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Kingibe knocks Abure, backs Otti’s 29-man reconciliation panel

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Kingibe knocks Abure, backs Otti’s 29-man reconciliation panel

The senator representing the Federal Capital Territory district, Ireti Kingibe, on Tuesday, endorsed the 29-member caretaker committee established by the national leader of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, Abia Governor Alex Otti, and party stakeholders last week to oversee an expansive national convention.

Kingibe gave her endorsement at the launch of a four-day free medical outreach, which she facilitated for her constituents in Abuja.

The free medical outreach, organised in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, attracted many people seeking eye tests, free treatment, and referrals for suspected cataract cases.

The senator, represented by her senior legislative aide, Dr Chris Omofoma, told The Punch that every LP member knows the tenure of the National Chairman, Julius Abure, and his National Working Committee ended as far back as June 2023.

While noting that Abure and his loyalists have yet to accept this reality, Kingibe explained that Otti and Obi, whom Abure is now opposing, had previously requested an extension of his tenure by an extra year to help recover from the 2023 presidential election loss.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, his National Secretary, Umar Farouk, and the National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, were notably absent from the enlarged stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia, the state capital, on Wednesday.

The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, had called the meeting to resolve the party’s ongoing leadership crisis.
However, the Abure-led NWC has opposed the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee, describing it as null and void.

She said, “There is really no crisis in Labour. Abure’s NWC refuses to admit that their tenure has ended. Even INEC has clearly stated that Abure’s tenure ended in June 2023.

However, Alex Otti and Peter Obi extended it by one year so the party could recover from the (2023) election losses before conducting the national convention. So, their tenure was extended to June 8, 2024, which has now lapsed.

“So, whatever Alex Otti, Obi, and other party stakeholders are doing is in line with the constitution and INEC guidelines. It is now up to Abure to accept the reality that his tenure is over, and it is time to do what is necessary.

“I fully support the Nenadi Usman-led committee. That is the way forward. Anything else from the Abure-led NWC is illegal.”

Continuing, the FCT senator described Tuesday’s medical outreach as a great success.

According to her, the mission was to provide essential medical services to 5,000 members of her constituency in the FCT.

Tinubu’s oppressive control surpasses military dictatorship — Atiku

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Tinubu’s oppressive control surpasses military dictatorship — Atiku

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration and security agencies to redirect their intimidation towards the perpetrators of violence.

The former Vice President, in a post on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, also alleged that the level of oppressive control imposed by Tinubu’s administration now surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.

Recall that the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, was arrested by the Department of State Services on Monday morning at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while heading to the UK for official duties.
On the same day, the DSS also raided the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s Abuja office.
Ajaero was held in custody throughout the day and was released late Monday night.

In his response, Atiku stated that Ajaero’s arrest exemplifies the current administration’s persistent efforts to intimidate and suppress organised labour.

He stated, “The escalating assault on civil society and the media by the Bola Tinubu administration is profoundly disturbing. The level of oppressive control now imposed surpasses even the harshest days of military dictatorship.

“The recent arrest of Mr Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, en route to an official event, epitomises this regime’s relentless campaign to intimidate and subdue organised labour.”

The former Vice President added that the DSS raid on SERAP was fundamentally opposed to the principles of freedom and justice.

The post read in part, “Just days prior, security forces detained a journalist, only to later claim it was a grievous error. What if the outcome had been fatal?

“Now, Tinubu’s regime extends its repressive grasp to encroach upon SERAP, an action that stands as a grave affront to our democratic values. This siege is anathema to the principles of freedom and justice.

“Tinubu and his security apparatus must redirect their fervour and intimidation towards the true perpetrators of violence — terrorists and bandits — who are inflicting immeasurable suffering upon the Nigerian people.”

Two feared killed, houses burnt as irate youths protest in Bauchi

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Two feared killed, houses burnt as irate youths protest in Bauchi

A violent protest erupted in Zaranda Gari, Toro Local Government, Bauchi State, on Tuesday, following the alleged killing of two people by a security hunter (Dandanga).

The victims were reportedly shot dead for transporting charcoal in commercial quantity, which is an offence as established by the state government.

Our correspondent gathered that the angry youths responded by burning several houses related to the security man and blocking the federal road connecting Bauchi and Plateau states.

A traveller, Kabiru Danhajiya, who was stranded in the town, said, “We encountered a roadblock and fire on one side of the road. Locals told us that security hunters (Dandanga) had earlier arrested and killed two people with charcoal. We were told that the community is demanding the governor’s presence to address the situation.”

