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Category: Breaking News

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  • BREAKING: Fubara, others chase police deployment from RISIEC’s office

    BREAKING: Fubara, others chase police deployment from RISIEC’s office

    Policemen deployed in the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) have been chased away by crowd of persons around the facility ahead of the controversial local government elections billed for Saturday. 

    It was not certain who sent the police detachment to the facility around 1am on Friday since the police said they would not participate in the exercise.

    The armed policemen were seen in a viral video being booed and called names such as “thieves” as they maneuvered their vehicles out of the place.

    They were brought into the office premises on trucks and patrol vans but the crowd compelled them to make a u-turn.

    It was gathered Governor Similanya Fubara, some officials of the State Government and some members of the House of Assembly stormed the facility following the incident.

    A statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS) said the Governor foiled an attempt by the Police, led by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over RSIEC at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024. 

    The statement said the rogue policemen attempted to scale the gates and strong room of the commission to cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the state.

    He accused the Inspector-General of Police of ordering the deployment but said they were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the governor of the development.

    The statement said the Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly, Rivers Assembly, top political stakeholders and other leaders to storm the facility.

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    Fubara condemned the conduct of the  policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.

    He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring state was unacceptable.

    He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference. 

    The statement further said that the Chief of Staff, Rivers Speaker and State and National Assembly members with other stakeholders, were manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles did not return and that elections would go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.

  • BREAKING: Five policemen returning from Edo election duty die

    BREAKING: Five policemen returning from Edo election duty die

    Five policemen died on Tuesday in a road accident on their way from Edo to Kano State.

    Kano Police Commissioner, Salmam Garba, who confirmed the death of the five officers, said the accident occurred along Kano-Zaria express way.

    About eight others injured in the crash are being treated in an hospital, he informed.

    “The deceased officers are from Kano state police command. There were drafted to Edo state for election duty, where they carried out their assignment successfully.

    “Sadly, they lost their lives at Karfi, when their vehicle had a head-on collision with a reversing trailer,” Garba said.

    It was gathered the driver of the trailer is among the eight survivors receiving treatment at an hospital in Kano.

    CP Dogo, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, said the Command was taking measures to ensure that the wounded officers receive adequate treatment and survive.

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    He described the deaths as shocking and prayed God to give the Command and families of the dead the fortitude to bear the loss.

    “It is unfortunate, we lost five of our officers to a fatal accident at Karfi, along Kano-Zaria Road.

    “They were returning from Edo state where they were drafted to maintain law and order during the election.

    “About eight of them, including the driver of the trailer are in the hospital.

    “Their vehicle had a collision with a reversing trailer,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Chizoba evicted from BBNaija Season 9

    BREAKING: Chizoba evicted from BBNaija Season 9

    Big Brother Naija housemate Chizoba has been evicted from the Big Brother Naija ‘No Loose Guard’ season.

    The eviction comes after a dramatic face-to-face nomination process, which saw nine housemates put up for possible eviction by their fellow contestants.

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    Chizoba’s exit marks the beginning of an intense competition, as the remaining 14 housemates battle for the coveted prize.

    The housemates will be forced to regroup and reassess their strategies, as alliances are tested and new ones are formed.  

  • BREAKING: Ben evicted from BBNaija Season 9

    BREAKING: Ben evicted from BBNaija Season 9

    Big Brother Naija housemate, Ben has been evicted from the Big Brother Naija ‘No Loose Guard’ season.

    Ben becomes the first housemate to leave the house after the dissolution of pairs.

    The eviction followed a dramatic face-to-face nomination process, which saw nine housemates put up for possible eviction by their fellow contestants.

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    Ben’s exit marks the beginning of an intense competition, as the remaining 15 housemates battle for the coveted prize.

    The housemates will be forced to regroup and reassess their strategies, as alliances are tested and new ones are formed.  

  • BREAKING: Nigerian on death row in Indonesia regains freedom

    BREAKING: Nigerian on death row in Indonesia regains freedom

    The Federal Government has secured the release of Emma Ihejirika on death row for drugs in Indonesia.

    The chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa confirmed his release on her verified on X page (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

    Ihejirika had spent several years in prison.

    Dabiri-Erewa said: “A Nigerian, Emma Ihejirika, on death row for drugs in Indonesia has been FREED.

    “A big thanks to Barrister Emmanuel Isha Ogebe, a Nigerian lawyer based in Washington DC, USA, who, after our visit to Indonesian prison, took up the case pro bono and won at the Supreme Court”

    A statement by NIDCOM further explained: “At a meeting with Barrister Emmanuel Isha Ogebe in Washington DC, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended Mr Ogebe for his selflessness and kindness in taking up the case.

    “Several years back, a delegation from Nigeria, headed by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Ojo Madueke, which included Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa, then a member of the House of Representatives, former Chairman NDLEA, Mr Ipinmosho, among others, had visited Indonesian prison to plead for clemency for 21 Nigerians on death row convicted for drug trafficking.

    “Four of them have been executed along with an Indonesian and British citizen.A Nigerian lawyer Mr Emmanuel Isha Ogebe, based in the USA, had later approached Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her intervention and offered pro bono services for Ihejirika, whose case appeared to be one of mistaken identity, and offered to follow the case through.

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    “He succeded, as he took the case up to the Supreme Court, and Ihejirika was finally let off the hook in December.

    “Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa re-emphasised that penalty for drug trafficking in Indonesia is death adding that Nigerians should stay away from crime. She therefore, commended Barrister Emmanuel Isha Ogebe for his selflessness and kindness for the pro bono services.

