₦airaland Forum

"PRESS RELEASE

*Ogoni Youths Demand Justice For Gospel Gbaraka Killed By the Nigerian Police*

...Calls For Press Conference

The Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) worldwide today Sunday 22nd November, 2020 received a distressing and shocking news of the extra-judicial murder of one of its youths and shining lights, Mr. Gospel Gbaraka at the hands of a gun-wielding member of the Nigerian Police Force, one Inspector James, serving at the Marine Base Police Station in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, now being detained at the Mile One Police Station.

Late Gospel Gbaraka, prior to being untimely cut short through the barrel of a gun was a 28 year old native of Gwara Community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State and a Security Staff with Bulk Strategic Reserve Limited, a company located at the Abonnema Wharf area of Port Harcourt.

Gospel Gbaraka was on duty at his security post this morning. The said Inspector James is also a police security personnel attached to the company. There were no altercations, riot or crisis situation at the company involving groups of persons requiring the use of live bullets to disperse crowds, neither was there any existing problem between the deceased and Inspector James.

Eyewitness accounts state that Inspector James mistakenly or deliberately discharged his AK 47 assault rifle and thereby killed Mr. Gospel Gbaraka in cold blood.

As a youth body, we are incredibly pained that the life of this young man has been taken, particularly now that Nigeria is at a crossroad and the world has been awoken to the demands of #EndSars protesters whose focal point is to end the recurring decimal of police brutality and extrajudicial killings. This is one of too many as other Ogoni sons/daughters have been killed by the Nigerian Police in like manner.

The Ogoni Youths immediately demand for justice over the life of Gospel Gbaraka. We call on the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command to cause an investigation into this horrific incident and ensure that the erring officer is prosecuted and brought to book. The family of the deceased, at least deserves the consolation that their son’s life was not wasted unjustifiably for nothing.

Conclusively, OYF invites media outfits to a PRESS CONFERENCE with the parents of Gospel Gbaraka on the above subject matter tomorrow 23rd November, 2020 by 9am at Ernest Ikoli Press Centre (NUJ Secretariat) Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana,
President-General, Ogoni Youth Federation/President, Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition.
22rd November, 2020"

9-Year-Old Girl Drowns In Kano After Falling Into Well While Fetching Water (Photos)

A 9-year-old girl have died after falling into a well while fetching water in Kwagar Kanawa, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, IgbereTV reports.

Spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Malam Saidu Muhammad, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, November 20, said a distress call was received from Kwagar Kanawa at 8am through Gezawa police division.

"Officers of the service arrived te scene and discovered that it was a girl of about nine (9) years old that fell inside a well while fetching water. She was rescued unconscious and later confirmed dead. Her corpse was handed to Village head by name Alhaji Abubakar Usman of kwagar kanawa village." he said.

"PLEASE if you’re in Babcock look for tobe Duru In Gideon hall, he’s trying to commit suicide"

"I reached out to my Aunt who is a staff, The DSA has gotten in contact with TOBE DURU, and he is fine atm."

"UPDATE: He has been found"

AZ: 5250/NGS/PPRO/VOL.20/88
13/11/2020.
CRIME BULLETIN

ARREST OF THREE (3) SUSPECTED FRAUDSTERS/RECOVERY OF VEHICLE
On 10/11/2020 at about 1300hrs, base on a tip, Police Operatives attached to Kutigi Division arrested three suspects; one Shedrack Madaki aged 42yrs ‘m’ of Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State, Abdullahi Adamu aged 47yrs ‘m’ of Fagge Dalla LGA of Kano State and Umaru Mohammed aged 23yrs ‘m’ of Nasarawa Chikun LGA of Kaduna with a white Toyota Corolla with Reg. No. KWL 369 BD.

The suspects defrauded three unsuspecting members of the public and collected about five hundred thousand naira by loitering around some commercial banks premises in Bida and Kutigi where they observed some banks customers who were in possession of money. The victims were deceived and dispossesed of their monies, while the suspects drove off in the said vehicle, but were later arrested along Bida-Kutigi road at Wuya-Reke Village Gbako LGA by the Police after a hot chase.

During interrogation, suspects confessed to the crime to have specialized in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public through the so called “GUY-WORK”. Exhibits recovered includes; a Toyota Corolla vehicle with Reg. No. KWL 369 BD, a sum of two hundred and ninety eight thousand naira (#298,000;00k), two itel and techo handsets. Case under investigation.

ASP WASIU A. ABIODUN,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
NIGER STATE COMMAND

Many Nigerians are beginning to refer to as onion as the new gold following the sudden rise in its market value, IgbereTV reports.

This newly gained status of the onion family as funny as it sounds – is now a symbol of abundance and plenty as has been epically demonstrated at a traditional wedding ceremony in the eastern part of the country.

In a video which was shared online, a guest could be seen spraying onions in a manner in which currency is usually sprayed on couples at a typical Nigerian wedding, IgbereTV reports.

The MC could be heard hailing the guest who dropped balls of onions on the bride and groom.

