A Nigerian soldier identified as Macaulay Omonigho has reportedly died on his way to Kaduna State.
According to a family member, Macaulay Emmanuel, they were told that Omonigho died after he fell off a military van conveying him and other soldiers to Kaduna for an assignment on Friday, July 8, 2022.
LIB gathered that the deceased soldier and his wife welcomed a baby two months ago.
“You left us and your wife with 2 months old baby girl without saying goodbye. Death why him? How can they say you are the only one who fell down out of 7 Soldiers from Army Van on your way to Kaduna yesterday for an assignment by #NigerianArmy #army” Emmanuel wrote.
“If your death was caused by your fellow soldiers in the Van, their generations and those that cover it up will have no peace, none of their generations will clock 20 year’s, their young ones will never clock 5 year’s their male and female will all die young, their parents will bury all their children and none will bury their elder , except if your death is natural. We will always miss you blood. RIP Macaulay Omonigho RIP Blood, Your daughter and us will always miss you.”
A man has been arrested for allegedly killing a commercial sex worker at Kwanawa, in Dange/Shuni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
It was gathered that the customer allegedly stabbed the victim to death with a knife during a fight that ensued between them after she rejected the N1000 he gave her.
Sources in the area told Punch that the victim resided in one of the brothels within the area known for all sorts of illicit activities.
A source said it was the alarm raised by the neighbours around the hotel and passers-by that drew the attention of the people that apprehended the suspect when he attempted to run away after discovering that the victim was dead.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Sanusi Abubakar, who confirmed the incident to Punch, said the suspect claimed to be a researcher who visited Sokoto State to carry out research.
Abubakar said the suspect decided to spend the night with the victim’s brother but said that trouble started when the suspect paid the victim N1,000.
The PPRO said the victim rejected the money, which resulted in a fight between them.
According to the spokesperson, the suspect claimed that the victim allegedly brought out a knife which he (the suspect) used to stab her after he overpowered her.
Abubakar added that the case had been transferred to the homicide section of the Command for proper investigation.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, has said that the terrorists who attacked the Correctional Centre, Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) succeeded because they came with superior weapons.
Dingyadi made the assertion on Friday, July 8, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the National Security Council meeting presided over by President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the minister, the security personnel deployed to the facility did their best to repel the attack but were subdued by the superior weaponry of the terrorists.
He also disclosed that some of the assailants were killed. Asked why the terrorists could not be stopped, he said:
“You see, these kinds of things, they happen and I want to assure you all those who are supposed to play a role in ensuring that the attack is neutralized did the best that they could to neutralize it,”
“I think what helped them was the number of people they came with and the superior weapons they came with. And because nobody anticipated it, the few people could not withstand the number that they came with. I think that’s what happened.”
He, however, assured me that the investigation into the incident will continue.
Saudi Arabian authorities have deported seven intending pilgrims from Kano State, who departed to Jidda on Thursday July 7.
While five of the intending pilgrims who were deported over fake visas issued to them travelled to Saudi Arabia for hajj through tour operators, the remaining two were from the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
One of the deported pilgrims, Dahiru Yau Musa, told Daily Trust that he secured his visa through Quraish Travel Agency, while the remaining four got theirs from Mafimishkila Travel and Tours.
He said they did not know they were issued fake visas until they reached King Abdulazeez Airport.
Musa said;
“We were in the queue with other pilgrims and when it was my turn, they directed me to stay behind. It was when they finished the screening of other pilgrims, they told me about the fake visa.
“They spoke with NAHCON officials. It took them some time trying to resolve the issue but all to no avail. At the end, we were told that we were being taken back to Nigeria. And the rest is history now.
“It was really a sad experience. I couldn’t believe it will happen to me. You know as Muslim to see yourself there (Holy Land) and you were taken back to your country is not something easy to comprehend.”
Musa vowed to take legal action against the tour operator. He added;
“Since I returned, my tour operator was looking for me to meet with me, but I am avoiding him because I don’t want to hear anything from him until we get to the court.
“Again I will take the issue to Saudi Consulate here so that I can be cleared for future travel.”
Executive Secretary of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Muhammad Abba Danbatta who also confirmed the deportation, said the two deported pilgrims were not from the board, but were infiltrated into the list by one of the staff members.
