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Tag: missing

  • 21-year-old missing in Lagos

    21-year-old missing in Lagos

    A 21-YEAR-OLD man has   been declared missing by the Police in Lagos.   Bidemi Ayeye was declared missing by his father’s friend, Oyebami Asemiogbon.

    According to the police report, Ayeye was last seen on January 8, his year, after a family dispute at their No. 28 Kekere-owo Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos home.

    Ayeye allegedly ran away from home after being corrected for urinating on the bed.

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    Ayeye is described as dark, and fluent in English and Yoruba languages.

    As stated in the police signal, “21/1/2025 at about 15:40hrs, one Oyebami Asemiogbon, No 28 Kekere-owo Street, Ilasamaja came to the station and reported that one of his friend, Bidemi Ayeye of the same address, 21 years old, dark in complexion, speaks English and Yoruba language fluently was on the 8th of January 2025 corrected for urinating on the bed and he ran away from home, since then his whereabouts remain unknown to the family. Hence, the report action case of absconded/missing person”.

  • Missing man found inside crocodile

    Missing man found inside crocodile

    Human remains believed to be of a missing man was found inside a crocodile in north-eastern Australia, police said on Tuesday.

    The 40-year-old man had gone missing in a suspected crocodile attack near the Annan River Bridge in Far North Queensland on Saturday afternoon.

    “A formal identification process is underway however it is believed that the remains were that of a missing 40-year-old New South Wales man,” Queensland police said in a statement.

    “Further testing will be conducted to determine a positive identity.”

    Police added that the search and rescue operation for the missing man was suspended.

    Earlier, on Monday, local media quoted a spokesman for the Queensland Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation as saying that a large crocodile “believed to be responsible for the fatal attack on the man was “humanely euthanised.”

    The reptile, measuring almost five metres in length, was spotted around 4 kilometres from where the man went missing and recognised due to distinctive markings on its snout.

    The crocodile was said to be decades old.

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    Australian media reported that the man was at the popular fishing spot with his wife and children.

    Authorities were also investigating reports on social media that people were seen feeding crocodiles near the scene of the accident.

    Feeding crocodiles is considered a criminal offence and can be punished with a fine of around $6,452 Australian ($4,188 US).

    On the average, two fatal crocodile attacks are reported every year in Australia.

    The latest incident in July saw a 12-year-old girl killed in the Northern Territory.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • No phone was missing, says Edo CP

    Edo State Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosun has said investigation into the missing phone saga that led to pepper being inserted in the private parts of a sex worker, showed that no phone was missing.

    The sex worker, identified as Favour Ada Friday, 24, was beaten up and stripped naked by her accusers and raw pepper was inserted in her private parts despite denying stealing the phone.

    She was beaten up after a native doctor, through magical means, alleged that she stole the phone.

    Read also: Alleged N544m fraud: Court remands ex-SGF Lawal, others

    Three persons, including the head of a vigilance group in Ugbiyoko community, Mr. Lucky Igbinovia, popularly called One Man squad, Joel Otoghile and Iyamu Kingsley have been remanded in prison custody over the incident.

    Odumosun, who addressed female protesters yesterday, led by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and Edo State Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, said the victim was accused of stealing the phone just to extort money from her.

  • 23 soldiers missing in Borno

    Twenty-three soldiers and eight trucks are said to be missing after Boko Haram insurgents ambushed a military convoy at Boboshe, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday.

    It was gathered that the military, acting on intelligence, mobilised troops in a convoy of 11 trucks to clear the insurgents from the deserted village.

    The insurgents are believed to be those who escaped ongoing military offensives on the fringes of Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region.

    A military source told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that only three of the 11 trucks returned to their base in Maiduguri.

    The source said: “There was a quick response by the Army when they received reports that hundreds of the insurgents gathered at Boboshe on the Maiduguri-Konduga-Bama road.

