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Chinese cities suspend schools, cancel flights ahead of super typhoon Yagi

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Chinese cities suspend schools, cancel flights ahead of super typhoon Yagi

Cities in southern China suspended schools and cancelled some flights on Thursday, as tropical storm Yagi strengthened into a super typhoon and barreled straight for the holiday island province of Hainan.

Yagi triggered floods and landslides on the main Philippine island of Luzon this week, leaving at least 13 dead, according to official figures.

The tropical storm intensified into a super typhoon as it tracked west across the South China Sea, China’s Xinhua news agency said, packing winds of up to 209 kilometres (130 miles) per hour as it headed for Hainan.

“Hainan upgraded its emergency response to Yagi to the highest level at 11:30 am Thursday, according to the provincial disaster management authority,” Xinhua said.

The typhoon is expected to make landfall on Friday afternoon in either Hainan or neighbouring Guangdong.

Work, school and local transport services were suspended from Thursday noon (0400 GMT) in Haikou, Hainan’s capital.

In Hong Kong, which Yagi is expected to bypass, the weather observatory said it will issue the city’s third-highest typhoon warning at 6:20 pm (1020 GMT), limiting public transport across the finance hub.

Classes at kindergarten and special schools in Hong Kong were suspended Thursday, while budget airline Hong Kong Express said six flights have been rescheduled.

Greater Bay Airlines said they would cancel four flights and reschedule two more due to the weather.

“Yagi will remain at super typhoon intensity and skirt around 300 kilometres (186 miles) to the southwest of Hong Kong tomorrow morning,” the observatory said.

“Gale winds associated with Yagi are expected to affect the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary tonight and tomorrow morning.”

After southern China, Yagi will move towards Vietnam, on course to hit the northern and north-central regions around the famed UNESCO heritage site Halong Bay.

Vietnam’s meteorological agency issued a storm warning on Thursday, and the government mobilised more than 2,700 military personnel for storm response.

Coastal provinces are planning a sailing ban on Friday, while Vietnam’s mountainous provinces were ordered to prepare rescue vehicles.

AFP

Family petitions police over Ondo bricklayer’s detention

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Family petitions police over Ondo bricklayer’s detention

The family of Ojo Ajisafe, a 32-year-old bricklayer in Ondo State, has cried out following his arrest and detention by louts and police officers alleged to be sponsored by a politician in the state.

According to Metro gathered on Wednesday that land grabbers were after the 6,000 acres of land belonging to Ajisafe’s father.

However, the bricklayer’s persistent refusal to release the property was met with strong displeasure, leading to sponsored attacks on Ajisafe and his family.

Our correspondent learnt that armed operatives of the Nigeria Police Force stormed Ajisafe’s home in Okedasa on Monday to assault him in the presence of his wife and five children before whisking him away to their station at the Assistant Inspector General of Police’s Office, Zone 17, Akure.

The victim’s wife, Endurance, who spoke to our correspondent, said her husband’s arrest was the latest horror experience in the hands of those who wanted to take control of the land.

“The land in Igba belonged to his father before his death. His father had two male children but one does not stay at home, so it is my husband who takes care of the land. But because he is still young, some members of his extended family have been threatening him to leave the land for them. They went to plan with a rich and powerful politician in Ondo State to sack my husband from the land.

“They threatened him several times to leave the property for them. When he refused, they started sending louts to beat him like a criminal. They have also been sending the police to arrest him every time. Whenever the police came, they would beat him mercilessly. After arresting and detaining him, they do not allow us to see or give him food. They tell us that the politician said nobody should be allowed to see him,” the distraught wife said.

Endurance feared her husband might lose his life this time around as she noted that the beatings and detention had gone on for so long.

“Because of the fear of being assaulted, he stopped going to that land. Still, they would come to our house, beat him up, and take him away. They beat him before they took him away (on Monday morning). When I went to the station, they chased me away.

“We are all living in panic as they can break in anytime. There is no peace again in the house. Since his arrest, we have not eaten. We have been running around trying to secure his release before they kill him,” she added.

Our correspondent obtained a petition written by Ajisafe’s lawyer, M. Arowojolu, on August 25, calling the attention of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 17, Akure, Ondo State, to intervene in the matter as the family believed their lives were in grave danger.

The petition alleged that the Ondo politician sponsored armed louts to ambush Ajisafe earlier in May while returning from the disputed land, attacking him with the intent to kill him. The petition alleged that the police were complicit in the matter as some officers worked on the orders of the politician to assault, arrest, and detain Ajisafe on different occasions.