Danbatta stated that the issue had been reported to relevant authorities for further investigation, adding that the staff member would face the wrath of the law.
He said;
“When I heard the incident around 2:00 am, I rushed to the airport and met with the two pilgrims one female and a male who claimed to be from our Sumaila centre.
“I called the Sumaila centre officer but he doesn’t know them and they did not know him. It was when we carried out thorough investigation we found out that the two pilgrims were deceived by one of our staff members by name Abdurrahman. He issued fake visas as well as receipts to them.
“As I am talking to you now we are yet to meet with the accused staff as he couldn’t be reached on his mobile phone.
“But the case has been handed over to the Immigration for further investigation. I am assuring you that if he is found guilty he will definitely face the wrath of law accordingly.”
Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe, the country’s best-known politician and longest-serving leader, died on Friday after being shot at a campaign event.
Here is what we know so far:
What happened?
Abe was speaking at a campaign rally in the western region of Nara when the attack occurred.
He was standing on a stage in front of the Yamato-Saidaiji railway station, stumping for Kei Sato, a candidate for Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
At about 11:30 am local time (02:30 am GMT), footage shows that a man dressed in a grey top and brown trousers began moving towards Abe from behind.
He fired at least two apparent gunshots, with a cloud of smoke emerging and terrified spectators ducking to the ground.
Abe collapsed, visibly bleeding, and bystanders began to administer cardiac massage, witnesses said.
The shooter was wrestled to the ground and taken into custody.
Where did he die?
Abe was taken to Nara Medical University Hospital for treatment, with national broadcaster NHK saying he was able to speak in the minutes after the attack but subsequently lost consciousness.
He was pronounced dead by the hospital in the afternoon.
“Shinzo Abe was transported to (the hospital) at 12:20 pm. He was in a state of cardiac arrest upon arrival. Resuscitation was administered. However, unfortunately, he died at 5:03 pm,” said Hidetada Fukushima, the hospital’s professor of emergency medicine.
Abe suffered a gunshot wound to the right side of his neck, NHK reported. Local officials declined to confirm the details of his injury.
Who is the shooter?
Police sources told local media that a 41-year-old named Tetsuya Yamagami was arrested after the attack on charges of attempted murder.
Several outlets, citing the defence ministry, said Yamagami had spent three years in Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, the country’s navy, leaving the service around 2005.
He reportedly used a “handmade” weapon, in a country with strict gun laws that make obtaining a firearm extremely difficult.
NHK said he told police after his arrest that he “was frustrated with the former prime minister and targeted Abe with the intention of killing him”.
What have the responses been?
The attack has spurred domestic and international outrage, with Kishida condemning it as “absolutely unforgivable”.
Politicians from across the spectrum have issued condemnations and announced they would halt campaigning ahead of Sunday’s upper house elections.
Kishida said no decision had been taken on what effect the attack might have on the scheduled vote, though there were no immediate calls for its postponement.
Internationally, leaders were quick to offer support and express shock, with NATO’s chief condemning the “heinous” attack and Britain’s embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying he was “appalled and saddened”.
How well-known was Abe?
Abe was Japan’s best-known politician, having served as prime minister for longer than any other leader.
He resigned from office for the second time in August 2020, felled by poor health as his ulcerative colitis returned.
He was the youngest prime minister in Japan’s post-war period when he took office for the first time in 2006, age 52.
A third-generation politician groomed from birth by an elite, conservative family, Abe was known for hawkish, nationalist positions and his economic policy known as “Abenomics”.
He sought to cement Japan’s key alliance with Washington by pursuing a close personal relationship with then US president Donald Trump.
Abe was married to Akie Abe, 60, the daughter of a wealthy business family. The pair do not have children.
Akie Abe is known as a media-savvy backer of certain liberal causes including LGBT rights. She married Abe in 1987.
A boy found alone and covered in blood during the Highland Park shooting in July 4 has been orphaned by the massacre.
Aiden McCarthy was lifted from underneath his father during the attack in the Chicago suburb, which has left seven people dead and 46 injured.
Strangers took him and he was eventually placed in the care of his grandparents, Misha and Nina Levebeg. Yesterday, July 5, it emerged that the boy’s parents, Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, 35, were among those killed during the Fourth of July parade.
