The Nation Newspaper

Tag: alarm

  • Tension as Fulani raise another alarm over stolen cows  

    Tension as Fulani raise another alarm over stolen cows  

    PLATEAU State is gripped by the fear of attack by Fulani herdsmen following a threat issued over alleged cattle rustling.

    Neigbouring Benue State is reeling from the New Year Day’s attacks in Logo and Guma local government areas in which 73 people died.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, after a meeting with Benue State leaders on Monday, ordered security agents to find the killers and punish them

    But yesterday, the Fulani in Plateau alleged the killing of their man and the rustling of 350 cows belonging to their people. They warned that “things like these” caused violence in the past.

    Governor Simon Lalong was last night locked in a security meeting over the development, it was learnt.

    He had also launched a move to recover the missing cows, it was learnt.

    A statement by Muhammad Nura Abdullahi, chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Plateau State chapter, yesterday said: “We are sad with the information reaching us from our branches in Bassa and Riyom local government areas that Irigwe youths militia armed with sophisticated weapon had on Monday 15th January 2018 attacked Fulani herdsmen around Gilda Ado village in Ganawuri district of Riyom LGA. The attackers beat a Fulani herder to a point of coma and fled with his cattle numbering 150.

    “The report later got to security agencies who gave the cattle rustlers good chase. The security recovered some of the cows dead around Mai Yanga Village.

    “On the same Monday night, another armed youths suspected to the Irigwe youths attacked Fulani residents at Dangwal village of Ganawuri and rustled about 200 cows in the attack. Security agencies have confirmed to us that some of the rustled cows had been found.

    “These are the kind of situation that leads to major violence in the areas, and this is happening when the area is trying to recover from the recent ugly incidents that led to loss of lives and properties. That last violence was caused by attacking, killing and beheading of a Fulani boy known as Abubakar Wada. The incident happened on the 28th of August 2017.

    “We hereby condemn any act of criminality with some highly placed political personalities that are benefiting from this cycle of violence. This situation should be handled with all seriousness and with a professional method to resolve the dastardly act of brutality.

    “A very swift action should be taken to stop further occurrences.”

    Also yesterday, Irigwe youths reported the killing of one of their youths by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The attack, according to them, took place at Kimakpa, Kwall district of Irigwe chiefdom.

    A similar situation led to serious violence in Bassa Local Government between August and October last year leading the death of over 80 people in series of attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

    The Plateau State Government also said no fewer than 14,000 people had been killed in Plateau and Benue States in recent times.

    Commissioner for Town Planning Festus Ewanter stated this yesterday in Makurdi.

    He spoke at the Benue Government House when he led a delegation of about 30 Plateau State Government officials on a condolence visit to Governor Samuel Ortom.

    They were there on behalf of Governor Simon Lalong.

    He said: ‘We are both food baskets of the nation and we have both lost over 7,000 people each to herdsmen attacks, as what happened in Guma, Logo and other parts of Benue  state, Plateau also shared the same in Bassa, Jos North  and Jos South which is still happening till date.

    “Plateau and Benue are both together, we should set aside all our differences and forge ahead to find a lasting solution to these problems.

    “Though, through administrative process, we have been separated but not in any way to divide ourselves, we should not fail as leaders to compromise the future of our generations”.

    Governor Ortom thanked Plateau government, saying Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue States are brothers and sisters.

    He said the states share similar challenges

    He added that anything that affected one state has affected all the states, stressing that the challenges were beyond them.

    “We have been brothers and sisters all along and in spite of the separation we all have the same challenges that bind us together, they are; insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment

    “So we should see that whatever that affect one of us affected all of us so all these challenges are beyond us”.

    Ortom apologized to Nasarawa State Governor  Tanko Al-Makura. He said: “Let me use this platform to apologize to my colleague in Nasarawa state over the statement I made it was due to the situation at hand then, I should not have made the information public rather it should have been a private discussion between us, I will try and see him .”  He also accepted Lalong’s apologies for his own remark about Benue state.

  • Presidency raises the alarm over fake tweet

    Presidency raises the alarm over fake tweet

    The Presidency yesterday branded as fake a Twitter message   purportedly written by  President Muhammadu Buhari,justifying the recent attacks by herders.

    “Evil doers and enemies of our country are obviously at work, seeking ways to further advance their pernicious acts,” the President’s  Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said in a statement.