Despite Ajisafe reporting to the police, the petition said, “Officers of the monitoring unit killed the case there and then the matter was never investigated after leaving your office on that day. The matter was swept under the carpet in conspiracy with the suspects who frequently patronise the monitoring unit.

“The whole situation is borne out of the desire of the politician to purchase 90 acres of land from Ajisafe’s land, stating however that he does not care about the court judgment in Ajisafe’s favour.

“Premised on the above, and rather than see injustice persist or wait till the suspects eventually succeed in killing Ajisafe, we urge you to investigate this complaint as well as those already swept under the carpet as we have completely lost confidence in the activities of the Monitoring Unit of your office.”

The accused politician, Iranola Akinlaja, denied the allegations when According to Metro contacted him on Wednesday.

He said, “I don’t have any land issues with anybody.”

The Zone 17 Police Public Relations Officer, Adeoye Adeola, told our correspondent on Wednesdy morning that the matter was under investigation.

“The case is under investigation, and rest assured justice will be served,” he said.

LASTMA cautions auto dealers against illegal car display

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LASTMA cautions auto dealers against illegal car display

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has sternly cautioned auto dealers in the state against the unauthorised display of vehicles for sale on road setbacks, pedestrian walkways, and other prohibited areas, as this hinders the smooth movement of traffic.

According to a statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, on Wednesday, the General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, issued this warning to the Lagos Motor Dealers Association during their courtesy visit to the LASTMA office in Oshodi.

The statement revealed that during the visit, Bakare-Oki emphasised the need to maintain order and ensure smooth traffic flow, citing numerous complaints from Community Development Associations about illegal auto dealers’ activities. He highlighted the dangers of illegally placing vehicles on roadsides, streets, and walkways, which risked public safety, hindered pedestrian movement, and worsened traffic congestion.

“The Lagos State Government is dedicated to ensuring a safe and orderly environment for all residents and road users. We will not hesitate to enforce the law against any auto dealer found violating these regulations,” Bakare-Oki asserted.

According to him, LASTMA, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, would strengthen its surveillance, step up enforcement and crack down on offenders by penalising any violator. Auto dealers are, therefore, encouraged to comply with vehicle display guidelines or face penalties, including fines and vehicle impoundment.

The Lagos Motor Dealers Association President, Prince Leke Aladegbemi, in response, expressed the association’s readiness to collaborate with LASTMA and other authorities to ensure their members comply with the regulations. He acknowledged the need for dealers to operate lawfully and pledged to raise awareness about the significance of adhering to the state regulations.

Lady tackles Customs over missing father

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Lady tackles Customs over missing father

The daughter of a Kano Customs Officer, Zeenat Maliki, has expressed displeasure with the Nigeria Customs Service’s actions in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the whereabouts of her father, who went missing after visiting Lagos State to write a promotional examination.

Zeenat, in a telephone conversation with According to Metro on Wednesday, noted that efforts to get the customs authority to state a clear position on the circumstances that led to her father going missing had proved abortive.

According to Metro reported on July 27 that Abubakar Maliki, who was a serving customs officer in Kano State, had come to Lagos to write a promotional exam.

Zeenat had told our correspondent in a telephone conversation that she had communicated with her father when he arrived in Lagos until the day of his examination before he became incommunicado.

She narrated that after speaking with him on the morning of the examination day, her father informed her that he was about to enter the examination hall.

However, some hours after they last spoke, she said she called his telephone number three times, but the number indicated busy, which prompted her to assume that he was still inside the examination hall.

She continued that all efforts made to reach her father proved abortive, an incident she claimed had thrown the family into a panic mood.

In a further conversation with our correspondent, she disclosed that the family reported the matter to the Kano State Customs office, where she was assured that an investigation had commenced on the matter.

She added that after reporting at the Sokoto State Police Division where she currently resides, efforts were made to track his father’s phone, and it was traced to the examination centre in Ikorodu.

Zeenat continued, “When we called his number after tracking it, it was picked up by someone who claimed that they found the phone at the examination hall in Ikorodu. I was told that he had left the phone at the examination hall.

“I was also advised to get a court order so that we could check if there was a transaction on his account which I did and I was informed by the Sokoto State Police Command that a withdrawal was made on his account via a POS outlet some days after he became unreachable.

“I have also reached out to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police but he has yet to respond. When I called him to explain the situation, he asked that I call back, and he has since not responded to my message.”

