The presence of herdsmen in Ohuru Isi-Miri community in the Aba North Local Government Area of Abia has put farmers in the community, especially women on edge.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited the community on Thursday reports that gloom has descended on the community, due to the inability of people to cultivate their farms.
The presence of the herdsmen has sparked intense fear among residents, with many of them, especially women now shunning farming, to avoid getting raped or killed by herdsmen.
NAN learnt that the the herdsmen have found a home at an empty land owned by Nigerian Breweries, near Ohuru Isi-Miri town, making the place a no-go for people.
At a meeting in Aba on Thursday women from the community, pleaded with the Abia government to step in to dislodge the herders from their farmlands.
One of the women, Mrs Mercy Samuel, said she secured a land to farm in the community but that the presence of the herdsmen had prevented her from working on her farm.
“Please tell Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to help us remove the herdsmen and their cows before they kill us.
“I cannot farm because of the menace of herdsmen. Each time I enter my farm, my heart misses beats and my body begins to shake.
“Government should please intervene to save our lives.”
Another farmer, Mrs Joanna Nwankwo, lamented that watching the animals destroy her crops had always made her sick and hopeless.
She pleaded with Ikpeazu to come to the rescue of farmers before herdsmen would wipe them out through destruction of their means of livelihood.
According her colleague, Mrs Peace Moses: “herdsmen have become a threat to our existence.
“They come into our farms to graze. If you look around the farm you will see how cows have eaten our newly planted crops, leaving nothing but stumps of crops.
“The maize and cassava you’re seeing should have reached maturity by now but constant grazing on our farms by herdsmen does not allow the crops to grow.
“We borrowed money to buy land and cultivate the crops but now that herdsmen have turned it to grazing field, I wonder how we can get money to pay government that lent us money to do farm work.
Other women, including Mrs Charity Bara, Uloma Okezie, Roseline Uduuko and Salome Samuel, took turns to speak on the development, pleading with government to come to their rescue.
They said that government should assist them with loans for them to start all over again during the next farming season. (NAN)
The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, says he will not share government funds meant for the development of the state with a handful of individuals who are trying to blackmail his government.
Obaseki said this on Wednesday at the graduation of a new batch of teachers under the Edo Supporting Teachers to Achieve Results initiative, nicknamed ‘Edo STAR.’
According to a statement made available to journalists, the initiative is an arm of the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation programme, known as ‘Edo-BEST.’
The statement quoted Obaseki as saying that he was not alone in pursuing sustainable development for the state.
He said, “I want to assure you that my party (the All Progressives Congress) is solidly behind me. I am not standing on my own. So, ignore what you are reading in a section of the media.
“Those are people who want me to give them the money I should be using to train our teachers, provide for our children and develop the state.
“I will never give our people’s money to them.”
The governor said his administration was determined to use the resources in the state for development, especially in the education and health sectors.
“We do not have all the money in Edo State, but whatever we have, no matter how little, will be used to prioritise education and health care.
“What is important to us are things that affect the ordinary Edo citizens. Those are the things the APC and I stand for,” Obaseki said.
The governor said the digital teaching and learning system deployed in public primary schools in the state would be replicated in private primary schools to ensure that no child was left behind.
He commended the graduate teachers for successfully completing the programme, saying their training would improve learning in schools.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has approved the renaming of some roads and institutions after prominent indigenes in recognition of their contributions to the state.
Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, said in a statement that the decision was in recognition of the individuals’ contributions to the development of the state, career and humanity.
Among the beneficiaries are former governors Lam Adesina (now late), Rashidi Ladoja, Adebayo Alao-Akala and the incumbent, Abiola Ajimobi.
Also on the list were Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi, among others.
Arulogun said that the Challenge – Efunsetan road would now be known as Lam Adesina road, Elebu road now officially Alao-Akala Way, Monatan – Olodo road now Rashidi Ladoja road, while Idi-Ape – Bashorun Akobo road is now Abiola Ajimobi way.
He said that Ibadan/Oyo Express/Iseyin-Owode with spur to Akesan-Palace and Old Ibadan-Oyo road would now be known as Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III road and Eleyele-Dugbe ANCE road is now Oba Saliu Adetunji road.
