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Police investigate body of FCT discover cross-dresser dumped by roadside

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The Federal Capital Territory Police Command said it had begun an investigation into the corpse of a yet-to-be-identified crossdresser discovered on a road in Abuja.

This was made known by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, in a statement.

According to her, the command received a call on Thursday about a woman’s corpse found along the Katampe-Mabushi Expressway and subsequently dispatched detectives to the scene.

Adeh said, “We received a distress call reporting a corpse found on the Katampe-Mabushi Expressway. Detectives dispatched to the scene discovered the individual was a man dressed in female clothing with no identification.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the individual was a man fully dressed in female clothing with no means of identification on him. He was immediately taken to the Maitama District Hospital where doctors on duty confirmed him dead.“

She added, “The Commissioner of Police FCT, Benneth Igweh, has promptly ordered a discreet investigation to find out the circumstances surrounding his death. Updates on this matter will be communicated in due course.”

Users on X.com have been reacting to the picture of the deceased whose body was lying on the floor with blood stains on his face. They called on the police to expedite action and bring the perpetrators to justice.

A handbag and other personal items were found beside the corpse according to pictures posted by the police.

“Kai!!! How can people be this wicked?” a user, @Omowumi_Ewatee wrote.

“Taking (the) law into your hand because you don’t like another person’s sexual orientation is the worst form of inhumanity,” @ifijehmartins said.

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Brume, others miss out on women’s long jump medal

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Heartbreak continued for Nigeria at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Thursday as Ese Brume, Ruth Usoro, and Prestina Ochonogor missed out on the podium in the women’s long jump event.

Brume, who won bronze at Tokyo 2020, leapt 6.70m to finish 5th in the final, while Ruth Usoro and Ochonogor were 10th and 12th with jumps of 6.58m and 6.24m, respectively.

Tara Davis-Woodhall of the United States claimed the gold with a jump of 7.10 m, Germany’s Malaika Mihambo jumped 6.98 to bag the silver, and Jasmine Moore of the US jumped a distance of 6.96 to claim the bronze.

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Network awards $5m for AI health solutions

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The Grand Challenges Network has awarded $5m to 50 recipients to develop health solutions leveraging artificial intelligence.

According to a statement, the GCN launched an AI funding call to promote equitable and responsible AI use as emerging technologies, including machine learning and quantum computing, are transforming the world at an unprecedented pace.

The GCN said the initiative builds on the success of an earlier global cohort of AI innovators supported by the Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges program.

The collaborative effort involved partners from across Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Americas, including Grand Challenges Africa, supported by the Science for Africa Foundation, Grand Challenges Brazil, supported by Brazil’s Ministry of Health and Grand Challenges Canada, supported by the Government of Canada.

Also, Grand Challenges Ethiopia is supported by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and the Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Grand Challenges India is supported by the Indian government and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistant Council, and Grand Challenges Senegal is supported by Institut Pasteur de Dakar.

Others were Grand Challenges South Africa supported by the South African Medical Research Council and the Department of Science and Innovation and Global partners, including the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation and the Pasteur Network.

According to the GCN, the funded AI-driven projects cover areas, including clinical decision support, health systems strengthening, health communications, patient journeys, support for frontline workers, public health and policy-making, clinical trials, diagnostics, and population health.

“These innovations aim to improve healthcare accessibility, empower individuals in managing their health, foster research and innovation, and address unique healthcare challenges in LMICs,” the statement read.

The President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council, Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, noted the need to support local innovators who understand the unique needs of their communities as a path to realise the full potential of AI.

“This initiative will enable them to use new approaches like Large Language Models (LLMs) to drive significant improvements in health outcomes,” Ntusi said.

Further, the Secretary of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Health Complex of Brazil’s Ministry of Health, Carlos Gadelha explained that the initiative displayed the value of global cooperation and locally led innovation as “AI can help develop life-saving solutions that will benefit health systems in Brazil and beyond.”

The President of the Gates Foundation’s Global Health Division, Trevor Mundel, supported the initiative and urged harnessing the skills and insights of innovators who deeply understand their community’s challenges as crucial for AI to be a powerful tool for good.

Amusan returns for 100m hurdles semis

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World record holder in the 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, will be back on the tracks at the Stade de France on Friday (today) for the semi-finals of the event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, The According reports.

