The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Suspected herdsmen kill mother, son in Benue community

    Suspected herdsmen kill mother, son in Benue community

    Suspected herdsmen have killed a mother and her son in Ngban settlement in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State.

    The herdsmen also adducted and tortured a woman. The woman was, however, rescued.

    The incident happened on Saturday.

    Ngban settlement is located between Daudu and Yelewata on Benue Nassarawa federal highway and has been under attacks with many houses destroyed.

    Those killed are Benjamin Igbawua and his mother, Mrs Mlumun Igbawua.

    The Nation learnt that the Benjamin Igbawua’s father was killed while cultivating his rice farm in May, this year and his body is still in the morgue.

    His wife and only son were  killed again while on the same farm.

    Read Also: Nigerians will enjoy uninterrupted power supply before Tinubu leaves office -Adelabu

    Wife of Benjamin, who was declared missing during Saturday attack, was fortunate to have regained freedom after severe torture.

    She has since reunited with the family, according to a family source.

    Chairman, Guma Local Government Area, who doubles as Chairman of ALGON Benue State, Chief Maurice Orwough, said another woman was abducted by the herdsmen and toured with serious injuries at her back was rescued.

    The victims are residents of Tse-Nyibiam, close to Ngban, Nyiev council ward of Guma Local Government Area.

    Orwough said he had directed security agencies to fish out the killers. He appealed for end to the crisis.

  • NAFDAC seizes N20.5b fake drugs, tomato paste

    NAFDAC seizes N20.5b fake drugs, tomato paste

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted 15 containers of substandard and falsified pharmaceutical products and tomato paste worth N20.5 billion at the Onne Port in Port Harcourt.

    According to the agency, the seizure was part of its crackdown on the influx of fake and unregistered regulated products into the market.

    The consignment was handed over to the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Saturday.

    In a statement, NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, said the intercepted containers included 11 loaded with various banned and unregistered pharmaceutical products and four containing unregistered and substandard tomato paste.

    Among the drugs seized were 1.3 million bottles of codeine syrup, a highly controlled prescription-only medicine; 12.6 million tablets of tramadol, an addictive opioid prescribed strictly for post-operative pain in adults; and 9.3 million tablets of falsified, branded diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used for managing osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

    Other items, he said, included 280 packs of falsified Hyergra tablets, a counterfeit brand of sildenafil citrate used for treating erectile dysfunction.

    The NAFDAC chief expressed appreciation to the Customs Service for its support for protecting public health.

     Adeyeye said: “This seizure is another major blow to those who continue to trade in substandard and fake products.

    “These criminals, both at home and abroad, must know that under our watch, substandard and fake food and drug products will not be allowed access to our people.”

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    She added that despite threats against her personnel, including threats of death and kidnapping, the agency remains undeterred.

    “Recent threats of death, kidnapping of our staff and other attempts to dampen our zeal will continue to fail, because God, as well as our people, are on our side.’’

    The DG warned that the dangers in the consumption of those products are real and severe, outlining the serious risks.

    “The consumption of unwholesome products has grave consequences. These include acute food poisoning and gastrointestinal illness due to adulterants in expired food products, nutritional deficiencies, and diminished food value.

    “There’s also the risk of chronic organ damage from toxic metabolites and heavy metals, increased cancer risk from expired colorants, dyes and preservatives, allergic and respiratory reactions from hidden allergens or artificial additives, as well as food addiction and cognitive disruption from expired ultra processed foods engineered to be hyper palatable and high in sugar, fat, and salt,” she said.

    Calling on Nigerians to join the agency in the fight against counterfeit products, she urged the public to report any suspicious products or activities.

    “I call on all well-meaning Nigerians to partner with NAFDAC by reporting all suspected cases of manufacture, importation, distribution or sale of fake and substandard products through our offices nationwide or our various social media channels,” she said.

    She stressed that ensuring public health and safety cannot be achieved by the agency alone and called for greater institutional collaboration.

    “Safeguarding the health of the nation is a collective responsibility which NAFDAC cannot possibly do alone.

    “We will continue to evolve new strategies and work with well-meaning individuals and organisations to build a safer and healthier Nigeria,” the DG assured.

