The Nation Newspaper

Tag: escapes

  • Chief of Army staff escapes Boko Haram ambush

    Chief of Army staff escapes Boko Haram ambush

    •Five insurgents killed •One soldier too

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai ,almost ran into a Boko Haram ambush yesterday on the Maiduguri-Dikwa road,Borno State.

    But his advance team did and lost one soldier.

    Five of the terrorists were killed by the advance team in the gun fire exchange.

    The soldiers  were on their  way to Dikwa ahead of Gen.Buratai who is currently visiting troops in towns and villages recently liberated from terrorists in the state.

    Four terrorists surrendered.

    Also during the trip,the Chief of Army arrested four other suspected Boko Haram members after picking them from the midst of herdsmen.

    As Buratai’s  convoy was made its way to Dikwa, eagle eyed soldiers grew suspicious of  some men among the herdsmen and their cattle.

    The COAS ordered the convoy to stop and got four men and an elderly Fulani man arrested.

    The Fulani man confessed during interrogation that he met the suspects   just before their arrest and had actually forced themselves on his party.

    The four  confessed that they were indeed  members of the terror sect.

    They were there and then whisked off to Maiduguri.

    The Army Chief visited Dikwa,  Mafa and Gamboru-Ngala.

    At Mafa, General Buratai commended soldiers of  the 7 Division of the army for a job well done.

    He  assured them of  improved welfare and allowances.

    He however told the  soldiers that  “there is still more job to be done and we have to do this once and for all so that all of us can go back to our respective barracks and continue with our normal jobs as soldiers”.

    In Dikwa  the COAS  was welcome with cheers by over 4000 internally displaced persons from Gamboru and neighbouring towns, who were full of praises and prayers for him and his soldiers.

    Buratai who addressed them  in Kanuri pledged that  that they would soon be resettled as his troops are working round the clock  to rid the area of terrorists.

    In Ngala town, the Army chief met jubilant troops   celebrating the liberation of the area.

    He was accompanied by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Baba Abubakar who made the trip by air.

  • Man suspected of kidnapping seven kids escapes lynching

    Man suspected of kidnapping seven kids escapes lynching

    But for providence, a technician would have been Iynched in Lagos last weekend by a mob that thought he abducted the eight children in his bus.

    Gabriel Chima’s  son was among the children, his explanation that he did not kidnap the boys was ignored by the mob.

    His nose was bruised and his bus vandalised.

    The incident occurred in Ijegun, Lagos, about 6pm last Friday when he went out the children to deliver some goods.

    Recounting his ordeal at the Isheri-Oshun Police Station, Chima, whose shop is on Prince Road, Tunde Akinsola Street, Ijegun, said he agreed to assist another shop owner Charles Asoku, to deliver cartons of whitening liquid at Ijegun market.

    His words: “It was my own bus and whenever business is dull, I go out in the evenings, plying Jakande Gate and Ijegun. I would go a few rounds before retiring home. These days, PHCN has been dealing with us in the area generally and I have to make ends meet. When my neighbour told me to assist him, I accepted as I have been doing for him and some others before. I did not suspect I was wrong or that the children’s coming with us that day was a disaster in waiting.”

    He said while packing the cartons inside the bus, his son and seven of his friends joined in the packing and “after we finished, my son jumped into the bus, insisting on following me”.

    Chima said: “When I saw that his friends who had worked with him equally came into the bus, I did not feel like disallowing them. We went out together. We had delivered about 50 cartons of the liquid substance at a place and was going to the second for the remaining seven when the police stopped me for a check”.

    He said it was while talking with the police that some hoodlums emerged from nowhere, calling him “a kidnapper who the police should not be allowed to take away and later released as they usually do”.

    The mob, he said, ignored his explanation that he is not a kidnapper, adding: “They punched me severally, in the process of which I lost my phone and some amount of money.

    “I told them (the police) the seven boys were friends of my own son who was in the bus. But before the police could allow me to go, these boys came from nowhere, slapping and beating me. They almost took control if not for the bravery of the police.

    “When the two officers could not control the situation, they called for additional men from the Isheri-Oshun Police Station who soon came, firing bullets into the air and releasing tear gas canisters. If the police had not done this, today I should be a dead man. The hoodlums really wanted to lynch a kidnapper,” he added.

