers to be affected include Games Village, National Stadium, Eye Clinic, Galadimawa, Suncity Estate, Kabusa Gardens, Human Rights Radio, parts of Lokogoma, Trade More Estate (Lugbe), Aco Estate, Aso Estate, Lugbe Across, Railway Station, Karmajiji, Kuchigoro Villages, EFCC, Coca-Cola, Utako District, and Wuye District,” the electricity company said.

AEDC added;

While we regret the inconvenience, please be assured that it is intended to ensure better service delivery.

Gunmen enforcing sit-at-home order kill one, burn five tricycles and two buses In Enugu

One person was reportedly killed by unknown gunmen enforcing sit-at-home order in Enugu state on Monday, March 6.

Daily Independent reports that two Sienna buses and five tricycles were also burnt during the incident which occurred at Liberty Bus Stop, Abakpa, Enugu.

It was gathered that the gun­men stormed the Liberty Bus Stop in Abakpa at about 5:30a.m and descended on the passenger vehicles that travel to Nsukka and burnt one of the drivers inside the Sienna bus, alive.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said

“The hoodlums stopped the man and asked him to step out of his vehicle. The man resisted and that made the gunmen to open the fuel cover, shot into the tank, making the car to go up in flames with the man inside.

”The state police command is yet to comment on this development.

22-yr-old man arrested for allegedly stabbing love rival to death in Adamawa

Men of the Adamawa State Police Command have arrested a 22-year-old man identified as Muhammed Bala, of Mararaba-Madagali in Madagali LGA of Adamawa State for allegedly killing one Bakura over a lady who they both wanted to marry.

The suspect was said to have committed the offense on the 15th February, 2023 at about 9:00pm at the compound of 17-year-old girl identified as Maryam Mohammed, after a heated argument.

During his interrogation, the suspect claimed he and his rival have had series of confrontations and had warned each other to desist from seeing Maryam.

It was gathered that on the day of the incident, the duo met at the lady’s compound, and an argument then ensued.

The argument degenerated into a fight and in the process, the suspect used a knife to stab the deceased who died from the injuries sustained.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, said the suspect will be charged to court on completion of investigation.

Election: Lagos police warns against fake news

The Lagos state police command has warned against fake news which it said is being circulated all over the social media with intent to cause panic, disharmony and unrest within Lagos State ahead of the governorship and house of assembly election holding this weekend.

The police command urged residents of the state to disregard all forms of messages, especially on social media depicting fictitious, fallacious and preposterous claims aimed at jeopardizing the peace currently being enjoyed in the state, adding that it has fully deployed its human and operational resources in conjunction with sister security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

The statement read;

2023 ELECTIONS: POLICE WARN FAKE NEWS PURVEYORS AND MISCHIEF-MAKERS- Reassure electorate of optimal security

The Lagos State Police Command is not unaware of malicious, inciting, provocative and seditious contents being circulated all over the social media with intent to cause panic, disharmony and unrest within Lagos State.

While the Command has begun investigating this scaremongering with a view to apprehending and prosecuting those found culpable, the good people and residents of Lagos State are urged to disregard all forms of messages, especially on social media depicting fictitious, fallacious and preposterous claims aimed at jeopardizing the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.

As the second phase of elections approach, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa, once again assures the electorate that the Command has fully deployed its human and operational resources in conjunction with sister security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

Voters are therefore encouraged to come out to exercise their franchise and not succumb to the panic tactics of a few unpatriotic elements masquerading as concerned and well intentioned Nigerians on social media.

It is equally imperative to warn against mischief around the polling units and collation centers and beyond, as anyone found culpable will be promptly arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, Lagosians are enjoined to call the Police should they notice any untoward happening around them on any of the following emergency numbers: 08127155132, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870.

SP BENJAMIN HUNDEYIN, anipr, mipra

Police Public Relations Officer,Lagos State Command,Ikeja-Lagos.

Okowa approves 65 years retirement age for public school staff

The Delta State government has approved 65 years as the retirement age for teaching and non-teaching staff of all its public schools, including polytechnics and colleges of education.

It also approved 40 years as the length of service year for teaching and non-teaching staff in all its public schools.

The State Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, said the approval was part of the decisions reached at the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, presided by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Monday in Government House, Asaba.

The commissioner, accompanied by the chief press secretary to the governor, Olisa Ifeajika, noted that other approvals, which included the upward review of road projects and new road contracts, among others, were considered at the meeting.

According to Mr Aniagwu, teaching and non-teaching staff of public primary, secondary, polytechnics and colleges of education will now retire at 65 or after 40 years of service in the state.

“Today, the council approved that teachers and non-teaching staff in the public schools of Delta can be in the office up to 65 years of age.

