A serious minded president would have issued a statement on national TV regarding these unfortunate events in our country and declare 1 or 2 days of national mourning for them, this shows the lack of respect for human life in Nigeria
Very sad situation, May their souls rest in peace, this festive season has turned to a period of mourning for many families because of hunger and human error.
Three days after no fewer than 36 persons died in a stampede in Ibadan, Oyo State, many, including children, have died in similar incidents in Abuja and Anambra State while struggling for Christmas palliatives.[/b]
The twin incidents, which happened, yesterday, left the nation shocked given that they came on the heels of the Oyo incident.
More than 10 people lost their lives and several others were injured during the distribution of food items by Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja.
Sunday Vanguard learned the incident occurred as thousands of residents scrambled to receive palliatives distributed by the church.
A non-governmental organization (NGO), Civil Society Legislation Advocacy Center (CISLAC), blamed the deaths on worsening hunger in the country.
The event, organised to provide relief to struggling residents, attracted over 3,000 people, mostly from Mpape, Gishiri and other nearby settlements.
National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev Fr Mike Umoh, confirmed the tragic development.
He said the exercise had been suspended following the event.
Yes it’s true but with sketchy details,” the priest said.
An eyewitness described the scene as chaotic and tragic, saying that at least seven of the deceased were children.
Palliatives
Many attendees arrived as early as 4:00 am, hoping to secure their share of the palliatives. The stampede occurred between 7:00 am and 8:00 am when the crowd surged forward.
“10 people have been reported dead, including children. We just received a call that they have passed on.
“Over 3,000 people came out to receive the palliative. It’s unfortunate. Some of them arrived as early as 4:00 am. Most of those present were residents of Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements.
The stampede occurred between 7:00 am and 8:00 am. The distribution of palliatives has been suspended indefinitely, and people are dispersing. May God receive the souls of the departed and protect us from harm,” the eyewitness, a mother of five, said.
However, a combined team of police, military and Department of State Services,DSS, officers were deployed to restore order and disperse the crowd.
The church premises, initially filled with anxious beneficiaries, gradually cleared as security personnel enforced the suspension.
Similarly, the Anambra stampede, which happened in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, saw many people losing their lives while struggling for Christmas rice.
Sunday Vanguard gathered the incident happened when an indigene of the community popularly known as Obijason was distributing his annual Christmas rice.
Bodies One of the witnesses who recorded the video, who spoke in Igbo language, showed dead bodies of some victims at Our Lady’s Hospital, Okija.
In the viral video, the male voice said: “This thing happened in Okija now. People who went to share Obijason rice, look at people who died. We are in Our Lady’s now.
“They went to share Obijason rice and they were stampeded to death. See all of them, including women. These are people stampeded to death. See people’s dead bodies. They are all dead. They went to share Obijason rice.
“There are a lot of dead bodies. They are still bringing in dead bodies. This happened this morning. Even pregnant women were among them. It is happening now, 21 December. Abomination has happened.
“More dead bodies are still coming. This is Okija. We are in Our Lady’s. These are not those who are unconscious. They are still bringing more. They said what is here is more than 100 dead bodies. Tragedy happened.”
According to another eyewitness, the victims, mostly women and youths, had stationed themselves at the facility as early as 5 a.m. on Saturday, waiting for the distribution to begin at dawn.
Uncontrollable He said the crowd became uncontrollable when the distribution began, leading to the stampede. The dead bodies, and those who sustained injuries, were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala. In a viral video, dead bodies, including pregnant women, littered the vicinity of the hospital’s mortuary.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has cancelled all his official events in Lagos in honour of the victims.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said one of Tinubu’s outings included the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta.
According to the statement, dignitaries, including top officials of Lagos State government and white cap chiefs were already seated when the President cancelled his appearance following briefings on the tragedies.
The President commiserated with victims of the incidents and urged states and relevant authorities to immediately enforce strict crowd control measures.
