At least 14 passengers narrowly escaped death while the driver sustained a minor injury when a commercial bus went up in flames along the Old Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The vehicle, a Toyota Hiace bus, was said to be heading to Asaba, Delta State when it suddenly caught up in flames in the middle of the bridge on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
An eyewitness and trader in the area, who identified himself as Obiora Uzor, said the passengers had managed to jump out of the bus before the fire finally engulfed the whole vehicle, adding that the driver sustained burns as the fire started from the front of the vehicle.
“The bus suddenly went up in flames while in motion and caused panic on the bridge as the passengers struggled to escape having been caught up by the fire. No one knew the cause of the fire," the witness said.
“It caused a heavy gridlock to and fro the bridge as motorists and other passersby were battling to extinguish the fire before the arrival of firefighters who later controlled the inferno."
The Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, confirmed the incident, in a statement on Thursday.
“The Anambra State Fire Service on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, received a distress alert at 0930 hours reporting of a vehicle (bus) engulfed by fire along the Bridge-head, Onitsha,” he said.
“A crew of firemen and firefighting equipment were immediately deployed to the rescue. They extinguished the fire and ensured that it did not affect other vehicles that were plying the bridge.
“The cause of the incident is unknown. No life was lost. The public was advised to alert the fire service in time whenever there is a fire incident and to install fire extinguishers in their vehicles. Remember, fire kills but, we can prevent it."
A former deputy speaker of the Kwara state House of Assembly, Christopher Ayeni, died in a car accident on Thursday, October 31.
Ayeni who was the Deputy Speaker in the fourth State Legislative Assembly reportedly died in the accident which occurred at about 10:00 am at a distance of 500m away from Igbaja junction, Ajase-ipo in the Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
The Public Relations Officer for the state FRSC sector command, Basambo Olayinka confirmed this in a statement on Thursday.
Olayinka said, “The accident involved five people, noting that all five sustained varying degrees of injuries and no fatalities occurred at the scene.”
However, Basambo added that Ayeni later succumbed to his injuries at a cottage hospital in Ajase Ipo, where he had been taken for treatment.
He said that the recovered items from the accident scene included two Android phones now held by the FRSC and two bags in the custody of the Nigeria Police at Ajase-Ipo Division.
Ayeni, a former candidate in the 2023 House of Representatives election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the election.
A 43-year-old realtor, Jimi Folarin, has been declared missing after being called by a client to inspect properties in the Imota area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
His distraught sister, Iremide Omowunmi, who confirmed the sad development to Vanguard, said Folarin left the house at exactly 4pm on Wednesday, October 30, for the property inspection and has not answered his phone since.
“At about 4 PM, my brother called me to say that the clients he was waiting for had contacted him to come and inspect the properties. This was exactly at 4 PM.
My brother is a real estate agent who sells land and assists people in buying land. Around 5pm, I tried calling him to see if he had arrived, but although the phone rang, he did not pick up. I thought maybe he was busy with the clients, so I stopped calling. It wasn’t until 10pm that I tried reaching him again, but he still didn’t respond. I then texted him on WhatsApp, but he didn’t reply either, which is unlike him.
While I was calling him, my brother’s friend was also trying to reach him. After a while, a strange number called my brother’s friend, asking who he wanted to speak to. When my brother’s friend questioned the caller, they immediately hung up.
This morning, I called that strange number, and the person answered. But when I asked for Folarin, my brother, they abruptly ended the call. I have reported the case to the Gbogbo Police Station in Ikorodu,” she said
A photo has emerged of Kaduna doctor, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola and her nephew who regained freedom after 10 months in bandits' captivity.
Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna State, was abducted alongside her husband, Nurudeen Popoola, who is a Squadron leader, and her nephew, Folaranmi Abdul-Mugniy, on December 27, 2023.
After several negotiations with the kidnappers, the husband was released on March 8, 2024, but the doctor and Abdul-Mugniy were not released.
The President, Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Tope Osundara, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, confirmed the release of Popoola and her nephew to Daily Trust in a telephone interview.
The Edo Police Command has arrested four robbery suspects for alleged theft of a diamond ring, headphones and valuables worth millions of Naira.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru Peter Ozigi, paraded the four robbers alongside other suspects during his maiden press briefing in Benin City on October 30, 2024.
The CP stated that the suspects were arrested following a complaint from one Daramola Gabriel that armed robbers invaded his home and carted away valuables.
“On Wednesday, 23rd October 2024, a report was received from one Daramola Gabriel (male) stating that on the same date, at approximately 0400 hours, armed robbers invaded his home at the back of One World Hotel, South-Ibie, and stole valuables worth millions of Naira,” the CP stated.
“On Saturday, 26th October 2024, at about 0900 hours, while at the park trying to board a vehicle, he spotted a young man wearing his stolen diamond earring and headphones.