  • Drugs hidden in Gabon-bound vehicle side mirrors intercepted at Lagos airport

    Drugs hidden in Gabon-bound vehicle side mirrors intercepted at Lagos airport

    • NDLEA arrests dispatch riders, businesswoman

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of cocaine and tramadol 225mg concealed in 71 vehicle side mirrors being sent to Libreville, Gabon through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who made this in a statement yesterday said, not fewer than three suspects linked to the cargo had been arrested in follow-ups.

    Babafemi said the first batch of the consignment consisting of 57,420 pills of tramadol 225mg and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.60kg were intercepted in a cargo going to Gabon on Air Côte d’Ivoire on July 19.

    He said a popular cargo agent Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict handling the shipment was arrested, after which further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah on July 20.

    According to the statement, 11 parcels of cocaine with a total weight of 1kg were later recovered from four additional side mirrors being prepared for export found in the home of Uzochukwu on July 21, bringing the total parcels of cocaine to 68 weighing 2.60 kilograms.

    Babafemi further said NDLEA operatives last Friday arrested a businesswoman Mrs. Nwafor Roseann Nneka at her shop at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, following the interception of 100 grams of cocaine and 300 grams of phenacetine, a cutting agent, concealed in ladies’ lipsticks going to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, through the export shed of the Lagos airport on July 10.

    The spokesman said two cargo agents linked to the shipment were earlier arrested before Nneka, who runs the criminal trade as a family business with her husband Remigus Nwafor, are on the run.

    Mrs. Nwafor admitted she bought the lipsticks used to conceal the illicit drugs while her husband handled the concealment, Babafemi said.

    He said in Abuja, NDLEA operatives conducting intelligence-led stop and search in Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa areas of the FCT on July 30 arrested three dispatch riders – Sabo Sule, 24; Samuel Nnamdi, 28; and Idris Jibrin, 28 – for distributing illicit substances.

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    He said a total of 149.8 grams of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis was recovered from them.

    Two other suspects: Aliyu Abubakar, 25; and Adekunle Agbabiaka, 30, were arrested on Abaji-Gwagwalada Expressway with 91.1kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, last Saturday.

    The statement reads: “In Lagos, NDLEA officers acting on intelligence on Saturday 2nd August arrested Joseph Michael with 3.3 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis in Mushin 

    while Ibrahim Sulaiman was nabbed in Iwaya area of Yaba with 16.5 litres of

    skuchies on Friday 1st August.

    “No fewer than 100,000 pills of tramadol capsules were seized from a suspect, Hussein Yusuf, 37, at an NDLEA checkpoint along Vandeikya-Ogoja road in Benue State on Friday 1st August, while operatives in Edo State same day raided a warehouse in Ekpoma where a suspect William Alabi, 44, was arrested and 233.5kg skunk recovered.

    “In Borno State, NDLEA operatives at the arrival hall of the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport (MBIAM) Maiduguri on Friday 1st August intercepted a consignment of 160 pills of tramadol concealed in footwears by a 38-year-old passenger, Umar Aminu, who was promptly arrested.

    “While NDLEA operatives in Ogun State on Friday 1st August raided the Oja Odan and arrested a female suspect, Yahaya Aminat Seyi, with 7, 218 pills of opioids mainly tramadol, their counterparts in Oyo State nabbed Oladeji Saka, 54, with 77.5 kilograms of skunk at Asanike, Ibadan, just as another suspect Benson Izah, 40, was arrested in Abraka, Delta State with 12.5kg skunk, 1kg tramadol and 14.4litres of codeine.

    “In Bayelsa State, NDLEA officers on Friday 1st August arrested 52-year-old Chief Emeka Opara and Onuoha Chidinma, 25, along Tantua road, Amassoma where a total of 41,705 tramadol capsules, among other assorted opioids were recovered from their shop and residence, while a suspect Bashir Gambo, 30, was nabbed at Yar Yasa town, Tudun Wada LGA, Kano State, with 61kg skunk.

    “Two suspects: Kabiru Ayinde, 40; and Roqeeb Adekanmbi, 25, were on Monday 28th July arrested at Ile-Ogbo area of Iwo town, Osun State, where 90kg skunk, 36.3grams of methamphetamine, a Toyota bus marked SMK 755 YF and ₦228,200.00 cash exhibit were recovered from them.’’

    While commending the officers and men of the commands for the arrests, and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) urged them and their colleagues to continue to put the heat on the drug pushers.

  • Suspected killer of Ideato North council chair arrested, says Uzodimma

    Suspected killer of Ideato North council chair arrested, says Uzodimma

    • Governor vows to apprehend other suspects

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma yesterday announced that the murderers of a former chairman of Ideato North Local Government Area two years ago, had been arrested and his sponsors named. 