Tinubu noted that it was very disturbing, saying the events bore a “distressing” resemblance to the recent incident in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones. Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
He reiterated that these mishaps are avoidable if event planners adhere to necessary safeguards and protocols to ensure pre and post-event safety.
Tragedies Also sympathising with the victims, the presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, in 2023, Mr. Peter Obi, said the tragedies reflected the systemic failures in Nigeria.
He said:”This morning, reports emerged of at least 10 people losing their lives in Abuja while scrambling for palliatives, with many others injured.
“Now, I just heard that about 19 more lives were lost in another stampede in Okija, Anambra State, as people struggled to receive food items.
“While I will not cast blame, but instead appreciate the organizers of these respective events for their kind gestures in providing palliatives and support to society, especially the poor, these tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society.
“The desperate quest for survival in these harsh economic times has driven our people to extremes in their search for food, often at the cost of their lives.’’
In a related development, Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, sympathized with his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, and the people of the state over the stampede that occurred during a children’s carnival at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which claimed 35 lives.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a letter, titled: “Letter of Condolence – Christmas Stampede Tragedy,” also extended his condolences to the families of the dead.
He described the incident as devastating, saying the event had cast a shadow of grief not only over Oyo State but across Nigeria.
IGP Also, Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered an investigation into the incidents in Oyo, Anambra and Abuja.
In a statement, the IGP ordered commissioners of police in affected states to “carry out thorough investigations into these ugly incidents for further legal actions”.
”The IGP has hereby warned groups and organizers of similar events to ensure the involvement of security agencies as negligence on their part is criminal and would not be overlooked, as provided for in Sec. 196 of the Penal Code and Sec. 344 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’’ the statement stated.
[quote]Also reacting to the incidents, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, blamed worsening hunger for the deaths in [quote]different parts of the nation.
Execuitive Director of CISLAC, Comrade Auwal Rafsanjani, said this in a statement made available to Sunday Vanguard.
He said: Unfortunately, government appears detached from the realities on the ground and has failed to take necessary steps to address the situation.’
some police officers and judges in Nigeria are worst than politicians with their evil behavior
We don't behave like civilized people in this country
individuals who are meant to protect us, people you think should know better and do the right thing will be used against you, they commit a lot of infractions and get away with it because the system is weak.
Imagine what this young man has gone through since 2010 for the crime he didn't commit.
The way and manner investigations are conducted in Nigeria is so archaic, your enemy will lie against you, bribe the police and you are finished if you don't have anybody to defend you, they will come up with concocted and fabricated lies and force you to make a statement admitting to it, a lot of innocent people are languishing in prison
[quote]Nigerians were stunned on Tuesday as social media was awash with reports of an only child, Segun Olowookere, who was sentenced to death in Osun State for stealing fowl.
There were different versions of what truly transpired and why the convict was given what many considered a harsh punishment for the offence.
Our correspondent, who has been following the matter since Olowookere was put into detention in 2010, noted that the complainant in the matter was a family member of the convict.
He was arrested when he was barely 17 years old when the crime was committed.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, Olowookere explained the actual circumstances of his sentencing.
The facts
Olowookere was arrested alongside another convict, Sunday Morakinyo, in Oyan, Odo-Otin Local Government of Osun State, in November 2010.
They were accused of robbing a policeman attached to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Okuku, Tope Balogun, of two fowls and eggs.
On January 30, 2013, the police arraigned them before Justice Jide Falola of the state High Court in Ikirun for robbery and stealing.
Olowookere and Morakinyo were said to have conspired in November 2010 to rob one Oguntade Faramade of his fowls and eggs worth N20,000.
They were also accused of robbing Balogun Taye of his two mobile phones and attempting to rob another person, Alhaja Umani Oyewo, in her house.
According to the charge sheet, the convicts were armed with cutlasses and a Dane gun to rob one Elizabeth Dare of a gallon of vegetable oil.
Both Olowookere and Morakinyo pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However, Olowooke was said to have made a confessional statement to the police in which he admitted to committing the crime.
