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Three face trial for alleged car battery theft in Enugu

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Three face trial for alleged car battery theft in Enugu

Three members of a car parts stealing syndicate arrested by operatives in the Awkunanaw Police Division of Enugu State will face trial upon the conclusion of an ongoing investigation.

This is according to a statement by the Enugu Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, on Monday.

Ndukwe, who identified the suspects as Eze Ebuka, Nnamdi Chukwuemeka and Friday Ilo, disclosed that they were arrested on June 7 at about 2 pm following a credible intelligence about their activities.

The PPRO noted that Ebuka and Chukwuemeka who had initially been arrested for the same offence, confessed to having stolen several vehicle batteries and sold them to Ilo who was also arrested by the police.

He said, “One Eze Ebuka, aged 24, Nnamdi Chukwuemeka, aged 21, and Friday Ilo, aged 31, all males, were arrested on June 7, 2024, around 2 pm, by police operatives serving in the Awkunanaw Division of the State Command.

“Their arrest followed the conduct of a covert operation by the operatives upon the receipt of complaints about the theft of several motor vehicle batteries at a construction site in Awkunanaw, Enugu.

“Eze Ebuka and Nnamdi Chukwuemeka, who were initially arrested in the act, upon interrogation confessed to having stolen many batteries, as alleged, and sold them to Friday Ilo, who was later arrested. 15 batteries, including those of articulated and other motor vehicles, and tricycles, were recovered from them.”

Ndukwe added that the trio of Ebuka, Chukwuemeka and Ilo would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of an ongoing investigation.

“The suspects will be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are concluded.”

Stressing further, the PPRO noted that in another operation carried out by the command, a live pistol loaded with 36 rounds of ammunition was recovered in a bush at the Airport Corner area of Abakaliki in the state.

He noted that the gun was suspected to have been abandoned by criminals fleeing from police operatives.

In his words, “Police operatives serving in Emene Division of the Enugu State Command, working with law-abiding citizens, on June 16, 2024, around 7 pm, recovered a Beretta pistol with 36 rounds of .9 mm calibre ammunition in a bush at Airport Corner, by Old Abakaliki Road, Emene, Enugu.

“The exhibits are suspected to have been abandoned by criminal elements on the hot trail of the police operatives for allegations of armed robberies,” Ndukwe stated.

Senate to receive supplementary budget July

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Senate to receive supplementary budget July

The Senate has said President Bola Tinubu will send the 2024 Supplementary budget to the legislators for approval after resumption.

The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, informed The According that the N6.6tn supplementary budget, although still being computed by the executive, would be sent to the National Assembly after its July 2 resumption.

He said, “The budget would be sent any time we resume after the Sallah recess. I believe the bill and other important executive communication will be sent to the National Assembly when we resume in July.”

When asked about the budget size, considering that the minister said that the supplementary budget would fund part of the coastal road, he stated, “The budget size is N6.6tn.”

During his May 29 speech to the joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives at the National Assembly complex, President Bola Tinubu said the government would soon present the supplementary budget for the 2024 fiscal year.

He said, “I will soon bring the 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill; that is just for your information.”

Also, last week, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, at a joint briefing of the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs over the proposed Supplementary Appropriation Bill, revealed that the supplementary budget was still being prepared.

He noted that the supplementary budget would be spent on four identified transformational projects.

He said, “The supplementary budget that was announced, or rather was mentioned, came about when Mr President presented a memo to the Federal Executive Council.

“In the memo, he said that he inherited the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, which was domiciled in the National Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority.

“He has also identified transformational projects, including Lagos-Calabar, Coastal Road; proposed Sokoto-Badagri Road; completion of all ongoing railway projects, which we have not provided counterpart funding.”

He added that the Federal Government also planned to fund the rehabilitation and expansion of dams and irrigation schemes to support increased production within the economy, noting that more money would be spent to support CNG and LNG.

The minister further noted, “The three roads, dams and irrigation, and railways is what Mr President designated as the infrastructure, renewed health infrastructure priority items.

“So, that is what he directed that the ministry prepare supplementary appropriation Bill.

“We have not finished work on the bill, we have not submitted the supplementary appropriation draft to the Federal Executive Council yet.

“So many people have approached the ministry and indeed leadership of the National Assembly, as well as many members, asking about the renewed hope the supplementary appropriation.”