Sine then more than $1,850,000 has been raised on a GoFundMe page set up to help Aiden’s family with “raising, caring for and supporting” him.
Aiden was found by Lauren Silva, 38, and her boyfriend after they heard gunshots as they were heading to Walker Bros restaurant for breakfast.
Silva told the Daily Beast they came out of a parking garage a few blocks away from the massacre just as the shooting started.
She said: “We were just opening the door to walk up the stairs and we heard it…boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. It sounded like someone was, like, pounding on the glass doors.”
Silva, along with her boyfriend and his son, began running toward those who were injured.
“My boyfriend handed me this little boy and said he was underneath this father who was shot in the leg,” she said.
“They were trying to stop the bleeding so I brought the boy downstairs into the garage.”
She said Aiden was wearing one shoe and that his sock was covered in blood. Once inside the garage she managed to wash the blood off him and clean his scrapes.
Silvia later handed Aiden to a family she was hiding in the garage with, who took him to hospital and later handed him to police.
Dana Ruder Ring, who was taking care of Aiden until 8pm local time posted the original photo of the boy to help identify him, Fox 32 Chicago reports.
Four of the others who were killed were named as Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; and Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78.
The musician, known as “Awake the Rapper” was arrested after a brief chase police chase. He is accused of firing into the crowd from a rooftop about 10 minutes into the Independence Day parade using a high-powered rifle.
Investigators say Crimo, 21, planned the attack for weeks, and it has since emerged he was interviewed by police in 2019 after threatening to “kill everyone” in his home.
So far this year, there have been 313 mass shootings in the US, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, on Wednesday, warned that he would not condone within his domain any form of violence from political parties.
Oba Oyetunji had on Tuesday condemned the alleged attack on some members of the Peoples Democratic Party, who were said to be heading towards his palace to receive the PDP governorship candidate in the Osun July 16 poll, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
But Oba Oyetunji, while speaking with newsmen in his palace, noted that his open condemnation of violence ought not to be misinterpreted as supporting the PDP or any other party.
The monarch said, “It has come to my attention that some sections of my domain in Osogbo land have deliberately misinterpreted and misconstrued my statement during Adeleke’s visit to my palace in Osogbo yesterday (Tuesday).
“My assertion that nobody should do anything to disturb the peace and tranquility of Osogbo land under the guise of political activism, more so, that various political parties had paid visit without any outward incident, ought not to be misinterpreted to mean that I am using my position as the Ataoja of Osogbo land to support the PDP in particular against all the other political parties including the party in power the All Progressives Congress.
“I want to state that more political parties will still pay visit to my royal palace ahead of the July 16 governorship election and I will not condone any act of violence from any political party against one another.”
The royal father, who further asserted that people of Osogbo appreciated efforts of the present administration, appealed to indigenes of Osogbo to go out en masse peacefully on July 16 to vote for the candidate of their choice.
“Your vote will count and don’t let any political party place a price tag on you.
“I want to thank Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for being a lover of peace and I pledge my unalloyed loyalty to him and his government,” Oba Oyetunji concluded.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Wednesday that Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong is not for sale despite rumours of a departure to the Premier League.
De Jong “is a Barca player and unless we have a need or interest in selling him, we don’t want to sell him,” Laporta said as the club unveiled new signing Franck Kessie.
“We know he has offers. If at some moment we were interested, we would consider it, but right now, we’re not selling the player,” Laporta insisted.
De Jong, 25, has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United and a reunion with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, who is preparing for his first season at Old Trafford.
“Ousmane is no longer a Barca player, but we made him an offer,” said Laporta. “He hasn’t accepted it yet, but he wants to continue talking.
“We’re going to carry on speaking, at least for now.”
Laporta also acknowledged having lunch with Jorge Mendes, the agent of Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo who is reportedly looking to leave Manchester United.
“We discussed the transfer market in general, but I’m not going to specify if he spoke to me about a player in particular,” said Laporta.
The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Moronkeji Adesina, on Wednesday, cautioned hoteliers, recreation/event centre owners, and landlords against allowing cult members to use their properties for cult-related or criminal activities.