The commissioner said that Ilorin Express Junction-Ikoyi – Takie – Palace – Ogbomoso Grammar School road would now be known as Soun Oyewumi Ajagungbade road.
Arulogun listed others as Ijokodo – Apete road now Ambassador Olu Sanu road; Onireke-Agbarigo road now Onikepo Akande road and Festac road at Mokola now Adebayo Faleti road.
He said that Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora would now be known as Lam Adesina College of Agriculture and Technology, while Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa is now Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa.
The commissioner said that Maternal & Peadiatric Centre, Olodo, Ibadan would now be known as Abiola Ajimobi Maternal & Paediaitric Centre, while the newly constructed Zonal Mediation Centre in Ogbomoso is now Justice Atilade Ojo Mediation Centre.
He said that the flyover constructed at Mokola in Ibadan by the present administration would now be known as Transformation Flyover.
Arulogun stressed that the process for the amendment of the enabling laws for the institutions would commence immediately.
He said that the governor would from Wednesday inaugurate some completed projects, among which were Oba Akinbiyi Model School and Dualization of Challenge Roundabout-Efunsetan Roundabout (Phase II).
Also on the list are Rehabilitated/Constructed 3.6km Ijokodo-Apete road with Associated Bridge Works, Zonal Mediation Centre in Ogbomoso and Abiola Ajimobi Maternal & Paediaitric Centre, Olodo, Ibadan.
Others are the Archive Management and Record Centre, Secretariat, Ibadan, Raw Materials Display Centre, Secretariat, Ibadan, Islamic Model School, Mini Water Scheme, Iganna and Ogunpa Market.
Residents of Maiduguri on Wednesday celebrated the first rainfall of the year recorded in the town, expressing relief that the excruciating hot weather would now subside.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that areas like Bulumkutu and Baga road recorded downpour, while Custom and Tashan Bama axis in the metropolis recorded drizzles, accompanied by strong wind.
The rain, which started around 4:45 p.m. and lasted for about 45 minutes, was sequel to days of extreme hot temperature hovering above 44 degree Celsius.
Malam Buba Umar, a resident, said the early arrival of the rainfall took him by surprise.
“I was never anticipating seeing rainfall at this moment; I guess it was because of the unbearable heat.
“The weather was very hot; even the water in the tap is very hot. I have been sleeping outside for the past weeks because of the heat,” he said.
Mr Abba Makinta, another resident, said the downpour was a relief for the people in the metropolis.
“The heat was making life unbearable for the residents, especially with ongoing Ramadan fast.
“It will ease the intensity of heat and make life comfortable for the residents,” he said.
Also, Aliyu Babba, an ice block vendor, said he had been making brisk business due to high demand occasioned by the excruciating heat in the area.
Babba said that he now sold about 300 pieces of ice block as against 150 in the past weeks, adding that the price of ice had also increased to N70, as against its old price of N40.
“I make nothing less than N20, 000 on daily basis from the sales of ice blocks; for me, the heat is a big business,” he said.
Alhaji Musa Shehu, said he spent about N700 daily buying ice blocks and cold drinks.
He therefore expressed joy over the sudden change in weather.
Operatives of Operation Puff Adder have arrested 16 persons suspected to be kidnappers, armed robbers and terrorists in Kogi.
Parading the suspects before newsmen on Wednesday in Lokoja, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Hakeem Busari, said they were arrested at different times in some parts of the state.
He said that six of them were suspected kidnappers operating in Nasarawa and Kogi states.
Two of them, according to Busari, were arrested for kidnapping a seven-year-old boy at Odo Ape community in Kogi State.
He said that the suspects kept their victim for nine days and had come out to pick up the ransom of N1m from the parents when they were arrested.
Busari said that four other suspected kidnappers were arrested following a tip off.
He also said that two other suspects were arrested for threatening the chairman of Ankpa Local Government Area.
The commissioner said that a suspected Boko Haram member was arrested in Okene, based on information received from the Edo Police Command.
According to him, three other persons were arrested for armed robbery in Ganaja area of Lokoja on May 3.
He said that the gang specialised in robbing motorcycles and killing or grievously injuring their victims.