    Sources, however, said Chima initially refused to stop for a search when the police flagged him down.

    The source said: “The man caused all that happened. The report I had was that he refused to stop when the police stopped him. This caused some suspicion and raised concerns. It was actually this development that attracted the hoodlums who almost lynched him”.

    Clarifying that no one had been arrested in connection with the attack, the source warned the people against flouting police orders, especially at check points.

    “Why will anyone not stop when ordered to do so? There are so many dangers in it. If this man had been lynched, he would have shared in the blame, although it is wrong for people to take laws into their hands as well,” the officer said.

  • Man escapes lynching for attempted child theft

    Man escapes lynching for attempted child theft

    A middle-aged man narrowly escaped being lynched last Saturday for allegedly attempting to steal a three-year-old child.

    One of the women, who caught him said she suspected he was a ritualist.

    “I noticed the way he was trying to lure the child with a piece of biscuit. At a point, he carried the child and made to hurry out of the place. Seeing that if left alone without watching him, I may not see him again, I quickly alerted two other women and asked them look for the mother of the child.

    When the woman (mother) arrived at Agbe Road in Abule Egba, she found her child in the hands of a total stranger and raised the alarm,” said the woman.

    She added: “Within some few minutes, people started gathering. All efforts for them to know why he carried the child and attempted to go failed. He was silent. So, the crowd became angry and started punching him. Some people even attempted to break his head with empty bottles, but two men who held the man made it impossible for them to use broken bottles on him.”

    Another source, said the suspect was given the beating of his life.

    The irate crowd was said to have dragged him to a nearby police station from where he was transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

  • Cancer patient escapes from UBTH without paying bill

    A cancer patient, simply identified as Mrs Enoyin, has allegedly run away from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) without paying her medical bill.

    Her 15-year old son, Esosa Ukponayusi and his younger sibling, are also being held at the Ugbowo Police Station in Benin, the Edo State capital, for alleged “unruly behaviour and assault” on the whereabouts of their mother.

    Authorities of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) accused the children of rudeness to the workers.

    Mrs Enoyin, a widow and indigent patient, was receiving treatment at the UBTH.

    She was reported to have escaped from the hospital, following her inability to pay the balance of her medical bill.

    Mrs Enoyin reportedly sold bean cake (akara) to cater for her children.

    One of her breasts was cut off to prevent the spread of the cancer.

    The poor woman was allegedly detained for eight weeks at the hospital before her escape.

    It was learnt that her two children, who had spent the Christmas in detention, had been released.

    They were said to have gone to check their mother at the hospital but were shocked to learn that she was no longer there.

    The children were alleged to have assaulted UBTH’s security personnel, demanding the whereabouts of their mother.

    But a member of the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC), who spoke in confidence for security reasons, confirmed the incident.

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Michael Ibadin, could not be reached for comments.

    But the source said Mrs Enoyin’s son was detained for allegedly assaulting the security personnel and not because of the woman’s inability to pay her medical bill.

    The source said: “The truth of the matter is that they were not detained because the woman escaped but because they beat up our security. Whenever people behave like this, we usually write up their medical bills. They actually arranged for her to escape because when our security insisted on conducting a search in their house, they resisted. This led to the fracas.”

    On the allegation that the patient was detained for eight weeks, the source added: “If you are on admission, you are expected to pay your bill before you leave. But because she had not done that, she was in the ward. So, it is not as if the police were watching her. What she would have done was to approach the Medical Social Service, where her matter would be looked into for help. But she decided to run away.”

    But other sources at the UBTH said the doctors and nurses responsible for the woman’s treatment would lose their salaries in lieu of her medical bill.

    The source said: “It is not unusual to have those responsible for escaped patients being surcharged and punished for dereliction of duty. That is why in most cases, we demand payment from patients before commencing treatment. It is not really our making. Rather, it is the kind of system we find ourselves.

    “It is even more painful when you stick out your neck for some patients who were rushed in on emergency. Some of them escape when they have recovered, on the pretext of trying to buy some items at the gate. It is really unfortunate.”

  • Joel Obi escapes Inter sack

    Joel Obi escapes Inter sack

    Super Eagles midfielder, Joel Obi’s name has been left out of the list of players facing departure from Italian side, Inter Milan this transfer window.