    He said: “The message is denounced in its entirety, and President Buhari stands by his earlier condemnation of the killings in Benue and other parts of the country as dastardly and unacceptable before God and man.

    “Those behind the concocted message are also enemies of God and man, who have no place in a decent society.

    “The President stands by his earlier directives that all those behind wanton killings in any part of the country must be brought to book.”

     

     

  • No cause for alarm over terror alert, says Fed Govt

    No cause for alarm over terror alert, says Fed Govt

    Nigerians were advised yesterday not to panic over that alert of a likely terror attack on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and elsewhere.

    Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser Segun Adeyemi: “There is no cause for alarm despite the latest travel advisories by some Western countries.

    ”We know that the terrorists, who have been massively degraded and put on the run have been looking for soft targets to attack.

    “This is the nature of terrorism all over the world, as can be seen in recent attacks in the UK, France and Egypt, among others.

    ”That is why the Nigerian security agencies have continued to be on the alert, even if their efforts have been largely unobtrusive so as not to disrupt the daily activities of the citizenry.

    ”Such efforts are routinely stepped up during religious festivals.”

    Mohamned said the Federal Government would continue to take adequate measures to protect the lifes and property of citizens and non-citizens alike.

    He stressed that the military remained unrelenting in ensuring that the terrorists neither regroup nor regained the capacity to carry out organised attacks.

    He said the Federal Government’s sensitisation campaign on security, with the punchline ”if you see something, say something”, would be stepped up on national radio and television.

    The Minister advised the citizens to be security conscious and to report suspicious people and objects to the security agencies.

  • Wike raising false alarm against security agencies, says APC

    Wike raising false alarm against security agencies, says APC

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Nyesom Wike of raising false alarm against security agencies.

    The governor, on Wednesday, claimed the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives were behind kidnapping and robbery in the state.

    Rivers APC, at a news conference in Port Harcourt by its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone,  Secretary Emeka Beke and other leaders of the party, accused the governor of having sewn police uniforms for thugs used by his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the 2015 elections and rerun in Rivers.

    It stated that Wike ought to have emulated his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who was proactive by declaring three-day dusk-to-dawn curfew in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia, with the curfew later extended to today, to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    Rivers APC noted that the failure of Wike’s government to engage in productive ventures, was responsible for increase in the crime rate in Rivers, with hungry and angry youths returning to crime.

    Wike alleged that the SARS Commander in Rivers, Mr. Akin Fakorede, and operatives of the squad were indicted by an official police signal, which he claimed showed that they were responsible for the series of kidnapping and robbery across the state.

    The main opposition party said: “Ordinarily, the APC has no business involving in any matter between the Rivers governor and any other entity, but in the instant case and even in previous related cases, Wike has either alluded to or expressly stated that the APC benefited from whatever allegations he raised against the police or particularly the SARS. The APC has also been at the receiving end of the false alarms Wike had previously raised against the police, which, in all cases, turned out to be mere smokescreen by the governor to mask his real intentions.

    “From all indications, the Rivers governor’s accusation on Wednesday that members of SARS abducted some persons and forced them to withdraw N500,000, is manifestly cooked up to directly smear members of the SARS and the Commander, Akin Fakorede, who is known to have resisted advances made by Wike to compromise the officer.

    “Wike has never hidden his disdain for the SARS commander, due to the officer’s principled and professional stance in rejecting the governor’s bait in the past two years. Wike seems to have sworn to have Akin Fakorede compromised or transferred out of Rivers State, to pave the way for a replacement that may play ball with him.

    “Just before the killings in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) of Rivers State assumed a frightening dimension, Wike had raised the alarm, accusing the military and police of invading ONELGA. Just after his blackmail of the Army and Police, his private army, led by Don Wannie, launched his massive killing and beheading in ONELGA. Same was the case when Wike sponsored a campaign of calumny against the military personnel that tried to normalise security in Ogoniland. He made all manner of accusations against the Army that had gone in search of Solomon Ndigbara, Wike’s private army general in Ogoni. Shortly after the sponsored campaign against the Army in Ogoni , Ndigbara launched his killings in Ogoniland.

    “Part of the concerns of the APC is that whenever Wike is about committing some security infractions, he diverts attention from himself, by raising false alarm against security agencies, especially the police. In the instant case, Rivers governor is raising these alarms to distract the police and pave the way for his killers to undertake further killings in Rivers State. Without doubt, we believe the security information in our kitty to that effect.”