    “The soldiers were ambushed and only three of the 11 trucks returned to the base. It is not clear what happened but it was assumed the soldiers went missing.”

    Meanwhile, residents of Jilli in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State have fled their community following an attack by Boko Haram insurgents.

    It was learnt that insurgents attacked the area from the Lake Chad axis.

    A resident, Malam Bukar Mustapha, told NAN that he and other villagers fled their homes when they received report that the insurgents were coming to attack them.

    He said: “On Saturday afternoon, we heard that the insurgents had gathered in the nearby bush preparing for the attack.

    “I am one of those who ran to Maiduguri, which is about 45 kilometres from my village.

    “On Sunday morning, I called Gubio and I was told that the insurgents attacked the town at night. I do not have the casualties because the situation is still not clear at Jilli.”

  • Missing the point

    It was expected that there would be positive and negative reactions to President Muhammadu Buhari’s award of a posthumous national honour to Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).   Chief Gani Fawehinmi was also honoured posthumously with Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).  Ambassador Babagana Kingibe got the national award, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).

    The Federal Government described them as “June 12 Pro-Democracy Heroes.”  Starting from next year, June 12 will be observed as Democracy Day and a national holiday, the government said.

    A statement by Buhari had explained: “June 12th, 1993 was the day when Nigerians in millions expressed their democratic will in what was undisputedly the freest, fairest and most peaceful election since our Independence.” He added that Abiola would be posthumously awarded “the highest honour of the land” as “the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 cancelled elections.”

    Talking of reactions, the reaction of Alhaji Bashir Tofa, candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the said election, is particularly intriguing. Tofa was defeated by Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the election.

    Tofa said in a statement: “There are also those who canvass that I be so honoured with a similar award of GCFR, if the motive indeed was noble and meant to serve the end of justice.” Describing the 12th June, 1993 presidential election as “inconclusive,” he also stated that “the idea that June 12 should be the new Democracy Day is also a matter that deserves serious reconsideration.”

    Clearly, Tofa missed the point. But the point was clear enough. Abiola clearly won the June 12, 1993, presidential election that was controversially annulled by military strongman General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB). It was a critical juncture in the country’s political history.  Abiola remains relevant on account of the devastation the annulment of that historic election wreaked on the collective psyche and the irretrievable loss of what might have been.

    Tofa faded into political irrelevance after the annulment of the election. He lost in the election. He was on the other side when pro-democracy fighters resisted the dictatorial annulment.  He was never a participant in the struggle for the actualisation of June 12.

    It is interesting that he expects to reap where he has not sown. He is reaping what he sowed. He should learn to live with that reality.

     

     

     

  • Mikel frustrated at missing friendly matches

    Super Eagles’ captain John Mikel Obi has expressed sadness over missing the two international friendly games between Nigeria and Poland in Wroclaw last Friday and tonight’s game against Serbia inside the Hive Stadium.

    Mikel wrote on his Instagram page on Monday afternoon that: ”Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control, I will not be on the field for our game against Serbia tomorrow (today).  I am sad, and frustrated, but giving my full support to the team for another WIN!???????? #SoarSuperEagles”.

    Obi Mikel has confirmed that he will not be available for selection in Friday night’s pre-World Cup friendly between Nigeria and Serbia at the Hive Stadium due to ‘circumstances beyond his control’.

    The official word from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is that Mikel is absent as he has been working hard at renewing his work permit in China, where he plays for Tianjin Teda. Manager Gernot Rohr confirmed post-match after the victory over Poland that he has invited Porto loanee Mikel Agu to join the team in London due to absence of the former Chelsea ace.

    The Tianjin Teda number ten last wore the Super Eagles’ jersey in their 4-2 win over Argentina in an international friendly in Krasnodar last November.

  • Fate of missing schoolgirls uncertain

    Fate of missing schoolgirls uncertain

    A Cloud of uncertainty was hanging yesterday on the fate of the girls reportedly abducted at the Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State.

