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Tag: Nigeria News

  • Enugu to install 24-hour solar power in 45 police divisions

    Enugu to install 24-hour solar power in 45 police divisions

    The Enugu State Executive Council has approved the installation of 24-hour solar technology to power the 45 Divisional Police Stations in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Ogbuagu Anikwe, disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the council’s meeting that held on Tuesday night.

    Anikwe said the gesture was meant to assist the police to overcome the perennial difficulties their officers faced especially at night when power supply from the public source was interrupted.

    He said government observed the difficulties being faced by those who reported cases at night, especially when there was power outage.

    “The Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Ministerial Affairs, Mrs Mabel Agbo, reported the difficulties the police and citizens who come to report cases in the night were facing.

    “They do not usually find it easy writing their statements in the dark with poor illumination. They usually resort to the use of telephone torches whenever there is power failure.

    Read also: Police personnel to participate in fitness exercise in Enugu

    “Most police officers on night duty find it difficult to recharge their phones and other essential working gadgets due to poor supply of electricity,” he said.

    Anikwe said two types of power lighting systems were approved for each of the 45 police stations in the state.

    He said simple but steady solar power supply units would be installed in reception and charge rooms which would be used for illumination, charging of phones, and for powering other essential working tools.

    He also said solar-powered street lamps would also be installed within the premises and precincts of each of the divisional offices to help to monitor movement into and out of such precincts.

    The commissioner said the installation of the internal lighting system in the offices would cost a little below N3.6 million, while the outside one was still being worked out.

    He said the project would start in the first quarter of 2018.

    NAN

  • Troops kill 20 insurgents, rescue 100 civilians

    Troops kill 20 insurgents, rescue 100 civilians

    The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said its troops had killed 20 Boko Haram insurgents in a clearance operation in the Lake Chad Basin.

    Col. Timothy Antigha, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, made the disclosure in a statement in Maiduguri.

    Antigha said that the troops captured 17 insurgents, rescued 100 people, recovered vehicles and ammunition.

    He said the six soldiers that sustained injuries in the operation were referred to military medical facility for treatment.

    He said the operations were conducted in the past two weeks in Islands in Lake Chad region to crush Boko Haram insurgents inhabiting the islands.

    “In continuation of Operation DEEP PUNCH 2, designed to smoke out Boko Haram terrorists inhabiting remote Islands in Lake Chad basin lying within Nigerian territory, troops of 8 Division, Nigerian Army, on Operation LAFIYA DOLE, supported by soldiers of the Armed Forces Strike Group have inflicted heavy casualties on Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The operation which commenced about two weeks ago preceded by coordinated air and artillery bombardments of islands and localities occupied by terrorists.

    “The insurgents sneak into Magumeri, Kauram and other locations to loot property, attack security personnel and villagers.

    “Islands and villages cleared so far include: Arena Chiki, Chikun Gudu, Arena Waje, Sa’ada and Juwe.”

    Antigha disclosed that the rescued civilians included 100 elderly men, women and children, adding that preliminary investigation revealed that most of the rescued persons were held hostage and forced to work in the farms.

    The army spokesman listed the ammunition recovered to include one Mercedes Benz Truck; two gun trucks, two pick up vans, one Anti – Aircraft machine gun, five AK-47 riffles, three Fabrique Nationals (FN) Riffles, two G3 Riffles and one Pump Action Riffle.

    Others are: one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tube, two bombs, two Very High Frequency (VHF) Radios and one Night Vision Goggle.

    The troops also recovered 55 rounds of 5.56 X 45 mm ammunition, 5 Bangalore Torpedo, Two 120mm Mortar Bombs, and 1000 rounds of 7.62 mm Ball Metal Link ammunition.

    Other ammunition included 55 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, 108 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, two memory cards, two hydraulic jacks and a 1.5 amph battery.

    NAN

  • Majek Fashek slams Daddy Freeze

    Majek Fashek slams Daddy Freeze

    Reggae musician, Majek Fashek has called out controversial On Air Personality (OAP), Ifedayo Olarinde a.k.a Daddy Freeze for his strong disapproval of his recent performance at a church concert in Abuja.

    Majek the ‘Rainmaker’, who before now had not performed at faith based events, did on Sunday December 17, at the Common wealth Of Zion Assembly ( COZA ) Christmas Carol in Guzape, Abuja.

    Freeze, who also recently condemned the practice of ‘Tithing’ in churches said it made no sense for a secular artiste like Majek to perform in such gathering as Christian altars are supposed to be sacred.

    However, Majek Fashek’s manager, Uzoma Omenka, in a video on Instagram, rebuked Freeze saying that nothing was wrong with a secular artiste performing in church.

    “There is nothing wrong with a world class legend Majek Fashek whose music sends the right message to be invited to perform in any church.

    “To Daddy Freeze, you need to do your research properly before wagging your mouth and speaking like a Kid,” he said.
    “@biodunfatoyinbo thank you once more for impacting positively into the lives of Young Nigerians and making them believe in themselves.”

