The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Police says none of its stations was burnt in Enugu

    The Police Command in Enugu State said no police station was burnt in the state as being speculated in the social media.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Sunday.

    Amaraizu, however, said that some hoodlums that pretended to come to report a matter in Ikirike Police Station, suddenly attacked the station located within Enugu South Local Government Area at about 8 a.m.

    “It was an incident which has to do with attack by some people suspected to be hoodlums, who had come with the pretence of laying complaint in the early hours of today. Under that guise, they attacked our men.

    “Although, there was no death among police personnel on duty in the station, but our injured personnel are responding to treatment.

    “The quick intervention of reinforcement team as dispatched by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Sulaiman Balarabe, could not give the hoodlums the opportunity to have the upper hand,’’ he said.

    The police spokesman said the commissioner had directed an investigation into the incident with a view to unmasking the culprits.

    (NAN)

  • #BBNaija: Tacha and Mercy receive strikes

    Housemates Tacha Akide and Mercy Eke have been issued strikes in the ongoing BBNaija season four.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the strikes, issued on Sunday night, would be Mercy’s first and Tacha’s second since the season began.

    It also came  two weeks after Biggie addressed the housemates on infringements in the house and the consequences of breaking rules.

    Mercy was issued a strike because of her acts of provocation on Saturday night towards love interest, Ike Onyema.

    According to Biggie, she went against the rule book which clearly states that provocation and violence are not permitted in the House.

    NAN reports that on Saturday night, Mercy threw plastic pieces at Ike and used derogatory words during their squabble while the latter remained calm.

    Two more strikes and she would  be automatically disqualified from the Big Brother House.

    On Aug. 13, Mercy was issued a warning for damaging the Oppo phone and as a result, got the long talk on why being Biggie’s guests involves them being of their best behaviour.

    Read Also: Gedoni, Jackye leave #BBNaija House

    On the other hand, Tacha was issued a strike for disrespecting Biggie by not responding immediately she was summoned to the diary room.

    She was also caught on camera whispering a sly comment when she was summoned, which Biggie counted as disrespect.

    As a consequence of her disregard and insolence towards authority, Big Brother issued Tacha her second strike in the game.

    According to Biggie, he found her guilty of disrespect as well as undermining the world of Big Brother.

    He also mentioned that she showed continuous disrespect and rudeness to the Authority, like when asked ‘why’ and thinking it was witty to describe the letter ‘Y’.

    NAN reports that one more Strike and her dream of making it to day ninety-nine will be cut short.

    Tacha was issued her first strike on Aug. 13 for provocation, alongside Ike who was issued his second strike the same day. (NAN)

  • 25 escape death in Anambra auto crashes – FRSC

    No fewer than 25 passengers including four children on Sunday narrowly escaped death in two separate auto crashes that occurred in Awka and Onitsha, Anambra.

    Mr Ayodele Kumapayi,  State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who confirmed the incidents, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that eight persons, however, sustained injuries.

    Kumapayi said the Onitsha accident involved two vehicles, a Toyota Lexus car with registration number ABH 178 RC and Toyota Corolla car with registration number FST 555 AJ.

    According to him, seven persons including four children were involved in the Onitsha accident, which occurred on the Niger Bridge at about 1:40p.m.

    “The Lexus car lost control after trying to overtake a trailer, spinned and hit the second vehicle on the Niger Bridge, but thankfully, no life was lost,” he said.

    Read Also: How safe is Anambra State?

    He added that personnel of the corps responded to the distress call within eight minutes and were able to control traffic on the bridge.

    The official said the Awka auto crash was reported at 12:01 p.m. same day at Kwata junction along Awka – Onitsha expressway.

    According to him, the lone accident involving 18 passengers in a Toyota black bus with registration number JJT 304 XG was caused by speeding.

    He explained that the commercial bus heading to Awka from Onitsha lost control and rammed into the drainage along the expressway,  resulting in multiple serious injuries by eight passengers in the vehicle.

    Kumapayi, who advised motorists against speeding, said all affected vehicles had been removed from the scene of accident to ensure free flow of traffic.

    (NAN)

  • Obiano, Ortom, workers hail Ngige’s re-appointment

    Anambra governor Willie Obiano and his Benue counterpart Samuel Ortom have congratulated Dr Chris Ngige on his re-appointment as the Minister of Labour and Employment.

    Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, in the labour ministry, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that the duo, in separate letters they personally signed, described Ngige’s return to his old turf as “a vote of confidence”.

    The statement quoted both governors as expressing delight at the development which they said should strengthen Obiano’s spirit of patriotism and zeal to deliver on national assignments.

    It quoted Obiano as challenging Ngige to “fly the prestigious Anambra flag” in the discharge of his duties at the federal level”.

