Lifestyle

Two chiefs, 5 others arrested over Edo train attack

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The Edo State government, yesterday, said seven persons, including two traditional heads, have been arrested over the Igueben train kidnap in the state, while the last two victims have been rescued.

Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, who addressed newsmen after the first weekly State Executive Council meeting of the year, said:

“We are pleased to announce that the last two victims have been rescued and seven suspects are in custody, including two village chiefs. We thank the press for the support they have given in the last few weeks.”

Nehikhare, flanked by the Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, decried the neglect by the Federal Government on the recent outbreak of Lassa fever prevalent in about three local government areas of the state and appealed to international donor agencies and groups to come to its aid.

Nehikhare also announced a deadline for all those involved in sound making activities especially those closed to schools and residential areas to install sound proof systems in their facilities.He said:

“The state government has tried everything within its powers to check this Lasser fever outbreak. We have reached out to Federal Government but to all intents and purposes, Federal Government has abandoned the Edo State government and its people on this issue.

“As of today, we have over 50 people infected with this disease in Edo and we have a five percent case fertility rate, which is very high compared to COVID-19.

“With all pleads and entreaties to Federal Government on this challenging issue, they apparently just fell on deaf ears and this particularly is disheartening, especially as the current Minister of Health is from Edo State.

“Having hit a brick wall, we are constrained to reach out to international intervention agencies such as World Health Organisation, WHO; United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF and any other international organisation that have the mandate to intervene in infectious diseases outbreak.

“As a government, we have written several letters to the Ministry of Health to the Centre for Disease Control, to all the people involved in health issues to come and intervene and join the state to fight this outbreak but unfortunately they have abandoned us.

“We want the international agencies to intervene quickly before the situation gets worse. We have reached out to some of these agencies and we thank them for the efforts they are providing right now.”

Lifestyle

Rivers police arrest criminals who kidnaps and gang rape ladies seeking love on Tinder

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The police in Rivers state have apprehended members of a criminal gang who specialize in luring ladies they meet on social media, kidnap, rape them and then force their relatives to pay a ransom before releasing them.

In a statement released, the spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the two members of the gang, Ikechi Promise and Darlington Obi, were arrested separately by the police intelligence unit in Igwurita and Choba, Ikwerre and Obio/Akpor local government areas of the state, respectively.

According to her, the suspects lured unsuspecting girls seeking relationships through chats on a popular social media platform, Tinder.

She said luck ran out on them when the same treatment was meted out to a 28-year-old lady, who they abducted and took to Chokocho, Port Harcourt where they raped her, stole her two iPhones and a Samsung mobile telephone, and collected a ransom of N600,000 from her relatives before releasing her.

”Operatives of the Intelligence Unit, on January 6, 2023, around 8.30pm, arrested one Ikechi Promise, 30, and one Darlington Obi, 35.

Their arrest is linked to their recent operation on December 20, 2022, around 7.45pm, when a 28-year-old lady was lured down to Igwurita Market Junction, kidnapped, and taken to Chokocho Pipeline, where the same kidnapping syndicate raped and collected her two iPhones and a Samsung phone.

The kidnappers later collected a ransom of N600,000 from her relatives before she was released on December 21, 2022.

The suspects confessed that their modus operandi was to lure girls out through chats on Tinder for relationships.Based on relentless follow-ups, the gang leader of the kidnapping syndicate, Promise Nwaobiri, 32, was tracked and arrested at the Choba area, near Port Harcourt, on January 9, 2023, around 1pm.

The search for the fleeing suspects is in top gear.” Iringe-Koko stated that the state police command has received numerous reports of women being lured and kidnapped through social media platforms.

She appealed to ladies in the state to be wary of relationships on social media that would require them to travel to meet people they had not physically seen or met before.

Lifestyle

Corps member attacked by students at the secondary school he was posted to in Osun State

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A corps member posted to a secondary school in Osun state was assaulted by his students. The attack left the corps member with a cut on his head.

In a video shared online, blood is seen running down the corps member’s face and staining his shirt.

“We won’t take this,” voices are heard saying in the background as they condemn the attack on the corper.

According to eye witnesses, the attack was carried out with a knife.

Lifestyle

Lagos declares four work-free days for PVC collection

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The Lagos State Government has declared Tuesday, January 24 to Friday, January 27 as work-free days for public servants in the state so they can go collect their Permanent Voter Cards at their respective local government/local council development areas in the state.

This was made known by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola. In a circular released, Muri-Okunola said the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, graciously approved the work-free day for the public servants.