"He informed the police, who promptly took action and arrested the suspect, Osakpolor Edobor (male, 20 years old), who confessed to having purchased the items from someone at Darisco Hotel, South-Ibie.”
"Further investigation led to the arrest of the following suspects: Oshoike Malik, male, 23, Aliu Rabak, male, 27, and Alor Ojo, male, 24.
“One locally made cut-to-size gun and some of the stolen items were recovered from the suspects.
"They will be charged to court following the completion of the investigation,” the CP added
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has revealed how cartels in Nigeria’s poultry and packaging industries manipulate prices to remain high despite government support.
This disclosure was made by FCCPC's Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, part of the agency's advocacy campaign against exploitative pricing across Nigeria.
According to Bello, large players in the poultry industry have created an environment where smaller farmers are pressured to follow inflated pricing strategies. “The small poultry owners used to sell a day-old chick for between N480 and N590 and still made a profit,” Bello stated. "But with two large players entering the market, they were soon in a position to control 80 to 90 percent of the poultry market in the city."
These large players allegedly hijacked the local poultry farmers' association, raising the price of a day-old chick to N1,350, counteracting economic principles that suggest increased production should reduce prices. Government support has been ongoing, including the provision of broilers, feeds, and financial aid through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. However, despite these interventions, poultry prices continue to climb. For instance, the cost of starter mash has jumped from N11,000 in October 2023 to N23,500 by October 2024.
Bello also highlighted pricing manipulation within the packaging industry. “The cartel in the packaging sector consists of five major players who control prices in a mafia-like fashion. If you attempt to check the price with another supplier, the first seller would have already informed the next to quote the same price,” Bello said.
While such practices could be penalized under the FCCPC Act, which allows for fines and jail terms, the FCCPC has opted for dialogue to encourage fair practices. Bello urged businesses in Akwa Ibom to work with the FCCPC to prevent exploitative pricing and promote market integrity.
Bello also noted that President Bola Tinubu has introduced economic relief measures, including food import tariff reductions, VAT removal on pharmaceuticals, and tax waivers for businesses. "It is only fair that our businessmen and businesswomen share such gains with consumers in the form of reduced prices," Bello concluded.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio cautioned Senator Osita Ngwu for praising the beauty of Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu during a ministerial screening on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday.
Bianca, like six other ministerial nominees screened by the Senate, read her credentials before the red chamber and was subsequently quizzed by the lawmakers.
The lawyer, businesswoman and beauty pageant titleholder was screened for the post of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
When Akpabio opened the floor for questions, Ngwu, who currently serves as the Senator representing Enugu West District in the 10th National Assembly, started by applauding Bianca’s beauty to which he attracted a rebuke.
"Mr President, the beautiful nominee standing before us,” the lawmaker said.
“Restrict yourself to the resume. Forget this word beautiful,” Akpabio interjected jocularly.
“She didn’t put in the CV that she is beautiful," he added.
The conversation between Ngwu and Akpabio caused a ripple of laughter among Senators.
Ngwu thereafter proceeded to laud the profile and competence of the nominee.
The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council says it has arrested a prominent expatriate contractor involved in vandalising streetlights in the territory.
The AMMC Coordinator, Mr. Felix Obuah, disclosed this on Tuesday, after inspection of some ongoing streetlights repairs and maintenance.
Though he didn’t mention the name of the foreign national, the coordinator said the company operated by the contractor was well known, adding that the suspect would face full wrath of the law. According to him, the contractor involved in vandalising the streetlights to enable him to get the contract.
Obuah said the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had directed the agency to ensure that Abuja is lit up. The coordinator explained that Abuja streetlights is divided into 21 lots, with 18 lots inspected so far vandalised and undergoing intervention work. He said there was an impression that those vandalising the lights were scavengers and miscreants until the discovery that high-level contractors were involved.
Obuah said, “The minister of FCT has given us matching orders to make sure that Abuja is lightened up, and as a matter of fact, I embark on the spot assesment with my team to make sure things work well.
“Abuja is divided into 21 lots, today will inspected almost 18 lots. We have discovered that most of those areas have been vandalised, which some are undergoing intervention work by my team.
“We are not impressed with the level of vandalisation that had happened in some of those lots. But I am impressed with my team for living up to expectations especially with the ongoing maintenance work on Yar’adua way and Jabi areas, the light has been restored but some are yet to be restored.
“We will make sure that within a short possible time, the issues is restored. Most a times we thought is scavengers or miscreants that are involved in vandalising the streetlights, not until today that we are able to discover that high level contractors are involved in sabotaging the good efforts of the minister and AMMC.
“We have arrested a very prominent contractor, an expatriate who is involved in vandalising these streetlights to enable them get this contract.One of the expatriates has been arrested and is in detention, there are full evidence to that effect. “Our report will be submitted to the minister. we must make sure that those vandals and the people buying the items would not go free.