    He declared that those who engaged in the recent killings  in the Ideato North council would also be arrested.

    He said the security agencies were on their trail and would soon nab them just the same way they arrested the killers of a former local government chairman.

    Speaking at the Government House Chapel, Uzodimma assured Imo people that his government and the security agencies were determined to end the senseless killing in the state through the arrest of the perpetrators.

    He said his administration has invested resources in intelligence gathering and logistics to ensure that those engaged in the security breaches don’t go scot-free.

    Uzodimma declared that the government will stop at nothing to end killings and the worrisome activities of unknown gunmen in the state, while expressing his condolences to the people for the unfortunate killing of  innocent citizens at Ideato North recently by unscrupulous elements.

    He  added that some wicked politicians were bent on frustrating the efforts of his government to restore peace and security in Imo State.

    He recalled with sadness the incident that happened two years ago when a local government chairman was beheaded in Ideato  North.

     “Two years later, we have arrested the man who beheaded him, and the man has confessed as the one who did it  and has mentioned some individuals that he is working for. Some of them have been invited by the police and they are under interrogation,” the governor added.

    He stressed that the government would stop at nothing to ensure that those arrested would face the wrath of the law, as many more would be invited.

    Uzodimma further remarked that “it is not enough for people to come around me here to pretend to be working for me when they are busy participating in conspiracy, eliminating innocent lives and trying to pull down the government”.

    Read Also: Keyamo mocks ADC coalition, calls their tactics ‘expired 419 formats’

    He assured that efforts to make Imo State safe and secure will continue despite all odds.

    He announced that within the next two weeks, every community in the State will have a functional vigilante group that  will be supported and funded by the  government with every logistics in place for their operations.

    On the issue of quality and affordable health care delivery system in the State, Governor Uzodimma  encouraged  well meaning individuals to support the less privileged in their communities to enroll into  the Imo Health Insurance Scheme in order to benefit from the heath care delivery system.

    “Let us work as brothers and sisters to help restore and achieve the Imo State of our collective dream.” Senator Uzodimma pleaded.

    Earlier in his homily during the church service at the Government House Chapel Owerri, the Chaplain , Rev.Fr. Prof. Gilbert Alaribe           enjoined Christians  to share their heritage and possessions with one another.

    The Catholic clergyman  emphasized the  importance of sharing with others as God has freely given to  them.

    He admonished the church to learn a vital lesson from the rich man in Jesus’ illustration in the Bible lesson, noting that people’s hope should not be focused on  earthly possessions but on God who owns lives.

    He therefore encouraged all to have  the fear of God and abide in peace with one another.

  • 87-year-old Ondo chief arrested for allegedly supplying arms to robbers

    87-year-old Ondo chief arrested for allegedly supplying arms to robbers

    Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command’s Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS) have arrested an 87-year-old chief in Idanre, identified as Kogbona, for allegedly supplying firearms to a robbery gang.

    This followed the arrest of one Adeife Adewumi, a suspected member of the gang, in Mokola, Ibadan.

    Adewumi, who hails from the same community as the chief, was found in possession of a stolen motorcycle, which allegedly belonged to a murdered victim.

    The spokesperson for the state Police command, Deputy Superintendent of Police Olayinka Ayanlade, made this known in a statement.

    Ayanlade said two other suspects: Johnson Mathew (24), from Osogbo, and Disu Sunday, from Ekiti were arrested

    He noted that both suspects reside in Ilaramokin, in the Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.

    “The suspects confessed to being part of the gang responsible for robbery and a recent murder,” DSP Ayanlade added.

    “Recovered from them were two cut-to-size guns, one live cartridge, and one expended cartridge,” he added.

    Mr Ayanlade said the police raided the residence of Chief Kogbona, on Odole Street in Odode, Idanre, where 10 cartridges were recovered.

    The command confirmed that the suspects were in custody and would be charged after investigations.

    Also, detectives from the Command have apprehended 10 illegal immigrants who allegedly smuggled themselves into Nigeria from the Republic of Benin, with one of them accused of luring a Congolese into the country without his consent.

    The suspects were apprehended at their hideout at Oda in  Akure North Local Government Area.

