Vice President Kashim Shettima; National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje; Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq (Kwara), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) and other stalwarts, chieftains of the APC, on Wednesday, stormed Akure, the Ondo State capital, to drum up support for the party’s candidate in Saturday’s election, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The
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Tragedy struck again in Jigawa State, on Wednesday, as a fuel-laden tanker went up in flames at the Jigawa-Kano border, sparking panic among bystanders.
The incident comes just a month after a similar explosion in October claimed over 180 lives, and injured many others in Majia town, Taura Local Government Area the state.
According to Metro reports that the October incident occurred when a truck carrying petrol, travelling from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, exploded in Majia, located in Taura Local Government Area, Jigawa State as many villagers had gathered to scoop up spilt petrol when the explosion occurred, resulting in devastating losses.
Reacting to the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Jigawa State Command, M. A. Aliyu, said the Federal Fire Service received a distress call from the Kuho Village Head, Zubairu Ahmad, regarding a tanker accident at Tsaida, Kwanar Kalle, near Gamoji village along Maiduri Road about 12 kilometres to Jigawa State from Kano.
Speaking to Journalists, the Kuho Village Head, Alhaji Zubairu Ahmad, said, “When the incident happened, we instructed our subject not to get near the tanker for fear of the explosion.”
“Thanks to Almighty Allah that the incident did not occur within the town, it was at a farm outside the people’s house,” he confirmed.
The village head also clarified that there were no deaths or casualties.
Efforts by our correspondent to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Kano State Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on the incident proved abortive as his known number could not connect when tried.
According to Aliyu, the fire service responded promptly, arriving at the scene at 10:50 hours and successfully containing the fire.
“The cause of the recent tanker explosion is still unknown, but investigations are likely to focus on safety regulations and emergency response measures,” he stated.
He also pointed out that the recent incident highlighted the need for joint continued vigilance and action, and also the need for improved efforts towards safety protocols and emergency response to prevent such tragedies.
He added that the single injured person, who happened to be the driver’s assistant, was rushed to the Dutse General Hospital.
Commenting on the incident, a commercial motor driver, Malam Sani, an eyewitness, said, “The recent incident has raised concerns about the safety of fuel transport in the state considering the October explosion that killed at least 181 people and injured many others in Majia town.”
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court on Wednesday sentenced a 20-year-old undergraduate, Ganiyu Alabi, to one year and two months imprisonment for engaging in an online love scam.
The judge sentenced him, following his plea bargain agreement to the charge of possession of fraudulent documents.
Alabi is to serve his jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, in Lagos.
Oshodi, while delivering the judgment, said he had considered the effect of cybercrime which damaged Nigeria’s international reputation.
He also said he had taken into consideration the timely plea bargain entered into by the convict which had saved judicial time and resources. However, he noted that he did not believe the convict was genuinely sorry because he lied to the court.
He said: “I do not believe you are genuinely sorry because you lied to this court that you started Internet fraud this year whereas in your confessional statement, it showed you started in 2023.
“Having been convicted of the charge of possession of fraudulent documents, I hereby sentence you to one year and two months imprisonment or pay an N1m fine.
“You shall also serve two months of community service with the Lagos State Community Service Unit and a report of activity shall be submitted at the end of the service.
“You shall also be registered as an offender in the state.”
Earlier, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission counsel, Mr Ahmad Usman, in his review of facts, told the court that the convict was arrested in a sting operation in Lekki, sometime in April.
Usman said that the convict had in his possession fraudulent documents in which he represented himself as one Leana Decker, a white female, to unsuspecting members of the public.
He stated that the convict, in his confessional statement, admitted to having engaged in a dating scam via Facebook in which he had benefitted $1000.
The prosecutor further tendered bundles of fraudulent documents which were tendered in evidence following no objections from defence counsel.
The prosecutor also told the court that the convict had restituted N500,000 to the anti-graft agency.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Section 320 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
The Ogun State Security Network Agency otherwise known as Amotekun Corps has foiled the self-kidnap staged by one Enitan Awoyemi, a 41-year-old resident of Irolu-Remo, in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.