Single or double letters? Spelling practice for the season

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Single or double letters? Spelling practice for the season

Because we are in a holiday mood (not an holiday!), today’s lesson is going to be light. Just a little spelling drill, a bit of explanation and the class is over, so that everyone can go back to their pots of mutton. Well, no one should be scared by the weight of ‘mutton’. It refers to ram meat — the way beef is that of cows.  Particularly, we are revisiting some words with confusing single or double letters.

Tricky s-words

Among the most notorious of the terms under consideration are those with either single or double S. But firstly attempt the following questions:

  1. The teacher punished him because he … three words in his essay.

mispelt/ misspelt/ missspelt/ mispelled

  1. The … of her name has caused a big trouble.

   ommission/omission/ommision/omision

  1. Governor Sanwo-Olu will … the project tomorrow.

   commission/comission/commision/comision

  1. You are … me.

   emberrrassing/embarrassing/embarassing/embarrasing

  1. … is a state in the US.

   Misisipi/ Mississipi/Mississippi/Miissipi

The above shows that one must be very careful whenever handling many words with single or double s.  Have the consciousness that something may go wrong while writing. So, it’s not a bad idea to double-check.  Spelling misspell, misspelling or misspelt can be challenging because of prefixation. Just note that it has double ‘s’ — not one or three. It is the prefix, ‘mis-’, plus the root word, ‘spell’, just as ‘unnecessary’ is ‘un-’ plus necessary while ‘beginning’ is ‘begin’ plus the suffix, -ing.

The issue with ‘omission’ is that ‘commission’ has double M and double S. So, there is a tendency to generalise and burden ‘omission’ too with the twin M. ‘Omission’, however, commands only one M and double S. The analogy goes for ‘embarrassment’ and ‘harassment’.  For ‘Mississippi’, remember that names of certain cities, states or countries are peculiarly difficult to spell. Others of such include Illinois, Connecticut, Marseilles, Ottawa,  Johannesburg, Caribbean, Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco, Mauritius, Philippines and Liechtenstein.

 Dropping letters

Some words are intriguing to spell because they drop letters when they change classes, that is, when they change from one part of speech to another. An example is ‘argue’ (a verb) which becomes ‘arguing’ (without  ‘e’,  even as a verb in the continuous tense) and ‘argument’ (as a noun). In other words, while you are free to write ‘They like to argue’, it is wrong to write ‘What are they argueing about?’ Nor should you write, ‘The arguement over the state of the car is strange.’ The correct spellings are argue,arguing and argument.

Now, identify the words correctly spelt among the options here:

The … exercise was very interesting.

   pronuncing/ pronunciation/pronounciation/pronounsiation

The judge said Otti was … elected.

   duelly/ dully/duly/duely

We need to improve on our … culture.

   maintain/maintenance/maintainance/maintaining

Government is worried at the …. of the practice even in France.

   prevailent/prevailence/prevailentt/prevalence

FG denies spending N1.5bn on hotels for ILO delegates

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FG denies spending N1.5bn on hotels for ILO delegates

The Presidency has faulted viral reports that the Federal Government sponsored 289 delegates to the just concluded International Labour Organisation conference that held in Geneva, Switzerland.

It also refuted the claim that N1.5bn was spent on hotel accommodation and other logistics for the delegates.

The rebuttal was made by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in an interview with The According on Monday.

“Why not analyse the list and tell us how many of the delegates were specifically sponsored by the government? Of course, one can see that NECA officials, labour delegates and other private persons were on that list.

“A lot of people came there on their own. That should tell you that it was not all of them that were sponsored by the FG,” Onanuga said.

The social media was awash days ago with reports that Nigeria had the highest number of delegates at the ILO conference.

A list published on the website of the ILO also confirmed that the country had the largest delegation among the 187 countries represented at the event.

Brazil and Argentina emerged second and third behind Nigeria with 191 and 156 delegates respectively.

The Nigerian contingent comprised the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Olabode Agoro, Lagos Head of Service; permanent secretaries, several top shots from the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association as well as officials from Chevron, TotalEnergies and representatives of other private bodies.

In the category of workers’ delegates, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero; the President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, and scores of labour leaders were listed.