“We can’t be buying and installing while miscreants and expatriates are vandalising it, sabotaging the good efforts of government is wrong.”
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, has raised concerns about the safety of Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, following an incident involving the vice-president’s aircraft in the United States.
Lawan claims that Shettima’s life is at risk due to the aging and “faulty” presidential jet he travels with, urging the Nigerian Government to provide a new aircraft for the vice-president’s use.
The incident occurred during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York, where a “foreign object” reportedly hit the plane, damaging parts of the aircraft, including the cockpit windscreen. The damage forced Shettima to cancel his trip to the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa.
In a statement from Maiduguri, Borno State, on Sunday, October 27, Speaker Lawan expressed relief over the safety of the vice-president and his team but emphasized the need for urgent action. “I want to sympathize with the Nigerian Government, especially the office of the Vice-President, his crew, and staff over the unfortunate incident at JFK Airport,” he stated. Lawan also called on the Nigerian Government to seek a “thorough and timely investigation” from U.S. authorities regarding the incident at one of the world’s most secure airports.
Highlighting the risks associated with the aging presidential jet, Lawan stressed the importance of acquiring a new aircraft for Vice-President Shettima. “The life of the Vice-President, and that of his crew/officials, stand at risk while using the old and faulty presidential aircraft,” he said, adding, “There is an urgent need to acquire a new aircraft to avoid a recurrence of air mishaps.”
Khalid Aminu, one of the recently released End Bad Governance protesters, has gone on social media to speak after regaining freedom.
Aminu was detained alongside Usman Isa Adebayo and Salihu Shuaibu.
The trio filed a motion for their bail at the High Court on October 4.
When the matter came up on Thursday, October 17, the activists were discharged of all charges against them.
The Department of State Services (DSS) prosecutor applied to withdraw the charges against them. Consequently, the judge struck out the case for want of evidence.
After his release, Khalifa Aminu took to X to write: "Today, the chains of 11 weeks of unjust detention by the @OfficialDSSNG have fallen. Their accusations dissolved before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, where the case against me—rooted in my stand for justice in the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest—was struck out."
Sharing photos of him looking emaciated after his time in detention and photos taken before his arrest, he added: "Below is a picture of how I was taken and how I was returned. Judge for yourself.
"Though confined in body, my spirit remained intact—unyielding in the face of oppression."
Men of the Ondo state police command have arrested the duo of Ifeanyi Obiefunna, aged 36 years, and Joseph Agwu, aged 43 years, who allegedly specialize in stealing vehicle brain boxes, tapping glasses, and other valuables from people's vehicles, and are part of a complex vehicle theft and vandalization syndicate.
Parading the suspects at the Command headquarters in Akure, the state Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, said painstaking effort later led to the arrest of Obinna Uyammadu, aged 32 years, and Onyeka Okoye, aged 38 years, who are also members of the syndicate.
He mentioned that one of the suspects, Joseph Agwu, who lives in Akure, confirmed that he sells second-hand wares, popularly known as Okrika, and serves as the informant to notify other suspects to come to the state to operate and return to Lagos.
Oladipo mentioned that the suspects will be charged to court at the end of the investigation.
Thirteen former fighters of Boko Haram, have reportedly escaped with rifles and motorcycles given to them by the Borno State government.
Premiumtimes reports that the 13 are among thousands of former Boko Haram fighters and their families who had surrendered to the government and were enlisted to join the military in fighting the ins-urge.
The escapees attached to the military operatives in Mafa fled their camp between the 1st and 2nd of September. The report quotes Malik Samuel, a researcher with a deep understanding of jihadi groups in northeastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region, as saying that eight ex-fighters first escaped from the camp on September 1 before five others followed suit the next day.
He said the escapees called Abdullahi Ishaq, a special adviser to the government on security matters, threatened to unleash more violence.
After their escape, the jubilant terrorists reportedly released a video brandishing the rifles.
The state government is yet to react to this development.
A man manipulated a store attendant into releasing goods worth N1,880,000 to him.
The man visited a phone and accessories store called Royalline Technology in Lekki Phase 1 on June 5.
He asked for two iPhone15s and the attendant told him they did not have them at the moment but it would be available in the coming days.
She tried to encourage him to buy a different phone with similar capabilities but he insisted that he wanted two iPhone 15 phones because he is a "Reverend Father" and his parish priest asked him to get a similar phone.
Eventually, he agreed to substitute one of the iPhones with a Samsung s24 Ultra, which the store attendant told him was available in their second store in Sangotedo.
He offered to drive the attendant to the other store to pick up the phone and also make payment via a bank along the way.