    Reports in the Italian media on Wednesday  indicated some of the names that the club have highlighted as up for sale.

    The Nerazzurri are in a transitional process under new owner Erick Thohir, with the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Yann M’Vila coming in to push the San Siro outfit up the table.

    However, Tuttosport have revealed a number of the players the Indonesian businessman and Coach Walter Mazzarri deem as surplus to requirements.

    Ricky Alvarez is probably the most high-profile of those, with the paper claiming that a fee of 12m euros could see him leave.

    Fredy Guarin is also another on the list, with the club seemingly upset with his protracted, but ultimately fruitless, attempt to move to Juventus in January.

    Saphir Taider could be used in a part-exchange deal for Southampton’s Dani Osvaldo, whilst Hugo Campagnaro, Ezequiel Schelotto and Matias Silvestre could all also go.

    Obi spent almost all of last season out on loan at Parma, and before that, was out injured, meaning he’s had little playing time at the club.

    Inter are hoping to raise at least 30m euros from the sales.

  • Maigari escapes impeachment

    • NFF promises reconciliations • Wants FG to probe football house • Ready to unban Ogunjobi, Baribote 

    The Excutive Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) resumed its duties yesterday by holding its first official meeting since the lifting of FIFA’s suspension of Nigeria that was caused by a Jos High Court sacking of the Board.

    The much anticipated impeachment of NFF president Aminu Maigari did not happen, instead all the aggrieved parties were prevailed on to sheathe their swords and reconcile in the interest of Nigerian football, according to NFF spokesman, Emeka Inyama.

    Inyama, a board member and chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL) revealed what transpired during the meeting.

    “I am happy to announce to you the full resumption of the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation. The Management and indeed the Congress is back to the business of Nigerian football.

    “The 12 members of the Executive Board of the Nigerian Football Federation have been deliberating because one of us travelled abroad and we have resolved to move Nigerian football forward. All issues that are likely to cause any conflicts were discussed and we have agreed that we have to make sacrifices to move the game forward in the country.

    “We are indeed appreciative to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his quick intervention and also the Minister of Sports for his fatherly role in ensuring the vacation of the (Court) order that has returned the Executive Committee and all other bodies concerned in the court order. The Board will be paying a visit to the Honourable Minister.

    “There will be an official board meeting come Thursday next week, which is 24th July, 2014. Today’s meeting is just an interactive meeting where we had  afrank talk, heart-to-heart discussions.

    “We read so much in the social media that there is division in the NFF and that people are going to fight and that one body would be impeached and another body would be suspended. But there is no such thing. We are one full body for the good of Nigerian football, and for the good of the youths of this country all sacrifices must be made.

    “We also want to appeal to all aggrieved parties to sheathe swords and make positive contributions to Nigerian football. The election will soon be here and it will be thrown open. Nobody will be shut out of the election. It is open to all qualified Nigerians to take part in.”

    Inyama also asked for a probe of the finances of the NFF. “Finally, the Board as a responsible organization has also heard about money issues and we have resolved to encourage the Federal Government to set up a probe into the finances of the Nigeria Football Federation so that the issue will be put to rest once and for all. The body is ready to account for all monies given to it. We also feel it is only fair to hear the other side of the party before finally concluding. So, we want this probe so that the credibility of Nigeria will be restored,” he clarified.

    The NNL boss concluded by sending an olive branch to banned members like Taiwo Ogunjobi and Victor Rumson Baribote, concerning their re-absorption to the NFF.

    “Arising from the withdrawal of the case from court, we return to status quo. Every matter taken before now is null and void,” he said.

  • McIlroy’s rumoured love interest Nadia Forde escapes death

    McIlroy’s rumoured love interest Nadia Forde escapes death

    Rory McIlroy’s new potential love interest was lucky to escape serious injury after flipping her car six times in a serious motorway crash.

    Nadia Forde has been spotted out with McIlroy in Dublin following his split with world number 15 tennis star Caroline Wozniacki but was lucky to walk away unscathed after a wet weather smash in Warwickshire.

    The 25-year-old model lost control of her Fiat 500 in rainy conditions on the M40 before crashing into the motorway’s central reservation and flipping the vehicle six times.

