Kano State High Court bars Aminu Ado Bayero from parading himself as Emir of Kano

A Kano State High Court has issued an order preventing Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero from continuing to present himself as the Emir of Kano.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Amina Aliyu on Monday, July 15. also bars four other deposed emirs from parading as the Emirs of Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya.

The court further mandated that the five deposed emirs must return all movable and immovable properties belonging to the Kano state government.

Justice Aliyu had previously adjourned the matter on July 4 to rule on several applications, including an extension of time, a notice of preliminary objection, a joinder application, and an application for the judge to recuse herself. The new ruling date is set for July 18.

Tinubu reinstates Nenibarini Zabbey as HYPREP coordinator two days after removal

President Bola Tinubu has reinstated Nenibarini Zabbey, a senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, as the coordinator for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

On July 13, President Tinubu had removed Zabbey from his position, appointing Olufemi Adekanmbi, former commissioner of special duties in Ondo, as his replacement.

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) strongly condemned Zabbey’s removal, threatening to seal the HYPREP office in Port Harcourt if he was not reinstated. MOSOP described the appointment of a non-Ogoni individual as an affront, emphasizing that the Ogoni community has competent individuals capable of leading the project.

In response to the backlash, Ajuri Ngelale, spokesperson for the president, announced on Monday that Zabbey has been reinstated as the HYPREP coordinator.

He said in a statement;
“President Bola Tinubu has approved the reinstatement of Professor Nenibarini Zabbey as the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

“The President reached the decision following a performance review of the HYPREP Project Coordinator and concluded that the Project Coordinator is fit to discharge his functions in accordance with the regulations guiding the execution of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

“By the directive of the President, the reinstatement of the HYPREP Project Coordinator takes immediate effect.”

Fake medical doctor nabbed and detained in Cross River

A fake medical doctor, Collins Orji, who opened a medical facility in Ngarabe, Ekureku, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State has been arrested by the police and is being detained in Obubra prison.

Orji operated a hospital without a licence for himself and for the facility.

He operated Excellent Hospital, Ngarabe, Ekureku until the Cross River State Task Force on Health Quality and Anti Quackery visited his facility on July 11, 2024.

Further investigations by the task force revealed that Orji had in the past operated a medical facility in Ugep known as St. Collins Hospital, in Ibogo, Biase LGA. He also ran Common Wealth Clinic and finally Excellent Hospital, Ngarabe Ekureku in Abi LGA, before his arrest.

According to the Head of Cross River State Task Force on Health Quality and Anti Quackery, Dr. Dan Abubakar, when they met Orji with a team of police officers, they discovered he was not a medical doctor and had no medical training.

His facility was also not registered with the state government.

It was also alleged that he had no licence to practise medicine and surgery in Nigeria and did not attend any medical institution, but carried out surgical operations on his patients in his consulting room, without qualified nurses.

In a video circulating online, Orji is seen claiming he is a trained homeopathic doctor but he had no proof to validate this claim.

Speaking further, Abubakar said: “Satisfied that he had no registrable credentials with Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, we sealed Excellent Hospital, Ngarabe, Ekureku, before we took him to the police station, Itigidi.”

Orji appeared before the Magistrate Court, Itigidi, and was granted bail.

Unable to meet the bail conditions, he was remanded in prison custody at the Obubra prison and the matter adjourned till August 9, 2024, for further hearing.

Former head designer at Rolls-Royce, Ian Cameron ‘st@bbed to d£ath’ at his German mansion

A former head designer at Rolls-Royce has been st@bbed to d£ath on his doorstep at his £3million mansion in Germany in a suspected robbery.

The body of vintage car expert, Ian Cameron, 74, was found in the entrance of his home in Bavaria, on Friday evening, July, 13.

A man is said to have approached and st@bbed him, according to German news outlet Bild.

The CCTV over the garages where his high-value vehicles were kept had the power cables cut, The Sun reported.

Police have launched a manhunt for his killer after Mr Cameron’s wife jumped over a wall to escape.

Verena Kloos managed to get to their neighbour’s house and called the police on phone.

Mr Cameron was a vintage car expert who retired from Rolls-Royce in 2013 after 20 years at the firm, working on the design of cars such as the 3 Series, Z8, Phantom, and Ghost.

Police labelled it a ‘violent crime’ and said the attacker fled on foot from the house.

Search teams are reportedly using dogs and a helicopter to track him down.

An officer told The Sun it is ‘extremely rare’ that a burglar who prepares enough to disable CCTV then ‘stabs and kills’ a person.