Danhajiya reported that police were present but outnumbered by the protesters, with vehicles stranded due to the blocked road.

Details later…

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Tanker accident causes gridlock on Abuja road

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Tanker accident causes gridlock on Abuja road

A collapsed container truck between the FHA Bridge and the ShopRite Pedestrian Bridge along Lugbe-Airport Road in Abuja has caused major gridlock on the route.

Our correspondent gathered that the truck, which collapsed on the expressway at around 9 am on Tuesday, forced outbound vehicles heading towards the airport to divert to the opposite lane, further exacerbating congestion on the expressway.

The Federal Capital Territory Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Muta’a Chorrie, confirmed the incident to our correspondent, stating that officers of the FRSC were on-site, working to remove the container and ease the gridlock. He clarified that it was a fallen container, not a tanker, as some reports had suggested.

“It was just a container that fell on the road. We are making efforts to remove the container and manage the traffic. So, it’s a container that fell on Airport Road today, not a tanker. I haven’t received the full details yet, but when I do, I’ll update you,” he said.

At the time of filing this report, our correspondent could not confirm whether the incident had resulted in any injuries or fatalities.

More details to follow…

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Bauchi floods kill 24, destroy property worth N22bn

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Bauchi floods kill 24, destroy property worth N22bn

The Bauchi State Executive Council has confirmed that 24 people have so far lost their lives as well as property worth over N22bn destroyed due to persistent floods in 16 local government areas of the state.

The council stated this on Monday stating that it has constituted an inter-ministerial committee to assess the damages caused by the devastating natural disaster.

Speaking with journalists after the council’s meeting, the commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajara Wanka who disclosed that the ministry is still compiling its report noted, “But from the report they have recorded, 24 lost their life, 163 injured, 16 local Government areas affected, 60 culverts washed away, 12 major roads were cut off, 178 electric poles were destroyed, 11,183 livestock and 122,330 households were affected and,52,000 houses were destroyed.

“When such an incident happened, the victims were kept in primary schools and later they joined their relatives in the town they didn’t open any Internally Displaced Persons camp.”

Wanka also confirmed that the council has ratified the release of funds to rehabilitate damaged structures, including culverts, access roads, schools, and public buildings.

She maintained that the committee’s formation followed a directive from the Federal Government to ascertain the magnitude of the disaster, which affected many states in the federation.

“The committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Aminu Hammayo, will comprise relevant commissioners as members, with the Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Kashim, monitoring its activities, “she stated.

On his part, the Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Dallami Kawule, announced that he had directed his ministry to crack down on structures built on waterways across the state.

He said the move aimed to prevent future flood disasters as assessments indicated that blockage of waterways exacerbated the problem.

In his remarks, the commissioner for Education, Jamila Ɗahiru said, “The Ministry of Education has secured approval for the renovation and remodelling of the state Education Resource Center, which will be merged with the newly commissioned Zainab Bulkachuwa ICT Center to form a world-class learning centre to boost education and Learning in the state.”

I am a visionary leader, PRP candidate tells Edo residents

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I am a visionary leader, PRP candidate tells Edo residents

The People’s Redemption Party candidate for the Edo State Governorship, Ms Patience Ndidi, has told Edo residents that to bring about significant transformation in the state they should prioritise visionary leadership over emotional considerations.

Ndidi, the sole female candidate in the September 21 governorship election, at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, emphasised that visionary leadership transcends gender.

She urged the people to look beyond vote-buying incentives, gender, and party affiliations to ensure Edo is transformed for everyone’s benefit.

According to her, Edo needs visionary leaders to tackle issues like unemployment, poverty, hunger, and the state of critical infrastructure such as roads, schools, and health facilities.

Ndidi emphasised that this election is crucial for the next four years and the future of the state, urging voters to stay open-minded and make a wise choice.

Identifying herself as the sole “David” in the race, Ndidi stated her goal is to win and bring transformation, hope, progress, and prosperity to Edo through human capital development.

She stated, “That is where the place of visionary comes in. A visionary leader sees from wherever he or she is from or is residing.

“A visionary leader feels the pulses of the people. A visionary leader understands the pain points of the people. That is where I, Patience Ofure Ndidi, come in because I see the vision. I know commitment. I understand compassion.

“I believe in God and the great people of Edo State not to make the mistake of following the same people that have taken us backwards.

