The Ebonyi Police Command has confirmed the abduction of 11 travellers by armed bandits.
The Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, stated that the Command is actively working to address the situation, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, was collaborating with her Enugu State counterpart, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, to combat the surge in kidnappings along the stretch of the highway.
The victims include students from tertiary institutions in the state traveling in a commercial bus from Awka, Anambra State to Abakaliki, the state capital.
The abduction, which reportedly occurred on Wednesday, occurred when the hoodlums intercepted the bus at the Amechi-Idodo area in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu.
Ebonyi Police Command confirms abduction of 11 travellers
Ebonyi Police Command confirms abduction of 11 travellers
Russian artillery fire kills two women in Ukraine
At least two women were killed and several others injured by Russian artillery fire that travelled across the Dnipro River and hit a village in southern Ukraine.
One of the injured persons is a doctor.
The military governor of the Kherson region, Olexander Prokudin, disclosed this on Telegram Friday.
He said Russian troops fired 40 shells from a rocket artillery launcher at the village of Biloserka on the north bank of the Dnipro during the night.
Meanwhile, around 60 houses were damaged in the attack.
One woman was killed in her house while the body of a second woman was discovered under the rubble.
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Obasanjo congratulates Rwandan President, Kagame on re-election
Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has described the re-election of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda as an affirmation of trust and confidence reposed in him.
Obasanjo made this disclosure in a congratulatory message released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, to newsmen on Friday.
In the congratulatory letter, the former Chairman of the African Union (AU) congratulated and rejoiced with the re-elected Rwandan President for securing the new mandate of the people to lead the country for another term.
The letter, signed by Obasanjo, reads: “I have just received the happy news of Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the Presidential election that was held in your country on July 15, 2024. Permit me to congratulate and rejoice with you on your securing the mandate of your people to lead the country for another term.
“Your Excellency’s re-election is, no doubt, an affirmation of the trust and confidence, which the generality of your countrymen repose in your ability to continue to steer the ship of State aright through your vision and leadership qualities, which, no doubt, will further strengthen the peace, security and prosperity of your country.
“While praying for Your Excellency’s continued good health to enable you consolidate and build upon the good results so far achieved, please accept, Mr. President and Dear Brother, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Obasanjo congratulates Rwandan President, Kagame on re-election
Anambra govt shuts 30 health facilities
The Anambra State government has shut down over 30 health facilities run by quacks in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, stated this on Friday at the 2024 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State Chapter.
He said the government set up the State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency to fight quackery and eradicate illegal medical services in the state.
He said: “The issue of quackery is a major concern in the government and we are doing all we can to eliminate it.
“So far, we have closed down over 30 health facilities in the state and we discovered that the owners and operators of these hospitals are not even medical doctors.
“These quacks were making so much money because they do not have conscience. They were carrying out surgeries and toying with the health and lives of our people.
“We are appealing to the NMA to partner with the state government to eliminate quackery in the health sector to save people from untimely death and improve their life expectancy.”
The commissioner said the state government was committed to improving healthcare delivery in the state.
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Russia targeted US journalist, Gershkovich with 16 years imprisonment – Biden
United States President, joe Biden, has accused the Russian Government of targeting American journalist, Evan Gershkovich.
Biden said the Russian Government targeted Gershkovich because he’s an American.
He was reacting to the 16 years jail term handed to Gershkovich by a Russian court.
A Russian court had found Gershkovich guilty of espionage and sentenced him to 16 years in a high-security penal colony.
This was after a secretive trial decried as a “sham” by his employer, his family and the White House.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter was first arrested last March while on a reporting trip in the city of Yekaterinburg, about 1,600km (1,000 miles) east of Moscow, by security services.
Prosecutors accused him of working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), accusations that Gershkovich, the WSJ and the US vociferously deny.
It marks the first conviction of a US journalist for espionage in Russia since the Cold War ended more than 30 years ago.
Reacting, Biden posted on X: “Today, Evan Gershkovich received a sentence of 16 years in a Russian prison, despite having committed no crime.
“I will not mince words: he was targeted by the Russian government because he is a journalist and an American.”
Russia targeted US journalist, Gershkovich with 16 years imprisonment – Biden
Crime rate reducing in Nigeria, IGP boasts as Tinubu meets security chiefs
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has said the rate of crime in the country is reducing.
He said this on Friday following a routine security meeting held at the Presidential Villa Abuja, where all the Service Chiefs brief the President on security situation in the country.
According to Egbetokun, the security personnel will continue to deploy synergy to ensure they maintain the tempo so far.
Asked about the outcome of the meeting with the President, the IGP said, “It is a routine security meeting we had with Mr President where we had the opportunity of giving him security briefs, this we have been doing regularly.
“Mr President is satisfied with our report, he has challenged us to continue to work together and improve our synergy.
“As Inspector General of Police, we have records of all reported crimes across the country and I can tell you that crime rate is declining in Nigeria. Records don’t lie the records are there so I can assure you that we will continue to do what we are doing to maintain the decline in the crime rate.”
Corroborating the Police IG, the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa said they have been handed a mandate to restore full oil production benchmark of 2.1m bpd and are bent on achieving the target.
He said Nigeria relies on the revenue generated from oil, hence they cannot afford to back down on securing oil installations in the country.
“Nigeria relies a lot on what we produce and it’s mandate is for us to restore full produce ,we are targeting 2.1m bpd which is achievable so we are taking steps to ensure that all that is required to be done is done.