Adesina, who raised the alarm of a plot by some cult members to mark an illegal ‘7/7’ annual celebration of cultism on Thursday, warned that owners of facilities or homes used by cult members for the event or any cult-related or criminal activities would be prosecuted.
The Commissioner, in a statement by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, titled, ‘Ekiti Police Command declares ‘7/7’ annual celebration of cultism illegal, criminal’, cautioned parents and guardians “to warn their wards to be law-abiding and desist from any act, unlawful gathering or assembly before, during and after the said date.”
He stated, “It was reliably gathered that on the said day of the celebration, new members would be inducted and there would be supremacy battle which is usually characterized by violence.”
Consequently, the police warned cultists and other criminal elements in the state “to halt such illegal and unhealthy celebration or any of such plan or action that could cause unnecessary apprehension or alter the peaceful atmosphere currently being enjoyed in the state.”
Abutu, who said the command would not allow misguided elements to cause mayhem in any part of the state, said, “The CP has directed the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Heads of Departments and tactical units to be at alert as the command is also working with other security agencies to nip in the bud any act capable of truncating the peace of the state”.
The police implored citizens “to be security conscious, vigilant and go about their lawful businesses as adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of lives and properties of all law-abiding citizens.
“The command urges everyone to support and cooperate with the police and other security agents by promptly reporting any suspicious movement or cult activities to the nearest police station or call 08062335577/07031620186.”
An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced one Durodola Ogundele to life imprisonment for raping an 85-year-old grandmother.
The defendant was charged to court and tried on a count charge of rape.
The charge reads, “That Ogundele, on 15th day of June, 2021 at Ayetoro Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, within the jurisdiction of the honourable court, did rape an 85 years old woman.
“The offence is contrary to Section 2 of the Ekiti State Gender Based Violence (Prohibition) Law, 2019,” it stated.
In her testimony before the court, the victim’s daughter, said, “My mum told me that the defendant did not allow her to sleep. She said the defendant came to her room around 1:00 am, rubbed a balm all over her body, including her anus and vagina, massaged her body, sucked her breasts and forcibly had sex with her.
“When I tried to find out from the defendant, he said, my mother must have been dreaming.
“The matter was first reported at Ido Ekiti Police Station before it was transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigerian Police Force, Ado Ekiti,” she said.
The prosecutor, Folasade Alli, who called five witnesses including the Investigating Police Officer and a medical doctor, tendered the victims’ statement, defendants’ statement, and a medical report from Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti among others, as exhibits.
The defendant, who spoke in his own defence through his counsel, called no witnesses.
In the court judgment, Justice Monisola Abodunde said that the prosecution established through cogent circumstantial evidence “that the defendant intentionally and calculatedly penetrated the vagina and anus of the victim with his penis after rubbing a dark balm on her body and private part”.
The judge pronounced, “The defendant is found guilty as charged for rape contrary to Section 2 of the Ekiti State Gender Based Violence (Prohibition Law) 2019 and he is convicted, and accordingly sentenced to Life Imprisonment in line with Section 2 (2) of Ekiti State Gender- Based Violence (Prohibition Law) 2019”.
Gunmen on Wednesday invaded the National Youth Service Scheme Corpers’ lodge located along Udo Ekong Ekwere street, off Information Drive in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and raped women occupants.
It was gathered that the gunmen who stormed the area by 1 am that on tricycles carted away valuables including laptops, cell phones and cash.
Some of the corps members who spoke with newsmen the following morning lamented that there was no help anywhere during the attack despite the cry for help.
One of the corp members who identified himself as Emeka Emmanuel said, “They arrived on a tricycle, popularly called Keke and immediately started operation. They beamed high-intensity torchlight everywhere and pounced on every door with heavy iron and threatened to shoot us if we fail to cooperate”.
A female Corps member, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, while fighting back tears, said her phones, laptop, cash were forcefully taken away from her after the hoodlums gained entrance into her room from the back door.
“You know at that period of the night, most of us females, we used to sleep naked and the suddenness of the attack caught us unprepared. They beamed the torch through the window and threatened to shoot if the door is not quickly opened,” she explained.
“I have never heard of this anywhere in Nigeria, even in the North, where insecurity is at the highest peak, that Corpers could be deliberately targeted, raped, and robbed by criminals at gunpoint. Is it because we are not from Akwa Ibom that no one could hear our shouts and come to save us?”, another female colleague, lamented.