The document also listed 116 others under the worker’s delegates, while two were identified as ‘persons accompanying the minister.’

Speaking with The According, Onanuga stated that it would be unfair for anybody to label the Federal Government as being the sponsor of the entire 289 delegates.

Police begin search as gunmen abduct Anambra Catholic priest

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Police begin search as gunmen abduct Anambra Catholic priest

Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen have kidnapped an Anambra State-based priest of the Catholic Church, Reverend Father Christian Ike.

Ike was said to have been whisked away by the assailants alongside one other person, on Sunday, along Amagu junction, Ndiokpaleke in Ajali community in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.

The reason for the incident has yet to be ascertained, but eyewitnesses in the area said the priest was returning alongside some other persons from an early morning Mass at the St. Michael Catholic Church, when the vehicle he was moving in, was double-crossed by the assailants.

This is just as the Anambra State Police Command spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development, said the police had begun a search for the victims by deploying their intelligence and operational assets for their possible rescue unhurt.

The eyewitnesses in the area said, “The priest and some other persons were returning from St. Michael Catholic Church, where they attended a morning service.

“On getting to the Amagu Junction, their vehicle was double-crossed by armed men operating in three vehicles. While two other persons escaped the scene, the assailants took away the priest and one other person, including some personal belongings of the occupants in the vehicle.”

The Diocese of Ekwulobia confirmed the abduction in a letter from the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Nwankwo, calling for prayers for the safe release of the kidnapped individuals.

The letter partly read, “Dear Brothers and Sisters, call for prayers. Kidnap case, Rev. Fr. Christian Ike. Please pray for the release of Rev. Fr. Christian Ike and Mr Ogbonnia Anike, who were kidnapped this morning around 9:45am as they were returning from Mass in an outstation of St. Matthew’s Parish, Ajalli, Orumba North L.G.A.”

This will be the second incident in two months as another priest, Reverend Father Basil Gbuzuo, was kidnapped near Onitsha, on May 15, by unknown gunmen.

Gbuzuo was later released some weeks later after some undisclosed amount of money was paid to his captors.

Reacting further, the police spokesperson said the command heard about the incident and immediately deployed their intelligence and operational assets to the area.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command received the information of the abduction of Rev Father Christian Ike and has deployed its intelligence and operational assets of the command for possible rescue unhurt.

“Eyewitness account revealed by 10:30am on 16/6/2024, the priest and two others were returning from St. Michael Catholic Church, Ndiokpaleke, where they attended a morning service, along the Amagu Junction, they were double-crossed by armed men operating in three vehicles. While the other two escaped the scene, the criminals took away the priest and some personal belongings of the occupants in the vehicle.

“To this end, the command has activated its intelligence and operational assets for possible arrest of the assailants and rescue unhurt of the priest.”

He added that further developments shall be communicated as they unfold.

MTU emerges first among Nigerian varsities on world ranking

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MTU emerges first among Nigerian varsities on world ranking

Mountain Top University, Ogun State has emerged first in Sustainable Development Goal four, quality education in Nigeria according to the 2024 World University ranking by Times Higher Education.

Times Higher Education, the topmost global university ranking body, assesses institutions by identifying and celebrating universities that excel across multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

A statement by MTU said that the institution also took second place in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), fifth place in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and fourth place overall in the Impact Rankings.

It read, “It is an impressive performance in the 2024 THE Impact Rankings is a testament to its dedication to creating a positive impact on society. Here’s how its achievements make the university unique:

“Mountain Top University’s first place in SDG 4 (Quality Education) in Nigeria demonstrates its commitment to providing exceptional education, setting a high standard for others to follow.

“Holistic Impact; with top rankings in multiple SDGs (2, 3, 4, and 17), Mountain Top University showcases its comprehensive approach to addressing various sustainable development goals, making it a model for interdisciplinary impact.

“Healthcare and Well-being; Its second place in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) highlights the university’s significant contributions to healthcare and well-being initiatives, improving lives and communities.’’

“ The 5th place in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) demonstrates Mountain Top University’s success in forging effective global partnerships, amplifying its impact and influence.

-“Overall Excellence; achieving 4th place overall in the Impact Rankings is a remarkable feat, solidifying Mountain Top University’s position as a leader in social impact and sustainability.”

