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Ondo PDP vows to resist intimidation ahead of gov poll

Politics

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September 16, 2024

Ondo PDP vows to resist intimidation ahead of gov poll

The Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has vowed to resist any act of intimidation in the November 16 governorship election, adding that it had discovered plans to harass the opposition party.

The opposition party declared that the people of the state were waiting for it which indicated that the PDP would win the forthcoming governorship poll despite any possible harassment.

The candidate of the party in the election, Mr Agboola Ajayi, stated this at a PDP youth programme on Monday in Akure, the state capital.

He said, “We have seen signal; we have seen their plans but we are not scared of any intimidation. People will go out and vote; we are not scared of anybody once the youth conduct themselves in a civilised manner. You can’t take away their right to cast their votes for whoever they want to vote for.

“I have advised them that they must not allow any reflection to frustrate them and they must conquer poverty through their votes. When they do that, the chains of poverty will be cut off. We are prepared for them; we are ready for them. We will resist any act of intimidation.”

According to him, the youth were already irritated by what was happening in the country, adding that their anger was already built up and they are ready for positive change through their votes.

“People are waiting for the PDP. We will support the youth. Don’t be intimidated; the state belongs to all of us. Vote and defend your votes,” he assured them,” Ajayi charged.

Speaking, the Director General of the PDP Campaign Council in the Ondo State Governorship Election, Dr Eddy Olafeso, said that the PDP was committed to ensuring that all the structures of the party across the state were brought to awareness and commitment towards the November 16 election.

“Our party is back better; no matter what anybody is saying. You can see the cohesion and the steadiness with which we are approaching the campaign. Soon, we will be visiting all units, and wards in the 18 local government areas of the state.

“Our message is simple: Nigerians should expect that hope is on the way. The poverty we are all going through has been self-inflicted on Nigerians by the APC government for the past nine years. It’s going from bad to worse.

“People can no longer pay school fees, people are dropping out of schools and businesses are not thriving. Even the palliative given by the president is stolen in Ondo State. Nobody is seeing anything. Over N100 billion received as allocation by the state has not been able to do anything by the government,” Olafeso stated

In his remarks, the state PDP Youth Leader, Daudu Babatunde, commended the state campaign council and caretaker committee of PDP for the avenue to re-awake youths of the party towards the forthcoming poll. He added that the election would provide a platform for the people of the state to send APC-led government packing.

“We are ready to silence the APC government through a voting protest on November 16. We want to put smiles on the masses so that our sun can shine again. Youths should be united to restore the glory of the state,” he said.

Gunmen attack Anambra police station, kill two operatives

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September 16, 2024

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Gunmen attack Anambra police station, kill two operatives

Some yet-to-be-identified assailants on Monday attacked the Umunze Police Station in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Some sources and residents in the area said the assailants stormed the police facility in the early hours of Monday, shooting severally into the air before forcefully gaining entrance into the premises.

According to the sources, during the attack, some police officers were shot dead as the assailants caught them unawares while some parts of the premises were set ablaze using improvised explosive devices.

One of the eyewitnesses said, “The masked hoodlums shot severally into the air as they marched towards the gate of the police premises. It happened early this morning and it was the gunshots that woke the neighbourhood and sent panic into the area.

“They shot and injured some police officers as they forcefully entered the premises. The incident happened within a short space of time, they burnt some parts of the building and were about to cause more mayhem before the attack was repelled in an exchange of gunfire by the officers on duty, after which the hoodlums escaped back into their hideouts.”

The latest attack is coming less than a month after some gunmen attacked the Oba Police Divisional Headquarters and Oba Civic Centre, in Idemili South LGA of the state, during which a police corporal was killed and several others injured. The facility was also set ablaze.

The Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the police have launched a manhunt on the fleeing assailants.

Ikenga said, “The Joint Security Forces comprising of the Police, Army, Navy, Civil defence and other security agencies recovered five unexploded improvised explosives and are on the trail of the arsonists and armed secessionist group members, who in the early hours of today 16/9/2024 attacked the Umunze Police Station.

“The suspected armed proscribe group invaded the police facility with improvised explosives, shooting sporadically and fire caught part of the station.

“Unfortunately, two of the police operatives on duty during the gun battle in a bid to resist the assailants from causing more havoc paid the supreme price. Their bodies have been recovered and taken to the morgue.”

He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Nnaghe Itam, had visited the scene, for an on-the-spot assessment to reinforce and reassess security deployment.

“The CP calls on anyone who has any information that will aid the investigation to come forward. He also assures utmost confidentiality to any such information in this regard, please,” Ikenga added.

NSCDC arrests operator of Abia baby factory

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September 16, 2024

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NSCDC arrests operator of Abia baby factory

The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, has arrested a 64-year-old man, Mr. Nnanna Michael, a native of Obinkita Arochukwu, in connection with the operation of illegal baby factories and child trafficking in Aba, Abia State.

During the operation which took place on Saturday, at Abanafo Street, Ariaria, two women identified as Doris Nelson, 23, from Gombe State and Ugochukwu Winner, 21, from Isinweke, lhitte Uboma in Imo State, were rescued from Michael’s residence, following credible intelligence provided to the command.