Busari said that two Bahajaj motorcycles were recovered from the suspects.
The commissioner also said two persons were arrested for entering Ajaokuta Steel Complex, allegedly to steal.
He said that three rifles, including two pump action guns and a locally made pistol were recovered from the kidnap and robbery suspects.
Security agencies, including the army, have confirmed that normalcy has returned to Gombe metropolis after Saturday’s violence amidst the burial of some youths.
The violence caused the state government to impose a curfew on Saturday at about 3 pm.
The curfew was on Sunday relaxed after due consultation with the security agencies in the state.
On April 22, a vehicle killed ten members of the Boys Brigade during Easter procession in the metropolis, while 30 others sustaining injuries of various degrees.
The deceased were on Saturday buried in Gombe.
Violence was erupted in Gombe as some youths threatened to retaliate the deaths.
The situation compelled the state government to impose a curfew that lasted for 15 hours.
DSP Merry Malum, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state police command said that normalcy had returned.
Security agencies have stationed their personnel at strategic locations to monitor and respond swiftly to threat.
She called on the people of the state to be law abiding.
Shops at the markets, motor parks, schools and other business outfit were open for normal activities on Sunday as there was heavy presence of security personnel in some flashpoins within the metropolis to ensure law and order (NAN)
The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, has urged the judiciary to be fair and just in deciding cases between herdsmen and farmers, so as to help in tackling banditry in the country.
The emir gave the advice at the launching of operation PUFF ADDER by the Kebbi Police Command in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
”I urge the judiciary to ensure speedy dispensation of justice on herder/farmer cases as part of effort to tackle the menace of banditry and other criminal activities in Kebbi.”
Mera expressed concern over unfair treatment of Fulani herdsmen especially by local vigilantes, saying it has aggravated the situation.
“Only a court of law should be allowed to dispense justice to anyone suspected of committing an offence,” he added, stressing that justice and fairness were the foundation of peace in any society.
The emir added that some of the security challenges bedevilling Zamfara were a result of injustice and not allowing the law to take its full course in matters involving Fulani herdsmen.
In his speech, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Danjuma appealed to the general public to provide security agencies with useful information about the activities of criminals.
” I am appealing to the general public to always provide the police and other security agencies in the state with timely and useful information about the activities of criminals and their collaborators around their communities with a view to nipping their activities at the bud ”, he said.
Danjuma said police will not relent “until our homes and highways are made safe and secured.”
The commissioner said useful information would help police to checkmate the activities of armed bandits and criminals.
Justice Asebe Karatu, the Acting Chief Judge of Kebbi, assured that the judiciary would not compromise justice in any way, adding that justice would be delivered speedily without fear or favour.
”We are going to strength our efforts to ensure that criminals are convicted according the laws of the country ”, Karatu said (NAN)
A vehicle rammed into a procession of Christians celebrating Easter along Gombe-Biu road in Gombe state on Sunday evening.
Eleven persons were killed in the incident.
The accident was said to have occurred when the driver of the vehicle lost control of it towards central roundabout, and found its way into the procession by Boys’ Brigade.
Witnesses said some of the children killed were from different ECWA churches in Gombe metropolis.
Adams Borkono, state chairman of the Boys Brigade, said the incident happened around 11:30pm when the NSCDC officer and the policeman had an argument with some youth in the procession.
“After exchanging words with the youth, they allowed them to pass. However, the NSCDC who was driving the car made a u-turn, switched off his car’s light and rammed into them from behind, killing eight children on the spot and injured 31 others, Borkono said.
“The unfortunate action provoked other survivors from the tragedy. Therefore they chased the security officers, caught up with them and mobbed them to death.”
Frank Mba, police spokesman, said the accident which occurred at Unguwan Waja area of Gombe metropolis.
He said the driver, one Adamu Abdullahi, who is a staff of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as 10 of those in the procession whose identities have not been confirmed were confirmed dead at the hospital.
Mba said Mohammed Adamu, the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
“Gombe Commissioner of Police visited the scene of the accident to have an on -the-spot assessment as well as the hospital to monitor the treatment of the victims,” he said in a statement.