Watch the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzAxiwo-GCw

''Women are much happier without men. Men are women's major problems''

IgbereTV reports that the Enugu State Infectious Disease Hospital, formerly known as Colliery Hospital Enugu, is getting set to commence operations for isolation and treatment of patients with infectious diseases, courtesy of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration’s massive rehabilitation and construction of new structures at the health facility.

See pictures below.

Enugu Governor’s Wife Stresses Good Nutrition For Children, Women

The wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, has stressed the need for adequate nutrition for women and children in the state to improve child and maternal health as well as reduce the exposure risk to chronic diseases, IgbereTV reports.

Mrs. Ugwuanyi made the call during the domestication of the 2016 Food and Nutrition Policy, plus Finalizing the Multi-sectoral Costed Strategic Plan of Action Agenda, organized by Enugu State Food and Nutrition Committee (SCFN), at Nike Lake Resort Enugu.

The Enugu governor’s wife disclosed that because of the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), a lot of sectors have sidelined existing structures that champion nutrition and food security.

She therefore pointed out that it is more critical now than ever before for multi-sectoral nutrition actors to take and support key actions to protect the nutritionally vulnerable groups “given the importance of nutrition in national development”.

Mrs. Ugwuanyi maintained that “malnutrition has been a public health problem especially the hard to reach areas and underserved communities in Enugu State” adding that “this is more worrisome in pregnant women and children under the age of five”.

The Enugu State First Lady who revealed that the first 1,000 days of life is the most important days of an infant, starting from the point of conception to two years, advised that better nutrition for women, children and adolescents should underpin the state’s push to achieve the sustainable Development Goals.

According to her, “malnutrition affects the wellbeing of the people; it drains the state of quality human capital and hinders economic and social development. Beyond economic growth, a whole lot of diseases are avoided when we reduce stunting rate within the first 1,000 days of life”.

While thanking the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) for the initiative and the Enugu State Government for constituting and inaugurating the Enugu State Committee on Food and Nutrition with the aim of domesticating the national policy in the state, Mrs. Ugwuanyi urged members of the committee to put in their best to help the state and the nation to achieve the policy’s noble objectives “as quickly as possible”.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mr. Casmir Ugwu, commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his display of political will by inaugurating the committee and his commitment in actualizing the national policy.

In his goodwill message, the Chief Field Officer, UNICEF Enugu, Dr. Conteh Ibrahim, pledged UNICEF’s continuous support to Enugu State and called for enhanced collaboration to check malnutrition in children and women.

The occasion was also attended by the State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. David O. Ugwunta, Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Matthew Idu and their Gender Affairs and Social Development counterpart, Hon. Princess Peace Nnaji, among others.

I had the most amazing 35th birthday everrrrrrr! I’m so thankful to my awesome colleagues, friends , business partners and family who came out to celebrate with me; I was blown away by the love, it was super amazing . I honestly can’t remember the last time I celebrated my birthday, I like to keep my birthdays quiet or sometimes out of the country with my loved ones, but I decided to switch things up this year, and I absolutely loved it. Words can’t express how amazing it was; it exceeded my expectations.

Thanks to my lovely team who were hands-on deck from start to finish. This will always be a birthday to remember. #chika@35 �

Ohakim arraigned over ‘false information’, granted N10m bail

Ikedi Ohakim, former governor of Imo state, was arraigned before a federal capital territory (FCT) high court on Wednesday on a three-count charge bordering on criminal defamation filed against him by the inspector-general of police.

According to the police, in May 2019, Ohakim allegedly “gave false information against one Chinyere Amuchienwa that she threatened you with gun knowing it to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Laws of the Northern Nigeria.”

“That you Ikedi Ohakim, on or about the 23rd day of May 2019, at Asokoro, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did unlawfully gave false information against one Chinyere Amuchienwa, that you have a plot of land for sale at Lagos state, knowing it to be false…,” count two of the charge read.

In the third count, the former governor was accused of unlawfully using the name of Babatunde Fashola, minister of works and housing, as the owner of the purported land situated at Ikeja, Lagos state.

But Ohakim pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Moving an application for bail, Ken Njemanze, counsel to the defendant, prayed for an order admitting his client to bail.

In the affidavit attached, the defendant promised to make himself available for trial at all times.

In opposition, Stanley Nwodo, police counsel, urged the court not to grant bail.

“Bail should not be granted, my lord. Even though the offences before this court is bailable, caution should be applied,” he said.

“The justice we seek is a two way traffic. Justice for the state, justice for the nominal complainant and justice for the defendant himself.

“Also, the defendant has the capacity to interfere with the case.

Responding, Ohakim’s lawyer said: “He is not in government, he does not have the capacity to interfere with the case. He is just a simple citizen of Nigeria.”

Samira Bature, the judge, granted the former governor a N10 million bail and one surety in like sum.

She said the surety must be a reputable member of the society and must reside within the court’s jurisdiction (Abuja).

The judge warned the defendant against inference with the prosecution of the case, failure of which she said could lead to revocation of the bail.

The case has been adjourned to January 25, 2021, for the commencement of trial.