According to the store attendant, they entered a bank and he claimed he had initiated a transfer. When the store attendant approached the bank cashier after not getting a credit alert, the cashier informed her that the customer said he had money coming in from another bank and they would transfer the money to the store's account once the customer's account was credited.
The attendant said she then took the customer to the other store and they picked up the Samsung s24 Ultra. He also took a Samsung s24 Ultra pouch, Oraimo power bank, and a DiGiPhone charger, all working N1.88m.
When they returned, she followed him to the bank but he went in alone. When he came out, he showed her a receipt showing he transferred N3,591,000 for the Samsung s24 Ultra, the iPhone 15, and the accessories.
He said he made payment in advance for the iPhone and would return the following day for it.
The store attendant said though she did not receive an alert that his money had entered the store's account, she allowed him to leave with the goods after he took her to a Catholic church close by and claimed that's the parish he's with. She said she saw him go into the church to drop something, though she stayed outside.
After he left the store with his goods, she realised she had made a mistake and she went inside the church, asking for a man named Destiny, but they said they did not know him.
She called the number that he gave and the man promised to return, but he switched off his phone after that.
The case has been reported to the police and the store has shared CCTV footage of the man with the hopes of finding him.
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) have remained resolute in the ongoing anti illegal bunkering operations, with tremendous successes resonating across the operational landscape.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
In the latest push, troops have effectively deactivated over 15 illegal refining sites, arrested Ten suspects, dismantled over 30 cooking pots, intercepted Eleven vehicles, several boats and confiscated over 115,000 litres of stolen products in various operations conducted in the region. These were in addition to the recovery of several ancillary items used for economic sabotage in the joint operation area.
In Rivers State, following tip off on oil theft around SIAT Farm, Elele in Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA), troops mobilised to the scene and intercepted a truck with Reg No GDD 831 ZN Anambra loaded with about 40,000 litres of stolen crude. Similarly, at Sankri in Okrika LGA, the operations led to the deactivation of 3 illegal refining sites, destruction of 2 wooden boats with over 26,500 litres of stolen products recovered.
This feat was also recorded at Dapama in Bille general area, Degema LGA, where over 4 illegal refining sites were taken out, 2 wooden boats stocked with over 10,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 6,000 litres of stolen crude intercepted.
At the stretch of the Imo Riverside, troops identified and destroyed several illegal refining sites, make shift structures in camps, with one big pot, over 30 cooking drum pots dismantled.
Others included destruction of 4 wooden boats, One fibre boat and over 15,000 litres of stolen crude around Okoloma, Obuzor and Ukwa Creeks which were handled appropriately in line with subsisting mandate.
Relatedly, at Freedom Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, troops discovered a pipeline vandalization site, where 3 gas cylinders were recovered. Further exploitation at the area, led to the arrest of one suspect.
At Ebocha, OB II and Obiafu Ndoni, 4 suspects were arrested with over 4,000 litres of stolen condensates in a Toyota Camry with Reg No ZKW 648 AA Kaduna and a tricycle at Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA.
While at Omoku, 5 inactive illegal refining sites with several empty metal drums were destroyed, with 2 suspects arrested at Orashi River with reasonable quantities of stolen condensates.
The reinvigorated clampdown also paid off in Bayelsa State. This was evident around Sabasuo general area in Nembe LGA, where active illegal refining sites were deactivated with over 2,800 litres of stolen product recovered
At Amalakiri in Southern Ijaw, one active illegal refining site was taken out with over 2,500 stolen products recovered. Troops also intercepted a wooden boat ladened with over 1,800 litres of stolen AGO in sacks around Idewa/Waribokiri general area in Ogbia LGA.
In Delta State, a trailer with Reg No JJN 167 ZU Plateau was intercepted siphoning crude from Nigerian Petrolatum Development Company Oil pipeline at Ozoro in Isioko North LGA. Two persons have been arrested in connection to the crime. Several other vehicles loaded with stolen products were intercepted at Obi Anyima Community in Ika South LGA and Ugo Community in Orhiomwon Edo State in follow up operations conducted.
The situation in Akwa Ibom State recorded some measure of success, as troops acting on credible intelligence intercepted 3 drums of premium motor spirit, at the fringes of Oron waterways.
The products were suspected to have been prepared for smuggling to a neighbouring country.
Troops have also continued to maintain vigilance in the ongoing anti bunkering operations in the state to deny economic saboteurs and their collaborators freedom of action.
The police in Lagos state arraigned a 25-year-old tailor identified as Victoria Effiong, before a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Iba last Friday, October 4, for allegedly refusing to marry a suitor after collecting N2.8m among other things, from him.
Effiong is facing three counts bordering on breach of peace, cheating and obtaining by false pretence.
Punch reports that the police prosecutor, Inspector Chinedu Njoku, told the court that the incident occurred on September 25, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Ajanaku Street, Isashi.