“The IGP, while condoling the families and friends of the dead and the injured victim, has advised motorists to exercise utmost caution by obeying all traffic signs, rules and regulations while driving especially this festive period and beyond.”
Suspected hoodlums on Saturday, allegedly killed a 65-year-old Chief Imam of Kwara Village, Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa, the Police have confirmed.
SP Abdu Jinjiri, the Spokesman, Jigawa Police Command, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, in Dutse, that the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m.
Jinjiri said the deceased cleric, Alsheik Idris Musa, a resident of Kwara, was attacked by hoodlums at his residence after he sold his farmland for N400, 000 to one of the construction companies in the state.
He explained that the suspects allegedly hit the deceased several times with sticks, which led to his death.
The spokesman added that the suspects allegedly took away the sum of N400, 000 belonging to the deceased.
According to him, the suspects also beat up the wives and children of the deceased.
“The deceased was said to have sold his farmland to one of the construction companies in the state at the cost of N400, 000,
“It is suspected that the transaction took place in the presence of the suspected, but unidentified hoodlums who later trailed him to his residence.
“The village where the incident took place is a remote area. The distance to our station is two hours’ drive.
“So the DPO in charge of the area got the information at about 1:30 a.m. and proceeded to the scene immediately, but he got there after 3 a.m.
“When he got there, the victim was already dead, but he was able to rescue the family members beaten by the hoodlums.
“They were taken to hospital for medical attention,” the spokesman said.
Jinjiri said remains of the deceased had been released to his family for burial.
He added that the police had commenced investigations into the matter, and efforts were being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects.
Suspected motorcycle snatchers had also on Friday, in Dutse, allegedly killed a 33-year-old motorcyclist and made away with his motorcycle.
Suspected armed robbers in the early hours of Thursday shot dead one person and injured several others in Garin Maidawa Village, Dutse Local Government Area of the state.
Some Ogun State residents numbering close to 50, on Friday, protested the recent demolition of their buildings inside Regal Estate at Magboro by the Ogun State Government.
Bearing different placards with measages such as “FG, please come to our aid,” “Amosun, leave us alone and go in peace,” “All we want is justice” and so on, the protesters urged the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to look into what they term illegal demolition of buildings including churches and shops.
Speaking to journalists at the site in Magboro just off the Lagos Ibadan Expressway, one of the protesters described it as naked display of executive recklessness.
“It is a shame that a governor could just wake up one day and with less than two months left in office, descend so heavily on people whose only crime could be said to stem from buying plots of land in Ogun State and getting all necessary documents from the government of the same state,” the man simply identified as Ayeni, lamented.
With the debris of the demolished buildings littering the site, Chief Nureni Farounbi, head of the family which owns the land, said the state government’s action is not only prejudicial but smacks of contempt of court.
“It is shocking because this is not an area where we have the issue of acquired land because there has been no time the topic of paying compensation to our land has come up. As you can see, there is nothing the state government has done to us, no school, no hospital, no water or electricity or even road. The electricity you see here now was as a result of money the family contributed.
“And all the people we sold land to here went to Ogun State to go and do ratification and they were given the necesary particulars to the land including C Of O. Only for me to get a call last month that government officials are here demolishing buildings.”
Speaking further, he said: “We are already in court because the only clue we can talk about has to do with the fact that governnent to erect a signpost along the road long ago and we took them to court. Maybe that is why they came to demolish these buildings.”
Asked what their demands are as things stand, Farounbi added: “We rushed back to court and we have a hearing fixed for April 18. They started demolishing on Friday, March 22 and about 15 houses including a church and shops have been brought down because the place was sold to people who developed it into an estate.”
Biyi Aiyeola, an undergraduate who said his father’s house was demolished without as much as adequate notice, referred to the action as “unbridled use of force demonstrating nothing but bitter politics”.
Ayodele Agbeleshe, one of the surveyors of the land, said there was no basis for demolishing any building in the area, labelling the exercise as unjustifiable.
The only house and church left behind by Pastor Shitu Mudashiru for his widow, Mrs. Bukola Shitu, was also demolished in the exercise.
According to the distraught widow, they had been living in the community for over ten years without anybody harassing them until March 22 when it all began barely a month after her husband died.