    Parents demanded their return and the true situation of things from Governor Ibrahim Gaidam.

    A big search for the missing girls, whose number is also unclear, has been launched.

    Gaidam met with the parents and the Dapchi community over  Monday’s  invasion of the town and the school by Boko Haram.

    It is believed that some of the girls might have been abducted by the insurgents.

    The mood at the meeting with the parents, who gathered at the palace of the emir, turned sour when the governor announced that the missing girls had not been rescued, contrary to a statement the state government issued on Wednesday  night.

    Many of them left the palace in anger, tears and sorrow.

    Some of the residents of Dapchi threw missiles at some of the vehicles in the governor’s convoy.

    One of the parents described the governor’s message as “hopeless”.

    “The message of the governor was clearly hopeless and full of lies. How can he tell us that he is not sure whether our children are missing or not, one of the parents said.

    It was unclear how many of the girls were receiving treatment either in  hospitals or had fled to neighbouring villages.

    Report rated the affected girls as “unaccounted for” since none of the factions of Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for their abduction.

    It was learnt that more teams had been deployed in the state to comb access routes to Sambisa Forest, Niger Republic and Chad for the girls.

    A source, who pleaded not to be named said: “The military, the security agencies and the police are still searching for the missing girls. We have not been able to rescue them. The number of missing girls is fluid because of the nature of the raid. But out of 926 girls, 815 have returned. We are talking of between 94 and 111 girls unaccounted for.

    “In view of the terrain of the area, it is difficult to assume that the unaccounted girls had been abducted.

    “In view of a similar incident in Chibok in 2014, certainly we are looking at the likelihood of a Boko Haram invasion. Since they have broken into two factions, we are unsure whether it is the camp loyal to Abubakar Shekau or Abu Mus’ab Albarnawi.

    “We are collaborating with member-states of the Multi-nation Joint Task Force (MNJTF) access routes to Sambisa Forest in Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger Republic and Chad.

    “So far, you can depend on official statement by either the Federal Government or Yobe State Government.”

    The presidential delegation led by Defence Minister Manir Dan Ali is  in Yobe.

    Minister of  Information Lai Mohamed, a member of the team,  met with Gaidam at Dapchi.

    He told reporters at the school premises that Boko Haram was looking for oxygen to breathe having been pushed out of Sambisa and other fringes.

    On the number of girls missing, the minister said: “What we know as at today (Thursday) is that some of the girls are still unaccounted for. That is because some of them are still trickling back to the school,” the minister told journalists without giving the number of girls rescued or seen.

    “What we know for a fact now is we cannot account for some students but since two days ago students have been reporting back to school. We also have it on record that some of them have phone from their hiding place, some from Damaturu, some from other locations. But, as things develop we will let you know.

    But, we cannot categorically say ‘X’  number of students has been abducted but we can say not all students have returned,”  the minister said..

    He said the responses from the military and state government was commendable. “Since this thing happened, I’ve been in touch with the governor, the theatre commander and the GOC (General Officer Commanding).

    “I think we should take it in context, to me, the most authoritative position is the one given by both the governor, theater commander and the GOC. What we know is that some students cannot be accounted for. That is because some of them are still returning”, he added.

    The state government apologised for the statement issued on Wednesday night on the rescue of some of the abducted girls.

    Abdullahi Bego, the spokesman of the governor said: “The public may recall that we issued a statement last night in which we announced that some of the girls at Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC) Dapchi who went missing after Boko Haram terrorists had stormed their school last Monday were rescued by officers and men of the Nigerian Army who are currently executing the war against the Boko Haram Insurgents.

    ”We issued the statement on the basis of information provided by one of the security agencies that is involved in the fight against Boko Haram and which we had no reason to doubt.

    ”We have now established that the information we relied on to make the statement was not credible. The Yobe State Government apologises for that.