The state counsel, Biola Adewemimo, called six witnesses, including Alhaja Oyewo, Elizabeth Dare, Oguntade Faramade and three policemen, who testified against the convicts.
Olowookere’s counsel, Ayo Omolesho, argued that he was innocent as he was not arrested at the scene of the crime, maintaining that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.
However, Justice Falola convicted and sentenced Olowookere and Morakinyo to death (for conspiracy to commit armed robbery); life imprisonment (for robbery), and three years imprisonment (for stealing) on December 17, 2014.
By the time of the judgement, Olowookere was 21 years old.
However, Falola recommended that the state governor could decide to commute the death sentence to 10 years imprisonment, considering the age of the convicts.
[b]Olowookere speaks
After several days of efforts, Sunday PUNCH spoke to Olowookere, who is now a death row inmate in one of the custodial centres in the country.
According to him, the police would have released him had his parents raised the N30,000 demanded for his bail on time.
Recounting his journey to death row, the inmate said he surrendered himself to the police when they came looking for him in April 2010.
He said, “I was at my father’s shop in Oyan after returning from school. My dad and I were discussing my university admission and suddenly, we heard gunshots, and everybody ran away except my dad and a few others.
“My father was taken to a police van where there were some children. I was peeping out and could hear and see what was going on. The police asked my dad where I was and he asked them what my offence was. When they couldn’t give him a satisfactory response, my father shouted at the top of his voice that I should run away because the police wanted to arrest me.
“But I was wondering what my offence was. So, I came out and went to meet them. I was detained at the police post in Oyan, and was taken to Okuku Divisional Police Headquarters the following day. I met the children who were in the police van when they came for me sitting on the ground and eating rice.”
The robbery charge
He explained that when he got to the station, the DPO asked the children if he was Segun Olowookere and they said yes.
According to him, the DPO said one of the children arrested mentioned his name as their gang leader.
He said, “The DPO told me that one of the children confessed to stealing two broilers and some crates of eggs. I met the broilers and the eggs at the station. The children were eight in number. He told me the children said I was their gang leader, which I denied.
“The children he was talking about were around 12 and 13 years old, while I was 17 then. I told him I knew the children but I didn’t have anything to do with them other than greeting them in the community.”
Olowookere explained that he was tortured after his denial, noting that another suspect, Morakinyo, whom he met at the station with the children, also suffered the same fate.
“I met Sunday Morakinyo at the station and he told the police that he didn’t know me, nor had anything to do with me. I don’t even know where he was arrested. All the children were released but Morakinyo and I were not.
“We were seriously tortured from the first day I got to the Okuku Police Station under the supervision of the DPO. The children who allegedly committed the crime were not beaten. He repeatedly asked me to admit and confess to a crime I didn’t commit.
“After some days, we were given cutlasses to cut the grass at the police station premises despite having injuries on every part of our body as a result of the torture.”
N30,000 bail
According to Olowookere, the police wanted to release him on bail on the condition that his father would pay N30,000, which he did not have.
“My father could only raise N20,000 out of the N30,000 they demanded. The police rejected it and insisted on the N30,000.
“My dad left the station to look for the money. But before he returned the following day, we had been moved to the SARS office in Osogbo. The cutlasses that were given to me and Morakinyo to cut the grass were presented to SARS as exhibits and they were told we were armed robbers.
“After 17 days in the SARS cell, we were taken to a magistrate’s court and charged with robbery, and from there to the High Court, where we were sentenced to death,” he added.
According to him, the poultry farm where the broilers were reportedly stolen from belonged to his uncle.
“We are from the same Ajerotutu compound in Oyan. He was summoned to a family meeting where he said I was not among those who stole the fowls, but my name was mentioned by the children who were arrested.
“He told the family that he would discontinue the case. But he later came to court to testify against me,” the inmate narrated.
Confessional statement
Olowookere denied making any statement to the police.
He dismissed the report that he was living in a six-bedroom apartment when the crime was committed, stating that he never lived alone as he was living with his parents when he was arrested by the police.