    Rivers APC also called on Rivers people and Nigerians not to fall for the antics of Wike, stressing that they must remain vigilant.

    It admonished security agencies to refuse to be dismayed, demoralised or distracted by the antics of the Rivers governor, but must continue to work to secure the state from the grip of Wike’s killers, who it said were on a rampage across Rivers 23 councils.

    The party said: “Rivers State APC considers Wednesday’s accusation against the police, particularly against the SARS, as patently malevolent, mischievous and intended to mask the next phase of killings by Wike’s killers.

    “The police and other security agencies must remain focused and have their eyes on the ball, to forestall worsening security situation in the state, a situation that is already getting out of hand.”

    Rivers APC also urged the peace-loving people of the state to continue to endure Wike’s bad governance till 2019, when they would have the opportunity of effecting  change through their votes, asking them to prepare to vote wisely for all candidates of the main opposition party, to move forward.

     

     

    IGP Idris faults governor’s claim on SARS operatives

    Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris has faulted the allegation by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike that the police are behind criminal activities in the state.

    Idris said Wike was expressing a personal opinion on the security situation in his state.

    Idris explained that the display of a body purported to be that of the police in a crime scene did not indicate that the policeman was involved in the crime.

    He said: “That a policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with the IPOB issue is different from saying that the policeman was involved in a crime. You cannot say that the one attacked and killed is the one involved in the crime.”

    He described the governor’s comment as a sweeping allegation which “does not make sense to me”.

  • Delta community raises alarm over alleged ‘invasion’

    Some Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Warri South West of Delta State have raised the alarm over alleged harassment and victimisation by men of the Navy.

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), which raised the alarm in a statement  in Warri yesterday, by the Chairman of Ogbe-Ijoh/Warri clan of the body, Smart Okosu, called on the Naval authorities to call the men of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta to order.

    Although efforts to get an official response from NNS Delta were futile, a source at the base said the allegations were false and an attempt to cover criminality.

    According to the statement by IYC, operatives of NNS Delta had allegedly been invading some communities; Kurogbene, Bennett Island and Souragbene; shooting, breaking into homes and stealing valuables.

  • Cardiologist raises the alarm on hypertension in youths

    The Chief Medical Director of the Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Clinic (LECC), Dr. Folasade Alli, has raised the alarm over the rate at which Nigerians are dropping dead in their prime as a result of heart-related problems.

    Dr. Alli disclosed that the problem is rampant among the youths in their 30s.

    “Unfortunately, there have been instances of young Nigerians dying with heart-related diseases, and number one cause on the list is the silent killer, hypertension. High blood pressure is not only on the increase, but has also gotten to an epidemic level. In my earlier years of practice, it (hypertension) was mostly an issue of the mature and old folk starting from 40, but today, this epidemic has shifted backward by, at least, a decade. Several younger Nigerians are dying today of the same problem. The first issue with the younger generation is the false and unwise belief that they are young, and thus, do not need to regularly check themselves; then the second issue is the fact that they are not taking preventive measures and, of course, the lack of public information on what these measures plays a major role. When told their blood pressure is high, some reply ‘I reject it’, but guess what? It is indeed high – there is nothing to reject because it is happening. The bottom line is that, this attitude needs to change”.

    The 53-year-old cardiologist added: “In those days, we used to have a definition of 40 but now we see 28 to 35 year old patients. We need to be our brothers’ keeper, we need to protect one another, and protect parents from unnecessary heartaches. My advice to the youth and young adults around their latter 20s and 30s is to engage with the literature on the cardiovascular epidemic sweeping across our country, maintain a relationship with a cardiologist, and develop healthy attitudes that can help combat hypertension. What you eat and drink matters. Adopt a healthy diet and reduce salt content in your food. Increase physical activity and maintain a healthy weight. Quit smoking and maintain a healthy attitude towards alcohol intake or simply avoid drinking alcohol altogether. Your stress level matters a lot too – for example, think about the health implication before you take a serious business decision – don’t attempt to whack a round brick into a triangular hole, it will stress you out! Also, we need to rid ourselves of nonchalant attitude towards our health. Together, we can avoid premature deaths.