She they were holding a service in the church when officials of the Ogun State Government from Mitros came and said we were on an illegal land.
“When the officials of the state government came, it was during service, the leader of the team threatened to demolish the building on us if we didn’t come out on time. We hurriedly rounded off the prayer session.
Demolition in Ogun Estate
“Initially, before the demolishing was carried out, some officials of the Urban and Regional Planning from Warewa Area had come to serve us notice of demolition. We were not afraid because we had all necessary documents concerning the land.
“Before the demolition exercise commenced, I approached one of the Mitros officials to know why they wanted to destroy our church and house and he said our building and church are on government-acquired land.
“I told the government officials that we had all necessary documents for the property we bought and also charted the land before we paid. It was after we had charted it from the Ministry of Lands and we are satisfied that we paid the person we bought it from.
“ As a widow, my children and I slept inside the cold for a week before we could get money to rent a single room apartment where are sleeping now. I don’t know where to start from; we are being chased out unjustly.”
Alhaji Shakiru Adeleye, whose house was also affected, said the demolition exercise was carried out in bad faith. Adeleye said they had been living in the community even before the present government assumed office without any problem whatsoever.
He said: “When I saw them demolishing the houses, I asked them why they had to destroy our house, the only answer they could give us was that we built our houses on illegal land.
“Unfortunately, one pastor Moses Ogunbode who was in his church, His Word Apostolic Ministry, was attacked when they were about to demolish the church forcefully, we are under siege of soldiers and police in the community, all we want is transparency and justice because we acquired the land legally.”
The government officials also demolished a building owned by Mr. Ahmed Muhili, who said he was using it as a factory and just invested huge money into the factory just months ago after buying the factory from a foreigner last year.
“When I wanted to buy it, I went to the Ministry of Lands to also chart it and it was there I discovered it was okay and I paid the owner.
“I was surprised when I received a call that some government officials from Mitros were demolishing house here. Before I could get here, they had brought my entire factory to the ground.
“We want peace, we had acquired our land before the present government assumed office, also paid all necessary money required by the state government”.
Residents of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, and its environs are currently experiencing fuel scarcity as long queues have returned to filling stations.
Our correspondent observed that the scarcity started around 3pm on Monday when fuel dealers decided to close majority of the filling stations in the state capital.
It was gathered that the fuel dealers closed shop due to speculations that the main depot in Port Harcourt was no longer distributing fuel.
The sudden closure of the filling stations caused a long queue at the popular Mobil filling station at Waterlines, along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway as motorists had a tough time before they could purchase Premium Motor Spirit.
Though the filling station was selling at the normal price of N145 per litre, some motorists had to wait for over an hour before they could purchase fuel.
One of them, who identified himself simply as Chinonyerem, said he could not find fuel at other filling stations inside town, adding that he had to join the queue when he noticed that the Mobil filling station was selling the commodity.
“I don’t know what the cause of the scarcity is, but it is good to notice that they did not increase the fuel price here (Mobil filling station). I have been here for over one hour. I know I will get fuel before I leave here,” Chinonyerem said.
As of 10am on Tuesday morning, most of the filling stations were still locked up as the owners refused to sell, hoping that the scarcity would force an increase in the pump price of petrol.
At the Karibi filling station on Iwofe Road in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, fuel was sold at the normal price as the queue continued to build up.
A commercial tricycle rider, who identified himself simply as James, told our correspondent that the scarcity was as a result of the rumour that the depot in Port Harcourt was no longer distributing fuel.
“Immediately the rumour got to these fuel dealers, they began to close their filling stations. The few ones that opened did not believe the rumour. That is what is causing this scarcity,” James stated.
When contacted, the Media Officer, Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical Company, Ikenna Okpani, said he was not aware of any fuel scarcity, adding that there was no reason for dealers to close their fuel stations.
“I am not aware that there is any fuel scarcity. There is no reason for such because from our end here, we are producing,” Okpani said.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has told the newly sworn in Commissioners and Special Advisers to perform or be prepared to resign their appointments for non-performance.
Inaugurating the new commissioners and special advisers in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, Fayemi urged the new council members to get accustomed to government programmes, and agenda, stressing that a familiarization induction programme has been planned after which “performance agreement” will be signed between the Governor and respective Commissioners and Advisers.