The suspect is reported to be 180cm to 190cm tall, with light trousers and a dark blue hoodie, carrying a red rucksack and yellow-green gloves.

Sanwo-Olu’s government clarifies danfo ban in Lagos

RE: LAGOS TO BAN DANFOS ON LEKKI-EPE CORRIDOR

I have received numerous calls and messages following the publication on various blogs and online news platforms regarding a ban on Danfos by Lagos State.

To clarify and prevent any misunderstandings, it is essential to highlight that the forthcoming initiative is designed to enhance public commuting and better serve the residents of Lagos.

Key Facts about the Bus Reform Initiative:

  1. The primary goal of the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) is to restructure commercial bus operations.

  2. As a pilot project, the BRI will introduce mass transit buses for the Lekki-Epe corridor.

  3. Danfo buses that conform to the standards of the VIS will operate as Mid-capacity buses while Korope buses that also meets the standards will be integrated into the First Mile Last Mile services to serve the interior roads along the stretch from Obalende/CMS to Ajah (specifically Eleko).

  4. Danfo and Korope buses will undergo roadworthiness checks, and drivers will receive professional training at our driving institute.

  5. Designated routes will be assigned, and compliance will be strictly monitored.

  6. Passenger comfort is a top priority; therefore, an e-ticketing system will be introduced.

  7. The issue of illegal passenger pickups and unauthorized bus stops will be effectively addressed.

  8. A stakeholders’ meeting was held on June 27th, including heads of Transport Unions, key Transport Operators, officials from the State’s Ministry of Transportation, and the Special Adviser and Permanent Secretary of Transportation.

  9. A communique was signed at the stakeholders’ meeting, addressing all doubts and concerns. There is no cause for alarm.

  10. The initiative has prompted Transport Operators to register for new franchises with the Ministry of Transportation.

Sola Giwa

Special Adviser to Governor of Lagos on Transportation.

14th July, 2024.

Trump’s shooter had bombs materials in his car, residence – US security

The gunman who attempted to assassinate former United States, US, President, Donald Trump, Thomas Mathew Crooks, had explosive materials in his car and residence.

US security sources who spoke with Fox News said Crooks car parked near the Pennsylvania rally had bomb making materials inside.

“There were explosives, including an IED, found inside a car driven by Thomas Matthew Crooks found parked near the scene of the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania,” sources confirmed to Fox News.

The sources could not say how many explosives or what kind, but emphasized that more than one was found.

In Crooks’ house, law enforcement also found bomb-making materials.

The 20-year-old had attempted to assassinate Trump during his campaign in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

Crooks fired several shots but only hit Trump by his ears. But the secret service responded immediately by killing him.

The 20-year-old was reported to have used an AR-style weapon.

Republicans accuse Biden of inciting Trump shooting

A group of Republican lawmakers are blaming US President Joe Biden, claiming his campaign rhetoric led to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

As of Sunday, nearly a dozen lawmakers have pointed fingers at Mr Biden and Democrats at-large for the shooting Saturday evening at the former president’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Many are pointing to a comment from Mr Biden while on a private phone call with donors last week.

According to Politico, Biden said on the call: “I have one job, and that’s to beat Donald Trump. I’m absolutely certain I’m the best person to be able to do that. So, we’re done talking about the debate. It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.”

On Saturday, Mr Biden condemned the attack and called on Americans to denounce such violence. On Sunday, he ordered a review of security at the rally.

In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, the specific reference to “Trump in a bullseye” less than a week before, has led some Republicans to place the burden of the shooting in part on Mr Biden.

“Joe Biden sent the orders,” Georgia Republican Rep. Mike Collins posted on X, formerly Twitter, in a response to a post about Mr Biden’s comments to donors.

In another post, Mr Collins wrote “they attempted to neutralize the threat”, responding to a separate graphic featuring the president’s comments.

“Notice that after an attempted assassination of President Trump, the same people who wanted him prosecuted for telling his supporters to peacefully march to the Capitol on January 6 are not calling for President Biden’s prosecution after he said it was time to put President Trump in the bullseye after their debate,” Collins wrote.

FBI officials identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, a kitchen worker from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who is a registered Republican.
A Secret Service sniper fatally shot Crooks after he fired at the president.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, also referenced Mr Biden’s bullseye comment in posts on social media.

“Just days ago, Biden said ‘it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye’. Today, there was an assassination attempt against President Trump,” she wrote on X Saturday evening.