    Forde was taken to hospital as a precaution in the early hours of Sunday morning due to a blow to the head but was later discharged.

    Her spokesman said: “Her guardian angel was working overtime. It was a real scare and the car was a complete write-off, but she is fine.”

    The singer is expected to take time out from promotional work for her new single as she recovers from shock.

    McIlroy is busy preparing for The Open, which he begins as third favourite today.

     

  • Lobi’s Adeleke escapes death

    Lobi Stars’ Coordinator, Ganiyu Adeleke, escaped death by the whiskers on Tuesday when a vehicle knocked him off in company of some friends in Abuja, very close the venue of their Federation Cup Round of 16 tie with Plateau United slated for today in Minna.

    Adeleke who is presently recuperating at an hospital in Abuja hinted that he sustained a nasty gash in the head and that he was fortunate to be alive after he was hit by an on-rushing vehicle.

    Narrating his experience, Adeleke said: “It was in the evening and very close to the time we were supposed to break our fast when I and some friends decided to go out to buy some things needed for that purpose. The vehicle came from no where and hit me. It left a deep cut on my head.”

  • Orji’s son escapes death at father’s reception

    Abia State Governor Theodore Orji’s son, Chinedum, was lucky at the weekend when shots were fired as he got set to leave a ceremony. He was unhurt, but his personal assistant, John Ndubuka, was killed.

    Chinedum accompanied his parents to a reception held in his father’s honour by Ikwuano/Umuahia indigenes when the incident occurred.

    Ndubuka was certified dead on arrival (DOA) by doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, where he was rushed to.

    A source said when the reception at the former Umuahia main market was concluded about 4:30pm, the governor and his entourage left for the home of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, where guests were entertained.

    He said as the governor’s son and his aide were leaving the venue about 5:15pm, a gunshot was fired. He was inside the car, but his aide was outside.

    The source said the bullet hit the aide in the shoulder, leaving him in a pool of blood.

    The governor’s son and others reportedly took him to FMC, where he was certified dead and his remains were taken to the mortuary.

    The police said yesterday in Umuahia that they had arrested three suspects in connection with the incident.

    The command spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonnaya confirmed the death of the governor’s son’s aide.

    He said the suspects were arrested between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

    Ogbonnaya said the investigation would help the police to unravel the circumstances leading to the death.

    Speaking to reporters about the incident, Commissioner for Information and Strategy Chief Eze Chikamnayo, confirmed the incident, saying shots were fired by the police.

    He, however, said the shots were the “only two” fired into the air to disperse the crowd at the entrance to the venue of the reception.

    Chikamnayo said the identities of the culprits were yet to be ascertained, adding that the police had begun investigation.

  • Young Shall Grow Motors’ owner escapes death

    Young Shall Grow Motors’ owner escapes death

    Suspected assassins struck in FESTAC Town, Lagos Tuesday night, shooting the owner of a popular transport company, Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo.

    The gunmen, The Nation learnt, opened fire on his vehicle around 10pm on 4th Avenue Road in the town.

    A police Corporal, Ngozi Chijoke of the Patrol and Guards (PG), Lagos State Command, who was with him in his vehicle, was shot dead. Obianodo’s driver was also killed.

    Two of the gunmen were killed by some policemen who were on patrol during a shootout.

    Other members of the gang, police sources said, escaped with wounds in a Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), which was riddled with bullets.

    It was gathered that Obianodo sustained bullet wounds in one of his hands, which he used to block his chest against the hail of bullets.

    Sources said he was rushed to an undisclosed hospital.

    Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), who confirmed the incident, said: “His vehicle was double-crossed in a lonely area around 22 Road in FESTAC and the assailants opened fire and killed his driver. Some policemen who were on patrol heard the sound of the gunshots and moved to the scene. There was a serious exchange of gunfire and two of the suspects were killed.

    “Their Highlander operational SUV was perforated with bullets, while the other suspects who escaped in it sustained bullet injuries. One AK49 and AK47 rifles with 400 live ammunition and 10 fully loaded magazines were recovered from the suspects. We lost one of our men too.”

    She said investigations had begun in a bid to arrest the fleeing suspects.

    Braide urged the public and hospitals to report to the police any information about the Highlander SUV or the suspects.