Zeenat, who lamented that the back and forth had put her family in trauma and taken a toll on her examination, urged the NCoS leadership to assist her family in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the whereabouts of her father.

“My father has served the customs for about 30 years, and they are treating his case with levity. The family has been traumatised by this incident. I don’t understand how they will claim that his phone was found at the examination hall and his whereabouts were unknown.

“We are appealing to the Nigeria Customs Service to explain the whereabouts of my father. He is all that we have. This incident has taken a toll on my exams because I cannot concentrate,” Zeenat said.

When contacted for a reaction, the Kano State Customs Public Relations Officer, Nura Abdullahi, disclosed that an investigation was still ongoing on the matter.

“There is no update yet on the incident and the investigation is ongoing,” Abdullahi said.

Eight killed as gunmen attack Plateau communities

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Eight killed as gunmen attack Plateau communities

At least, eight persons were confirmed dead on Wednesday after two separate attacks carried out by gunmen in Congo and Zarap communities, all in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to Metro learnt that among the victims was a member of the Community Peace Service in Bokkos LGA identified simply as Kenneth Kadish.

It was further gathered that one of the attacks, which occurred around 7 pm near the Congo community’s market, took place shortly after the market had closed for the day.

While six persons died instantly in the Congo community, two other persons died in the neighbouring Zarap community.

The Chairman of the Community Peace Service in Bokkos LGA, Kefas Mallai confirmed the two attacks to According to Metro in Jos on Wednesday.

Mallai said, “Some armed men just came to the Angwa and Zarap communities and attacked the people on Tuesday night around 7 pm. Nobody expected that there would be any attack on the people who are  struggling to put behind them the ugly experiences of previous attacks.

“In Angwa Congo, the people were relaxing and enjoying themselves because that Tuesday was their market day when some armed persons appeared and opened fire on those standing. Six persons died instantly while some persons were injured.

“Among the six persons who died was my member, a Peace Ambassador, Kenneth Kadish, who was a member of the Community Peace Service in Bokkos LGA.

“Then, in the Zarap community, some gunmen on motorbikes shot at two persons standing in front of their houses and killed two of them. All the attacks and killings happened on Tuesday night and took the same pattern.”

The chairman who condemned the attacks said the matter had been reported to the security agents.

“We have reported the attacks to the security agents because the place where the attack on Angwa Congo community took place was not far from the security checkpoint. They have come to check the place and I think they have started their investigation to know those who carried out the attack and possibly apprehend them,” the chairman said.

The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, was not readily available when contacted as his mobile phone indicated that it was switched off.

The latest attacks add to the growing insecurity in Bokkos LGA, where various communities have been repeatedly targeted, leaving residents in a constant state of fear and uncertainty. The community now faces the grim task of mourning their dead and hoping for improved security measures to prevent further attacks on the people.

Kidnappers kill daughter, release mother after N10m ransom in Ekiti

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Kidnappers kill daughter, release mother after N10m ransom in Ekiti

One of the travellers kidnapped on Saturday along the Emure-Eporo Road in Emure, Ekiti State, has been killed, According to Metro gathered on Wednesday.

The victim, identified as Shile Ogunmolasuyi, a recent secondary school graduate, was abducted alongside her mother, Mrs Yemi Ogunmolasuyi.

The kidnappers later released Yemi and another woman, Caroline Taiwo, whose husband, Oluwole Taiwo, was killed during the abduction last week Wednesday.

According to family members, who spoke with our correspondent on Wednesday, the victims were released after a N10m ransom was paid.

A community leader in Emure, who spoke with one of the victims, said Shile was killed after being repeatedly raped, which left her unable to walk.

“The kidnappers made them walk for 24 hours nonstop without food or water. Shile, who had been raped several times, became too weak to continue and was subsequently killed by the kidnappers,” the community leader said.

The victims were abducted around 5:30 PM on Saturday near Oyimo River, along the Emure-Eporo Road.

The kidnappers shot and killed Taiwo Oluwole, who was driving the car transporting the victims to Akure after an event in Emure.

Sources revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded a N30m ransom around 8 PM on Sunday.

However, the families were able to raise N10m, which was delivered at a spot on the Owo-Ikare-Benin Road in Owo, Ondo State.

The captives were later released around 1:30 AM on Wednesday in Owo.

“Efforts are reportedly underway to locate Shile’s body and recover her remains”, said one of the family members.