“Consequent upon the extension of the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards by the Independent National Electoral Commission, it is hereby notified for the general information that all public servants who are yet to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards from designated INEC Centers are encouraged to do so before Sunday, January 29, 2023, as it is a civic responsibility to vote.

To this end, Mr Governor has graciously approved a work-free day to enable public servants to collect their PVCs from their respective local government/local council development areas as presented in the table below.”

The dates include Tuesday, January 24, 2023, for grade levels 01, 03, 07 and 15; Wednesday, January 25, 2023, for grade levels 02, 04, 08 and 13; Thursday, January 26, 2023, for grade levels 05, 09, 12, and 17; and Friday, January 27, 2023, for grade levels 06, 10, 14 and 16.

Lifestyle, Politics

Federal Government to tackle sudden death among civil servants

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As part of efforts to promote a healthy workforce in the Civil Service, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, HoCSF, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has established a new wellness centre in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

This was as she urged civil servants to eschew sedentary lifestyles, adding that such lifestyle contributes greatly to sudden deaths occasioned by ailments caused majorly by stress.

According to her, a healthy body translates into significant reduction in medical conditions, thereby enhancing the output of workers, in particular, and the attainment of national developmental goals, in general.

Yemi-Esan said this during the commissioning of the Centre, on Tuesday, in Abuja.

Yemi-Esan described the establishment of the Employee Wellness Centre within the Federal Secretariat Complex as one of the most proactive responses by the Federal Government to the critical need of mitigating preventable medical conditions, which have become prevalent in our society, in general and amongst Civil Servants, in particular.

Explaining that the world is witnessing an unprecedented rise in work-related diseases, she advised civil servants to make the best use of the services being offered by the newly established Employee Wellness Centre.

She revealed that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration has taken proactive measures toward enhancing the value proposition and welfare of Civil Servants, as articulated in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021 – 2025 (FCSSIP 25).

She stressed that the incorporation of Staff Welfare as one of the six pillars of the Strategy underscores the value Government places on the lives and well-being of workers.

Earlier, the SSAP-SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said that the Centre was modified and equipped by the OSSAP-SDGs and handed over to the OHCSF for commissioning and management.

Adefulire who was represented by the Director, of Administration, Mrs Ijeoma Ukaejiofor, stressed that the establishment of the Centre is to promote good health and well-being of Civil Servants, in line with Goal 3 of the SDGs earlier in her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, SWO, OHCSF, Dr Ngozi Onwudiwe, stated that the Wellness Centre is a demonstration of the continuous drive of the Head of Service to showcase commitment to the welfare of workers as captured in the FCSSIP25.

Dr Onwudiwe disclosed that the Centre is not another clinic but a physical wellness Centre, where Civil Servants can regularly check their blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, amongst others, as well as properly manage their health statuses.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

Dino Melaye Slams Blogger Over Link To Skit Makers

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The spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council, Dino Melaye, has expressed anger at being linked to two Nigerian skit makers, Ashmusy and Nons Miraj.

Controversial blogger, Gistlover, took to its Instagram account to share a picture collage of Ashmusy, Dino Melaye and Nons Miraj on Tuesday and captioned it, “I like fine fine pictures sha. Hard work under Dino no be small work oo. I dey come.”

Melaye, who reshared a screenshot of Gistlover’s story on his verified Facebook account on Wednesday, lashed out at the blogger and threatened to sue over the story.

He said, “I will sue you this time. Will locate you. I don’t know any of these ladies. Agent of APC. You will not get away with your lies and unfounded story this time. You just dialled the wrong number. Apologise within 24 hours or face consequences.”

Lifestyle

Abuja gunman shoots driver over parking space

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An Uber driver has been hospitalised following an attack by a gunman on Gimbiya Street, in the Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said people were having fun around 10pm on Monday when they overheard the two men having an argument.

The source said;

“As you know, nightlife is a usual thing here, and you’ll often find people arguing over spaces or bumping into each other.

“However, people were surprised when they heard gunshots following the argument between the Uber driver and the gunman. In fact, no one knew that he had a gun with him. They said the driver was taken to a hospital; we hope he survives it.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, in a statement, denied that the incident was a robbery attack.

She said;

“Preliminary investigation by the police have it that on Monday, January 16, around 10pm, an altercation ensued between an Uber driver and another whose name is yet to be known over a parking space along Gimbiya Street, Garki.

“The altercation snowballed into physical violence which resulted in the armed man shooting the latter (Uber driver) and taking to his heels.