Ms Blackburn also criticized Mr Biden for not releasing a statement for the first hour after the shooting, calling his delay “unacceptable”.

“Go to the Oval Office and address the American people. We do not settle our differences by violence,” she said.

Mr Biden spoke Saturday night from his home in Delaware where he was spending the weekend. He condemned the assassination attempt and called on all Americans to denounce such “sick” violence.

“We must unite as one nation to condemn it. It’s sick, it’s sick,” he said.

Mr Biden then left Delaware to return to the White House, where he addressed the shooting again Sunday afternoon. A national address from the Oval Office is planned for Sunday night.

The sitting president also spoke with Trump over the phone on Saturday night in a call that one White House official described as “good, short and respectful”.

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee took to social media in response to Mr Biden’s bullseye statement, too, asking reporters in a post if they plan to delve into the president’s comment to donors.
“That just happened,” they wrote in a post after the attempted assassination.

Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, told 9News on Saturday night that she believes “much of the rhetoric from the left has escalated to this moment”.

“President Trump was literally put in a bullseye after the President of the United States, the sitting President of the United States, called for him to be put in a bullseye,” she said.

When asked if she thinks Biden bears responsibility for the attempted assassination, she replied: “I do believe that Joe Biden is responsible for the shooting today.”

Other Republicans pointed to Democrats’ recent efforts to end Trump’s Secret Service protection after he became the first president convicted of felony counts for falsifying business records related to hush money payments to an adult film actress.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat and ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, introduced the legislation in April that several House Democrats co-sponsored.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican who blamed the media and several Democrats for the shooting in posts on X, posted a list on the social media platform of Democrats who co-sponsored the legislation.

“Pray for America. The left wants a civil war. They have been trying to start one for years. These people are sick and evil,” she wrote.

Sen. J.D. Vance, an Ohio Republican, who is on Trump’s short list of vice presidential picks, echoed similar sentiments blaming the left’s rhetoric.

“The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination,” he wrote on X.

Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina said Democrats and the media have “recklessly stoked fears”, and called Trump and conservatives “threats to democracy”.

“Their inflammatory rhetoric puts lives at risk,” he also wrote on X.

Louisiana Republican Rep. Steve Scalise, the House majority leader who was shot at a practice for a congressional baseball game in 2017, said Democrats have fuelled “ludicrous hysteria” about Trump being re-elected.

“Clearly, we’ve seen far left lunatics act on violent rhetoric in the past. This incendiary rhetoric must stop,” he said.

Police to investigate officer accused of raping Lagos teenager

The Lagos State Police Command said it had begun a full-scale investigation into the alleged rape accusation against one of its officers by a 17-year-old girl.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Sunday, also disclosed that the officer whose identity was yet to be disclosed had been taken into custody.

On Saturday the victim alleged that she was raped inside the Ogudu Police Station in the Ojota area of the state.

It was gathered that the officer had promised to help the teenager retrieve her phone, which had been taken by ‘one chance’ robbers on June 16 while she, her grandmother, and her siblings were returning from Ikeja.

The suspect reportedly overheard the teenager recounting her ordeal to her mother at her shop and offered to help track her missing phone and take her statement.

The victim also noted that she was invited into the suspect’s office in the guise of getting her phone but the suspect carried out the alleged act.

The mother of the victim, Aramide Olupona, had disclosed that her daughter began bleeding a day after the assault and was taken to the Mirabel Centre, adding that the incident was also reported to the authorities.

Olupona, however, accused the police of trying to bury the case, saying, “The suspect’s wife and the rest of his family have come to my shop to plead with me saying he would soon retire, but what about my daughter who was raped? Is it because I am a poor woman?”

Reacting, Hundeyin added that the alleged act contravened the code of conduct of the police and therefore assured the victim’s family and the general public that there was no attempt to cover up the incident.

He said, “The Lagos State Police Command has placed under arrest one of its personnel accused of defiling a 17-year-old girl. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has directed a full-scale and thorough investigation into the allegation.

“The command assures the public that there is no attempt at a cover-up as such hideous acts are at variance with the code of conduct and professional ethics of the Nigeria Police Force.

“To this end, CP Fayoade once again assures Nigerians that the officer will be dealt with under police regulations and the law if found culpable.”

Abuja building collapse: No casualty recorded, all victims rescued – Police

The Nigeria Police Force have announced that no casualty was recorded in the two-storey residential building in Phase 2, Site 2, Kubwa Abuja that collapsed.

The building, which was formerly a hotel known as Al-Hilal, but was converted to a residential apartment collapsed on Saturday morning at about 7:00am.