Amusan cruised into the semi-finals on Wednesday, running a time of 12.49s to beat USA’s Alaysha Johnson, who was second in 12.61s and Janeek Brown third in 12.84s.

The Nigerian will line up against reigning world champion Danielle Williams, USA’s Grace Stark, Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas as well as four others in the first of three semi-finals.

The first two in each race will automatically qualify for Saturday’s final, while the two fastest non-automatic qualifiers will also join them.

The 27-year-old produced the second-fastest time in the heats, behind Olympic champion and Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, who ran 12.42s.

Amusan was in high spirits after perfectly exciting her first-round race.

“The first time I came as an Olympian, I was like 18/19; the second time, I think I was a little bit experienced, and I didn’t get on the podium. This time I think, it’s my season,” said Amusan, who has now qualified for three consecutive semifinals at the Olympics.

The world record carries the weight of Nigeria’s medal hopes on her shoulder after near misses in some track events and wrestling.

She has been in great form in the run-up to the sports fiesta, running a season’s best and then world lead of 12.40s (0.9) at the Jamaican Athletics Invitational in Kingston in May.

Before then, she had set the African 60m hurdles indoor record twice in January and February.

In March, she won her third consecutive African Games title in Ghana, plus anchoring the women’s 4x100m to gold in Accra as well as the African Championships in Cameroon three months later.

Amusan, a three-time (consecutive) Diamond League winner, two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, two-time African champion, and three-time African Games gold medallist, has participated in two Olympic Games (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020).

More bodies recovered from Niger mining pit – Village head

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Four more bodies have been recovered from the collapsed mining pit in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The Village Head of Galadima-Kogo, where the incident happened on June 14, Alhaji Umaru Aliyu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday.

Aliyu said four bodies, believed to be the last of the 14 trapped miners, were recovered on Wednesday.

NAN reports that about 14 miners were trapped when the mining pit collapsed on June 14.  Ten victims were earlier brought out dead while a search continued for the rest.

It was learnt that several persons also sustained various forms of injury in the tragic incident.

The village head said the Muslims among the recovered bodies were being prepared for burial while the body of one of the Christians was taken to the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna mortuary.

Aliyu said, “The bodies of the remaining four miners that were trapped inside the pit have been recovered and their bodies have been deposited in the mortuary in Minna.

“They were two Muslims and two Christians. One of the Christian victims was from Nasarawa State while the other was from Zumba (Shiroro LG).

“The one from Nasarawa; his family has demanded that his body be taken to Nasarawa for burial, while the remaining Christian and the two Muslims will be buried in Minna on Friday,” he said.

Aliyu disclosed that the bodies were recovered through the collaboration between the community and members of staff of African Minerals and Logistics Ltd.

The According reported on Monday that families of the victims are demanding compensation, saying they might resort to legal action.

A relation of one of the dead miners, Suleiman Isah, told The According that 14 miners were buried in the pit out of which nine corpses had been retrieved and buried while the remaining five had yet to be recovered.

“This accident affected one of my brothers. I will just say my blood brother. He was one of my blood brothers. For now, they have already buried nine people and we are still expecting five people from the pit. We have not heard anything from either the company or the state government.

“The day before yesterday was exactly two months since the incident happened in Niger and we have neither heard from the state government nor the company that owns the mining pit.

“We expect them to pay compensation, that is what they should do. We are hearing from some people that the company is going to do something but they are trying to remove those corpses that are remaining in the pit,” Isah said.

Woman accuses police of shooting son, command says looting aborted

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The Borno State Police Command said it prevented hoodlums who hijacked the #endbadgovernance protest in Maiduguri from looting and vandalising private businesses during the August 1  protests which led to the death of four persons and left 34 others injured.

However, while the Borno Police gives its officers the thumbs up for a job well done, Hadjia Halima Ali, the mother of Habilu Ali has accused the Police of indiscriminately shooting at innocent citizens; the result which is the fatal shooting of her son who is currently recuperating at the state specialist hospital where other victims are also receiving free medical treatment.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, had narrated to Arewa According during an interactive session on Thursday in Maiduguri how the police in the state botched the attempts of hoodlums to loot and vandalise private homes, businesses and other properties.