The governor said he would not hesitate to ask appointees who are accustomed to grumbling about inadequate financial gain to resign because he is not prepared to expend the available resources on office holders but mainly on the people”.
While stating that his administration is committed to transparency, Fayemi urged the appointees to shun graft and judiciously expend State resources as he would not tolerate any act that will breach the trust that Ekiti people have for his government.
“You were favoured among several other eminently qualified individuals. You should therefore see your appointment as a call to service. This is an opportunity for you to write your name in gold as a valuable member of Ekiti restoration team. Do your best to justify the confidence reposed in you by your people and this government”.
“While government will endeavour to satisfy our political appointees in accordance with the provisions of the RMAFC as it affects the remuneration of political office holders, let me stress that you all must avoid exaggerated expectations of political office as a vehicle for personal enrichment.
“The truth is that Ekiti has limited resources and we will be extremely prudent in its utilization. However, for those who are accustomed to grumbling about inadequate financial gain, let me also stress that we won’t hesitate to ask for your resignation if you are unhappy that we are expending the resources available mainly on Ekiti people, and not on political office holders”, Fayemi said.
Fayemi while acknowledging the contributions of other members of the party in its victory at the last governorship election stated that it was impossible to appoint everyone but assured that everyone would feel the impact of his administration in many positive ways.
He urged Ekiti people not to relent in giving suggestions, pieces of advice and constructive criticisms to his government as this will constantly keep the administration in line with our avowed commitment to the Ekiti project.
In her response, one of the Commissioners, Dr Moji Yahaya-Kolade thanked the governor for appointing them to serve Ekiti people; saying that they will not fail in working to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
Four of the newly inaugurated commissioners served in Fayemi’s first term. They are Prof Adio Afolayan (Local Government and Community Development ); Mr Sola Adebayo (Works and Transport); Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu( Special Duties and Regional Integration) and Chief Folorunso Olabode (Agriculture and Rural development).
Other newly sworn- in commissioners are Mr Muyiwa Olumilua (Information, Tourism and Values Orientation); Engr. Dele Faparusi (Infrastructure and Public Utilities); Dr (Mrs) Moji Yaya Abatan (Health and Human Services);and Chief Mrs Moji Fafure (Women Affairs and Social Development)
Others are Mr Emmanuel Foluso Daramola (Education, Science and Technology )Mr Gbenga Agbeyo (Environment and Natural Resources); Mr Olusoga David(Investment, Trade and Industries); Mr Michael Awopetu (Youth and Sports Development); Mr Femi Ajayi ( Budget and Economic Planning); Mr Febisola Adewale (Lands, Housing and Urban Development)
The fourteen commissioners are to join two other colleagues -Mr Dapo Kolawole, Commissioner for Finance and Mr Wale Fapounda, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice who were inaugurated last November.
A woman has died while her daughter was injured in an accident which occurred along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway in the Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The fatal accident occurred when a Lexus SUV with the two occupants plunged into the Ososa river in Odogbolu due to loss of control of the vehicle.
The state Public Relations Officer of Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the accident.
He said the accident occurred at 2:40pm on Sunday and was as a result of speeding, causing the vehicle with registration number JJJ 930 FL to fall into the river.
According to Akinbiyi, the vehicle was coming from Lekki in Lagos and heading to Ijebu-Ode when the accident happened.
The TRACE spokesperson further said, “There were two occupants in the vehicle; the driver, who is a woman, and her daughter, who is a student of Tai Solarin University of Education.
“The woman was taking her daughter to school.
“As a result of speeding, the woman lost control of the vehicle and plunged the vehicle into the river.”
Akinbiyi said the survivor was receiving treatment at the Ijebu-Ode General Hospital while the vehicle had been removed from the river and deposited at the TRACE’s Motor Traffic Division in Odogbolu.
The Police Command in Bayelsa has confirmed the kidnapping of Wellington Magbisa, father of the Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area of the state by gunmen.
DSP Butswat Asinim, Spokesman of the command, who made confirmation while addressing newsmen on Sunday in Yenagoa, said that the kidnappers gained entrance to the victim’s bedroom via an unprotected window and abducted him.