Investigation revealed that Nelson, who gave birth on Monday, September 9, 2024, sold her baby the following day to a yet-to-be-identified buyer, while Winner is currently seven months pregnant and was being held under similar circumstances.

The state Commandant, Usman Alfadarai, while briefing and parading the suspect before newsmen, said, “In his confessional statement, Michael, a father of four and a former worker at a motherless home, admitted to harbouring pregnant women, taking care of them until delivery, and then selling their babies.

“Michael revealed that Doris Nelson was introduced to him by a contact from Abuja named Miracle, who brought her to his residence in Aba. After giving birth to a baby girl, Michael sold the baby for N1.1 million, promising Doris N500,000, of which she had already received N100,000.

“Further investigations revealed that Winner was introduced to Michael by Evangelist First Samuel, who resides in Aba but is now at large. The agreement was for Michael to purchase the baby after delivery and sell it to his potential buyers.

“Preliminary investigations further reveal that Michael has been in this illicit business for a long time, where he has been leveraging on his contacts from his previous work experience at a motherless home to find both buyers and sellers. Michael admitted to selling one baby last year and two babies this year before his arrest”.

Upon the conclusion of our investigation, Al-Fadarai said, the case will be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, which is statutorily empowered to prosecute these offences, adding that the court will determine further course of action. According to him. Michael is living in a rented apartment and the landlord claimed ignorant of what Michael was doing and even cooperated with the agency in the exercise.

“On this note, we would like to make it very clear, that the NSCDC Abia State Command is committed to uncovering all individuals involved in this syndicated operation and we will continue to pursue Mr. Michael’s accomplices as we remain resolute in bringing all the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice and ensuring we put an end to such practices”, he said.
He called on parents to take responsibility for the proper upbringing of their children, as this case showcases the failure of some families in safeguarding their children from such criminal elements.

“We equally urge members of the general public to be vigilant and provide us with credible intelligence of any suspicious activities within their surroundings”, he urged Abians.

Confessing to the crime, Michael Nnanna, a pool agent said, “I was keeping some girls in my house for their health and one is pregnant, so that after the birth, I will sell the baby. I have regretted this as it is not a good job to do.”

He confirmed all statements by the Commandant.

According to Miss Doris Nelson (23 years) from Gombe state, who said she lives in Abuja as a Baker, “When I was pregnant, I went to someone who directed me to Aba”, stating that her parents do not know about her pregnancy, while Miss Ugochukwu Winner, 21, from Isinweke, lhitte Uboma in Imo State, who said she lives at Ariaria Junction, Aba, said the mother of her classmate linked her up with the suspect.

All suspects claimed regret in the matter.

Zulum begins distribution of relief to Borno flood victims

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September 16, 2024

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Zulum begins distribution of relief to Borno flood victims

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has initiated the distribution of relief materials to victims of the devastating floods in Maiduguri, who are now sheltering in around 36 camps.

The floods, caused by the overflow of the Alau Dam, displaced nearly 2 million people across the Maiduguri metropolis and surrounding areas.

The distribution, which kicked off on Monday at Bakasi camp along Damboa Road in Maiduguri, includes essential items such as a 25kg bag of rice, a carton of pasta, and N10,000 in cash.

Addressing journalists, Zulum expressed concern that people not directly affected by the floods are entering the IDP camps, complicating the relief operations.

He noted, “We observed that it is no more sustainable to continue receiving people in the camps because many people that were not affected are tripping to the camps.”

The governor also announced plans for a comprehensive assessment of affected areas to guide future relief efforts. “So we decided to mobilise the resources and ensure that each affected victim had the relief items,

“We have also concluded arrangements that we shall do the assessment at the communities to verify the actual number of those that were affected, “he said.

Senator Kaka Lawan, representing Borno Central, praised the governor for his proactive leadership.

“Let me commend the governor for providing leadership since the flooding started; he was out with his entire team trying to carry out search and rescue and assisting his people. I also joined His Excellency in commending our donors and urging others to complement the government in assisting victims,” Lawan stated.

Supports, donations

In a separate development, the UAE donated 50 tonnes of humanitarian aid to support flood victims in Nigeria.

The National Emergency Management Agency, Director General, Zubaida Umar, highlighted her agency’s ongoing efforts, which include providing shelters and mobile water purifiers to ensure clean drinking water for those affected.

The Federal Government has also announced plans to upgrade the Alau Dam in Maiduguri to mitigate future flood risks.

Governor Zulum further acknowledged the receipt of food donations from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, NEMA, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to support those impacted by the disaster.

The event was attended by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, as well as members of the House of Representatives and the Borno State Executive Council.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government opened IDP camps as 70 per cent of Maiduguri remains submerged following the collapse of the Alau Dam.

Thousands of residents have been displaced, while the Nigerian Correctional Service has recaptured three inmates following a jailbreak, with 281 reported missing.

Additionally, 80 per cent of the animals at the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo perished as Borno State experienced its most severe flooding in 30 years.

Zulum begins distribution of relief to Borno flood victims

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