‘’Effiong unlawfully cheated the complainant, Dominic Asuquo, by obtaining the sum of N2,866,000 under the pretext of agreeing to marry him, but she failed to follow through.”
The prosecutor further told the court that while the defendant was dating Asuquo, she obtained an iPhone worth N240,000, different clothes, a wristwatch, shoes and bags valued at N350,000.
He also said that the complainant gave the defendant a cash sum of N810,000, and daily feeding money for seven months worth N868,000.
The situation escalated when Asuquo discovered that Effiong was planning to marry another man, despite having introduced him to her parents, who were aware of their relationship.
“Effiong also withdrew N300,000 from Asuquo’s ATM account for shopping,” Njoku added
The defendant who was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs O. M. Ogun, pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.
In her defence, Effiong denied being in any relationship with Asuquo and claimed that he knew she was seeing someone else. She admitted to receiving the iPhone, a smaller phone worth N20,000, money, and other items but insisted that she had told Asuquo to stop sending her money because she was uncomfortable with it.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are punishable under Sections 168, (1d), 322, and 314 (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
However, Magistrate Ogun granted her a bail of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
“One of the sureties must be a blood relative, show proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and have their address verified,” the magistrate ruled.
The case was adjourned until November 28, 2024, for mention.
A 41-year-old Canadian lady Adrienne Munju has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos for importing large consignment of ‘Canadian Loud’, a strong strain of synthetic cannabis.
The spokesperson of the agency, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
“The suspect was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on KLM airline flight from Canada at the terminal 1 of the Lagos airport on Thursday 3rd October 2024,” the statement read.
"During a joint examination of her three bags, Adrienne who was coming to Nigeria for the first time was found with 74 parcels of the illicit substance weighing 35.20 kilograms stuffed in two of her three bags.
"In her statement, she claimed she was recruited to traffic the consignment through an online platform for 10,000 Canadian dollars upon successful delivery in Lagos.
“She said she took the offer because she needed the money to pay for her ongoing master’s degree programme in Canada."
Gang members carrying automatic rifles stormed through a town in Haiti, killing at least 70 and forcing over 6,000 to flee.
More people were severely injured in the attack in the early hours of Thursday, October 3, at Pont-Sonde, in the agricultural region of Artibonite in western Haiti.
Gran Grif gang leader Luckson Elan took responsibility for the massacre, saying it was in retaliation for civilians remaining passive while police and vigilante groups killed his soldiers.
A video shared online shows pedestrians running for dear life alongside bike riders who were also trying to escape.
About 6,270 people had fled their homes due to the attacks, the U.N. migration agency said. Most of these are being sheltered by families living in nearby Saint-Marc and other towns, while others are staying in makeshift camps.
The gang members set fire to dozens of homes and vehicles, local authorities said.
"This odious crime against defenceless women, men and children is not only an attack against victims but against the entire Haitian nation," Prime Minister Garry Conille said on X, adding that security forces were reinforcing the area.
A spokesperson for Haiti's national police told Reuters on Friday evening, October 4, that the director of police in charge of the Artibonite department had been replaced.
"For now, reinforcements are at the location to contain the situation and security forces are in control," the spokesperson said.
"The gang did not meet any resistance," Bertide Horace, spokesperson from the Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission to Save the Artibonite Valley, told Reuters, adding that police officers remained in their station, perhaps thinking they would be outgunned by the gang members.
Many victims were shot in the head as gang members went house to house, Horace said. "They were left to shoot anybody, everybody was running everywhere. They were walking, shooting people, killing people, burning people, burning homes, burning cars."
Rights organization RNDDH said the death toll was likely higher as entire families had been wiped out.
"At the time of writing, corpses are strewn on the ground as their loved ones have not yet been able to recover them," it said in a report.
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has appointed his daughter, Helen Eno-Obareki, as the Acting First Lady of the state.
This comes weeks after losing his wife, Pastor Patience Eno.
The governor made the announcement during a condolence visit by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and other dignitaries in Uyo, the state capital on Friday, October 4.
Eno stated that his daughter would take on the duties of the First Lady, ensuring continuity of the office and the projects initiated by his late wife.
“To maintain the Office of the First Lady and carry forward my late wife’s work, I present our daughter, Helen, to continue the duties of the office. She will work closely with the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare,” the governor said
He expressed his confidence in his daughter’s ability to uphold the values and vision of her late mother, affirming his commitment to sustaining the projects initiated through the First Lady’s office.
Governor Umo Eno, in his remarks, reflected on his deep bond with his late wife.
“I married her when she was 19, and I was 22. I called her Oluwa-Kemi because she was truly a gift from God, a source of comfort and succour,” he said. “We went through many challenges together, and we shared in both victories and losses. Her passing is an irreplaceable loss for me. She was my embodiment of the biblical virtuous woman, my greatest supporter, and also my toughest critic. Her absence will be felt for the rest of my life.”