“Five men came in through an unprotected window, captured Mr Magbisa and escaped through the waterways,“ he said.
He said that all the sister security agencies in the state had been alerted to rescue the victim and also arrest the captors.
Suspected cultists have killed two corps members and critically injured another during an attack on their residence in Bayelsa State.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the incident occurred on Wednesday night along School road, Swali in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
Bayelsa Commissioner of Police, Mr Olusholla David, who visited the state NYSC Secretariat and met with the State Coordinator, Mrs Lotto Bolade, on Thursday in Yenagoa, described the killing as “shocking”.
The CP assured the NYSC of a strengthened security strategy to ensure the safety of serving corp members in the state.
“The police have briefed the State Governor, Seriake Dickson on the incident. There is nobody that will hear of the incident that will not be shocked.
“The corps members in the state may be scared, but please assure them that there will be improved security under my watch,” the CP stated.
In her reaction, Mrs Lotto Bolade, Bayelsa NYSC Coordinator, decried the incessant attacks on corps members in the state, saying it was worrisome.
“These hoodlums have been attacking corps members serially. The Director-General has had cause to write to the state governor.
“There is no day we don’t record cases of attack against corps members,” she explained.
Bolade, however, confirmed that the third injured corps member survived the attack.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has terminated the appointment of the State Chief of Protocol, Mr Ayo Adegbite.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, in Ado Ekiti on Friday evening said the sack was with immediate effect.
Oyebode stated that “according to the letter of termination of appointment signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji, Mr Adegbite is to hand over government properties in his custody to the Permanent Secretary, Government House and Protocol”.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Tuesday reinstated the Chairman of Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akeem Ambali, into the state’s civil service after his sack in October, 2016.
Ambali and 15 other labour leaders, including the former Chairman of the state Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr Dare Ilekoya, were dismissed from the civil service by the state government.
They were accused of professional misconduct during the 2016 World Teachers’ Day celebration in the state.
While 15 of the labour leaders were later pardoned, Ambali’s case was not revisited.
Three other civil servants earlier disengaged were also recalled on Tuesday.
The reinstatement followed a protracted meeting between the state government led by Amosun and the national leadership of the NLC led by its president, Ayuba Wabba.
The meeting, which was inconclusive on Monday, was reconvened on Tuesday.
The NLC leadership had mobilised workers from the neighbouring states for a solidarity protest against the Ogun government which they accused of anti-labour policies.
Wabba, who had addressed newsmen on Monday before the commencement of the meeting, said that labour planned to protest against unremitted deductions from workers’ salaries and unilateral imposition of a new payment schedule for gratuity.
He said labour also planned to protest the sack of Ambali as well as the unpaid salaries of workers at the Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE), Ijebu-Ode.
Wabba on Tuesday in Abeokuta, however, commended Amosun , saying that “all the issues have been resolved.’’
“All the four issues have been resolved and the governor has agreed to recall the state chairman of NLC into the civil service.
“I want to use this medium to thank the governor because he has demonstrated that where there is will, issues can always be resolved at the negotiation table.
“You will realise we started the meeting on Monday and we reconvened today and all through the discussions, the governor was physically available with his officials and all the issues have been resolved,” he said.
Ambali, who also addressed newsmen, expressed appreciation to the governor over his recall.
”I thank the Almighty God and I appreciate the magnanimity of Governor Amosun because I have been out and back to my service.
“You know in any human relationships, there is bound to be friction and the mature way the governor handled it speaks volumes and we are so happy,
“We are delighted with the outcome of this meeting because it has been a productive meeting and has reinforced hope that labour and government industrial relations in the state will continue to improve.
“Now, there’s no more war, there’s no more fight,” he said.
Amosun, who had earlier addressed newsmen, ascribed the face-off between labour and the government to “communication gap.”
“I have to thank them as always because this is not the first time the NLC leadership will be here.
“The last time they came, all outstanding issues were resolved.
“I thank God they have come and we’ve resolved all matters and I am sure that the workers and all of us in Ogun will be the better for it,” he said.