“And that teachers can also be in the office for as much as 40 years, which before now, has been 60 years and 35 years of service before retirement, but they now have additional five years in terms of age and years of service.

“We did it because, at 65 years, teachers may have garnered lots of experience to teach more and matured with clearer understanding of their field of study.

“For the non-teaching staff in polytechnics and colleges of education, we have given them the advantage to remain in service for 40 years or 65 years of age,” he said.

Mr Aniagwu noted that even when some teachers may have retired, they may not be tired; hence the need to effect change and take advantage of the human capital to develop and build a more viral society.

He said the council also approved construction, expansion, and redesign works on some roads and drainages linking many communities across the state.

“The council also approved six new solar power grids for the six zonal hospitals across the state to ensure steady power supply, function optimally and improve service delivery at the hospitals.”

He said the government also approved upward reviews of contract sums for nine technical colleges out of 10 being constructed to reflect the realities and enable the contractors to deliver the projects.

Police declare 10 wanted in Ebonyi over alleged killing of traditional ruler

The police in Ebonyi has declared 10 persons wanted in connection with the murder of Chief Igboke Ewa of Umu-Ezekoha Community, Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Onome Onovwakpoyeya and made available to reporters on Monday in Abakaliki.

According to the statement, the wanted persons include Samuel Onyekachi Aligwe and Peter Orogwu, known as “one boy”, Nonso Obasi, and Ikechukwu Nwoba.

Others are: Chukwudi Aliewa, known as “Ezza”, Chika Ezealigbo, Nnaemeka Egede (Champaign), Nnabuike Okoh and Ogobuchi Agbom (aka Okiri).

The command appealed for information from the general public on whereabouts of the wanted persons.

“We urge the good people of Ebonyi and the general public to assist in apprehending the suspects if seen.

“You can call the Command emergency number 07064515001 or the nearest Police station with any useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects,” the statement added.

Policeman kills girlfriend and colleague’s wife before turning the gun on himself

A tragic incident played out on Sunday, March 5, as a police officer attached to Lang’ata Police Station in Kenya shot dead his colleague’s wife before killing his girlfriend in cold blood.

A police report shared online showed that the policeman assigned to night duties around CleanShelf area, first killed his colleague’s wife before locking himself in his house where he shot his girlfriend seven times before turning the gun on himself.

It read;

“It was reported by the Deputy Office Lang’ata IP Alice Wanjau that she heard gunshot sounds from Mugumoini Chief’s Camp as she was dispatching officers for night duties.

“She informed SCPC Lang’ata and OCS Lang’ata respectively. They rushed to the Chief’s Camp which is a few residential houses for officers and found that No 224377 CPL Mark Mulanda of Lang’ata Police Station who had been deployed on night duties at (CleanShelf, NHC, and Southlands areas) call sign (Lima 9) had shot two women and turned the gun on himself.

“At the scene the officer first shot twice at one Fiona Chepkoech, 37, wife to No 233722 PC Enock Tirop outside his house and then locked his house door from inside where he shot his girlfriend.

“He shot Rhoda Machumba Chepchumba (girlfriend) aged 28 years seven times before he turned the gun to himself and shot one round at the neck which exited from the back using his AK S/NO 17-2306 loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition at the time of issue.”

The police said the motive of the act is yet to be established.

The bodies of the deceased have been taken to City Mortuary awaiting autopsy.

Gombe records 377 motorbike crashes in one year – FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps in Gombe State has revealed that about 377 motorcycle accidents were recorded between January and December 2022.

FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Felix Theman, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria at the Corps Headquarters, Lafiyawo community in Akko Local Government Area of the state

He said statistics of the Corps showed that the recorded 377 road crashes involved underage riding of motorcycles and tricycles, particularly in the Gombe metropolis.

According to Theman, the underage riding of motorbikes is illegal, adding, “we have taken measures to tackle that challenge.”

The Sector Commander said that personnel of the Corps had stepped up enforcement to tackle underage motorcycle riding and ensure safety on the road.

“We have instances where very young boys that are not up to the legal age of age 18, parents allowing them to ride recklessly on the road causing unnecessary crashes, particularly within the township.

“We increased our response to road traffic offences by enforcing mobile courts sitting in collaboration with the state judiciary.

“Through the sitting, we made a high number of arrests particularly during Operation Zero between December 2022 and January 2023 to serve as a deterrent.

“For underage, we have embarked on sensitisation targeting parents and those groups of people to tell them the danger of having children riding motorcycles and tricycles.”

The man said that arrests were being made to tackle the spate of underage motorbike riding in the state.

He, therefore, warned parents and guardians to monitor their wards against committing such road traffic offences which could lead to crashes.