    Those arrested include Atouh Joel (37), Mohamed Atta Amidou (35), Saibou Akateliwe (33), Abdul Jahao (26), Ndah Severin (27), Kumpori Ruth (19), Kumpori Martin (31), Tatiana Madous Dianne (32), Martias Sossa (22), and Ndapola Oba Giove (30).

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    Addressing reporters at the state police command headquarters in Akure, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, said some of the suspected individuals had expired international passports, while others had no valid travel documents.

    Lawal further said the group conspired to bring 29-year-old Nzaou Yelica Christ-Olse, a Congolese, into the country under false pretences.

    According to him, the victim was deceived with a promise to start an online business but was later abandoned upon arrival.

     “This act is a gross violation of Nigeria’s immigration and anti-trafficking laws,” Lawal said.

    “The matter has been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and prosecution.”

    Also, suspected burglars have broken into the residence of Justice Olukayode Arowosegbe of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) on Ondo Road in Akure South Local Government Area, carting away valuable household items.

    The suspects were identified as Michael John, Yusuf Mohammed, and Samson Gini.

     Lawal stated that the suspects were apprehended after Justice Arowosegbe lodged a complaint.

    Lawal explained that the trio was arrested at their hideout after a “painstaking investigation” by police operatives.

    He added that the suspects have allegedly confessed to the burglary and are believed to be responsible for a string of similar crimes in the Ondo Road axis of Akure.

    “Following swift investigation, the three suspects confessed to several burglaries and the theft of electrical wires. Our investigation is still ongoing,” the Commissioner said.

    In a related development, the police also arrested a suspected member of a notorious robbery syndicate and motorcycle snatching gang, identified as Michael Olasukanmi.

    Olasukanmi, 37, was arrested at his hideout on Temikolowa Street, Yaba, in Ondo town by operatives of the Yaba Division of the state command.

    Lawal said the suspect had been on the police watchlist for cases of motorcycle theft at gunpoint.

  • Three-storey building collapses in Abuja

    Three-storey building collapses in Abuja

    A three-storey building on Saturday collapsed in the Life Camp area of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Life camp Division, mobilised a rescue team to the scene, upon receiving a distress call and cordoned off the area, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Development Control Department, Zeberced Construction Company, and Julius Berger Construction Company.

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    According to a statement yesterday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Josephine Adeh, about 4am yesterday, the teams extricated a Nigerien, Aliyu Salisu, 27, who was in the rubble for close to 10 hours for treatment.

    “The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ajao S. Adewale, who was at the scene to oversee the rescue operations, commended the timely and professional response of both NEMA and FCTA Development Control officials as well as other Service Commanders who were on ground with their men, members of the community,’’ Adeh added.

  • Collapsed hotel kills owner

    Collapsed hotel kills owner

    A hotel under construction at Idumoza community, Uromi in Esan Northeast Local Government Area, has collapsed and killed its owner identified as Andrew Isesere.

    Over 20 workers at the site escaped death by the whiskers.

    The remains of the deceased owner were pulled out of the rubble yesterday morning.

    Eyewitnesses said the building collapsed last Friday while the owner was inside it.

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    Neighbours, who spoke to reporters, said they cautioned the owner during construction about the quality of materials used for the Construction.

    Andrew Inegbebor said: “The owner was told he was using low quality material. He used 12mm instead of 16mm rods for the pillars. There was no base basket at the pillars. Look at the result.

    “The building collapsed because of substandard materials that were used. There was no engineer on site. The dead owner supervised the house. The house later collapsed and killed the owner, but some workers escaped.”

    Edo police spokesman, Moses Yamu, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

  • Abiodun congratulates food service providers’ president

    Abiodun congratulates food service providers’ president

    • Group holds inauguration tomorrow

    Ogun State Governor, Mr Dapo Abiodun has congratulated the new Association of Professional Food Service Providers of Nigeria President (APFSPN), Mr Fletcher Tobi, whom he described as a important son of Ogun after his election. .

     In a statement, Abiodun said: “As he leads APFSPN with the agenda of “Empowering Excellence, Enhancing Experience, and Elevating the Food Service Industry,” we are confident that Ogun State’s culinary heritage will gain even greater national and global recognition.

    “We celebrate this achievement and pledge our continued support as he takes on this noble responsibility.’’

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     APFSPN will inaugurate Tobi and other members of the exco at 11 am tomorrow at Oregun,  Lagos, according to the new Public Relations Officer, Mrs Titilola Theresa Williams,.