About one week to the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for March 9 2019, tension has taken over Abia State as the state governemnt claimed that hoodlums had finalised a plot to burn down offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission in six Local Government Areas.
Abia State government raised the alarm over alleged plans by hired political thugs to burn down the facilities of INEC in Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Isiala Ngwa South, Ukwa East, Ukwa West and Osisioma LGAs of the State.
INEC offices had been burnt down by suspected hoodlums in Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia State, Plateau and another state before the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The government’s position was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu on Friday night in Abuja.
He called on all those involved in the dastardly plot to desist from such nefarious activities.
Okiyi urged Abia youths not to allow themselves be used to perpetrate such a heinous crime.
The statement called on security agencies in the state, especially the Nigeria Police Force, to ensure that the targeted facilities and others in the state were adequately protected before, during and after the remaining elections.
Okiyi said, “Abia State government has uncovered plots by some hoodlums hired by desperate political actors to burn down Independent National Electoral Commission facilities in Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Isiala Ngwa South, Ukwa East, Ukwa West and Osisioma Local Government Areas of the State.
“We wish to call on all those involved in the dastardly plot to desist from such nefarious activities even as we urge our youths not to allow themselves be used to perpetrate such a heinous crime.
“Security agencies in the state, especially the Nigeria Police Force, are hereby called upon to ensure that the targeted facilities and others in the state are adequately protected before, during and after the remaining elections.”
Scores of persons are still missing in Nembe community, Bayelsa State, after a gas explosion from the Creek Trunk Line operated by the Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company in the community.
The explosion caused tension among indigenes of the seven communities of Nembe in Nembe Local Government area of the state.
The explosion, which occurred at 4am near Oil Well 7 on Friday, sacked indigenes of the affected communities and many are reported missing including children.
A source on Friday said that it had shut the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) for emergency repairs following the detection of oil leakage.
The Nembe communities affected include Nembe creek 1, 2 and 3 , Fatuo and Kalablomi.
An indigene of the communities, identified as Patrick, told newsmen that the gas explosion has polluted the air and water in the area, bringing fishing activities in the communities to a standstill.
When contacted on the development, the spokesman for the Nembe Chiefs Council, Chief Nengi James–Eriworio, confirmed the development and described it as “massive destruction of the area with air and water heavily polluted”.
James-Eriworio said, “People have deserted the area and the company has refused to respond despite a series of emergency calls. ”
“As of 6pm, the time you are calling, the fire is still raging. The incident is uncalled for and questionable. The people are afraid. Women and children are missing. ”
He called on the oil exploration company to be mindful of the welfare of indigenes. This is a large scale explosion. We are calling on the Federal Government agencies to investigate and respond to salvage the people. The incident has caused air and water pollution.”
Amina Bello, the wife of the Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello, has been involved in a car accident along the Obajana-Kabba Road on her way to Isanlu for the APC women’s rally.
Kabba, is the area where the aircraft of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo crash-landed last week.
Also involved in the accident were three aides of the Kogi State Government.
This was announced in a statement by Mr Onogwu Muhammed, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Yahaya Bello in Lokoja.
According to the statement, the aides are: Mrs Kelechi Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Women and Children to the Governor; Mrs Ejura Edward, the SSA on Women Affairs, and Mrs Adesoro Olamide, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Governor’s wife.
The government, however, thanked God that the aides all came out unhurt and were in perfect condition.
“In appreciation to God Almighty for His faithfulness to the New Direction family, the Kogi State Government wishes to announce that three aides of Gov. Yahaya Bello and his wife survived an accident this morning.
“The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Women and Children to the Governor, Mrs Kenechi Ajayi; the SSA to Governor’s wife on Women Affairs, Mrs Ejura Edward; and the Special Assitant on Media and Publicity to the wife of the Governor, Mrs Adesoro Olamide, were involved in a minor auto accident this morning.
“The accident occurred around Oshokoshoko village, while on their way to Isanlu for the All Progressives’ Congresswomen rally but they all came out unhurt.
‘“The government appreciates God once again, that all those involved are in perfect condition.
“The Governor’s wife’s door-to-door campaign train continues with their rally to the western senatorial district, after a successful two-day outing in Kogi East,’’ the statement said.
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