    Read Also: ‘I didn’t release suspected cult financier on Obiano’s order’

    It also quoted Ortom as urging Ngige to deploy his experience into promoting industry harmony in the country.

    Meanwhile, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, has said that Ngige’s re-appointment was well deserved, “having diligently discharged his duties in the last four years in the labour ministry”.

    “As strategic partners in the industrial relations arena, we can attest that your tenure witnessed relative industrial peace and harmony in the country,” the association said in a letter signed by Messrs Bobboi Kaigama and Alade Bashir Lawal, its National President and Secretary.

    “Expectations are high that you will intervene in the ongoing protracted negotiation in respect of the consequential adjustment arising from the N30,000 monthly National Minimum Wage signed into law by the President in April,” the workers said.

    (NAN)

  • BREAKING: Newcastle claims first win against Tottenham at home

    Newscastle United record signing Joelinton’s first goal in English football has given the club a surprise win at Tottenham, making it Steve Bruce first 3 points as their manager.

    The Brazilian striker took advantage of sleepy Tottenham defending to control substitute Christian Atsu’s through pass beautifully before drilling past Hugo Lloris.

    Details Shortly

  • One dies as street party turns tragic

    A street party turned tragic penultimate on Thursday at Oko-Oba area of Ogun State after a youth identified as Ayomide Olanrewaju was run over by a car.

    He died shortly afterwards in the hospital where he had been rushed to for treatment.

    A mob immediately descended on the car driver identified as Onibudo and almost lynched him.

    The police intervened and arrested the suspect.

    The angry protesters stormed the police station demanding that the suspect be released to them for punishment, but the police would not yield.

    Read Also: Angry transporters shut market, protest extortion in Ogun

    A witness said: ’One man moved his car  and ran over Onibudo and one other youth at a party held on Charity road, New Oko Oba . The victims were taken to hospital where Onibudo died.

    ‘’The protesters went to the police station when they learnt the suspect was to be released from custody.’’

    Contacted, police spokesman, Elkanah Bala said the case had been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department.

    He said: There was a neighbourhood party held in the area during which the suspect was said to have hit two youths with his car and one of them later died at a hospital.

    “The suspect has since been transferred to the homicide Section of SCID, where he is being detained for further investigation.’’

  • New Olowo, Ogunoye installed

    The new Olowo of Owo in Ondo state, Prince Gbadegesin Ogunoye, was on Friday installed as the 33rd Owo monarch.

    The traditional rites started very early and were witnessed by residents of the town and other guests.

    Speaking to reporters, the Ojumu of Owo, Chief Olanrewaju Famakinwa, said that the rites became necessary as being laid down by customs and culture of the ancient town.

    Famakinwa said that the monarch chose sword of peace in the course of the rite.

    He said: “Oba Ogunoye who is being installed today chose a sword which signifies peace.

    “Traditionally, before Olowo is installed, he will have to choose a sword at Oke Mapo and it is believed that whatever one he chooses will tell how his reign will be.

    “Coincidentally, he chose the same sword chosen by his father more than 30 years ago and the sword represents sword.”

    Read Also: Olowo stool: Why I’m most qualified –Ogunoye

    Also, the Agbaomolowo of Owo, Chief Idowu Oludaye, said the day was a good one for the ancient town because there was a new monarch.

    He described the new Olowo as a man of honour, patience and humility, hoping his reign would bring peace, prosperity and development to the town.

    Oludaye urged Oba Ogunoye to accommodate all and sundry, advising the residents of the town to support him.

    He said there will be coronation of the new Olowo in the next 17 days.

    Also the Adanigbo Onula, Chief Kunle Ijalana, said the day was spectacular because it was another success recorded in the town.

    Ijalana prayed that the new monarch would reign longer than those before him.

    Oba Ogunoye was selected as Olowo after getting 14 votes out of 15 on July 12 after demise of late Oba Victor Olateru- Olagbegi who died on April 18, 2019, aged 77.

    The legal practitioner voluntarily resigned as Permanent Secretary in the state civil service on Thursday to ascend the throne of his ancestors.

  • Two brothers arrested for defrauding people with fake currency

    Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have  arrested two brothers, Sunday Durosinmi Onikoyi, 29, and Felix Durosinmi Onikoyi, 20, for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting members of public with fake currency.

    The arrest of the duo who reside at 30 Akala Street Idi-Oro Mushin Lagos followed a complaint  by one Moses Nwese of Gas-line area of Ijoko in Sango- Ota, who claimed that two men came to his shop to buy two bags of rice and gave him the sum of N29,000 (Twenty Nine Thousand) in one thousand Naira denomination.

    He stated further that they left his shop hurriedly and while counting the money, he discovered that all the one thousand naira notes were fake.