Addressing rumours of him taking a second wife, Governor Eno made light of the situation during a separate condolence visit from Senate President Godswill Akpabio. “I’m not considering remarrying anytime soon,” he said, joking that he doesn’t have the money to pay another bride price.
He emphasized that the vacancy left by his late wife cannot be filled. “Her legacy will live on in our hearts. She initiated several projects, and that’s why I introduced our daughter, Helen, to the First Lady. She will step in to coordinate the work, ensuring that the Office of the First Lady continues the programs my wife started.”
The Taraba State Government has expressed strong condemnation over the degrading and inhuman treatment meted out to a young boy, Musa Alhassan, by his teacher, Ahmadu Hassan, in the Saurara area of Jalingo.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Hon. Mary Sinjen in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, October 4, described the violent act as a gross violation of human rights that will not be tolerated.
According to a statement from the Ministry, Musa Alhassan is currently receiving medical attention in Jalingo, with the state government ensuring his well-being.
“His recovery is a priority for us, and we are closely monitoring his progress,” the statement read.
Ahmadu Hassan, the teacher responsible for the act, has been arrested and handed over to law enforcement.
The government assured the public that justice would be served, stating that there would be no room for impunity in this case.
Meanwhile, LIB gathered that the boy is responding to treatment. His latest picture below
Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg has surpassed retailer Amazon’s Jeff Bezos as the world’s second richest person.
Zuckerberg’s net worth rose to $206 billion on Friday, a new record for him, behind electric car manufacturer Tesla CEO Elon Musk ($256 billion), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Jeff Bezos came third at $205 billion with a $2.6 billion decline on the day.
Meta shares have risen 23% since reporting better-than-expected sales in the second quarter and touting its push into the type of large language models that power AI chatbots. The stock closed Thursday at an all-time high of $582.77.
Meta has spent heavily on data centres and computing power as Zuckerberg works to build a leading position in the industry-wide AI race. The company has also moved ahead with other long-term projects, including its Orion augmented reality glasses, which the company introduced last month.
Zuckerberg, who owns a 13% stake in the Menlo Park, California-based company, has seen his fortune grow $78 billion so far this year, the most of any of the world's 500 richest people tracked by the Bloomberg index.
The 40-year-old co-founder and chief executive officer has gained four spots this year on the wealth index.
A sacked chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha has narrated how the local council elections were rigged during the administration of former governor, Rotimi Amaechi, in the state.
Recall that Okocha was the Chief of Staff to Amaechi who served as governor of oil-rich Rivers State, from 2007 to 2015.
Appearing on a Channels TV programme which SaharaReporters monitored on Thursday evening, the sacked APC chairman publicly admitted that he actively participated in election rigging and malpractices.
He added that the newly reinstated chairman of APC in the state, Emeka Beke was also involved in the irregularities.
He said, “On the issue of whether I rigged the election, I did not hide it. I should be praised as a whistleblower. If you are armed robbers yesterday, and today you came to confess that you stole something somewhere yesterday. Are you saying that the law will now take a retroactive effect? The answer is No.
“The reason why we said and we keep saying is because of what is going on as we speak. When you have an idea of a thing and you see the other person also wants to use the tactics that you already know. You will shout. That is the reason why we went to court."
“All of us were together including Emeka Beke,” he added.
However, the party’s incumbent chairman denied ever participating in rigging.
He said: “During election, was I part of it? Have you ever heard me say rig election?"
“Are you saying that under the Amaechi government, you never participated,” Okocha responded.
Beke continued: “I did not follow you to the election. I did not partake in any election whatsoever. When you wake up and confess and you want to put me there. I am not part of that. You rigged the election and we are going to ask the police to arrest you that you rigged the election
The Federal High Court in Lagos State has convicted and sentenced a Spain-bound Nigerian, Francis Akajiobi, to four years imprisonment for trafficking 1.20 kilograms of cocaine.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa sentenced Akajiobi on Thursday, October 3, 2024, after he pleaded guilty to the one-count charge filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency after his arraignment earlier.
The NDLEA prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the convict was arrested at the Departure Hall of the new terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
He said the arrest took place on July 25, 2024, while Akajiobi was attempting to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Valencia, Spain, during the outward clearance of passengers
"He concealed the cocaine inside some footwear,” Ibrahim told the court.
According to Ibrahim, the offence committed contravened Section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which carries penalties for drug trafficking.
Following his plea, the judge ordered the prosecutor to review the facts of the case.
After presenting the facts and tendering exhibits, Ibrahim urged the court to convict and sentence Akajiobi.
“The evidence clearly supports the guilty plea, and we request that the court convict him accordingly,” Ibrahim said.