“Upon receipt of the information of the unfortunate incident, operatives from the Garki Police Division drafted to the scene rescued the injured Uber driver to the nearest hospital where he is currently recuperating.”

Adeh noted that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Sadiq Abubakar, had directed a discrete investigation and an aggressive manhunt for the suspect.

Lifestyle

Police officers have the right to use their firearms to protect themselves in the face of danger – Lagos police PRO, Benjamin Hundeyin explains

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The spokesperson of the Lagos state police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, says under the law, police officers have the right to use their firearms to protect themselves in the face of danger.

Hundeyin gave the clarification while reacting to the backlash police officers in the state received for using their firearms on a mob at the Alaba Rago market in the state on Tuesday, January 17, which led to the death of one of the attackers.

The officers had gone to the market to effect the arrest of a suspect but were challenged by a mob.

In the process of retreating from the mob, a police officer fired his arm and it fatally injured one of the said attackers.

Hundeyin shared a portion of the Nigerian constitution that authorises the use of firearms in the face of danger.

Lifestyle

Gunmen kill police officer in Abia state

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A police inspector was on Tuesday, January 17, shot dead in Aba, Abia state, by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

Police spokesperson in Abia State, Geoffrey Ogbonna, who confirmed the killing, said the incident happened at about 12:30 p.m.

Two of the gunmen were also killed during the shootout which ensued with the police.

Ogbonna further revealed that the gunmen stole a rifle from the slain police officer.

The police are now asking for information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects.

Lifestyle

Mother of Delta man who claims Gov Sanwo-Olu is father speaks

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Grace Moses, the mother of 27-year-old Emmanuel Sanwo-Olu who claims to be the son of Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has come out publicly to speak.

Emmanuel had dragged Gov Sanwo-Olu before the High Court 2 sitting in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta in December 2022, to compel the governor to acknowledge him as his son and grant him all the rights he duly deserves.

In his court papers filed by his lawyer, J. O. Aikpokpo-Martins, Esq, Emmanuel in the 19-paragraph statement of claim attached to the writ, claimed that Governor Sanwo-Olu was a staff of a private company operating in Warri and its environs in Delta State from 1994 to 1995, and in the course of working and living in Warri that period, he had an amorous relationship with his mother, Grace Moses, from Oleri village near Warri metropolis, Delta State between 1994 and 1995.

He wants the governor to agree to a DNA test to prove he is indeed his son.

Emmanuel, who does “casual jobs” to survive with his wife and three kids, told newsmen in December 2022, that for the past 27 years, he has not seen his father.

“I am 100 per cent sure that I am the son of Governor Sanwo-Olu. I just want to see the man, Sir, as my father.”

At the first hearing of the case in December, his counsel told newsmen at lawyers to Gov Sanwo-Olu had filed a motion to strike out the matter on the grounds that the governor was not ready to wave his immunity.

However, the case resumed for hearing on Monday January 17. While speaking to GalaxyTV after the hearing, the 47-year-old mother of Emmanuel said she is certain Gov Sanwo-Olu is Emmanuel’s father.

”My message to Sanwo-Olu is, he should come and have his child. The baby is grown up. He is troubling me. If not for God, I would have been dead by now.Because of the pregnancy I couldn’t go to school due to pressure from my mother who chased me out of the house because they had waited for Sanwo-Olu to no avail.

In my bid to abort the pregnancy, I drank “lime”, but E no gree commot.I started selling pig for people and got paid N150 which I used for the upkeep of myself and the baby. The baby is now grown and he’s threatening to kill me if I do not show him his father.”

The woman claimed that she met the Lagos State governor in 1995 when he was 19. “Governor Sanwo-Olu was working with an oil company, Saipem, at Ubogo Community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State at that time.We began a relationship which resulted in pregnancy. The governor took me to a hospital in Agbarho Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area where he terminated the pregnancy.”

The woman who spoke in pidgin English said;

“After few days, Sanwo-Olu also had sex with me which resulted in another pregnancy. Since then, Sanwo-Olu abandoned me and travelled out of the state on the grounds that he was transferred to work in Maiduguri, Borno State.

I was left to carry the pregnancy and delivered the baby all alone without the assistance of Sanwo-Olu and any member of his family. I told my son, Emanuel Sanwo-Olu that his father is not a cripple. Up till now, he has refused to grant me and his son, Emmanuel Sanwo-Olu audience.”