It added that these achievements made Mountain Top University a beacon of excellence in Nigeria and globally, attracting students, partners, and collaborators seeking a like-minded community dedicated to creating a better world.

Soldiers arrest six bandits, recover rustled cows in Plateau

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Soldiers arrest six bandits, recover rustled cows in Plateau

A special task force, Operation Safe Haven, has arrested six suspected bandits and recovered weapons and 47 rustled cows in Manguna, the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Commander of OPSH, Maj. Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, disclosed this at the Eid-el-Kabir luncheon, organised for troops of the operation on Monday in Jos.

Abubakar, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding, 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said the feat followed intensified operations by personnel of the operation.

“As part of our resolve to completely eradicate banditry and criminal elements and ensure a successful farming season and security of lives and property, our intensified operations continue to yield results.

“This has led to the recovery of different calibres of arms and ammunition in different parts of Plateau.

“Specifically on June 10, OPSH tactical team raided a suspected criminal hideout at Manguna village in Bokkos Local Government Area and, during the operation, troops recovered one G3 rifle, two revolver rifles and one magazine with rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

“We also recovered a quiver with 20 arrows and 47 herds of cattle, while a total of six bandits and cattle rustlers were captured with the rifles and ammunition,” he said.

The commander further stated that the troops also raided the Pandam forest in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of the state and recovered various weapons and ammunition.

“Similarly on June 12, troops, acting on credible intelligence, conducted clearance operations at suspected bandits’ hideouts at Pandam forest in Qua’an Pan.

“During the operation, troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, two AK-47 magazines and 13 rounds of 7.62mm special.

“Troops are currently sustaining operations in the area to intercept and neutralise the fleeing terrorists,” he added.

Abubakar said the troops also arrested 29 suspected members of a cult group known as Sara-suka, with fabricated rifles, pistols and other assorted dangerous weapons recovered in Jos.

The commander, who thanked the personnel for their efforts, assured residents of the state of the operation’s readiness to secure their lives and property.

Ex-tutor arrested for allegedly defiling 13-year-old pupil

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Ex-tutor arrested for allegedly defiling 13-year-old pupil

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Femi Onayemi for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl (name withheld) in the Obada-Oko area of the state.

According to information exclusively provided to According METRO by a police source in the state command on Sunday, the suspect had earlier been hired by the girl’s parents to tutor her at their home in the community in 2023.

According Metro also gathered from the state command that the suspect had also been attending the same church with the survivor before the crime was committed.

Our correspondent learnt that the survivor’s parents were shocked when the suspect scaled the fence of their home to gain access to the 13-year-old’s room and commit the heinous crime.

The spokesperson for the state command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident and stated that Onayemi had been arrested.

She said, “The parents of the minor approached our division at Obada Oko on June 12, 2024, to report the incident. The suspect was employed in 2023 to help the survivor with her studies at home.

“However, on June 9, 2024, the suspect was caught committing the crime after he had jumped over the fence of the house. Our men swung into action immediately after the matter was reported.

“The suspect was also believed to be attending the same church that the survivor attends every Sunday. He confessed to the crime after we arrested him.”

In September 2023, Punch Metro reported a similar incident involving a 43-year-old teacher, Joshua Olufemi, from the Heritage Group of Schools in Ofada Town, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, who allegedly assaulted a 13-year-old male pupil.

Olufemi was believed to have been allegedly having carnal knowledge of the minor through the pupil’s anus no fewer than six times at different times inside his room before his arrest.

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Abducted MD, others still in captivity as rescue efforts continue

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Abducted MD, others still in captivity as rescue efforts continue

Efforts to rescue the Managing Director of Foani Company, which represents LG and Hisense in Nigeria, Mohammed Foani, and three other Lebanese, have entered day four following their abduction on the waterways around the Falomo Bridge in Lagos State.

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development to our correspondent who, on Sunday, inquired about the progress of the investigation to rescue the kidnapped victims.

Responding, Hundeyin said, “We are working hard, and very soon, we will rescue the kidnapped victims.”

According Metro had reported that Foani and the three other victims were on their way to a destination when the gunmen waylaid them along the waterways and whisked them to an unknown destination.

A source familiar with the incident, while speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the case, said the kidnappers had demanded $1.5m ransom.