Awoyemi was said to have allegedly orchestrated his kidnap in a desperate bid to evade payment of about N1m debt.
This was according to a statement from the state Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Brig Gen Alade Adedigba (retd.), made available to journalists on Wednesday.
According to Metro gathered that the wife of the suspect, Mrs Tope Awoyemi, was said to have on November 10, at about 9 am, reported to the Amotekun Irolu outpost that her husband had called her, claiming to have been kidnapped the previous day by unidentified individuals who demanded a ransom of N5m for his release.
The statement partly reads, “Upon receiving the report, the Amotekun Intelligence team commenced an investigation into the matter, and findings from the investigation revealed that Enitan Awoyemi had accumulated substantial debts related to gambling in a lotto game, amounting to a staggering N1m.
“Awoyemi, who is a regular player of the game, had previously won N6m from the same game, using portions of his winnings to purchase a Toyota Corolla Sport car and a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle for commercial purposes.
“Faced with the inability to repay his debts, it is alleged that he resorted to fabricating a kidnapping scenario.”
Adedigba however said through the collaborative efforts with the Vigilantes Group of Nigeria and other community stakeholders, the suspect was traced to Ijagba town and later Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
He was ultimately arrested at the Irolu Okada Park in the early hours of Wednesday during routine patrol operations by the Amotekun officers.
Upon apprehension, operatives noted a strong smell of insecticide from him, raising concerns about an attempted suicide.
Awoyemi was said to have been transported to the Rufina Private Hospital in Iperu for medical attention.
Adedigba said that Amotekun was committed to taking necessary action, and once Awoyemi is discharged from the hospital, he would be handed over to the police for further proceedings.
The commander reaffirmed the security outfit’s dedication to maintaining law and order, exposing deceitful activities, and protecting Ogun State residents.
He said, “We, therefore, commend the collaborative efforts of the VGN, other community stakeholders, and our operatives in foiling this plot, and urge citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities. This incident highlights the importance of community cooperation in ensuring safety and security.”
The Federal Government has suspended 13 students of the Federal Government College in Enugu State for six weeks for alleged bullying in the school.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that this was disclosed in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo, in Abuja, on Wednesday.
The statement revealed that the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, ordered the suspension based on a viral video showing some students of the school engaging in acts of bullying.
Alausa reaffirmed the ministry’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment in all federal schools across the country.
According to him, a recent report received by the ministry highlighted the bullying incident at the school, which raised significant concerns about safety and discipline within its environment.
The report read, ”The findings of the ministry, the incident involved the gang assault of an SS1 student (a day student) by a group of students on November 7.
“The incident came to light showing the circulation of a disturbing video on social media platforms.
“In response, the Federal Ministry of Education established a disciplinary committee to investigate the matter.
“Based on the findings, all the 13 students involved have been placed on a six-week suspension pending the report of the investigative committee.”
The minister also directed the School Based Management Committee to collaborate with security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation, including possible affiliations with external groups.
He added that immediate measures had been implemented to enhance security at the college by engaging law enforcement agents while also reviewing existing safety protocols.
“Additionally, counselling and rehabilitation support will be provided to address all forms of problems while promoting their reintegration into a positive school environment,” he said.
CIG Motors has announced new economic ties by signing a deal with real estate mogul, Dr Ned Okonkwo, for the deployment of electric vehicles.
The company announced this strategic alliance in a statement, emphasising its commitment to a shared vision of innovation and sustainability.
It stated, “Supported by Fidelity Bank, this partnership aims to promote Wuling electric vehicles as the next generation of automotive solutions, ushering in a more sustainable future for mobility.
“Unlocking the partnership with an initial order of 2,000 Wuling EV units, including setting up charging stations across all of Dr Ned Okonkwo’s real estate developments, providing the electric vehicle as an accessory to land and property owners.
“The partner through CIG Mobility is also saddled with power generation and installation to power the charging infrastructure set up across the country.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Chairman, CIG Motors Group, Diana Chen, noted that pioneering the e-mobility path in the automobile industry, the Wuling EV serves as a smart powerhouse with clean energy storage while providing a sustainable future for everyone.