However, the defence counsel, Benson Ndakara, in his allocutus, pleaded with the court to show leniency.
"My Lord, this is a first-time offender who has saved the court’s time by not opting for a full trial. We plead for mercy in sentencing,” Ndakara said.
After confirming from the prosecutor that Akajiobi had no prior criminal record, Justice Lewis-Allagoa ruled that he could pay a fine of N2m in lieu of serving the four-year prison term.
A British doctor has warned that excessive masturbation is behind the rise of male health problems.
In moderation, self-pleasure helps to reduce stress, and improve sleep quality and mood, but it can become 'an unhealthy habit' and trigger a form of erectile dysfunction, says Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy.
'Overall, there's no strict rule or guideline on how much people should masturbate.'
'But when masturbation gets out of hand, there's a variety of ways it can impact sexual and physical health.'
A key concern is the rise of porn use: half of adults in the UK now access graphic material online, according to a recent survey by media watchdog Ofcom, and Dr Grant links this to the rise in porn-induced erectile dysfunction, or PIED.
Up to 50 percent of adult men suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction, according to the British Association of Urological Surgeons. It is often associated with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes but can also have no obvious cause. One lesser-known culprit could be PIED, claims Dr Grant.
'PIED is a type of erectile dysfunction that stems from an unhealthy consumption of pornography.
'This unhealthy porn usage can lead to desensitisation, making it more difficult for men to achieve and maintain an erection — as they're used to more intense sexual activity seen on screen.
'It can lead to reduced interest in sex with actual partners as men prioritise porn and masturbation instead.'
More worryingly, Dr Grant warns that compulsive masturbation could trigger physical changes that affect intimacy.
'Compulsive masturbation can lead to reduced sensitivity in the genital area, making it more difficult to achieve sexual pleasure or stimulation.
'It can occur when nerve endings become damaged from too much activity, creating a loss of sensitivity.
'This can also impact individuals who masturbate too roughly, causing potential friction damage.
'Thankfully, this is a short-term issue and factors such as taking breaks or utilising lubricants can help restore sensitivity.
'And thankfully, there are a range of treatments available to men who are struggling with ED, helping them manage a healthy sex life and achieve erections with ease.'
Dr Grant added that 'over-masturbating' can be damaging in other ways.
It can cause men and women to become 'hyper-focused on their own pleasure, meaning when the time comes for sexual intercourse with a partner, individuals could experience performance anxiety, which directly impacts sex drive.'
The question of how much is too much is subjective, he admitted. 'Masturbation habits can differ largely from person to person with some people doing it daily, weekly or not at all.
'It's important to monitor the sexual activity to ensure it doesn't interfere with social lives, work or relationships.
'Additionally, discomfort or injury is usually a telltale sign that the masturbation sessions are becoming too much and harming health.
'It's important to maintain a healthy but sensible sex life through masturbation, ensuring it's not at the expense of daily activities.
'Some people can even experience mental distress due to guilt or shame relating to their masturbation — this can stem from porn usage or other factors, but can have a big effect on people's mental well-being.
'Overall, common sense is required to ensure it remains a recreational activity without interfering with other aspects of daily life.'
Operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 33 suspected internet fraudsters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement released today, October 2.
The suspects were arrested in their hideouts around Iwofe and Ogboro axes of Port Harcourt in a sting operation, based on credible intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet fraud.
Items recovered from the suspects include various mobile phone devices, laptops, boxes of fake United States Dollar , fake Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stamps, Customs stamps, airport clearance stamps, DHL and FedEx stamps and two cars.
The suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
A Nigerian man, Baridueh Badon, has shared his testimony of how he got a better job overseas after his boss fired him just to promote his girlfriend. In a post shared on social media, Baridueh said he was working with an NGO and was earning N1 million per month when his boss had him fired just so he can promote his girlfriend. Baridueh said he then saw a fellowship program sponsored by the German President and other industries which he applied for and was able to move to Germany. He revealed how much progress he has made since relocating from Nigeria.
‘’Why did I leave Nigeria?
Was I even doing well before I left?
I was working in an NGO, earning about 1m per month in 2017. Our overall oga in Abuja sacked me because he wanted to promote his girlfriend into my role. My manager fought for me to no avail. I fought, cried, and prayed to no avail.
A week later, I saw a fellowship program sponsored by the German President and other industries in my class WhatsApp group.
I was very desperate to leave the country. It was an intern role. But I wanted to leave by all means.
I applied for the program and qualified as one of the 47 fellows out of 5600 applications from 45 African countries.
I didn't apply for a visa, the German government fixed one for me, and my visa interview by a Nigerian lady in the embassy was " Doc, why are you still single with this kind of amazing CV?"
During the period of waiting, I got another NGO role in Abuja paying in USD.