“Yesterday (Friday) evening, the Managing Director of Fouani Company (LG and Hisense) and three Lebanese were kidnapped around Falomo Bridge while travelling from Apapa to Victoria Island by boat. The kidnappers have asked for $1.5m,” the source said.

Kidnap-for-ransom cases are not just happening in Lagos, which serves as the commercial centre of Nigeria.

These daredevil suspects, while engaging in the criminal enterprise, usually target high-profile individuals and after abducting them, demand a ransom before releasing them to their families.

Sometime in December 2023, a car dealer, popularly known as Ejike Conversion, in the Ladipo Spare Parts Market, was said to have been taking an inventory of his newly imported goods in front of his plaza around midnight when some armed men swooped in on him and his workers.

A source in the market who spoke on condition of anonymity over the fear of victimisation said the abductors demanded N500m.

In September 2021, a retired air vice marshal, Sikiru Smith, was kidnapped at a site in the Ajah area of the state by gunmen who whisked him away in a speedboat.

He was released five days after the abduction.

Forex stability will reduce aviation fuel cost – Asharami Synergy

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Forex stability will reduce aviation fuel cost – Asharami Synergy

Asharami Synergy Limited, a Sahara Group downstream company in Nigeria has said that stability in the foreign exchange market would impact the aviation fuel market positively by reducing the cost of the product.

The Head, Downstream Africa, Sahara Group, Foluso Sobanjo, stated this recently at the International Air Transport Association’s Aviation Energy Forum held in Vienna, Austria.

In a statement made available to The According on Monday by the Sahara Group’s Head of Corporate Communications, Bethel Obioma, Sobanjo while speaking on the growth factors for the Nigerian market, said the aviation fuel sector would benefit from adequate refining capacity, forex stability, cheaper sources of funds and infrastructure development.

He noted, “Achieving stability in the FX market would impact the Jet fuel market positively by reducing product cost, solving the liquidity issues facing the airlines and help with the repatriation of the investment made by foreign airlines which would spur further investments.”

According to him, suppliers need to be able to access credit at the right price as this would help to facilitate investments in essential infrastructure like tank farms, bowsers, and trucks.

“This would enhance operational capabilities and logistical efficiency, thereby supporting long-term growth and healthy competitiveness in the sector,” he stated.

Sobanjo also called for investment in infrastructure through sundry Public-Private Partnerships and collaboration among all stakeholders, including IATA, airlines, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, and petroleum marketers to drive sustainable regulation, growth, and development of the sector.

While attributing the sterling performance in the aviation fuel market to the Asharami’s commitment to safety, technology-driven solutions and environmental sustainability, Sobanjo maintained that the firm had a pedigree of exceptional performance in the market that spans two decades in Nigeria.

“Asharami Synergy is the leading aviation fuel supplier in Nigeria with over 20 per cent of the market share. We have several certifications from the International Organisation for Standardisation in recognition of our commitment to excellence, quality, and safety. With current storage capacity of about 31 million litres owned and operated by Asharami across the nation, a fleet of 20 bowsers, and ongoing plans for capacity expansion, we keep innovating to deliver outstanding Jet A1 solutions,” he disclosed.

Sobanjo added that Asharami Synergy offers solutions that resonate with the operations of local and international airlines in Nigeria.

“Our distinctive mark of excellence and safety make Asharami the responsible provider of choice for aviation fuel in the Nigerian market,” he said.

Also speaking in Vienna, the Chief Executive Officer, Asharami Synergy, Nomnso Dike, said the company had been a strategic partner with IATA since 2009, adding that its diversified product supply chain facilitates availability and competitive pricing in the market.

“We are constantly investing in technology to drive efficiency in our business hence the adoption of the solution that increases efficiency through digitalised tracking of our into-plane fueling operations, whilst also helping to reduce CO2 emissions.

“In addition, our dashboard tracks and analyses our customers’ consumption patterns, thereby enabling us to forecast demand accurately and ensure consistent product availability to meet all our supply obligations. This ensures our customers can rely on Asharami for responsible and seamless supply,” he stated.

The According reports that the high cost of Jet A1 is one of the factors responsible for the high cost of flight tickets in Nigeria.

Our correspondent recalled that the aviation fuel rose from about N300 per litre in February 2022 to about N1,000 per litre. It has since caused a significant increase in the cost of tickets.

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