    “Take food for instance. We have good fat and bad ones and these bad ones are the ones that stick to the walls of blood vessels. They thicken the blood vessels thereby causing the heart to pump harder. In simpler words, the buildup of junk in our blood vessels causes the heart to work harder than it ought to, and remember that already, the heart is the hardest working organ in the body.

    The blood vessels are very pliable but when you have bad fat that have settled on the wall of the vessels the vessel becomes thick, it hardens up. So when the heart pumps, it is pumping against a high resistance; so all these things contribute to rising blood pressure.”

     

  • Kogi raises the alarm over plans by Melaye -sponsored group to cause public disorder

    The Kogi State government has called on the security operatives to hold Senator Dino Melaye who represents Kogi West at the National Assembly, responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the state.

    The government raised the alarm over alleged plans by pro- Melaye elements to destabilize the state. The government said it was crying out “in view of the fact that the arranged pro-Melaye protest sponsored by the senator and scheduled for today (Saturday) in the state will be hijacked, and result to political hostilities and security chaos”.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd.) who said this in Lokoja urged the senator to call his supporters to order, over their planned protest over last week’s reported assassination attempt on the senator.

    He stated that: “It has become imperative to address the nagging political hostilities from certain quarters which is fast snowballing into a serious challenge in the our state. You are all aware of the allegation raised by Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West Senatorial district that there was an attempt on his life and how the whole incident was almost politicised.

    “The state government welcomes the process of investigation by the Nigeria Police, which is ongoing, to unravel the mystery behind the allegation and ensure the security of all the citizens of the state.

    “However, intelligence report at my disposal indicates plans by some supporters of Senator Dino Melaye to stage a protest at Aiyetoro-Gbedde, in support of the senator on Saturday.

    I am equally aware that some hoodlums and thugs are being recruited within and outside the state to join in the protest. “As much as we do not want the rights of the protesters inhibited, the implications of such a protest in the middle of investigations into the senator’s allegations may be grave, as some hoodlums may hijack the process to foment trouble and disturb public peace”.

    The security adviser said he was equally not unaware that some anti-Melaye group were also drumming up a counter protest of theirs on same day, stressing that these will likely lead to chaos, He said that he had already briefed the commissioner of police and other security agencies on the need to stop any form of protest for or against in Aiyetoro- Gbedde, where Senator Malaya hails from.

    “To this end, we put security agencies and Nigerians on the alert that if there is a protest on Saturday (today) and the peace of the public is disturbed, Senator Dino Melaye should be held responsible and accountable”, he said. Omodara who questioned failure by the senator’s security details to respond during the alleged attack on their principal, took a swipe on the latter for contemplating sponsorship of a protest, when the matter is still being investigated by the police.

    He said, “He reported the case to law enforcement agencies who are currently investigating the incident. Does the senator no longer have faith in the security agencies by urging or supporting some youth to take to the streets in gestapo manner and create an image of insecurity? This is not what the state need now.

    “The people of the state are yearning for development, which the current government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello is providing, and has severally solicited from all stakeholders to join hands and give our people the dividend of democracy.

  • ‘PDP raising false alarm on Fayose’

    ‘PDP raising false alarm on Fayose’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to Governor Ayo Fayose of raising false alarm on an alleged plot to remove him from office.

    The party said there was no place where its Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, granted any interview or issued any statement boasting of any plot to manipulate the Judiciary to remove Fayose from office.

    The Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, stated this in Igede-Ekiti, at the weekend, during an empowerment programme organised by the Architect Deji Adetuberu Foundation (ADAF) for over 200 widows in Ekiti Central.

    Olatunbosun said: “The statement did not emanate from the office of the  Chairman neither did the office of the Publicity Secretary has knowledge of such. So it is the handiwork of the factional PDP in Ekiti State and of course, the governor.

    “They are doing this to deceive Nigerians that their government of fraud and electoral robbery should continue to perpetrate illegality.”

  • Alarm on dangerous chemicals

    Alarm on dangerous chemicals

    A report published by  CHEM Trust (Chemical Trust) has highlighted how chemicals in food and consumer products used in homes, schools and offices could harm brain development in children.

    The report is titled: It’s a no brainer!- Action needed to stop children being exposed to chemicals that harm their brain development.

    CHEM Trust is a UK-registered charity that works at European, UK and International levels to prevent man-made chemicals from causing long-term damage to wildlife or humans, by ensuring that chemicals which cause such harm are substituted with safer alternatives.