''Happy Birthday @cuppymusic !!!!! The big sister I love, laugh with and RESPECT. You are a super woman to me! Proud of all of you are and everything you are yet to be. I know you’ll always have my back. Love you always and forever.''

"I won’t keep you any longer. This year we’ve been through crazy times. Real crazy times. And through it all, we’ve all had to look inwards to find our unique hopes of better times ahead. I found a few. In human form and creative form. I’m so glad I can finally share them with you. I present to you ‘A Better Time’ out 13/11/20 00:00"

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has rescued a 2-year-old sick child, who was allegedly abandoned by his father in Katsina after separating from the victim's mother.

IgbereTV learnt that the boy, Abdullahi Rabiu was abandoned by his father Rabiu Tukur in Barda Ajiwa town, Batagarawa Local Government Area of the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, who confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday, Novemmber 10, warned parents and guardians to desist from any action or inaction that will lead to violation of the rights of any child saying, "Child neglect or abuse is a grave human rights violation that attracts severe punishment for any culprit".

Earlier, the Katsina state Coordinator of NHRC, Barrister Adamu Umaru Kasimu had swung into action upon receiving a petition from the family's neighbors. He visited the family compound immediately for the necessary investigations in line with the Commission's mandate and Standing Order and Rules of Procedure (STORP).

While conducting investigations into the matter, the Coordinator found that the mother of the sick child was separated from the father and she has no money to take him to the hospital for medical treatment.

He gathered that the mother of the sick child had informed her estranged husband about the health condition of their son and he reportedly did not show any concern.

In a bid to rescue the abandoned child and further sensitize the affected community on the provisions of the Child's Rights Act 2003 and other human rights issues, the Coordinator held a meeting with the community and religious leaders emphasizing the readiness of the Commission to ensure that culprits of child abuse are made to face the full wrath of the law.

The Coordinator used the opportunity to educate the Community on international treaties on the Rights of the Child like Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Following the efforts of the Commission, the father of the victim was arrested by the Police while the baby was admitted at Federal Medical Center Katsina for proper medical treatment.

"#PrayforrNigeria."

"OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, OBUDU LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL.

Press Release!
08/11/2020

Following the reprisal attacks by Youths on properties of members of the now proscribed Youth Council, the Executive Chairman of Obudu LGC, Hon. Boniface Eraye Ewhe has now imposed a curfew between 5:00PM to 6:00AM daily starting from today, Sunday, November 8, 2020.

Residents are advised to observe this curfew as those found flouting it will be arrested.

The restriction in movement is to help the security operatives fish out the perpetrators of these dastardly attacks and criminals that would want to take advantage of the situation and commit crimes, while the Chairman continues to dialogue with stakeholders on the way forward.

Signed
Richard Abu.

Personal Assistant, Media and Publicity."

"black Saturday in OBUDU
I swear MI WA STILL BELIEVE YE
Somebody should please wake me up
Am talking about my BESTY here
BOTH GONE, same time, same day"

"Innalillahi wainnah ilaihi Rajiun

Allahu Akbar Dr. Malami Aliyu Yandoto Allah ya jikanka da Rahama yasa Aljannah ce Makomar ka.

The picture was taken today, a few minutes to his death at Sokoto attending the wedding Fatiha of Sen. Yarimas Daughter.

Allah idan Tamu Tazo Allah yasa mu cika da imani.

Source Tambarin Gusau"

Zamfara Governor Secures Release Of 26 Young Girls Kidnapped By Bandits In Katsina State (Photo)

Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle has said that dialogue with bandits is still relevant just as he secured the release of 26 Katsina girls from bandits, IgbereTV reports.

A statement issued on Sunday, November 8, by Zailani Bappa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, said the girls, aged between 8 and 12, were released to the Zamfara State Government without payment of ransom.

"The girls who were kidnapped by bandits in Faskari local government area of Katsina state were brought into the bushes of Zamfara state but were miraculously discovered by the state Government and got released through negotiations held under the state Commissioner Of Police and the state Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs who are in constant dialogue on behalf of the Government with bandits in the state on the need to embrace peace and live a normal life," the statement said.

Governor Matawalle, who received the rescued girls said his administration will not abandon the peace dialogue with bandits as fire power alone cannot solve the problem of banditry in the state.

"This is a testimony to our vision for engaging the bandits in peace dialogue. For those who believe we are wrong to dialogue with the bandits, the securing of these minors who are all girls, unhurt, is indeed, priceless." he said.

The 26 rescued girls were medically checked and provided with new clothes. Governor Matawalle ordered for their safe return to Katsina state.

This latest rescue brings the total number of those released by bandits in the last one week to more than 40.

Let's give it up for our 2020 #MTVEMA Gen Change winners!! 👏👏 We're so proud of all the work being done on the frontlines to change the world for better!! 🙏 Thank you! ♥️

🌏 @kikimordi
🌏 @RaquelWillis_
🌏 @TemiMwale
🌏 @mequetrefismos
🌏 Catherhea Potjanaporn pic.twitter.com/U2KVsE5h3s

— MTV EMA (@mtvema) November 3, 2020