Lifestyle

Residents burn Niger police station over priest’s murder

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Following the burning to death of a Catholic priest in Kafin-koro in the Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, aggrieved women and youth have reportedly burnt down the Kafin-koro Police Divisional Office.

According to a resident of Kafin Koro, who identified himself simply as Jonathan, the incident began when some women comprising Evangelical Church Winning All and Catholic women groups converged on the premises of the burnt Parish at 7 am on Tuesday to offer prayers against those who burnt the Catholic priest.

He said;

“As the women were praying, some policemen arrived at the venue saying they were a detachment from the Kafin-koro Police Division drafted to the church to provide protection for them.

“The women rejected the protection and requested that the police should leave because the police didn’t provide protection for the dead priest neither did they show up on time when they were called”

Jonathan said that when the police refused to leave the residence of the late priest, the women threw stones and sachet water at the police then the police left.

He said the village youths eventually joined the women to hold a peaceful protest but the police started shooting and a villager got killed by a bullet fired by the policemen.

“After the prayers, the women were joined by some youths to match peacefully through the major road of the town to the Police Division chanting anti-police slogans to the Police Division to register their grievances as they asked the police to leave the town since their presence is of no security value to the community.

“As the police were trying to disperse the crowd, the police began shooting into the air and one of the bullets hit a man who died immediately so that was how the protest turned violent,” he said

Jonathan said that the irate youths in the process set the police division office on fire.In his response, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident.

“On 17/01/2023 at about 0900hrs, some angry youths of Kafin-Koro District, Paikoro LGA mobilized and protested in Kafin-koro town over the killing of the Parish Rev. Fr. Isaac.

“During the protest, the rampaging youths attacked and set Kaffin-Koro Divisional Headquaters ablaze,” the statement read.Bandits on Sunday invaded the Kafin Koro community around 1 am and shot sporadically while heading for the uphill residence of the priest, Isaac Achi, of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Kaffi Koro.

Abiodun said;

“The bandits reportedly attempted to gain entrance into the residence, but it seemed difficult and they set the house ablaze, while the said reverend father was burnt dead.

“A colleague of the reverend father identified as Father Collins was equally shot in the shoulder while trying to escape from the scene.

“The lifeless body of Father Isaac was recovered while Father Collins was rushed to the hospital for treatment.”

Lifestyle

Slain Lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, Buried In Lagos

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Lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, who was shot dead on Christmas Day in Lagos, has been buried in the Ikoyi area of Lagos on Tuesday.

A service of songs was held on Monday before her burial Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the trial of the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi, accused of killing her has commenced at the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square annex, on Monday.

He pleaded not guilty to the one count of murder, that he’s facing.

Lifestyle

Six sentenced to death by hanging in Osun

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Six persons were on Monday, January 16, handed death sentences by an Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo.

Four men were sentenced to death by hanging for reportedly robbing and killing one Victor Akinbile, a relative of the immediate past Osun State Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi.

The men who pleaded not guilty before being convicted and sentenced, have been identified as Hammed Rafiu, 37; Rasidi Waidi, 39; Kayode Sunday, 29; and Owolabi Bashiru, 54.

Prosecution Counsel from the state Ministry of Justice, Dele Akintayo, told the court that Akinbile had come to Osun on November 26, 2018, for the swearing-in ceremony of the former governor, Adeboyega Oyetola, and went to Ikirun to pass the night when he was abducted by the four men.

They forcefully gained entrance into the victim’s room and demanded a sum of N10 million.

Akinbile was locked up in the trunk of his Toyota Camry and driven to a spot along the Osogbo/Ikirun road where the car was set ablaze.

He reportedly transferred N3 million to a bank account belonging to one of the assailants and also gave them cash before being killed.

Asides from sentencing the convicts to death, Justice Jide Falola also ruled that none of the convicts should benefit from any state pardon due to the gravity of the offence they committed.

Justice Falola also sentenced Mutiu Azeez a.k.a. Tompolo, 41, and Afolabi Mayowa, 35, to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder.

The convicts reportedly killed and stole the motorcycle of the commercial motorcyclist they asked to take them to Egbeda.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

DJ Cuppy’s fiancé rushed to the Emergency ward from the wrestling ring after suffering eye injury

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DJ Cuppy’s fiancé was rushed to the emergency ward after suffering an accident in the ring.

Boxer Ryan Taylor reportedly sustained an eye injury in the boxing ring.

DJ Cuppy said the incident gave her a fright and they went from the ring straight to Accident and Emergency (A & E).

The DJ added that she would pick Ryan’s eyesight over any boxing match.