Mr. Nsikak Ibanga, a night guard at the State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists which is located opposite the corpers lodge said, “I raised alarm by hitting the supporting pillars holding the reconstructed NUJ auditorium,” adding that “the sound reverberated across the whole area but no response”.
Another neighbour, Bassey Offiong, said, “When I heard the attack and the outcry of the Corpers, I quickly reached out to the Police at Ikot Akpanabia Command, which is very close here, but they arrived a little late after the criminals had finished and left with their tricycle”.
Also, the Youth Leader of the area, Comrade Godwin Okpo, blamed incessant criminal activities around communities on the collapse of internal security organized by the local residents.
“I used to go round from house to house to collect monetary contributions for the vigilante group to secure the area at night, but suddenly they started accusing me of embezzling their money, so there was nothing I could do again.
He added, “When I heard the incident late in the night around 1:00 am this morning, I moved to the place but since I was alone, there was nothing I could do”, he said.
He blamed the inability of the youth to come out on noise of generators running into late night in most homes.
“I have told them that once it’s midnight, they should put off their generators so we can hear what’s happening in the neighborhoods,” he stressed.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, said he was yet to be fully briefed on the incident, adding that he would investigate and get back to our correspondent
He said, “I don’t have any information about the incident but I will find out and get across to you”.
About 100 fleeing inmates from the Kuje Medium Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory have been recaptured, The PUNCH has learnt.
According to the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.), Boko Haram terrorists who attacked the facility had freed 600 inmates, including 64 of their members held in the custody.
The PUNCH had reported that 300 of them had been recaptured while efforts were on to bring back the others.
However, a prison source told our correspondent that about 100 more had been recaptured.
He said, “As you can observe yourself, vehicles have been coming in and going out of the custodial centre. Our men with the help of the military, police and vigilance group have been combing the bushes. They have made remarkable progress.
“We have recaptured about 100 of them, apart from those earlier captured, have been brought back. Also, nothing has happened to Abba Kyari as rumoured. He is safe in custody.”
One Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel and four inmates have been confirmed dead during the attack on the Kuje custodial center.
Boko Haram terrorists had attacked the center and freed inmates including 64 of their members held in the custody in the attack that lasted hours on Tuesday night.
A statement on Wednesday by the Service spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, said the terrorists used explosives on the center’s fence and its main entrance to gain access to the facility.
It read, “In furtherance to my earlier press release on the unfortunate attack by gunmen suspected to be terrorists, I wish to state that the attackers broke into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje using explosive devices through the main entrance and the fence of the facility respectively, killing a personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) attached to the Custodial Centre and living three (3) personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service seriously injured.”
He added that a total of 16 inmates and three custodial officers were injured during the attack.
Umar, however, said 879 inmates escaped from the facility while 443 had been recaptured and 551 are still at large.
He said the service would collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission to track all the fleeing inmates.
Umaru added “A total of 879 inmates escaped from the facility during the unfortunate attack. As at the time of this report, 443 have been recaptured, 551 inmates are currently in custody, 443 inmates are still at large, 4 inmates dead and 16 inmates sustained various degree of injuries and are being treated at the moment. However, efforts are ongoing to recapture all fleeing inmates.
“The Service will deploy its Corrections Information Management System in synergy with National Identity Management Commission to track all fleeing inmates and return them to custody.”
He also dismissed claims that DCP Abba Kyari escaped from the center during the attack.
Umaru said, “This is also to confirm to the general public that DCP Abba Kyari and other VIPs held in the facility did not escape. They are presently in custody, hale and hearty.
“The public is also informed that some of the attackers were killed while some escaped with gunshot wounds. We, therefore, appeal to hospitals and other medical institutions and practitioners to report anyone that comes to them for treatment for gunshot injuries to the nearest law enforcement agency.”
The Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, shed light on the lingering insecurity issues bedeviling the country.
He said the festering insecurity challenges, particularly incessant attacks on helpless Nigerians were the resultant effect of the Federal Government’s inability to enthrone a regime of law and order.
Atiku’s position was coming on the heels of the terrorist attack on the Kuje custodial center in Abuja. The PUNCH reports that the terrorists attacked the center and freed inmates including 64 of their members held in the custody on Tuesday night.