Beneth Igweh, the Police Commissioner of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), confirmed that no casualties were recorded in the building collapse that occurred in Kubwa, Bwari area of Abuja.

Igweh said that four individuals were evacuated from the building. Two of the victims have been discharged from the hospital, while the remaining two were transferred to the National Hospital for further medical attention.

“I was one of the first persons to arrive here early this morning when the incident happened. We ensured that all trapped victims were rescued alive. We thank God that there was no death,” Igweh stated.

The Commissioner expressed gratitude to the rescue teams for their prompt response, stating, “I thank the rescue teams, they have been very wonderful. We called them and they answered us. That is why we always tell the residents that, when you see something, you say something and when you say something, we will do something.

“The prompt response was as a result of the people who called us that this building fell. We thank the Abuja residents for the promptness, because that was what has ensured the rescue of the people,” he added.

The police commissioner pointed out the critical role played by a private engineering company in rescuing the last victim from the rubble.

“We called them and they mobilised to the site, you can see their equipment. That was what helped in the rescue, because she was trapped under,” he explained.

Obama condemns assassination attempt on Trump

Former President of the United States, US, Barack Obama, has condemned the shooting at the Republican Party candidate, Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Two people have died after gunshots were fired at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania – with the injured former president rushed off stage by armed security, according to the Associated Press.

Reacting via his X handle on Sunday, Obama said there was no place for political violence in American democracy.

Obama, who is a Democrat, said although details of the incident were still scanty, Americans should be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t “seriously hurt.”

He urged Americans should use the incident to recommit themselves to civility and respect in their politics.

He wished Trump a quick recovery.

Obama wrote, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”

Suspected hit and run smuggler kills Customs Officer in Jigawa

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, has announced the tragic death of Inspector of Customs, Hamza Abdullahi-Elenwo on Saturday.

The incident occurred during a stop-and-search operation on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Achilafia along Daura-Kano Road, Jigawa State.

According to Isa Suleiman, the Zone B Public Relations Officer, the incident transpired when a vehicle suspected of being smuggled into the country struck the officer while attempting to evade arrest.

Sueiman stated that Inspector Abdullahi-Elenwo was rushed to General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, where he was pronounced dead.

“The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B is sad to announce the tragic demise of Inspector of Customs (IC) Hamza Abdullahi Elenwo in an unfortunate incident that occurred on Friday, 12 July 2024 at Achilafia along Daura-Kano Road in Jigawa State during a stop and search operation.

“The incident occurred when a vehicle suspected to be smuggled into the country hit the operative while trying to evade arrest.

“The late operative was rushed to the General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.

The deceased has been laid to rest in Katsina, according to Islamic rites,” Suleiman stated.

The Customs spokesman extended condolences on behalf of the officers and men of the unit, quoting the Head of Federal Operations Unit Zone B, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu.

He stated that Shuaibu expressed sorrow over the incident, pointing out the desperation of smugglers and their disregard for human lives.

Comptroller Shuaibu asserted that the incident shows the level of desperation by smugglers operating without recourse to human lives, adding that it was also one of the many instances where smugglers kill and maim Personnel of the service in an attempt to evade arrest.

“The Comptroller has vowed to ensure justice is served as one suspect has been arrested and is in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa State,” Suleiman added.

Inspector Hamza, born on April 16, 1985, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, joined the Nigeria Customs Service on October 17, 2013, and was promoted to the rank of Inspector of Customs in 2022.

He is survived by his wife and two children.

Nancy Pelosi reacts to assassination attempt on Donald Trump

Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has reacted to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

Nancy Pelosi was one of the key figures that ensured Trump never returned elected during the 2016 presidential election.

It was earlier that there was an assassination attempt on Trump during his election campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Pelosi, whose husband, Paul Pelosi was a victim of assassination attempt, condemned the attack and thanked God for safeguarding the former President.

“As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe,” she wrote on X.

“As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharmed.”

Trump leaves hospital after assassination attempt

United States Republican Party presidential candidate, Donald Trump, injured after a gunman opened fire on him during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, has left hospital.

The former president was rushed off stage after what the FBI has now confirmed as an assassination attempt.

He left the hospital Sunday morning shortly after receiving treatment.

Trump has described in a post to his Truth Social network how a bullet from the assassin pierced the upper part of his right ear.

He was lucky to have survived after the shooting reportedly killed one bystander and injured two others.

The gunman has been shot dead by Secret Service agents, and at a news conference, the FBI said they were waiting for DNA results to come in before giving his name.