“Leadership is meant for visionaries. Leadership is meant for those who understand commitment and compassion. Leadership is given to people who can be transparent, who can stand accountable, and be trustworthy.”

Ndidi, highlighting women as leaders with strong managerial skills and the ability to multitask, appealed to both women and men to support her vision.

She continued, “They say women don’t encourage women. Women don’t vote for women. But I tell them that’s not true. Women understand women. Women vote for women. Women with their managerial skills, with the ability to multitask, do great things.

“When women stand, we don’t just represent women, we represent the nation. We represent our men, we represent our boys, and we represent our girls.”

Ndidi urged the people of Edo to view the election not as a competition but as an opportunity to unite and work together to enhance the state’s greatness.

She emphasised the need to harness the state’s talents and resources to develop manufacturing industries, create wealth, and boost revenue.

The PRP governorship candidate pledged to tackle insecurity, unemployment, and hunger by empowering citizens, asserting that creating jobs and fostering a supportive investment climate will resolve insecurity.

Three dead, five injured as hoodlums attack Anambra community

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Three dead, five injured as hoodlums attack Anambra community

At least three people were killed and five others injured when unidentified hoodlums attacked the Isionye community, located on the boundary between Enugu Ukwu and Nawfia in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

It was reported that the armed assailants, posing as land buyers, lured their victims to the land, where they launched the attack.

Sources in the area stated that the incident, which took place late on Monday, caused panic in the community due to the multiple gunshots fired by the attackers.

One of the sources said, “Unknown gunmen stormed our community in Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government, this evening and killed several people. They arrived in a Sienna vehicle, pretending to be land buyers.

“No one suspected they were heavily armed with guns and machetes until they reached the land and started shooting. In the process, both the people who took them to the land were shot, while passers-by and other residents, who fled at the sound of the gunfire, sustained various injuries.”

Confirming the incident on Tuesday, Anambra State Police spokesman, Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police had recovered the vehicle abandoned by the armed attackers, and that investigations were underway to identify the perpetrators.

Ikenga said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, has ordered an investigation into the murder of three people and the serious injury of five others on Monday, 9 September 2024, at 2 p.m. at Isionye land, a boundary between Enugu Ukwu and Nawfia.

“Preliminary information revealed that the victims were lured to the land by individuals through a phone call under the guise of a land transaction, and were then attacked with guns and machetes.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has called for calm, as police operatives have recovered the abandoned Sienna vehicle used by the murderers.

“The testimonies of the injured victims, who are currently receiving treatment in hospital, are aiding the investigation, while the bodies of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

Decomposing corpse of kidnapped Ekiti girl found 10 days after

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Decomposing corpse of kidnapped Ekiti girl found 10 days after

The remains of Shile Ogunmolasuyi, a secondary school leaver who was kidnapped along with her mother, Yemi Ogunmolasuyi, in Emure, Ekiti State, have been recovered.

Shile was reportedly gang-raped to death by seven kidnappers who had abducted her, her mother, and another woman, Caroline Taiwo, on August 31 near Oyimo River along the Emure-Eporo Road.

The kidnappers had ambushed the vehicle that was transporting the victims to Akure after a family event in Emure, killing Oluwole Taiwo, the husband of one of the victims, who was driving the car.

Shile’s mother and Caroline Taiwo were released on Tuesday, September 3, after the kidnappers collected a ransom of N10m.

The ransom was reportedly delivered at a spot on the Owo-Ikare-Benin Road in Owo, Ondo State, and the captives were freed at around 1:30 AM on Wednesday.

According to Metro gathered that Shile was killed after becoming too weak to walk due to repeated assaults by the kidnappers.

Following the release of her mother, members of the Amotekun corps and Agro Marshal in Emure began searching for Shile’s body.

Her decomposing remains were eventually found in the bush near Ago Panu village in Ondo State on Sunday.

In a video seen by According to Metro, local security operatives were seen wrapping the corpse in a sack.

The Secretary of the Emure Progressives Association, Niyi Awopetu, confirmed the recovery of the body, although there was no information on Shile’s burial as of the time of reporting.

“I can confirm that Shile’s corpse has been recovered, but I don’t know if she has been buried or not”, said Awopetu.

The August 31 abduction marked the third kidnap incident in the Emure area in 2024.

Earlier on January 29, five pupils, three female teachers, and a driver from the Apostolic Faith Children School were abducted on the same Emure-Eporo Road.