But reacting to the attack in a series of tweets on his Twitter handle on Wednesday, the former Vice President noted the missing regime of law and order in the country was emboldening the terrorists.
He wrote, “I am concerned and saddened by reports of the attack on Kuje Prison by suspected terrorists. My concern arises not only from the prospects of the escape of detained terrorists and hardened criminals but of its implications for the security of lives and property to residents of Abuja and its environs.
“I wish to restate what I said to @THISDAYLIVE on Monday that our inability to enthrone a regime of law & order in which the arrest and prosecution of criminals will be made a priority as a deterrent to copycats is the reason why insecurity continues to fester in our country.-AA.”
Following the attacks by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members at Kuje Correctional Centre, which led to the escape of over 600 inmates, Tuesday night, there is tight security in and around the Correctional Centre in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Wednesday.
The road leading to the correctional centre situated opposite the Police Command Headquarters was barricaded with an iron bar when our correspondent visited the facility, Wednesday afternoon.
It was observed that vehicles plying the road were only allowed to pass after a thorough search by security operatives manning the checkpoint.
Some armed operatives from the Department of the State Security Service and other security agents were seen patrolling the premises of the prison whose roofs were yet to be replaced after they were removed some months ago for repairs.
Efforts to get across to the spokesman for the Plateau State Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service were unsuccessful.
However, a senior official of the service, who spoke to The PUNCH in Jos on Wednesday on condition of anonymity, said they were not taking the security breach at the Kuje for granted.
The source said, “What do you expect us to do if not to step up security in this place?
You know that the attack on Kuje prison is a daring one by those who perpetrated it. Nigerians are talking about it and we are not taking it for granted because we don’t want what happened in Kuje to happen here again at the Jos Correctional Centre.
“I’m sure other prison facilities across the country may have taken extra measures to safeguard their facilities too. Moreover, you are aware that a similar attack happened here at the Jos Correctional Centre recently in November last year where over 200 inmates also escaped while others died during the attack by gunmen.
“I know that after the attack, a search team was put in place to recapture the fleeing inmates but I’m not sure if all of them have been recaptured up till now. So, if you see an unusual security presence around Jos Correctional Centre, especially given the security challenge we are facing at the moment, you can understand why we are doing what we are doing.”
The Spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, also said that the command was leaving no stone unturned to ensure adequate security in the state.
“The Commissioner of Police does that (deployment of personnel) every time to protect the headquarters and other facilities from coming under attack. If you see additional deployment of police personnel to the command headquarters or elsewhere, maybe the attack on Kuje prison is just a pointer to what we have been doing because it is a normal routine for the CP to ensure the security of lives and property in the state,” The PPRO added.
The Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, secured the conviction of David Wealth Ezuzu, an investment fraudster, before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court, Benin City.
Ezuzu, a pastor and the chief executive of Arerben Ventures, an investment company, was arraigned on one count charge of obtaining by false pretense.
He was said to have fraudulently obtained over N5 billion from unsuspecting members of the public on the pretext of investment in forex trading.
The charge reads: that you, David Wealth Ezuzu ( trading under the name and style of Arerben ventures) sometimes between 11th January, 2020 and 1st day of March, 2021 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did transfer the aggregate sum of N15,2000,000 (Fifteen Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira) out of the total sum of N5,458,171,996.95 (Five Billion, Four Hundred and Fifty-eight Million, One Hundred and Seventy One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety-six Naira, Ninety-five Kobo) you received in your account from unsuspecting members of the public as investment into Forex trading to your Bank in the name of Ezuzu David knowing that same represent proceeds of Ezuzu David’s criminal conduct, to wit: obtaining money by false pretense and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment ) Act, 2004 and punishable under section 17(b) of the same Act”.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Francis A.Jirbo, prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. However, the defence counsel, A. Afamefena, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as restitution shall be made to the victims of the crime.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Ezuzu to three (3) years imprisonment with an option of Two Million Naira fine, while his company, D.W. Arerben Global Investment, was convicted and slammed with a fine of N2 million.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture of N102, 131.45 in the defendant’s business account and five other bank accounts in the name David Wealth Ezuzu, to the Federal Government through the EFCC for the purpose of restituting victims of the crime.