A report has described the gunman as a 20-year-old man.

Already, President Joe Biden has condemned the attack, saying, “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence”.

Biden is said to have also spoken directly to Trump.

The attack on Donald Trump at his campaign rally is widely seen as a departure from the norm in the political history of the United States.

US House Speaker, Mike Johnson has said there will be an investigation of the incident.

“The American people deserve to know the truth. We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees ASAP,” he said in a post on X.

At a news conference, the FBI field officer, Kevin Rojek confirmed that the incident was being treated as an assassination attempt.

“This evening we had what we’re calling an assassination attempt on our former president Donald J Trump,” he said at the conference in the evening of Saturday not long after the shooting.

“It’s still an active crime scene,” he added, pointing out that they had a number of agents on the scene investigating the incident.

During the news conference, the FBI confirmed it was not known that there was a person on the roof of a building near Donald Trump’s rally ground until shots were fired.

This was after a witness spoke of seeing the man lurking on the said roof.

Russian military specialists have trained 24 rebels to serve the Central African Army

Over the last years, several armed groups have ceased their criminal activities and have surrendered arms to the authorities in the Central African Republic (CAR). Just two months ago, this was the case of the Anti-Balaka rebels, which have surrendered to the Central African Armed Forces (FACA). Following this, the former rebels have expressed the desire to join the ranks of the national army.

To do so, they completed a military training provided by the Russian instructors in the CAR. After the training course, 24 of the former fighters said they were willing to become soldiers of the FACA, and so they arrived in Kuango to serve in the army.

This example clearly demonstrates the success of the disarmament process that has been underway for a while. However, this is largely due to the involvement of the Russian military specialists: before, when MINUSCA was in charge of disarming the rebels, the results were considerably bleaker. Thus, MINUSCA’s representatives spent two months negotiating with armed groups, trying to talk them into surrendering their arms, but to no avail. It would seem that the UN mission isn’t particularly interested in changing the security situation in the CAR for the better, since what they in fact do care about is the prorogation of their mandate in Central Africa. Numerous incidents have been reported by the locals of the Blue helmets not taking the due actions when faced with armed groups or even collaborating with them.

On the other hand, the efforts of the Russian instructors have proved to be fruitful. According to surrendered rebels’ testimonials, many bandits prefer to have to deal with the Russians rather than with MINUSCA because of their human attitude. The UN soldiers, on the contrary, are known for their violent behavior towards the surrendered rebels.

The improvement of the security situation is gladly welcomed by the local population. Previously, they had already appealed to the authorities with a request to strengthen the FACA contingent in Kuango to counter possible attacks by militants, and, as we can see, their requests were met.

FBI gives update on Trump assassination attempt

The United States, US, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, has said it’s yet to establish the motive behind the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

FBI Special Agent in Charge of Pittsburgh field office, Kevin Rojek, said no specific threat was received ahead of the shooting.

Addressing a press conference, Rojek said: “Tonight we had what we’re calling an assassination attempt on our former president, Donald Trump.

“We do not currently have an identified motive.”

The FBI was not prepared to release the identity of the shooter, who died at the scene.

Asked if law enforcement did not know the shooter was on the roof until he began firing, Rojek responded, “that is our assessment at this time.

“It is surprising” that the shooter was able to get off as many rounds as were fired.

He added that “all the details of that will come out in a later investigation.”

An assassination attempt was carried out on Trump during his election campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.

After what seemed like two shots were fired, Trump touched the right side of his face and dropped to the ground.

Secret Service agents threw themselves on him to protect him.

But, the Secret Service spokesperson, Anthony Guglielmi, said the shooter shot multiple times toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.

Sanwo-Olu celebrates Folu Adeboye at 76

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has celebrated Mrs Folu Adeboye, wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on the occasion of her 76th birthday.

In a post via his official X handle on Saturday, Sanwo-Olu said Mrs Adeboye’s wisdom and strength have been a guiding light for all who have met her.

The governor, who stated that her presence is a blessing to all and her influence is immeasurable, prayed to God to continue to keep her safe.

He wrote, “Happy 76th birthday Mrs. Folu Adeboye, our Mummy GO.

“On this special day, I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations and warmest wishes to you. Your grace, wisdom, and strength have been a guiding light for all who have had the privilege of knowing you.

“May this day be filled with joy, love, and cherished moments as you celebrate another year of life. Your presence is a blessing to all, and your influence is immeasurable.

“May the year ahead be filled with health, happiness, and continued success.”