Similarly, on July 13, the wife of a retiree, Mrs Atinuke Adanikin, was kidnapped in the same area.

Nigerians groan over rising police extortion, checkpoints on highways

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Nigerians groan over rising police extortion, checkpoints on highways

Nigerians on Monday took to X.com to voice their outrage against some members of the Nigeria Police Force, accusing them of exploiting illegal methods like mounting checkpoints and stop-and-search operations to extort travellers during long-distance trips on major highways.

Despite the Force Headquarters’ Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, urging travellers to refuse any payment demands made by officers on major highways, some victims of these operations insisted that the police required a complete overhaul to end the problem.

On Monday, @grandmaster_01 recounted his experience, accusing police officers of extorting motorists and travellers on highways between the Federal Capital Territory and the South-Eastern parts of the country.

“A road trip from Abuja to the SE leaves one in awe of the misdemeanours of your men and officers against motorists.

The extortion is mindless.

“They are reckless in extorting motorists. Our vehicle dropped money at every checkpoint or you risk being parked for a long time,” @grandmaster-01 wrote.

A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, using the handle @Kingmanuel700 on X.com, recounted a similar experience while sharing a receipt of the money allegedly extorted by policemen at Okpella in Edo State.

He lamented that his complaints had been disregarded despite persistent efforts to seek redress.

The victim tweeted, “Help me tag @Princemoye1. I still got extorted too, because I was a victim even when I showed them my NYSC identification card.”

Describing police extortion on major Nigerian highways as “a cankerworm that has deeply infected the police system,” @PMalarchy accused some officers of assaulting an elderly man for refusing to pay the N100 they had demanded from him.

“One of their men slapped a driver of about 60 years the other day because he (the driver) gave him (the policeman) N100 and was parked when he protested; the policeman slapped the old man,” @PMalarchy wrote.

 While corroborating the alleged extortion of policemen on the major highways, @Sethbundle007 claimed the operations on long-distance journeys had become dangerous for motorists.

“I can relate several times since I will not give shishi.

The incidents on our highway with the police look more dangerous now than thieves. I was once told I borrowed my car from a thief and that they will investigate with government guns in their hands; stories can be created,” @Sethbundle007 posted.

Another Nigerian, using the handle @Brodasolar on X.com, called on the Force Headquarters to address the behaviour of its personnel, particularly during late hours on the Benin-Asaba Expressway.

@Brodasolar stated, “Baba, most times the delay is just on purpose, especially at night.

The extortion that goes on every day between Benin-Asaba Expressway en, na only God fit help us overcome am, and this is not the case in the north. You need to caution your men.”

In response to some of the accusations on his verified X.com account, Adejobi urged motorists to support the police’s efforts by refusing to give money to any officer on the highways.

He wrote, “We all need to play our role to curb the menace of extortion. This matter has been addressed severally. It’s better to be delayed at their points than to dignify corruption or extortion.

“Play your role and curb the menace. If someone wants to collect money or bribe you for having all your documents, would you pay? If you pay for such, why? It’s a simple thing: don’t dignify any abnormality. The best way to go.”

Abandoned newborn-baby girl found in Kano

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Abandoned newborn-baby girl found in Kano

An abandoned newborn baby girl was over the weekend found beside a car on a street in the Yar Akwa area of Naibawa community in the Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State.

The infant was said to have been discovered by a group of men, who were relaxing at a nearby tea joint after they heard the baby crying.

An eyewitness, Shamsuddeen Sabiu, recounted the circumstances leading to the discovery of the baby to According to Metro on Monday.

“Initially, “We thought it was a cat mewing, but when we rushed to the spot, we saw two security men, who had already rescued the baby and asked us to lead them to the house of the ward head because they were new in the area; which we did.

“The baby was found with clothes and pampers, an indication that the mother might have taken some care to prepare towards abandoning the innocent baby girl.

The Ward Head of Yar Akwa, Jamilu Abba Danladi, who confirmed that the baby was brought to him, expressed gratitude to God that she was found alive and healthy.

The community has rallied around the ward head to cater for the infant, with many offering support and assistance.

Danladi appealed for continued prayers and support to ensure the baby’s well-being.

The circumstances surrounding the dumping of the baby are currently under investigation.

According to Metro gathered that the state authorities were making frantic efforts to identify the mother and determine the reasons behind her action.

The incident has raised concerns about the rising cases of child abandonment in the state.

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