     Chairperson Board of Trustees, APFSPN/Chief Executive of Malas Food Limited, Mrs Morenike Okupe, described the emergence of Tobi as the association’s president as a testament to his dedication and vision for advancing the food service industry, which aligns perfectly with the trustees and members commitment to promoting excellence, and culinary pride across sectors.

    Chief Executive of Exquisite Tastyfingers Food and Event said Tobi, who is also the founder/Head Chef of Ofada Boy will take over from MoniOluwa Shonibare, the Chief Executive of Sweet Hands Outdoor Catering Services Limited.

    Mrs Claire Obefe, the Chief Executive of Bella Figura Catering Limited and former Welfare Officer added: “The pioneer executive led by Shonibare laid a solid foundation for the food service industry, with execution of projects such as training of personnel on capacity development; induction ceremonies held thrice that grew membership; and inter- house sports and Funfair games, among others laudable projects.”

  • Five die, five injured in Lekki-Epe Expressway multiple crashes

    Five die, five injured in Lekki-Epe Expressway multiple crashes

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed the death of five persons in crashes on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

     Five persons were also injured in the accident caused by excessive speeding and gross negligence of traffic regulations, according to the General Manager, LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki.

    The first incident took place in the early hours of yesterday at Abijo Bus Stop, under the pedestrian bridge on the inward Epe corridor, where a Mitsubishi pick-up van with registration number AKD 733 JM, lost control and crashed into a stationary Craneburg Construction Company equipment.

    In a statement,  Adebayo Taofiq, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA. said the dead were three males and one female.

     He said: “LASTMA operatives rescued three additional female occupants from the wreckage. These survivors were promptly stabilised and handed over to officers of the Eleko Division of the Nigeria Police Force for transfer to nearby medical institutions for urgent care and further evaluation.

    Also, he said a Toyota Escort Jeep, at a breakneck speed, crashed into a parked Dangote truck in the Frajend Group axis inward Bogije, on the same route, resulting in the death of the SUV driver, while two other passengers, injured and entrapped within the crushed vehicle, were extricated by the agency’s personnel.

    The survivors were placed in the custody of officers from the Elemoro Police Division, who ensured their conveyance to medical facilities for life-saving intervention.

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    Bakare-Oki expressed profound grief and extended deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, describing the accidents as a colossal and avoidable tragedy.

    “We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families during this moment of unspeakable loss and anguish. It is our earnest prayer that the Almighty grants them the strength to bear these irreparable losses,” Mr. Bakare-Oki remarked solemnly.

    The General Manager further issued a stern and unequivocal caution to all motorists both private vehicle owners and commercial operators to desist from dangerous driving practices, particularly excessive speeding, which remains one of the most egregious infractions contributing to road fatalities.

    “These deeply saddening occurrences serve as grim reminders of the catastrophic consequences that stem from the willful violation of established speed regulations. The Lagos State Government has made substantial investments in traffic control infrastructure ranging from road signage and speed limiters to high-visibility furniture to mitigate such disasters.

    Motorists are hereby implored to abide by these measures, which are designed solely for the preservation of human life,” he added emphatically.

    Mr. Bakare-Oki also commended the LASTMA rescue teams for their rapid, professional, and life-saving interventions, reinforcing the Authority’s uncompromising commitment to road safety, emergency responsiveness, and the protection of all road users across Lagos State.

    Members of the public are kindly urged to report traffic-related emergencies, obstructions, or accidents through LASTMA’s dedicated toll-free hotline: 0800 00 527 862. Timely reporting facilitates swift deployment of assistance and may prove pivotal in averting further loss of life.

    LASTMA reaffirms its unrelenting resolve to enforce vehicular discipline, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and safeguard the motoring public through enhanced safety strategies and robust traffic management frameworks.

  • Rainstorm destroys 50 houses in Plateau community

    Rainstorm destroys 50 houses in Plateau community

    No fewer than 50 houses, including schools and worship centres, were yesterday destroyed by a windstorm which wreaked havoc in Menkaat community (Shimankar district) of Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    The storm that accompanied the rain left in its wake destruction.

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    Residents of the area told our correspondent that the houses had their roofs blown off, while several buildings collapsed.

    A resident of the affected community, Mr. Lawrence Longwalk, lamented the incident and called for intervention from relevant authorities.

    “From the level of damage, the people need urgent help. Two primary schools and a worship centre in Shimankar were pulled down by the rainstorm,’’ he added.