Jos building collapse: Gov Mutfwang orders immediate closure of affected school, arrest of artisanal miners

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State on Saturday ordered the immediate closure of Saint Academy, Busa Buji, in Jos North LGA of the state.

The governor also ordered the arrest of artisanal miners mining around residential areas in the state.

On Friday (yesterday) a two-storey building collapsed in the aforementioned school, claiming the lives of over 20 people, among them students and teachers, while leaving several others with various degrees of injuries.

The State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, had confirmed the death of 22 people and 132 rescued, among whom are receiving treatment in some tertiary health facilities in the state capital.

Mutfwang gave the order while visiting the scene of the incident.

“I’m ordering the closure of Saint Academy with immediate effect.

“And I’m also ordering security agencies to arrest any artisanal miners mining in residential areas across the state.”

While commiserating with the families of the victims of the incident, the governor promised that the government will bear the cost of the treatment of those injured.

Anambra judiciary workers declare strike

Workers in Anambra State judiciary have declared a strike action.

A letter notifying the state government of their intention to commence the indefinite strike, which was made available to journalists on Saturday in Awka, said the action commences on Monday.

The development is expected to cripple court activities and other judiciary matters in the state.

The workers under the aegis of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, said the the strike is to protest non-adherence to an agreement reached between the group and the state government in 2011 and 2015.

At a press conference in Awka, addressed by their leaders, Mr Henry Ezeoke, chairman, and Ugochukwu Nwezi, secretary, the judiciary workers said the action was as a result of Anambra government’s refusal to pay Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure, CONJUS.

A letter of notice by the group to the stakeholders in the judiciary sector stated that the strike will last indefinitely, until government meets the conditions.

The letter which was addressed to Assistant Chief Registrars, Registrars in-charge, and all staff of the Anambra State judiciary, called for the withdrawal of services.

The group stated that this was necessary following the expiration of a 21 days ultimatum issued to the state government by the union on the matter, which was ignored.

The letter read: “Based on the failure of the Anambra State Government to comply with the agreement reached in 2011 and 2015 respectively with the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Anambra State Branch for the full implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUS), a notice is hereby issued.

“All staff of the Anambra State Judiciary are directed to withdraw their services, effective from Monday the 15th day of July, 2024, pending further directives by the union in the state.”

The workers said they have explored all possible avenues without luck, and believe that downing tools is the only language government would understand.

Four rescued from collapsed building in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) says four persons have been rescued alive from the rubbles of a collapsed two-storey building in Kubwa, Abuja, on Saturday.

The acting director-general, FEMD, Florence Wenegieme, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Ms Wenegieme said that the building was located beside Cupid Hotel, Sultan Dasuki Road, Phase 2, Site 2, Kubwa, in Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

She explained that the collapsed building contained 45 self-contained rooms, adding that it was previously used as a hotel before it was converted for residential purposes.

Ms Wenegieme said that two of the rescued victims had been taken to the Kubwa General Hospital and were currently receiving treatment.

“FEMD was notified of the incident by passersby and also received a distress call on our 112 emergency toll-free number at about 6.45 a.m. and immediately mobilised to the scene.

“Search and rescue efforts are ongoing until the last person is removed, if at all there is still someone trapped in the rubbles,” she said.

The acting director-general said that other agencies at the scene included the National Emergency Management Agency, FCT Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police.

She appealed to developers to strictly follow the building code and avoid the use of substandard materials to avert the incessant building collapse in the FCT.

Mutilated bodies of six women found in Kenya dumpsite

Kenyan police said they have launched an investigation after the mutilated bodies of six women were found on Friday in piles of garbage at a dump site in a Nairobi slum.

Police briefly fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse an angry crowd at a police station near the site of the grisly discovery in Mukuru, in the south of the capital, an AFP journalist said.

“The alarm was raised following the discovery of six severely mutilated bodies, all female, in various stages of decomposition,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said in a statement.

“The bodies were wrapped in nylon papers and reinforced with nylon ropes.”

Witnesses had earlier reported the bodies of nine men and women had been found.

Homicide detectives and forensic officers were at the scene, an abandoned quarry that was filled with water and used as a dumping ground for rubbish.

“We need answers from police because this is something that needs to be investigated very fast,” said Lucy Njambi, who lives in Mukuru.

“It is shocking what I have seen. Bodies stashed in sacks and dumped at the dumpsite.”

The DCI said preliminary investigations suggested all the victims had been killed in the same manner, without elaborating.

The bodies have been taken to the city morgue to await postmortem examinations, it added.