According to him, security operatives tried to prevent the destruction of public facilities, but the high number of violent protesters destroyed several properties worth millions of naira belonging to the state government

He said “The properties destroyed included the Crossover bridge in Bulumkutu road, flower vessels from Malakachala round-about down to Airport Roundabout downward,  street lights on Lagos street, vandalisation of interlock from Gwange down to UMTH Junction”

The PPRO continued, “They destroyed four vehicles belonging to BOTMA in Mechanical Quarters and ransacked the office, they also looted properties from the office of  UNHR and attempted to break into warehouses; a move which was foiled by proactive measures of the police.”

Daso said he witnessed private vehicles and tricycles of non-protesters, which were on the verge of being destroyed by the hoodlums, but the attempt was thwarted by the physical presence of security operatives.

Speaking also on how the Police saved private homes, houses and businesses from being looted and the properties vandalised, he said, “As of now, we haven’t heard of any private store or shop which was completely ransacked, although, there were attempts. However because the state was in chaos, many people left their businesses. As I mentioned earlier the proactive measures of the police who were very much on the ground, prevented such attacks.”

Corroborating the Police, a resident of Maiduguri, Mohamed Abba said it was Allah and the effort of the Police that helped him as he would have become financially ruined because his shop was located in the Bulumkutu area where the protest escalated.

Abba narrated to Arewa According, “Walahi, I was at home praying that what was happening in other places as regards looting should not happen here because if it did, where will I start from? He queried.

“I have a kiosk here in Bulumkutu. All thanks to Allah and the Nigeria Police,” a visibly elated Abba said.

Meanwhile, Arewa According had reported that the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum had visited the state specialist hospital where the victims are receiving free medical treatment and are also being with the sum of N30,000 each.

However, Halima Ali, the mother of Habilu Ali, one of the Victims disclosed to Arewa According  that his son who is still receiving treatment was shot by the Nigeria Police Force, even though the state Commissioner of Police, Yusuf Lawal had attributed the shootings to  Boko Haram elements.

How military recovered Kebbi villages from bandits, says gov

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Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, on Thursday, praised the Nigerian military for achieving remarkable success in his state against bandits.

Speaking when he received the acting  General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Sokoto, Brig. Gen. Ibikunle Ademola-Ajose, at the Government House in Kebbi, Governor Idris said when he first came into office, many areas in the state were under the control of bandits, who had chased away the villagers.

According to him, the situation has now remarkably improved after military efforts.

He said, “On the issue of security in Kebbi State, it is a well-known fact that the military has made us proud. We have no cause whatsoever not to thank the officers and the men.

“When I came as a governor, people had abandoned their towns and villages, abandoned their farmlands because of fear of banditry, especially in the southern part of Kebbi State.

“And everybody knows that Kebbi is an agrarian state, especially its southern part, where we produce so many cash crops. We sat down with the security agencies and put everything on the table, we X-rayed and arrived at a conclusion and this yielded positive results and because of your efforts, many people now go back to their farms.”

The governor urged the military not to relent, promising the continued cooperation of his administration.

“I charge you to continue with the efforts to enable people to sleep in their houses with their two eyes closed and go to their farms without any fear of bandits.

“Brig. Gen. Sani Ahmed has done well; we have to say it. We cannot count the number of times we didn’t allow him to rest until the problem of insecurity was solved. Therefore, we have not regretted working with him,” Idris said.

He advised the new acting GOC to build on the legacies of his predecessor, who, according to him, discharged his constitutional duties diligently.

Earlier, the new acting GOC, Brig. Gen. Ademola-Ajose, described his visit as nostalgic and homecoming, “because two decades ago, I was in Kebbi, I served in 1 Battalion as a captain. Therefore, coming back home is very heartwarming.”

“I am here to introduce myself as the new GOC 8 Division. I must sincerely appreciate His Excellency and the people of Kebbi for the support given to the military, especially for the support in the fight against criminals,” the GOC said.

Anyanacho begins quest in Taekwondo

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Nigerian taekwondo star Elizabeth Anyanacho will commence her quest for Olympic glory in the women’s 67kg category on Friday, August 9, against China’s Song Jie in the round of 16 at the Paris 2024 Olympics, According Sports Extra reports.

Anyanacho, who has claimed gold medals at both the African Games and the Luxembourg Open held earlier this year, enters the competition with confidence, having built momentum from her recent successes in the pre-Olympic tournaments.This marks her second Olympic appearance, making history as the first Nigerian female taekwondo athlete to compete in two Olympic Games.