“I never wrote any statement to the police. My parents never had a flat, not to mention a six-bedroom flat. I lived with my parents until I was arrested,” he stated.
Asked why his lawyer didn’t object to the statement during the trial, Olowookere said, “I didn’t know anything, but I am sure I didn’t write any statement.”
Mental illness
The convict claimed that the second convict, Morakinyo, suffered mental illness while in detention.
Olowookere said the convict bled from different parts of his body after he was tortured by the police.
“He is now a mad person. He is at Ibara prison. He developed mental issues when we were tortured at the police station in Okuku and by the officers of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad. I am just lucky, and I believe God’s grace is over me.
“Morakinyo was bleeding from the anus, ears, nose, and on the head. The police did not treat him despite that. I cleaned the cell every day because his blood stained the floor. He was bleeding for the entire six days we spent inside the Okuku police cell before we were transferred to the SARS cell in Osogbo.
“We spent 17 days with SARS and Morakinyo bled every day. Some of the SARS officers noticed that he was not mentally normal again but others thought he was pretending, and from there, he developed full mental issues.
“When we were remanded at Ilesa Custodial Centre, the warders tried to manage his mental health but they didn’t have the capacity. His condition then worsened. As I am talking to you, he doesn’t recognise anybody again. His mother has stopped checking up on him.”
The inmate said his dream is to become a doctor and be useful to society.
According to him, he is already working with medical workers at his custodial centre.
He said he resorted to working with them when he couldn’t afford to fund a medical course at the National Open University.
The convict stated, “I first enrolled in Yewa College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State, after my sentence. It is my dream to study medicine, but it is not available at a college of education. I was later transferred to a maximum prison in 2016. But due to financial constraints, I couldn’t study my dream course.
“However, I was encouraged to train under the medical practitioners in the prison. So, I applied and I was accepted into the medical line in 2017. Since then, I have been working with the nurses, pharmacists, and doctors inside the prison.
“I believe I will be free one day, and when I regain my freedom, I will definitely go for medicine. I pray to God to set me free because I am innocent. I don’t know anything about the crime I am convicted for. I pray to God to give me the opportunity to prove my innocence to the world, and be useful to society. I am not a criminal; I have never stolen anything in my life, not to talk of robbing somebody.”
Governor Adeleke intervenes
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, according to a post on his X account, directed the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, to initiate processes to grant Olowookere pardon.
Adeleke, on Tuesday, wrote, “I have received the report of a case of a young man reportedly sentenced to death by hanging in Osun State for stealing a fowl.
“Consequently, I have directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Osun State, to commence a full investigation into the matter and initiate processes to grant a prerogative of mercy to the young man.
“Osun is a land of justice and equity and must ensure fairness and protection of the sanctity of lives. I assure members of the public that this matter is receiving my direct attention with every sense of urgency attached to our response to the matter.”
Former attorney urges caution
However, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Mutalubi Adebayo, cautioned Adeleke on the matter, just as he warned against actions that could endanger judges and expose them to threats from criminals, potentially leading to loss of life.
He said, “The claim that the prisoner was convicted and sentenced to death for stealing a fowl is an outright falsehood and cheap blackmail, aimed at securing his release through underhanded means.
“The convict was a member of a notorious gang of armed robbers that terrorised residents of Odo-Otin LGA in Osun State before his arrest. He was fairly tried, convicted, and sentenced to death by hanging by the Osun State High Court. There has been no appeal against the judgment in over 14 years.”
Falana faults sentence
Commenting on the matter, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, faulted the death sentence passed on Olowookere, describing it as illegal.
Falana, in a statement on Friday, said the high court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, knowing that Olowookere committed the offence as a minor.
He said, “We submit that the trial, conviction, and death sentence passed on Olowokere Segun were illegal, null and void in every material particular. Since it was not denied that Olowokere was 17 years old at the time of his trial, the Osun State High Court lacked the
jurisdictional competence to have tried him.