The toxicity in the Abuja office was worse than my previous NGO, God just made sure I don't try changing my mind.
Guess what?
My flight to Germany was on August 1, 2019, and the US Government closed the NGO office in PH in July. That my oga's girlfriend lost her job and was jobless for years. I hear that my oga is still jumping from one program to the other in Nigeria, while I am vibrating on a global scale.
God allowed all the "bad events" to happen because he wanted to make me very uncomfortable to move. He knew I would not leave a 1m job for an internship.
God turned what the enemy meant for evil into good.
Do you have a relationship with Jesus?
May God make you uncomfortable!!
I turned 37 yesterday and looked back on how my life changed since I moved to Germany 5 years ago at 32.
At 32= I moved from earning in naira to the dollar to euro within a year. Left a toxic relationship. Completed my first executive education with Cambridge.
33= took my first international role: tripled my salary in Euro. Finished my MBA and met the love of my life. Randomly for interviews, get the position, and reject the offers testing my intermittent employability worth)
Competed my second executive education with Harvard.
34= got promoted on my role, married the love of my life, and we immediately got pregnant.
35. Left my job and got another one paying 3 times what I was earning. Became a father. Started handling very very complete projects with success.
36. Became a permanent resident in Germany, bought my wife her dream sport car tear rubber and delved into multiple streams of investing.
I had a 5 year career and personal growth plan well written down at 32 and now completed 80% of that plan through strategic thinking, innovation and intentional self improvement.
It's been God. I am very grateful and give Him all the glory.''
An Ikeja High Court on Monday discharged and acquitted a 29-year-old man, Ibrahim Yusuf, charged with killing a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
Yusuf was accused of killing one, Mr Olatunde Awotola.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala, in her judgment, held that the prosecution failed to prove two counts charge of involuntary manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm on the officer on duty.
Ogala said there was no documentary evidence presented by the sole prosecution witness. He added there was no evidence to show that the incident was reported at a police station.
After considering the entire evidence, the prosecution failed to establish all ingredients of the offences.
The defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted,” she said.
The State Counsel, Mr Ola Azeez, had presented a prosecution witness in the case, while the Defence Counsel, Mr Bidemi Ademola-Bello, represented the defendant before the judge for verdict.
The prosecution had alleged that Yusuf attacked the official when he was trying to arrest him on Feb. 12, 2022 in Kosoko Ojodu, Lagos.
The prosecutor also alleged that Yusuf ran into trouble when he obstructed vehicular movement along the route and the LASTMA officer tried to impound his vehicle. The accused was alleged to have reached for a knife which he used to stab the victim in the head and neck, abandoned his vehicle and took to his heels.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences violate Sections 224 and 251 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015
Residents of the Ilasamaja community in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State have raised strong objections to Eko Electricity Distribution Company’s (EKDC) planned migration of their electricity tariff from Band B to Band A.
In a petition addressed to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of EKDC, the community vowed to resist the move using every legal means available to them.
The petition, which was also copied to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, expressed the community's frustration and refusal to accept the migration.
“We are leaders of all Community Development Associations (CDAs) representing the residents of Ilasamaja, Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State. We have it on good authority that there are sinister plans to forcefully migrate us from Band B to Band A. We reject this plan and will resist it with everything at our disposal. We have already informed our lawyers to be on red alert for any eventuality."
The community leaders further warned that while they are peaceful, they would not hesitate to take legal action if the EKDC proceeds with the move.
“We are a peace-loving community, but we will not take our peaceful disposition as cowardice. We will bite without hesitation if you put your hands into our mouth. This evil and unwarranted plan to move us from one band to another forcefully must be jettisoned if you do not want to see the other side of us. We don’t want any movement to any Band A. It was bad enough that you put us on Band ‘B’ without consultation, but forcing us to Band A will definitely be a joke taken too far.”
According to the petition, residents have been facing exploitation ever since they were placed on Band B without prior consultation. They alleged that many community members have been billed according to Band A’s higher tariff system despite ongoing protests and complaints.
“Ever since you forcefully and wickedly put us on Band B, many of the residents of the community have since discovered that you have surreptitiously been billing them through Band A system. Despite complaints and protests, you have greedily refused to rectify or address their complaints and the problem. You cannot force us to swallow the evil and wicked pills of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that have not only inflicted unbearable suffering and poverty on the citizens but continue to kill our small and medium enterprises among others."
The petition highlighted the economic struggles of the Ilasamaja residents, which include low-income earners, petty traders, and retirees.
“You are aware that the residents of Ilasamaja community are mostly peasants, petty traders, lowly paid workers, retirees, and others struggling to earn a living who barely manage to take care of themselves and their responsibilities. The last thing they need is an exploitative electricity tariff that would worsen their living conditions.”
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