The Secretary of Emure Progressives Association, Niyi Awopetu, confirmed the release of the victims, stating, “Two people were released at midnight, but a girl among them was killed. I learnt the kidnappers collected N10m ransom.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, did not respond to calls or messages from our correspondent seeking his reaction to the development.

According to Metro reported that some pupils and teachers of Apostolic Faith Children School were kidnapped at the same spot on January 29.

Five pupils, three female teachers and a driver of the school bus were kidnapped.

Mrs Atinuke, wife of a retiree, Albert Adanikin, was also kidnapped on July 13 around the same area.

Community lauds Ogun approval of road construction

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Community lauds Ogun approval of road construction

Residents of Magboro in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have expressed their joy over the state government’s approval to construct the community’s link road.

This is just as they urged the government to hasten the construction to alleviate the daily hardship they experience plying the road.

The residents who spoke with our correspondent on Monday expressed their optimism that the road if constructed, would also foster economic development in the area.

A motorist who identified himself simply as Osita appreciated the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, for approving the road construction.

He urged the government not to delay in kick-starting the construction as such had been the usual rhetoric concerning the road.

“This is a dream come true for us. The road has been in such a bad state for years. We are grateful for the government’s commitment to improving our lives. We hope that the construction will not linger too long to alleviate us of the daily hardship encountered on this road.

“We also hope that this will not be a lip promise as we have always had in the past with many unfulfilled promises,” he said.

A trader, Regina Omoh, lamented the deplorable state of the road which she claimed had adversely affected her business.

Regina added, “The current road condition has negatively impacted my business and many others in Magboro. The poor infrastructure has made it difficult for customers to reach local shops and businesses, leading to a decline in sales but I believe that the road construction will significantly improve access to this community and boost the local economy.”

Another resident who identified himself as Mrs Olopade said that she was happy about the approval as she commuted daily on the road before connecting to Lagos State.

“I am so excited to hear that the Ogun State Government has approved the construction of the Magboro Road. As someone who commutes to Lagos daily, this is such a huge relief. The road has been in a terrible state for years, making my journey stressful and time-consuming. I can’t wait to see the positive impact this project will have on our community. Thank you, Ogun State Government, for prioritising our needs and making our lives easier,” Olopade noted.

When contacted on the telephone, the Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsaya, said the state government was committed to the construction of the road as promised.

“The governor has already approved the reconstruction of the Magboro-Makogi Road. This information was made public last Thursday during the flag-off ceremony for rice harvesting at a farm in Magoki,” Akinsanya said.

Ondo hunter arrested for shooting rival having sex with girlfriend

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Ondo hunter arrested for shooting rival having sex with girlfriend

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man, Ajegba Joseph, for attempting to kill a rival whom he met at his girlfriend’s house at Ikun-Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, a hunter, allegedly shot the victim, who is also a hunter, in the leg while the latter was having sex with his girlfriend in the woman’s bedroom.

Parading the suspect and other suspects at the state headquarters of the command, in Akure on Wednesday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Abayomi Oladipupo, said Joseph allegedly committed the offence and was arrested last month.

He said, “A case of attempted murder was reported to the police. The victim went to his friend (a woman) who is a divorcee, in her house. One Ajegba Joseph, ‘m’, a hunter, aged 38 years, who is also having an affair with the woman, went to visit her on the same day in possession of an unlicensed single-barrel gun.

“However, upon sighting the victim with the woman in bed, the suspect shot the victim through the window side. The suspect was arrested and the barrel gun recovered with an expended cartridge, while the victim rescued by the police is currently recuperating at the hospital.”

Speaking on why he committed the offence, the suspect said he was disappointed and angered to see his colleague having sex with his girlfriend.

He said, “I went out hunting after I had taken some bottles of beer, but I ran out of cartridges. I wanted to return to the house of my girlfriend to sleep there. When I got there, I saw the door locked. I now went to the window and I opened it and saw a co-hunter sleeping with my girlfriend. That was why I shot the gun in my hand.”

The police boss also paraded a 17-year-old Philip Emmanuel, who was allegedly involved in the killing of a businesswoman, Mrs Deborah Adene, at her residence, in Akure in July. According to the CP, the suspect is one of the employees of the deceased.

Oladipupo stated, “On the afternoon of July 28, 2024, officers at the Oda Division Police Headquarters received an unsettling report. A foul odour had been noticed coming from the apartment of Mrs Adene Iyabode Deborah, a well-known caterer who had not been seen in days. Officers rushed to the scene, where they discovered a grim sight —the mutilated body of Mrs Deborah on her bed. Nearby, a blood-stained machete and a mobile phone hinted at the violence that had taken place.