“The case ought to have been instituted in the Osun State Family Court which is exclusively empowered to exercise jurisdiction in any criminal proceeding involving or relating to any penalty, forfeiture, punishment, or other liability in respect of an offence committed by a child, against a child or against the interest of a child.”
Falana added that even if a child was found guilty of armed robbery, he or she shall not be ordered to be imprisoned or subjected to corporal punishment or death penalty.
“Since the trial, conviction and death sentence passed on Olowokere Segun cannot be justified in law, Governor Ademola Adeleke has rightly granted him full pardon in exercise of the prerogative of mercy conferred on him by section 214 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he submitted.
NJC retires trial judge
Justice Falola, who convicted and sentenced Olowookere to death, is known for handling controversial and intense criminal, political, religious, and other litigations.
Because of his courage, he was nicknamed Iroko.
However, the judge was forced to go on compulsory retirement on December 7, 2023, by the National Judicial Council after being found guilty of granting a Garnishee Order Absolute against Polaris Bank for the sum of N283,174,000.00 in a questionable manner.
Falola was said to have travelled to Lagos to visit the bank’s counsel and prostrated himself for him in his chambers on the issue of the Garnishee Proceedings, an action described as unprofessional.
Lingering appeal
The High Court judgement was, however, appealed in 2011 as the case is still pending at [quote]the Court of Appeal, Akure, Ondo State.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that financial constraints were a major factor the case is still dragging at the appellate court.
According to reliable sources, two different lawyers handled the case before the service of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria was sought.
Kinzo0917: I love the way you did your analysis in ur write up. You never took side with any side
You apportion blames to both sides including nato. That is how to analyze. Unlike some guys that will start taking side as if they have any stake in the crises consuming both nations. Oil dey ur head.
At least one person has been killed and several wounded in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry says the Albanian, Argentine, North Macedonian, Palestinian, Portuguese and Montenegrin diplomatic missions were also damaged in the attack.
The acting governor of Russia’s Kursk region says at least six people have been killed in a Ukrainian missile attack on the town of Rylsk
Ukrainian officials report missile attacks in the southern city of Kherson, where one person was killed, as well as several other cities and towns.
Russia says its forces hit military targets in Ukraine with long-range high-precision weapons in response to an attack on its Rostov region this week, in which Ukraine used US-made long-range ATACMS missiles and four UK-made Storm Shadow missiles.
This comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a marathon news conference, suggested a missile “duel” with the US that would show how Russia’s new Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile could defeat any US missile defence system.
Some people are wicked, this also happened to my colleague at work last week, he went to the bank and gave his ATM card to a stranger to help him maybe due to his old age
The person manipulated the card and empty his account, his Christmas bonus and salary of about 313k was taken all.
People should be careful
This lady will be apprehended soon with her face all over social media
The same people telling Nigerians to endure their harsh policies are living lavishly, they are not even ready to make any adjustment or lead by example
The State House has earmarked N15.09bn for the purchase of tyres for bulletproof vehicles, Sport Utility Vehicles, operational vehicles, and plain cars, and the construction of an office complex for Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants.
It also proposed a total sum of N5.49bn as a provision for the annual maintenance of the Presidential Villa.
These details were disclosed in the newly released 2025 Appropriation Bill by the Budget Office of the Federation on Thursday.
PUNCH Online reports that President Bola Tinubu presented the budget titled “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity” to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, outlining an ambitious N49.70tn spending plan.
The budget prioritises defence, infrastructure, and human capital development, with a projected deficit of N13.39tn to be financed through borrowing.
Speaking at the National Assembly, Tinubu stressed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security and revamping the nation’s infrastructure.
In the appropriation bill document obtained by our correspondent, the State House, which serves as the administrative hub for the executive arm, will spend N164m for the purchase of tyres for bulletproof vehicles, plain cars, jeeps, platform trucks, and other utility and operational vehicles.
Out of the sum, N1.1bn was earmarked for the replacement of SUV vehicles, and N3.66bn for the purchase of State House operational vehicles.