Her Chinese opponent, who is also 25- years -old, boasts a strong track record, including a bronze medal at the 2023 World Taekwondo Championships.

The encounter at the Grand Palais in Paris is expected to be highly competitive, as both fighters have demonstrated exceptional skills and determination in their careers.

Anyanacho’s journey to Paris has been marked by rigorous training and preparation, including an intensive camp in Germany, where she has been honing her techniques under the watchful eyes of her coach.

“The preparation for the Games has been intense, but I am ready to do my best in Paris,” Anyanacho told According Sports Extra ahead of the event.

Song Jie is known for her agility and tactical prowess, which she displayed in her recent international outings.

As the two athletes step onto the mat, the bout promises to be a test of endurance, strategy, and skill.

Anyanacho’s performance in this bout will be crucial not only for her personal aspirations but also for Nigeria’s chances of securing a medal in taekwondo at the Paris Games, with the country yet to win a medal in the competition since Beijing 2008 through Chika Chukwumerije, a bronze medal.

With the hopes of millions of Nigerians resting on her shoulders, Anyanacho is determined to make a significant impact and improve on her Tokyo 2020 performance, where she narrowly missed out on the medal rounds.

The outcome of her match against Jie could set the tone for what could be a historic campaign for the Nigerian taekwondoist in Paris 2024.

Woman arraigned for allegedly stealing N100m from employer

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A 32-year-old woman, Nnoma Nze, accused of stealing N100m, from her employer, was on Thursday arraigned before the Ebute-Metta Magistrate Court in Lagos State.

Nze is facing three counts bordering on conspiracy, fraud, and stealing, brought by the police, against her.

The alleged crime occurred over a span of nearly a decade, from 2015 to 2024, at the Onilekere Cement area in Lagos State.

According to the prosecution, Nze allegedly conspired with others, who are currently at large, to defraud her employer, Chidinma Peace, of the sum of N100m.

The charge sheet stated that the offences committed contravened  Sections 411, 314(1)(a)(b)(2)(3), 280, and 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Laws of 2015.

Nze, who was arraigned before Magistrate Waliu Salami, who presided over the case, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In granting bail, Salami said, “The defendant is granted bail in the sum of N1m, with two sureties in like sum.

“The sureties must provide proof of livelihood and evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State government.”

He further emphasised that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant, and added, “The addresses of the sureties must be verified by the court.”

The case was adjourned until September 18, 2024, for further mention.

Police hunt abductors of Rivers pastor, three others during service

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The Rivers State Police Command has indicated its determination to apprehend the abductors of the host pastor of Light Intercessors Church, Oyigbo, Pastor Kingsley Anosike, after he and three other ministers abducted in the Oyigbo in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State regained their freedom on Wednesday night.

The three ministers were said to be attached to a guest speaker, Bishop Moses Uzodinma, who was attending a programme.

In her confirmation of the release of the pastor and the three ministers on Thursday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, told our correspondent that an investigation was ongoing to apprehend the gunmen.

“I can confirm the release of the pastor and others who were kidnapped. But an investigation is ongoing to ensure that we apprehend those behind the kidnap to make them face justice,” she stated.

According Metro gathered that gunmen dressed in military camouflage on Friday night invaded a new generation church located in Oyigbo, shot sporadically and whisked away the clerics to an unknown destination.

The shooting was said to have lasted for 20 minutes with the worshippers scampering for safety.

A member of the church who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter told our correspondent that the abductors released them on Wednesday.

He stated, “The Pastor and the three ministers who came with the Bishop were all released the same time at a location.”

Asked if any ransom was paid before they were allowed to breathe the air of freedom, he said, “I don’t know and I don’t have that information.”

The source however said the target of the gunmen was one Bishop Uzodinma, the Presiding Pastor of Endtime Fire Intercessory Ministries, who was the guest minister at the church programme.

He said the gunmen shot directly at the Bishop, who was preaching at the time of their arrival but he was unhurt and escaped to their astonishment.

Angry with the development, the gunmen, he said, kidnapped the host pastor, Anosike and three ministers in the entourage of their main target.

He also said that one of the church workers was hit by a bullet in his leg and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The abductors, he said, later demanded an N100m ransom, though it could not be ascertained if any ransom was paid before they were released.