The Executive Director of CIG Motors, Jubril Arogundade, stated that by combining Okonkwo’s business acumen with Wuling and Fidelity Bank’s support, the company was ushering in a new age of sustainability solutions while creating millions of jobs across the country.
He said, “This new partnership is poised to save citizens from the troubles of maintenance, mechanical repairs, emission of carbon, long fueling queues and most importantly help to ease the lives of Nigerians through smart living and green initiatives.”
Speaking on the impact of the new partnership, the Group Managing Director, Nedcomoaks Limited, Dr Ned Okonkwo, revealed that the partnership was born from an encounter with a visionary, like himself.
He said, “The partnership is set to boost economic growth, protect the environment, and improve green energy throughout the country with Fidelity Bank providing accessible financing options for interested persons.”
Celebrating the vision, legendary Nollywood actor, Richard MofeDamijo, acknowledged that the partnership helps bring the future to now with aspirations of having homes that are connected and allow living with ease.
The Kano State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, on Wednesday, denied any knowledge of a letter from Senator Kawu Sumaila, demanding an apology from him over alleged libellous statements he made against the Senator.
“I have not received any letter, and no letter was addressed to me on the issue by anyone whatsoever,” Dungurawa told journalists in Kano on Wednesday.
He described the reported letter as a “rumour created by the enemy, supported by ignorance, and accepted by fools, and I am not part of any of the above.”
He warned that the NNPP would not tolerate anti-party activities by any member, including those in political office.
The chairman stated that the NNPP has always promoted a level playing field for all members to pursue their legitimate ambitions and, therefore, expects absolute loyalty from them.
Commenting on the reported crisis within the state branch of the party, Dungurawa emphatically stated that the NNPP remains “100 per cent strong and united.”
He added that the noise about the crisis in the party is simply a sign that the NNPP is a strong, united, and promising party with a winning edge.
Recall that Senator Kawu Sumaila (NNPP, Kano South) had threatened to initiate legal action against Dungurawa over a “libellous allegation” he allegedly made against him.
The threat was detailed in a letter addressed to Dungurawa by Sunusi Musa (SAN), Managing Partner of Aliyu & Musa (SAN), Legal Practitioners and Consultants.
In the letter, dated 12 November, the solicitors stated: “We act as solicitors to Senator Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (“our client”), who is currently a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Kano South Senatorial District. It is on his instruction that we write this letter.
“The attention of our client was drawn to a radio programme broadcast on Freedom Radio frequency 99.5 FM, also shared on the Facebook page of the radio station and accessible worldwide. The voice clip has also been circulated to various individuals and groups on WhatsApp and Telegram platforms globally.
“By this letter, we are demanding that you, on behalf of our client, retract the allegation within 24 hours of receipt of this letter in the same manner you made it,” the legal practitioners emphasised.
They also requested that the NNPP chairman give the retraction the same level of publicity as the interview, along with a public apology to their client in two national dailies.
“If you fail to meet our demands within the stipulated time, our client will be compelled to seek legal redress in a court of law,” the lawyers warned.
Dutch police detained dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters Wednesday in Amsterdam, after they again defied a demonstration ban put in place after violence against Israeli football supporters last week.
The protesters, who were wearing scarfs and chanting slogans, staged a demonstration in Amsterdam’s central Dam Square and were taken to waiting vehicles, AFP correspondents saw.
The demonstration comes as the Netherlands is still dealing with the political fallout from last week’s violence in Amsterdam when fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv were assaulted by men on scooters in several parts of the capital.
Five Maccabi fans were briefly hospitalised after being beaten up following a match with the local Ajax team last Thursday, in what Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof termed an incident of “unadulterated anti-Semitism”.
The latest protests followed a similar demonstration on Sunday.
On Wednesday evening the protesters were taken to waiting vehicles, some of them heavily resisting.
Several hundred protesters gathered at the Dam Square earlier in the evening, despite a ban on protests announced by the city’s mayor last week.
The ban, which followed the attacks after a match between Maccabi and Ajax last week is in place until noon this Thursday.