It stated that N127.86m will be spent on the procurement of SUVs for Mr President and the Vice President. This cost will be undertaken under the office of the President.
Similarly, N285m will be spent for the purchase of motor vehicles under the office of the Chief of staff to the president, while the Chief security officer to the President got an allocation of N179.63m for the purchase of security and operational vehicles.
Further checks showed that N2.12bn was allocated for honorarium and sitting allowances and proposed spending of N1.83bn for the construction of an office complex for Special Advisers and Senior Special advisers.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the proposed 2025 Appropriation Bill under review by the National Assembly has an allocation of N4.91tn for defence and security while infrastructure will receive N4.06tn for projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway.
The President also announced significant allocations for education and health. Education will receive N3.52tn, which includes funding for Universal Basic Education and nine new higher institutions, while the health sector will get N2.48tn to improve healthcare systems and provide essential drugs for public hospitals.
The budget is based on key economic assumptions, including a projected decline in inflation from 34.6 per cent to 15 per cent and an improvement in the naira exchange rate from N1,700 per dollar to N1,500 per dollar.
The Oyo State Police Command says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged death of 32 children during a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday.
PUNCH Metro gathered from multiple eyewitness accounts that the stampede occurred when participants rushed to gain access to the venue of the event reportedly organised by the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, and an Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat.
Investigations by PUNCH Metro also showed that the victims were stampeded to death while trying to break through the main gate of the school.
It was further gathered that provision was made for 5,000 children but the number that turned up for the event was reportedly over 7, 500.
Narrating the scenario in a video, an eyewitness at the scene of the incident, who did not mention her name, noted that the organisers had invited 5,000 participants for the funfair but the situation got out of control when the scene became rowdy leading to a stampede that led to several casualties.
She said, “Oriyomi Hamzat said he wanted 5,000 participants but because we were not organised, that was why the situation got to this. We were not even up to 5,000 participants.”
Another participant claimed he lost a child during the incident.
“Rather than attend to us very well, they wanted to fight us. We just lost one child who has been taken to the University College Hospital,” he said.
The video showed rowdy scenes as some children were rushed out of the venue while a woman wailed about the loss of her child following the stampede.
Reacting to the incident, the management of Agidigbo FM, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, sympathised with the victims in a statement signed by its Director of Programmes, Olayinka Abdulwahab.
Abdulwahab, however, stressed that the radio station was a media partner to the event and not the organiser of the funfair.
He stressed that the management made frantic moves to sensitise the participants when it realised that the venue was crowded.
Abdulwahab stated, “This is to inform the general public that the management of Agidigbo FM, Ibadan received the news of the tragedy that heralded the children’s funfair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, organised by the WINGS Foundation, with great shock and wholeheartedly commiserate with the families involved.
“Amidst the tragedy, the news making the rounds is that Agidigbo FM is the organiser of the children’s funfair. However, the management wishes to state that Agidigbo FM is not the organiser of the event but one of the media outfits used to promote the event.
“Upon receiving the notice that a mammoth crowd had assembled before 5am at the venue, Agidigbo FM, the people’s voice, used all media strategies to sensitise the populace with jingles and public service announcements from that time, that people should stop going to the venue of the funfair.
“This is not the time to spread misinformation. The management of Agidigbo FM implores the general public to continue to pray for the speedy recovery of those in various hospitals and sympathises with the family of those who lost their lives.”
When contacted via a text message for a reaction, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident, noting that an investigation had commenced.
“Investigation is in progress. Updates will be provided accordingly, please,” Osifeso said.
Multiple sources told our correspondents that some of the children, including their parents, were said to have kept vigil at the venue of the event.
One of our correspondents observed that an uncontrollable crowd caused gridlock on the Basorun-Idi Ape Road.
An Administrative Officer of Patnas Hospital, Basorun, where some of the victims were admitted, Olufeyemi Tolulope, said, “The affected children were brought in some minutes past 8am. Six children were brought into the hospital out of which five died while the other one is recuperating.