    Read Also: Maid bolts with employer’s N1. 6m six hours after she was employed

    Police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said that a police patrol team went after the suspects  and caught  up with them  in an Honda Odyssey car with registration number LSR 504 AZ.

    “On searching them, N78,000 (Seventy Eight Thousand Naira) fake one thousand naira notes were recovered from them. Also recovered from them were  one unregistered Bajaj motorcycle and 10 bags of rice,” he said.

    Oyeyemi said the suspects would  be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction as soon as investigation is concluded.

  • Why I shunned PFN panel on Busola Dakolo’s rape allegation— Fatoyinbo

    Founder of Common wealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, explained on Friday that he shunned the panel set up by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to probe the rape allegations against him by celebrity photographer, Busola Dakolo, because of legal advice.

    He said he could not honour the panel’s invitations because his lawyers realized the sitting might be partial.

    The PFN said on Thursday that its probe into the allegations against Fatoyinbo was inconclusive because the preacher refused to appear before it after several invitations.

    However, Senior Assistant to the COZA pastor, Ademola Adetuberu, in a statement in Abuja yesterday said that the legal advice was also premised on the statement issued by the PFN President, Bishop Felix Omobude, “where our pastor was publicly disowned.”

    He said: “We recall that when Pastor Fatoyinbo was invited by a phone call few days ago by Pastor Akinola Akinwale who is the National Administrative Secretary of PFN, we explained that our pastor would not honour the invitation due to legal advice hinged on the ongoing police investigation.

    Read Also: PFN: Fatoyinbo shunned our panel’s sittings

    “The legal advice was also premised on the press statement issued and personally signed by the PFN President, Bishop Felix Omobude, where our pastor was publicly disowned.

    “Based on the foregoing, we are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the PFN was already prejudiced and may not conduct an impartial session.

    “According to the report, Rev. Omobude, whom we hold in high esteem, went further to crucify our pastor without seeking to know his side of the story on the matter.

    “With all due respect, we consider this a prejudicial position in dispensing justice and fairness.”

    Continuing, Adetuberu said: “Even our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was given an opportunity for a fair hearing by the kangaroo panel set up with the prime motive of condemning Him to death.”

    He denied there were written invitations from the panel or PFN leadership aside from the phone calls requesting for his presence.

    Fatoyinbo promised to appear before the panel as soon as the police probe into the allegation was concluded.

    “Once the police investigation is over, our pastor is ready to honour the invitation.

    “We have also been legally advised to deploy judicial intervention to clear our pastor as soon as possible, and the process has commenced in earnest,” he said.

  • Angry transporters shut market, protest extortion in Ogun

    Commercial activities were crippled on Wednesday after transporters including commercial motorcyclists popularly called okada blocked access roads leading to Oja Odan market and parts of Ilaro in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, in protest against  alleged extortion by law enforcement agents.

    The protest triggered a traffic gridlock as vehicles conveying  traders and buyers  from several towns in the country and the Republic of Benin to the market could not move from where they were parked.

    The protesters accused policemen, customs operatives and vehicle inspectors of extortion at checkpoints on the roads.

    Holding leaves in their hands and chanting solidarity songs, the protesters asked the appropriate  authorities to dismantle the  checkpoints.

    Some of the transporters told  The Nation that the law enforcement agents had formed the habit of intimidating  and harassing motorists and commercial motorcyclists.

    Read Also: Group protests alleged harassment of APC members in Imo

    A commercial bus driver, Ismail Alarape said “We have appealed to the security forces several times to no avail. We have been paying heavily at the checkpoints manned by the police, customs men and vehicle inspectors.

    “The bulk of what we make from fares paid by passengers goes to these law enforcement agents as bribe while we have little or nothing left to for  ourselves and family members. We don’t want checkpoints here anymore because of the extortion by law enforcement personnel.’’

    An okada rider identified simply as Deyemi said: “We don’t carry hard drugs, yet we are constantly harassed for money. I am a graduate, but there is no job available in the country, that is why I work as okada man to make ends meet but the police have made life unbearable for us here. We want them removed from our roads.

    ‘’Many of us got our motorbikes on loan and it has been difficult paying back our creditors because of police extortion.’’

    A trader, Jolayemi Ojo lamented that she could not carry out transactions at the market because of the lock down.

    “It is sad that this is happening on a day like this when many people from various parts of the country and neighbouring Benin Republic have come to this market for trading activities.

    “Every entry point to the market and access road have been blocked and no one can enter the market. Some of us have sold our perishable goods at cheap prices because we cannot take them home and that’s a huge loss to us.’’

    Police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)  said normalcy had  returned to the areas.

    “It was a protest carried out by some transporters who asked that checkpoints be removed from their neighbourhoods. The Police Area Commander has since addressed the protesters and normalcy has been restored.’’