Lifestyle, Politics

Olusegun Obasanjo shows off his skills of senior prefect as Alma Mater marks Centenary Anniversary

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Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, played the role of a senior prefect as old and current students of the Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, embarked on a road walk to mark the centenary anniversary of the school.

In this video, the former president could be heard saying, “Form three lines.”

Lifestyle

Katsina council vice chairman abducted, police launch rescue

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Terrorists on Monday abducted the Vice Chairman of Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State, Aminu Umar.

Residents said Umar was abducted along with one Isah Paiki by terrorists who invaded his village, Kira, in the Jimkamshi ward of the council around 1am on Monday.

The spokesman for the Katsina State Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, confirmed the incident.

He revealed that the police had rescued Paiki while efforts were on to rescue the council vice chairman.

Meanwhile, police operatives from the command rescued no fewer than five kidnap victims from two councils of the state on Sunday and early Monday.

Isah, who confirmed the development on Monday, said terrorists had earlier kidnapped the victims from different parts of the state.

Lifestyle

Police arrest nine persons over vandalization of electricity mast, recover stolen vehicles in Anambra

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Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested nine persons over vandalization of electricity mast in Idemili Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, in a statement on Monday, January 16, 2023, said police operatives also recovered two vehicles suspected to have been stolen and abandoned.

“On 15/1/2023 by 3:am, Police Operatives in conjunction with the Vigilante group and acting on credible information at New Site, Ikpo Urueze Land, Oba, Idemili south, arrested nine persons: Amara Nneji ‘f’ 39 years, Kinsley Iwuozo ‘m’ 50 yrs, Romanus Dim ‘m’ 40 yrs, Abuchi Onuoha ‘m’ 29 yrs, Chukwudi Eke ‘m’ 39 yrs, Ikechukwu Eze ‘m’ 44 yrs, Ukpe Monday ‘m’ 40 yrs, Bartholomew Anugwueje ‘m’ 45 yrs, Ikenna Christopher ‘m’ 28 yrs,” the statement read.

Police also recovered a truck containing seven welding machines, some irons, and other sophisticated equipment after the suspects vandalized the electricity power line mast in the above-mentioned location.

“They all confessed to the level of their involvement in the act. They shall be charged to court, on the conclusion of the investigations,”

“In a similar development, operatives while on patrol recover the following suspected to be stolen and abandoned vehicles. They are: LEXUS ES 350 (BLACK COLOUR)* *WITH REG.NO: LAGOS AKD 495 HU, TOYOTA CAMRY (GREY COLOUR)* *WITH REG.NO: LAGOS: JJJ 653 HW*

“Given the above, the Command invites anyone or group looking for any of the vehicles as highlighted above, to come to the Office of the Command Public Relations Officer, Awka with valid proof/evidence of ownership of such vehicles for verification and possible collection.”

Lifestyle

ASP Vandi pleads not guilty for alleged murder of Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem

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Drambi Vandi, the suspended assistant superintendent of police who was arrested over the murder of female lawyer Raheem Bolanle, has pleaded not guilty after being arraigned in court today, January 16.

Vandi who was arraigned on one count of murder before the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square annex, was accused of shooting Bolanle in Ajah area of Lagos on Christmas Day.

Bolanle’s death generated widespread criticism from many persons and groups in the country, as they condemned what they described as extrajudicial killing, linking the incident to be one of such reasons for the nationwide #EndSARS protest of 2020.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) granted approval for the police officer’s suspension on December 29, after which he was arraigned by the Lagos state government.

Vandi’s arraignment which was scheduled for 9am, suffered some delay until about 11am when his counsel, Mr Adetokunbo Odutola arrived.

Entertainment, Lifestyle

Mercy Eke gives response following accusation she lied about her age

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Mercy Eke has reacted to the drama surrounding her real age.

The reality star took to Twitter over the weekend to share her voter’s card while calling on Nigerians to collect theirs.

She covered her age in the PVC but left her VIN and Twitter users used this information to search for her details on the INEC website.

Many users returned to the platform to accuse her of lying about her age after seeing on the INEC website that she is 32 years old.

On her last birthday in September 2022, Mercy had claimed to be 29 and her birthday post was reshared as Nigerians began calling her out for lying about her age.

Not bothered by the fuss about her age, she returned to Twitter today to quote-tweet her initial post.

A follower then called her out directly and she responded.

“But you’re close to 40 yrs old why you dey lie for us,” the follower wrote.

Mercy replied sarcastically: “I’m actually 52.”

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