“We were told that the deceased fainted at the venue of the event. We were able to rescue one while the remaining five died. The surviving child has been discharged and released to her parents.
“One of the parents of the deceased, who was sighted at the hospital premises wailing, said, “I did not bargain for what happened to me. We slept together at home yesterday (Tuesday) not knowing that it would be the last time. My daughter is not dead. Please doctor wake her up.”
Other parents, who did not want their names in print, called on the government to prevail on the management of the various hospitals for the release of the corpses of their children.
The victims, according to a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, were admitted at the following hospitals: Patnas Hospital, Basorun; Western Hospital, Basorun; Ring Road State Hospital; Molly Specialist Hospital and University College Hospital.
One of our correspondents was turned back at Molly Hospital, Idi-Ape and Western Hospital, Basorun by the security guards, who insisted that no victim was on admission at the two hospitals.
However, some of the parents were sighted at UCH lamenting the death of their children.
While at the UCH, the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmi Adetuyibi, told PUNCH Metro that five of the victims of the incident, were brought in dead.
She, however, did not confirm the sex or age bracket of the victims, adding that none of the victims of the incident was on admission at the facility as of the time of filing this report.
Also at Molly Hospital, an eyewitness, who did not want his name mentioned, told our correspondent that some unspecified victims brought to the hospital by rescue workers were brought in dead.
A staff member of the hospital, who spoke with PUNCH Metro on condition of anonymity, said none of the victims of the tragedy was on admission as of the time one of our correspondents visited the facility at past 7pm on Wednesday.
Efforts to get the Ooni’s ex-wife, Naomi, the organiser of the event that led to the stampede, proved abortive as her phone number was not available. A text message sent to her was not responded to too as of the time of filing this report.
Nigerian Woman Abandons Infant At Adamawa Hotel, Police Seek Public Help To Find Mother
The Nigerian Police Force has launched a public appeal for assistance in locating the biological mother of an infant who was abandoned at a local hotel in Adamawa State.
It was gathered that the child was abandoned by her mother at People's Hotel in Nasarawo neighborhood, Demsa in the Demsa Local Government Area of the state.
The authorities are seeking the public's help in tracing the whereabouts of the mother, who seemingly deserted her child at the hotel, leaving the innocent infant to fend for herself.
Spokesperson for the Adamawa State Police Command, SP Suleiman Nguroje on Wednesday urged the public to help the police with useful information on the fleeing mother.
"The Adamawa State Police Command is seeking collaboration to locate the family of a found child abandoned at the reception of People's Hotel, Nasarawo Demsa.
"The child was abandoned by her mother with pretence to go and buy food for the little girl but did not return.
"Any useful information that will aid investigation to trace the child's parents or relatives will be appreciated.”
"Please contact the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Adamawa State Command. Through 08065604764," Nguroje added.
Sbusiso Lawrence confessed to killing his girlfriend in a viral video before being found dead near the crime scene.
A KwaZulu-Natal man, identified as Sbusiso Lawrence, was found hanging from a tree on Wednesday morning in Malangeni, Umzinto, shortly after confessing to murdering his girlfriend in a viral social media video.
The tragic series of events began on Tuesday evening when police discovered the body of a 25-year-old woman on a gravel road in Malangeni. According to Colonel Robert Netshiunda, spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS), the victim’s body was found lying in the middle of the road with multiple stab wounds. A broken knife was recovered near the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Lawrence had picked up the woman, who was his girlfriend, from her home earlier that day. The couple reportedly argued, and the confrontation escalated into a fatal attack. Lawrence’s abandoned vehicle, stained with blood, was later found down the road.
Shortly after the murder, Lawrence posted a video on social media, which quickly went viral. In the recording, he appeared visibly agitated as he described the circumstances leading up to the crime. “I tried my best to make her happy. I lost everything—money, time. I even cared for a child that wasn’t mine,” he said. Lawrence also claimed the woman had recently received a Road Accident Fund (RAF) payout and left him, which he cited as a trigger for his actions.