“The President is aware of the ills and cries of the communities and he is not going to let them down, the communities should be rest assured that steps are going to be taken to address their grievances so that productions will continue.
“For the criminals, those that are hell bent on stealing our infrastructure, stealing our crude for whatever reasons their days are numbered they should be rest assured that we are coming after them and we want to assure Nigerians that we all need to put our hands together to achieve this success.
“Nobody can do it alone – no single service, no single individual can do this alone. We all need to work together including the states. we understand that the communities are doing so much the President will address those issues to ensure that we have full production.”
Crime rate reducing in Nigeria, IGP boasts as Tinubu meets security chiefs
Reps warn against lopsided recruitment in varsities
The House of Representatives Committee on University Education on Friday warned against lopsided recruitment in the country’s universities.
The chairman of the committee, Abubakar Fulata, gave the warning in a statement in Abuja after the committee’s visit to the Federal University of Technology, Minna, in Niger State.
The committee had recently visited some federal universities including University of Abuja and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Abuja.
The lawmakers also visited the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi and University of Ilorin, Kwara.
The chairman decried a situation where the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellors, and Registrar would come from the same state in a federal university.
He said flagrant disobedience to federal character principle would no longer be accepted by the authorities.
Fulata said: “The Constitution of Nigeria is very clear on the percentage to be recruited which is between 2.5 to 3 percent.
“But giving one state about 65 to 70 percent of the entire workforce, both teaching and non-teaching staff, is a clear violation of the federal character principles and the constitution of the country.”
He also warned against spending without appropriation in the universities.
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One killed, 8 injured in Israel explosion
One person was killed and eight others were injured in an explosion near the United States in Tel Aviv early on Friday.
The Israeli rescue service, Magen David Adom, confirmed the incident on X platform.
The injured have been taken to hospital while surrounding buildings were damaged in the blast.
READ ALSO: Israeli forces rescue four hostages from Gaza after 246 days
The cause of the explosion was initially unclear.
Unconfirmed reports, however, suggested that the blast might have been the result of a drone attack.
The Israeli military has commenced an investigation into the incident.
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Nigeria healthcare sector in danger of depletion, aging workforce – NMA
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said the nation’s healthcare sector is facing the danger of depletion of experienced professionals and aging workforce.
Prof Rowland Osuoji, a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, said this while delivering the 5th Prof Festus Nwako Memorial Lecture at the Anambra NMA 2024 Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting held in Onitsha on Friday.
Osuoji, who is the President of the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria, delivered a lecture entitled, ‘Excellent, Resilient and Equitable Healthcare System Amidst Economic Downturn’.
He said shortage of healthcare professionals in Nigeria became worse in the mid 1980s when the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) reduced the purchasing power of the people and regretted that nothing had been done to effectively arrest the trend.
According to him, the development led to a brain drain, as highly skilled older colleagues left and relocated abroad.
“That is the current brain drain, but the difference is the younger ones are involved, and it is more frightening, for obvious reasons.
“Who will replace the aging healthcare workforce?,” NAN quoted him as saying
Osuoji added the economic downturn had manifested in reduced government revenues, healthcare budgets, increased unemployment and poverty, thereby putting pressure on demand for healthcare services.
He said the sector also had the challenges of insufficient and inconsistent government funding, heavy reliance on out-of-pocket payments, poor condition of healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas.
The don recommended adoption of health insurance schemes that encourage private sector involvement, telemedicine, community engagement and equitable healthcare for all Nigerians irrespective of their socioeconomic status.
“Collaborative efforts among policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities are essential.
“Prioritise investments in healthcare infrastructure, innovation, and equitable access to ensure robust health systems capable of withstanding economic challenges in Nigeria,” he said.
Nigeria healthcare sector in danger of depletion, aging workforce – NMA
Edo Govt urges FG to probe killing of policeman, demands Shaibu’s arrest
The Edo State Government has called on the Federal government to set up an investigative panel to unravel the cause of the shooting that claimed the life of a police officer at the Benin Airport gate on Thursday.
TVN reports that a Police Inspector attached to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was shot dead during an attack by suspected political thugs.
The State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, made the call at a press briefing on Friday in Benin City.
Nehikhare said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Funsho Adegboye, was a witness to what happened at the Benin Airport.
According to him, Shaibu got judgment and flew into Benin with his friends and before entering Benin, he mobilised armed thugs to wait for him at the airport.
“And on arrival they unleashed mayhem on the innocent people of Edo State and in the process a Police officer was killed and many others were injured.
“The state Commissioner of Police had intelligence report and went to the airport to caution him not to allow his boys to assemble at the airport or anywhere in the state. He defied the advice.
“We had appealed the judgement reinstating him as the deputy governor and filled stay of execution immediately we got Certified True Copy (CTC) and he was shown the restraining order from the court.”
Nehikhare called on the commissioner of police to arrest Philip Shaibu, noting that as it stands today, he is no longer the deputy governor and has no immunity.
“We are now calling on the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police to look into the crisis.
“The whole thing happened in the presence of the commissioner of police and he is one of the witnesses,” he added.
Nehikhare vowed that the state government would no longer fold its arms and watch as thugs cause mayhem the state.
He stated that efforts are being made to ensure that the violence does not degenerate further, adding that government was resolute that election would be free and fair in the state.
The commissioner, however, alleged that the opposition party wants to draw the attention of the Federal Government and create the impression of anarchy and call for state of emergency.
He urged the public to remain calm.
Edo Govt urges FG to probe killing of policeman, demands Shaibu’s arrest