    “The NIDCOM Boss also praised the efforts of the Nigerian Charge D’Affaires in Indonesia Ms Patricia Alechenu for her unwavering support. Barrister Emmnauel Isha Ogebe, in his remarks, thanked Hon Abike Dabiri- Erewa for her prompt intervention in cases relating to Nigerians in Diaspora right from her days as a member of the House of Representatives.”

  • BREAKING: Chidinma Adetshina wins Miss Universe Nigeria 2024

    BREAKING: Chidinma Adetshina wins Miss Universe Nigeria 2024

    Ms. Chidimma Adetshina has emerged Miss Universe Nigeria 2024.

    Chidimma was announced winner at the grand finale in Lagos on Saturday, August 31.

    The 23-year-old law student defeated 24 other contestants.

    After the contestants showcased their elegance in evening gowns, the top five finalists were announced. 

    They included Miss Taraba Chidimma Adetshina, Miss Anambra Paula Ezendu, Miss Edo Edeifo Brittany, Miss Ondo Ayegbidun Peace Olamide, and Miss Rivers Nyekachi Douglas.

    The top three winners were announced with Miss Ondo named Miss Lush, Miss Anambra as the first runner-up and Miss Supranational, and Chidimma Adetshina as the overall winner.

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    Chidinma, who faced significant backlash in Miss South Africa 2024 over her Nigerian heritage, eventually withdrew from the pageant. 

    In response, she was invited to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant where she represented Taraba State.

    As the winner, she will represent Nigeria at the 73rd Miss Universe competition in Mexico on 16 November.

  • BREAKING: ‘Zinwe’ duo evicted from BBNaija season

    BREAKING: ‘Zinwe’ duo evicted from BBNaija season

    The dynamic duo Zinwe, comprising Zion and Chinwe, has been evicted from the Big Brother Naija ‘No Loose Guard’ season.

    This development marks the fifth pair to leave the house, leaving nine pairs to battle for the coveted prize.

    The eviction comes after a tense nomination process, where five pairs were put up for possible eviction by their fellow housemates.

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    The affected pairs included Wanni X Handi, DoubleKay, Chekas, Zinwe, and Beta.

    With Zinwe’s exit, the competition is expected to intensify, and alliances will be tested.

    As the game proceeds, it is expected that the pairs regroup and reassess their strategies to stay in the game. 

  • Immigration investigates torn passport, invites couple

    Immigration investigates torn passport, invites couple

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has invited a couple who arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos only to publicly desecrate the passport owing to a feud 

    In a video that went viral, a woman was seen tearing the passport of her husband at the airport arrival, while officials urged the husband to show courage and maturity to pick up the pieces from the floor. 

    The NIS said it has launched investigations on the matter, asserting that it was a violation of section 10 (b) of Immigration Act 2015 as amended. 

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    The Service in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo, said the individual responsible for tearing the Passport has been identified and invited for further investigation. 

    “The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched a formal investigation following the circulation of a video on social media, showing a female traveler destroying a Nigerian Standard Passport at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

    “The individual has been identified and invited for further investigation. If the allegations are substantiated, her actions would have constituted a breach of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015 (as amended), with corresponding penalties outlined under Section 10(h) of the same Act,” the NIS said. 

    “The Nigeria Immigration Service remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the provisions of the Immigration Act in the interest of national security, and to preserving the dignity and integrity of the nation’s legal instruments,” the Service asserted.

  • BREAKING: Plateau confirms 22 dead, 132 hospitalised in Jos school building collapse

    BREAKING: Plateau confirms 22 dead, 132 hospitalised in Jos school building collapse

    The Plateau State Government has confirmed 22 dead and 132 hospitalised  when the building of at Saint Academy Jos collapsed. 

    It also there were 154 fatalities and injuries after the incident. 

    Emergency responders are conducting search and rescue operations at the scene.

    Commissioner of Information Musa Ashoms, in a statement, explained Injured students and staff are receiving medical treatment at various hospitals across Jos.

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    The hospital admissions and fatalities include Plateau State Specialist Hospital (PSSH) 39 hospitalised and three deaths; Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) Hospital 32 hospitalised and five deaths; Bingham University Teaching Hospital 55 hospitalised and 14 deaths and Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) six hospitalised and 0 deaths. 

    According to Plateau state Government response, it  activated emergency response protocols immediately upon notification of the incident.

  • Rivers crisis: IGP orders investigation over killing of officers

    Rivers crisis: IGP orders investigation over killing of officers

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has expressed displeasure over the fresh political crisis in Rivers State.

    IGP condemned the outbreak of violence and subsequent breakdown of law and order at various local Government Council secretaries in Rivers State where supporters of two political factions clashed over the tenure of Local Government Council Chairmen, which unfortunately led to the tragic deaths of a Police Officer – Inspector David Mgbada and Samuel Nwigwe, a vigilante member at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma LGA.

    According to a statement on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi: “In response to these heinous acts, the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olatunji Disu, to heighten security measures across the state and institute thorough investigations into the killing of the police officer and the vigilante operative, as well as the general violence which erupted in the state.

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    “The IGP has specifically deployed operatives of the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to assist the Rivers State Command in apprehending the killers of the police officer and the vigilante member. The IGP seriously warns individuals and groups of people who have a penchant for senseless attacks and mindless killings of police officers and other security operatives across the country to desist forthwith as the fullest force of the law will be meted on them.

    “The CP has also been directed to focus on increased patrols, strategic deployment of officers, and enhanced intelligence operations to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of all residents. The IGP extends heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased police officer and the vigilante member noting that their dedication and sacrifice in the line of duty will not be taken for granted”.

    The police boss called on all residents and political stakeholders in the State to exercise restraint and seek peaceful means of resolving differences.