    The report showed how the impacts – which may include ADHD and lower IQ – are avoidable and can prevent children reaching their full potential. This is contained in the CHEM Trust, “No Brainer – The impact of chemicals on children’s brain development: a cause for concern and a need for action” studies.

    It said Researchers have shown that many thousands of people have been exposed to now largely- banned chemicals such as lead and PCBs at high enough levels to have harmed their brain function. Now there is growing concern about the impacts of exposures to many of the ‘new’ chemicals in our 21st century lifestyles stated the finding.

    Chemicals of concern include brominated flame retardants (BFRs), a group of chemicals added to furniture, electronics and building materials, per- and poly- fluorocarbons (PFCs), used for non-stick coatings or breathable coatings in everyday products including packaging and clothes. Some chemicals in these groups are being phased out, but similar chemicals remain in everyday use. The study also points out the unpleasant reality that children are constantly exposed to a cocktail of chemicals, which can act together, something which is still largely ignored by chemical safety laws.

    CHEM Trust proposes a range of policies that could help address this challenge, for example faster regulatory action on groups of similar chemicals, and development of new methods for identifying chemicals of concern. They also include advice for consumers on how to reduce their exposure.

    Dr Michael Warhurst, Executive Director of CHEM Trust, said: “The brain development of future generations is at stake. We need EU regulators to phase out groups of chemicals of concern, rather than slowly restricting one chemical at a time. We cannot continue to gamble with our children’s health.”

    The report has been peer reviewed by two eminent scientists in the field, Professor Philippe Grandjean and Professor Barbara Demeneix.

    Prof Barbara Demeneix (Laboratory of Evolution of Endocrine Regulations, CNRS, Paris) said: “Chemical exposure is now at unprecedented levels, is multiple, ubiquitous, and present from conception onwards”.

    Prof. Philippe Grandjean (Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark and Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA), added:  “The chemical brain drain that we are now witnessing is a serious public health concern and a threat to human intelligence”

    Policy recommendations include: Acting faster to ban chemicals of concern, including addressing groups of similar substances, not just those where we have the most information. Ensuring that any safety testing of chemicals includes evaluation of neurodevelopmental effects. The need for more comprehensive regulation of chemicals in food contact materials like packaging. Advice to individuals includes: Eating organic food where possible, to avoid pesticides. Don’t let children play with them  till receipts, to avoid exposure to the chemical BPA. Buy products with eco-labels where possible. Clean your home frequently in order to reduce the build-up of dust, which acts as a reservoir for chemicals.

    A member of the International Federation of Gyneacology and Obstetrics (FIGO) committee on Reproductive toxins that can affect mother and child, Prof Oladapo Ashiru said member of the public should please feel free to ask him for more questions and update via his email: Dapo.ashiru@medicalartcenter.com

  • Two men raised the alarm over threat to their lives

    Two men, Adeniyi Olaewe, 32, and Ojo Yekini, 30, have raised the alarm following a threat to their lives by some people allegedly led by a man identified simply as Femi.

    The duo who spoke to reporters at the Emergency and Accident Unit, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), narrated how they escaped death by whiskers on Tuesday when a group of men in a Sport Utility Vehicle laid an ambush for them at Lakowe village in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos.

    He said: “I am in serious pains. I find it difficult to raise my right hands. The doctors told me that I have to bear with the pains depending when they will extract bullets lodged on the right side of my chest.”

    “On May 2 around 10pm, we were taking food to our colleagues working at a site in Lakowe Village in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos. I was in company with two of my colleagues and I was the one who drove.

    “My colleagues sat on the rear seat. I had the premonition that the driver of the vehicle deliberately drove towards and the occupants could be up to something sinister. As I tried to swerve the vehicle to another direction, the other vehicle moved closer.

    “Before I could find out what the problem was, the next thing I heard was sporadic gunshots and I was hit by bullets. I managed to run out of the vehicle, yet the shooter persisted. All of a sudden, a Sport Utility Vehicle was driving in our direction. After they left, we called our boss on the phone and described the spot where we hid to him. He and some others came to rescue us.

    “By the time they arrived, I was so weak because I had lost so much blood. They took us to Elemero Police Division where we lodged complaint and got police report.”

    According to Olaewe said the man who sat behind the driver of the vehicle was used the one who shot them attack them.

    On his part, Yekini said he was hit by bullets in four different parts of his body.