    “His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam was in Dapchi today where he met with community leaders and the principal and staff of the Girls’ College. The governor also addressed the parents of some of the schoolgirls that are still unaccounted for where he told them to pray and exercise patience as the government and security agencies at all levels continue the work to address the unfortunate situation.

    “His Excellency Governor Gaidam has also directed Education Ministry officials and the school administration to work closely with the security agencies to establish the actual number of the girls that are still unaccounted for and to contact parents and the community for possible information that could be useful in the investigation.

    ”His Excellency Governor Gaidam shares deeply and personally in the grief about the unfortunate event at the Girls’ College and, under his leadership, the Yobe State Government will continue to do everything necessary in partnership with security agencies and the Federal Government to address the situation.”

  • Controversy in Edo over ‘missing’ rice

    Controversy in Edo over ‘missing’ rice

    FOUR thousand, seven hundred and twenty one bags of rice are allegedly missing from the 6,822 donated by the Customs to Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camp in Edo State.

    They were allegedly taken from the warehouse.

    The state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused officials of diverting over 4,000 bags.

    Over two thousand bags were given to IDPs at Ohogua in Ovia North East Local Government.

    The Customs also donated 76 cartons of vegetable oil,  and 20 pairs of used shoes, among others.

    A November 10 letter signed by the Customs Assistant Comptroller-General, Mr. A. Azarema, showed that the items were from Imo, Cross River and Rivers commands.

    PDP Chairman Chief Dan Orbih, who spoke when over 300 members of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) defected to the party, said Governor Godwin Obaseki must account for the missing bags of rice.

    He said documents showed that the governor had a case to answer.

    Orbih alleged: “I have the vouchers to show I am telling the truth. PDP will be in the forefront in liberating Edo State. Last December, the director-general of NCS gave 6,822 bags of rice to IDPs. Obaseki only gave 2,101 to the camp.

    “The balance of 4,721 bags was taken by the governor for All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) members. This is a serious matter. The bags were seized from those who imported rice illegally into the country.

    “The governor pretended that they used their money to buy the rice and give to IDPs. I have been hearing of scandal, but none is as sensational as these missing bags of rice. Obaseki must account for the missing bags. He has a case to answer. They must return the bags of rice to the IDPs’ camp.”

    Camp Coordinator Mr. Solomon Folorunsho said he only received 2,101 bags of rice  as donation from NCS.

    He said he was shocked when government officials brought the rice after the Customs notified him about the items.

    Folorunsho said: “We received 2,101 bags of rice. We are still waiting for the rest. This place depends on people’s goodwill. Whoever is holding what belongs to the IDPs should release it.”

    Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy Mr. Crusoe Osagie described PDP’s allegations as lies.

    He said all items donated by the Customs, besides those damaged in storage, were distributed to IDPs and orphanages.

    “The allegation is laughable and false. It is a design by detractors to smear the image of a performing government. Edo PDP has a rich history of diverting items meant for the less privileged. Its members think other people are like them,” Osagie said.

    He said the government had made donations to people in distress “and it is irreconcilable that a known donor to humanitarian causes will divert items meant for IDPs.

    “PDP’s allegation that of the 6,822 bags of rice meant for IDPs, over 4,000 bags were diverted, as only 2,101 bags were given to the IDPs, is a figment of the imagination of its members.”

  • Activist reported missing

    An anti-corruption activist has been reported missing from his home in Ota, Ogun State, prompting fears for his safety, his family and fellow activists confirmed during the week. Kayode Sorunke, Executive Director of the International Institute for Forensic Accounting Research and Development (IIFARD), was known for his grassroots activism around the issue of corruption and rights abuse.

    According to a statement by IIFARD, Sorunke went missing on January 18, few hours after his home was burgled overnight by yet-to-be identified assailants. “The fence of the house was scaled by the bandits who ransacked the main bedroom and library and made away with some files and documents. The matter was reported at the nearest police station but Sorunke is yet to be seen since then,” the statement said.