After the match, groups of men on scooters engaged in “hit-and-run” attacks on Maccabi fans in areas of the city.
Police said the attackers were mobilised by calls on social media to target Jewish people.
Amsterdam’s mayor Femke Halsema on Tuesday called the violence surrounding the game a “poisonous cocktail” of anti-Semitism and hooliganism.
Events ahead of last Thursday’s match heightened tensions, including anti-Arab chants by Maccabi fans, who also set fire to a Palestinian flag on the city’s central square and vandalised a taxi.
After the match, reports emerged of social media calls to attack Jews, Amsterdam police said.
The violence took place against the backdrop of an increasingly polarised Europe, with heightened tensions following a rise in anti-Semitic, anti-Israeli and Islamophobic attacks since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
AFP
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday, swore in the Secretary to State Government and the State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice 24 hours after assuming office.
Barr. Musa Ikhilor assumed office as SSG, while Barr. Samson Osagie stepped in as Attorney-General of the State and Commissioner for Justice.
Okpebholo had on Tuesday, barely two hours after his swearing-in, announced the nomination of Ikhilor and Osagie. In less than 24 hours, Osagie was screened and confirmed by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Okpebholo, in his charge, told the new appointees to help him achieve his vision for the state and ensure that the people come first.
He said, “I was voted to work, and everybody should be ready to work. I carefully selected these appointees. They have proven integrity. Work with them so that we can do the best we can.
“During my campaigns, I promised to work with the best, and that’s what we have done with these appointments. Our best is yet to come.”
The new SSG, Ikhilor, said the team would help the Governor in fulfilling his campaign promises, by driving meaningful change and development in the State, just the new Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Osagie, said he would help the Governor achieve his agenda for the people, adding, “I will ensure that the rights of Edo people are protected.”
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The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun and the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to prevent it from participating in Saturday’s local government elections.
Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, raised the alarm on Wednesday during a press briefing at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta.
He alleged that the APC, fearing the popularity of PDP candidates, is resorting to various tactics to sideline the opposition.
“The governor and APC have observed the overwhelming popularity of our candidates and are, therefore, scheming to block us from participating by any means possible,” Tella stated.
The party’s claims come amid a legal suit filed by former state PDP chairman, Sikirullahi Ogundele, which Tella described as an attempt orchestrated by the state government to destabilise the party.
The suit seeks to disqualify PDP candidates, alleging they are not officially recognised members of the party.
“Before this baseless lawsuit, there were previous attempts to disrupt our party congresses, submission of parallel candidate lists to the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), and now this legal action questioning the eligibility of our candidates,” Tella said.
He pointed out that the suit was filed weeks after the official deadline for objections to candidate nominations, a timeline OGSIEC previously established.
Despite this, he expressed confidence in the judiciary but raised concerns over the impartiality of Justice Sunday Adeniyi, assigned to the case.
He noted that Justice Adeniyi was a former APC member, a past caretaker chairman of Ikenne Local Government, and campaign director for Governor Abiodun’s 2015 Senate bid.
“We respect the judiciary and trust in the rule of law. However, we cannot overlook that the judge assigned was once an APC member and appointed as a judge by Governor Abiodun. While we are not questioning his integrity, we urge him to ensure justice aligns with the rule of law,” Tella remarked.
Tella further urged OGSIEC to uphold transparency during the polls, emphasising the need for timely distribution of materials to all 20 local governments and 236 wards.
Meanwhile, Ogun APC Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, dismissed the PDP’s allegations, attributing them to internal divisions that have plagued the party for over a decade.
“The PDP is simply looking for someone to blame for its unresolved crisis. The APC has no hand in their internal rifts, parallel congresses, or factional disputes,” Oladunjoye stated.
Sikirullahi Ogundele, also speaking with The According, denied being influenced by the state government, dismissing the allegations as “cheap lies.”
“When I was in alignment with them, I wasn’t seen as a tool. Now that I’m taking a different path, they are accusing me. I am educated, with a PhD, and I know what I am doing,” Ogundele said.
The case is scheduled for hearing on Thursday, as both parties brace for a legal showdown ahead of the local government polls.