Following the video's release, police launched an intensive manhunt. The search led to the discovery of Lawrence’s body on Wednesday morning, hanging from a tree near the crime scene. Authorities believe he died by suicide.
“This incident underscores the tragic consequences of unresolved domestic disputes,” Netshiunda said, adding that investigations into the murder and Lawrence’s death are ongoing.
The case has sparked outrage and discussions about domestic violence, with many condemning the public nature of the confession and questioning the role of social media in amplifying harmful behavior.
I agree with Aisha Yesufu, we know that our country is bad, our leaders are the worst set of people on earth, but what I don't like is Kemi rubbishing that way in UK thinking she's a Truth teller, she should use the same boldness to tell the British government to return all the resources they looted from Nigeria and other countries all over the world
Activist, Aisha Yesufu has declared that the leader of the Conservative Party leader in the United Kingdom, UK, Kemi Badenoch is not a Nigerian.
Yesufu berated Badenoch for saying repatriation due to colonialism is a scam.
Posting on social media, the co-convener of BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, advocacy group reminded Badenoch that the United Kingdom was built on the pains of colonised people.
He wrote: “Kemi Badenoch @KemiBadenoch that said repatriation because of colonialism is a scam and we should focus on the future not the past is still hung up that a policeman stole her brother’s shoes!
“Gullible citizens, our enemy’s enemy is not your friend. He/She can be your worst enemy.
United Kingdom grew on the back of people’s pain and anguish. Looted Kingdoms, destroyed systems and killed people and Kemi says their wealth isn’t from people’s pain.
Anyway, like I said earlier, Kemi should move on! She is not Nigerian and we get it!”
Righteousness2: You take so much joy in Deceiving yourself!
John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Trust me, you will not make heaven with your wicked mind, you are just deceiving yourself quoting bible Scriptures upside down
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency has arrested 792 suspects in a raid at Victoria Island in Lagos, the largest city in the country. The raided building was being used as a prior hub to operate scams.
In such scams, called “crypto romance scams,” the fraud actors would attract victims with offering romantic interest. Once the victims get obsessed with them, the criminals would press them to hand over cash for fake cryptocurrency investments and other non-existent projects.
According to the report by AsiaOne, The suspects, including a total of 148 Chinese, 40 Filipinos, two Kharzartans, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian, were arrested during the agency’s operation.
The criminals primarily used social media and messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram to get connected with the victims. Most Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and several others from European countries were targeted as victims by the scammsters.
For those who showed interest, they were asked for activation fees, starting from $35, for an account on the platform.
Wilson Uwujaren, the Spokesperson at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said, “The Commission was collaborating with international partners and would look into potential links to organized crime.”
He further said that the agents of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency have seized computers, phones, and vehicles in the raid.
Ukraine says it killed Russia's chemical weapons chief; Moscow vows revenge The bomb was triggered remotely and had the power equivalent to roughly 300g of TNT, Russian media reports.
Ukraine's security services have killed Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov in a special operation in Moscow, Reuters and AFP wire agencies reported, quoting unnamed sources.
Kiev regarded Kirillov as a war criminal and an "absolutely legitimate target", accusing him of ordering the use of prohibited chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces in the war, a source told Reuters news agency.
Kirillov, who was the chief of Russia's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed on Tuesday on Ryazansky Prospek road, some 7 kilometres southeast of the Kremlin after a bomb hidden in an electric scooter exploded.
Kirillov’s assistant also died in the blast.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said the Ukrainian leadership would face imminent revenge for the killing of the general, RIA news agency reported.
"Realising the inevitability of its military defeat, it launches cowardly and despicable strikes in peaceful cities," he said.
Photographs posted on Russian Telegram channels showed a shattered entrance to a building littered with rubble and two bodies lying in the blood-stained snow.
Crime › Re: Segun Olowookere: Real Reason I Was Sentenced To Death by God1000(op): 9:56am On Dec 22, 2024