    Sorunke, a renowned accounting scholar with research interest in public sector fraud and corruption, has published extensively in both local and international journals. Following an attack on him last October by hoodlums who damaged his laptop and manhandled him publicly, the anti-corruption crusader spoke of his intention to publish a book on his findings. IIFARD is a non-governmental research institution registered and incorporated in Nigeria.

     

  • Missing the telecoms advantage

    Missing the telecoms advantage

    • Governments slowing down growth opportunities

    Among the criticisms against the current administration has been its inability to cash in on advantages and get some no-costs-no-fuss, albeit crucial things done. We speak about such things that are commonly described as low-hanging ripe fruits which are literally begging to be plucked.

    One of such strategic sectors which is considered most beneficial and can be explored at no cost is the telecommunications sector. Its potential to galvanise every aspect of the economy, commerce and even governance has been tested and confirmed in many countries.

    But Nigeria’s governments at all levels, and agencies responsible for catalysing development have been remiss in fast-tracking approvals and permissions.

    Let us illustrate this point with the example of the emergence of the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications in the mid-90s. Almost every African country, including the smallest ones like Benin Republic and Togo were connected long before Nigeria got round to it about five years later in 2001.

    The point being made here is that it turned out that it required a mere selling of spectrum licences to private telecoms firms; and it was to the highest bidders. Nigeria earned hundreds of millions of dollars in that singular transaction without committing any funds. How then did she take so long to get around the process? Imagine the epochal changes the GSM technology has since brought.

    With the value of crude oil fast dwindling, forward-looking countries are developing other strategic advantages to be able to compete in the impending post-oil world economy. Telecoms is the future and no country wants to be left behind.

    However, Nigeria has suffered decline in her information, communications and technology development in the last few years. The last global ICT ranking by the International Telecommunication Union rates Nigeria 143 globally and 15th in Africa behind such countries as Zimbabwe, Gabon, Kenya and Ghana.

    This is a cause for worry.

    Since 2013, Nigeria had developed the National Broadband Plan; described by experts as a modest target of achieving 30 per cent broadband penetration in the country. But most of this remains on the drawing board. Where private firms had taken actions, their requests are caught up at various levels of gooey bureaucracy.

    To achieve high-speed internet and broadband access which would in turn impact rapidly on the economy, operators were to be licensed to fill critical gaps in national infrastructure. Five years down the line, only two out of seven licences have been awarded. Even then, none of the two has been able to commence building and roll out due to the inability to secure permits.

    Consider this: the bid for the broadband licences was held in 2014; winners were announced in early 2015 and licences were awarded to only two of seven winners mid-2016. Since then till now, it has been a slow, tortuous grind of the cruel wheels of bureaucracy on the licensees. Securing permits, right of ways and other roll-out requirements from various entities of government has been a herculean task for the infrastructure companies.

    Putting the challenges in perspective in an interview, one of the major stakeholders, Ms. Funke Opeke puts it this way: “The Infracos (infrastructure companies) are supposed to fill critical gaps and enable broadband services on a wholesale basis across regions. In the absence of these companies, obviously the objective of the broadband plan cannot be achieved.”

    What benefits elude the country as a result of these delays: direct jobs which would have been created in the last two years from building these networks; connectivity which would have spiraled benefits in education, trade, commerce and increased entrepreneurship across the country. These would in turn generate more jobs and taxes and dues for the various governments and agencies.

    Further, as a result of delays, telecoms companies have some of their assets un-deployed; for instance, 4g base stations with no fibre are underutilised; submarine cables are stranded in Lagos, unable to push capacity to the hinterland and the economy suffers huge consequences. It is like generating power without grid to deliver it to consumers. But in a deregulated telecoms environment, private companies are ready to build but governments hold on to permission.

    It is ironic that on one hand, government seems to strive to develop the country’s economy and on the other hand, it keeps holding back critical factors.