The court further ordered that the defendant forfeits to the Federal Government through the EFCC for the benefit of the victims of the crime the following properties:
5 Bedroom duplex and security house situated at Plot 3 Block 7 Kewkagbor Family Layout, Off Ibusa Road, Asaba, Oshimili South LGA, Delta State.
Landed property situated at Okotomi Layout, Obadogwugwu Quarters, Okpanam Quarters, Ibusa Road, Asaba, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State.
Landed property at Anieluenonu New Layout, Obadogwugwu Quarters, Okpanam, Asaba, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State.
5 Bedroom duplex with bungalow situated at 12 Okwunze Street, Off Stadium Road, Oshimili South LGA, Delta State.
Two bungalows of three bedrooms and 2 bedrooms respectively at Obiaje Family land, Off Asaba, Oshimili South LGA Delta State.
Landed property, Plot 27 situated at Umayi Umuezeafadia Family land, Okosolo, Asaba-Benin Road in Oshimili South LGA, Delta State.
Bungalow situated along R.N. Okonkwo Street, Ogbeowelle Quarters, Okpanam, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State.
26 Hectares of land located at Ngbo Ofuke Village, Asaba, Delta State.
Three storey building into 3 places situated at Obduogwu Family.land, Opposite NNPC Filling Station, Asaba, Delta State.
A piece or parcel of land measuring approximately 200ft By 200ft ( 1 Acre ) lying and situated at Elibujor ogne- of Layout by Benin – Asaba Expressway.
Also ordered forfeited are: one leaflet of Keystone bank manager’s cheque valued ( N400,000), 13 leaflets of Zenith bank manager’s cheques valued at N115,000,000, 10 leaflets of Guaranty Trust Bank manager’s cheaque valued at N61,700,000.00, 28 leaflets of First City Monument Bank manager’s cheque valued at N33,550,000 and 2 leaflets of UBA manager’s cheque valued at 300,000.
A Brazilian model and female sniper has been killed by a Russian missile strike in Ukraine just three weeks after she joined the fight against Putin’s forces.
Thalito do Valle, 39, took part in humanitarian missions around the world and had previously fought against ISIS in Iraq. She was killed last week after a missile struck her bunker in Kharkiv, the north-eastern city.
The attack also killed former Brazilian Army soldier Douglas Burigo, 40, who returned to the bunker to find Thalita.
She was the only troop member left behind after the first missile strike took place, according to other fighters.
Thalita documented her conflict experience on her YouTube channel where her videos on fighting ISIS gained her 32,000 views.
She previously studied law after working as a model and actress in her youth, and has participated in animal rescues with NGOs.
Her videos reveal how she received sniper training when she joined the Peshmergas, the armed military forces of the independent Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Thalita’s brother Theo Rodrigo Viera described her as a hero with a vocation for saving lives and participating in humanitarian missions.
He explained that she had only been in Ukraine for three weeks, where she had been working as a rescuer as well as a sharpshooter.
She was also reportedly responsible for providing cover from advancing Russian forces.
After surviving a bombing in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Thalita explained to her family that she could not talk much as mobile phone activities were being monitored by Russian drones and would only call to let them know that she was fine.
The last time they spoke was last week Monday after Thalita had just moved to the city of Kharkiv.
Two female passengers have been confirmed dead after a 20-seater boat that departed Ipakodo ferry terminal in Ikorodu capsized in the early hours of Wednesday July 6.
The General Manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, who made this known in a statement, said the boat capsized almost immediately after take-off. He however added that 15 occupants of the capsized boat were rescued alive.
The statement reads
“At about 7.45am today (Wednesday), the 6th of July 2022, a 20 passenger ferry boat carrying 17 passengers named “R & N 2” suddenly capsized not more than 200 meters from the terminal and submerged immediately after it departed the Ipakodo ferry terminal in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The Water guards and the search and rescue team of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) were mobilized to the scene of the incident, leading to the rescue of 15 persons alive.
While two female unconscious passengers were rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment. They were, however, later confirmed dead at the hospital.
The Boat Captain is currently being investigated by the relevant authorities while full investigation into the cause of this mishap is ongoing as of the time of this press release.”
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