“This tragic incident was quickly escalated to the State Criminal Investigation Department. Through painstaking investigative work and technical intelligence, our officers arrested 17-year-old Philip Emmanuel, a trusted employee of the deceased. In a shocking confession, Emmanuel revealed that he had conspired with Mrs Deborah’s driver to kill her. The driver, eager to start a “Yahoo” business, suggested they steal her ATM card, having overheard that a large sum of money would be deposited into her account.

“On July 25, 2024, Emmanuel and the driver carried out their horrific plan. After lurking around till the unsuspecting woman fell asleep, they brutally attacked her, stole her ATM card, and withdrew a total of N60,000. The driver remains at large, and efforts to apprehend him are ongoing.”

The CP said all the suspects would be charged in court as soon as the investigation was completed.

Police raid Delta drug hideout, arrest 40 dealers

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Police raid Delta drug hideout, arrest 40 dealers

The Delta State Police Command has arrested 40 drug dealers at the popular Swees Spirit Hotel junction in Asaba, Delta State capital.

According to Metro gathered that the police, in collaboration with other security stakeholders conducted an operation along the Asaba/Okpanam Road, near the Midwifery market on Tuesday night.

It was learnt that the operation was initiated following credible intelligence regarding a criminal hideout where illicit drug activities were rampant, causing significant distress and harm to society.

“During the operation, which was executed with precision and diligence, 40 individuals were arrested for their involvement in the illegal drug trade.

“The suspects, in a desperate attempt to evade arrest, resorted to fleeing into the storm drainage along the Okpanam Road, the swift and coordinated efforts of the police ensured their apprehension,” a security source told our correspondent.

The source said the operation would serve as a clear message to all that the security apparatus was committed to eradicating the menace of hard drug peddling and other criminal activities in the state

He said the raid would be a strong deterrent to those who believe that engaging in such illegal activities was business as usual adding that government would continue to take decisive actions to ensure the safety and well-being of all Deltans.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, on Wednesday, confirmed the arrests.

He said, “Yes, it is true. We raided the area last night and arrested 40 suspects, though, yet to make it official but planning to issue a press release to that effect.”

Gunmen kill two guards, cop, raze Imo police station

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Gunmen kill two guards, cop, raze Imo police station

In two separate attacks, gunmen, on Tuesday night and in the wee hours of Wednesday, killed two vigilante members guarding Isiala Mbano Local Government Area headquarters, and a policeman after setting ablaze the Obowo Police Station in Imo State.

According to Metro gathered on Wednesday that the gunmen also burnt some vehicles parked at the council premises.

Our correspondent gathered from an eyewitness who spoke on the condition of anonymity that the “gunmen stormed the secretariat around 8:30 pm on Tuesday and shot sporadically, killing two vigilante members on duty and setting part of the council building on fire.”

Confirming the incident, another eyewitness who spoke to According to Metro said, “Two security men at the Isiala Mbano council headquarters have been shot dead. The gunmen also set ablaze a larger portion of the council building and several vehicles parked on the premises. Many others escaped with various degrees of injuries.”

“There was palpable fear in Umuelemai, the Isiala Mbano LGA headquarters, because people ran away to neighbouring villages for fear of being killed.”

In the early Wednesday attack, the gunmen razed the Obowo Police Station and killed an unnamed police officer by the NEPA Junction, Umulogho, Obowo Local Government Area.

According to Metro gathered that the gunmen dragged the police officer out of his residence and killed him with a machete, subsequently cutting his throat and wrist.

An eyewitness, who pleaded with our correspondent to remain unnamed, said, “The gunmen were not in a haste to leave as they made sure that no police officer was found living in that compound. They left after about 45 minutes of their unhindered operation, shooting sporadically to scare away residents.”

When contacted on Wednesday, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, said the perpetrators of the heinous crimes would be apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law. He said the command’s tactical team had been deployed to the areas to assure residents of protection of lives and property.

He said, “We are in pursuit of the perpetrators of the heinous crimes. They would be apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law soon.”

Reacting to the multiple attacks, a human rights advocate, Nnaemeka Onyejiuwa of the Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights, said, “These are attacks too many. The government at all levels and the Imo State Police Command should beef up security towards the protection of lives and property in the state.

“It’s a dangerous trend that non-state actors are causing panic in the state when we have joint security operatives in the state. For Imo residents to witness two attacks at the same time and they were not repelled sends dangerous signals.”

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