    Freeze had taken to his Instagram to condemn the rainmaker crooner over the concert saying: “I am still searching for the sense in this. I am a huge Majek fan, but do I want to see him perform in a church.

    Read also: Daddy Freeze: Paying tithe is matter of love not law – FEB Idahosa

    “How did we get here? Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought Christian altars are supposed to be sacrosanct…..

    “Have you ever seen an artiste like Majek perform in a Buddhist or Hindu temple?

    “Can Majek perform inside the `Okija’ shrine? or the `soppona’ or `ayelala’ shrine?

    “If other religions value their altars and keep them sacred, is it out of place to suggest we do the same?”

    NAN

  • Police arrest suspected killers of oil firm manager in Rivers

    Police arrest suspected killers of oil firm manager in Rivers

    The police have arrested seven suspects who allegedly kidnapped and murdered a 64-year-old man, Mr Ubani Onyema, after collecting N10 million ransom.

    Team Commander, Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team ( IRT ), Abba Kyari, confirmed the arrest  on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Kyari, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said the victim, a production manager in Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Ltd., was kidnapped by gunmen in Woji area of Port Harcourt on October 16.

    He said that a ransom call was made to the hostage’s company demanding N100 million.

    “Eventually, the ransom was negotiated down to N10 million, which was paid to the kidnappers despite not getting a proof of life.

    “IRT operatives deployed to Port Harcourt by IGP Ibrahim Idris swung into action as the hostage was not released after the ransom was paid as negotiated and agreed.

    “Unrelenting follow up by the IRT eventually led to the arrest of seven of the kidnappers. Suspects confessed to various roles each played in the kidnap.

    “They admitted that the victim died on the very day of his kidnap as a result of gunshot wounds he sustained during the incident.

    “They still went ahead to collect a ransom of N10 million,” Kyari said.

    Read also: Police arrest suspected armed robbers in Jigawa

    He said that the arrested suspects, including the gang leader, allegedly confessed to the crime.

    According to him, the gang leader organised the kidnap and recruited the hostage keepers who brought the two cars used while his deputy purchased the pre-registered SIM used in negotiating and picking up the ransom.

    Among the kidnap masterminds were three men who worked in the same company with the victim and a cultist who provided the arms.

    “Items recovered from the gang include one AK-47 rifle and two vehicles used in the kidnap.

    “Effort is ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members, recover arms and the body of the victim which they confessed to have dumped into a river,” Kyari said.

    NAN

  • Mexican reporter shot dead at Christmas party

    Mexican reporter shot dead at Christmas party

    A Mexican reporter was shot dead Tuesday at his son’s school Christmas party, authorities confirmed, bringing the total number of journalists killed in the country in 2017 to 12.

    Unknown assailants burst into the school in the state of Veracruz and shot Gumaro Aguilando in front of children and parents.

    The state is known as one of the most dangerous for journalists, with several killed.

    Veracruz governor Miguel Yunes said he was saddened by the “devious and cowardly attack” and had ordered extra protection for the journalist’s family.

    The 35-year-old had apparently been threatened before and requested protection from the government’s protection programme, according to Alicia Bremont, the head of the Association of Independent Journalists in Acayucan.

    The killing makes Mexico the most deadly country in the world for journalists, alongside Syria, according to figures published by media organisation Reporters Without Borders on Monday.

    In its annual report on violence against journalists it said 12 had been killed in Mexico  this year.

    Home to several powerful drug cartels, journalists in Mexico who cover topics linked to organised crime or political corruption quickly become targets.

    NAN

    Read Also: Gunmen shoot AIT reporter in Bayelsa

  • FRSC deploys 500 personnel, 18 vehicles in Enugu

    FRSC deploys 500 personnel, 18 vehicles in Enugu

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) has deployed over 500 personnel to man all critical road corridors in Enugu State for its special Yuletide patrol.

    The critical road corridors include: Enugu-Onitsha Road; Enugu-Port Harcourt Road; Enugu-Onitsha Old Road; Enugu-Nsukka Road and Enugu-Abakaliki Road.

    The Sector Commander of FRSC in the state, Mr Edward Zamber, said in Enugu on Wednesday that the command had also deployed 18 vehicles for logistics.

    Zamber also said that the command had deployed over 15 motorcycles within the five unit commands under the command.

    He said that among the 18 vehicles were two specially equipped medical ambulances for quick response to accidents on the critical road corridors.

    He said the command had been given a 700-tonne tow truck that could remove any type of heavy duty vehicle that broke down on any road in the state.

    “We are deploying over 500 personnel, excluding special marshals that would be working with us from time to time.

    “We have streamlined our operation to the critical road corridors, road bends and curves as well as identified accident prone spots in the state.

    “The command for now is running a 24-hour road surveillance shift each day to ensure we stay on the road always.

    “The command is also working in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the police and military in the state to  ensure safety and security of lives and property of our people,’’ the sector commander said.

    “We in the command are wishing Nigerians a safe ride to their destination as well as reminding them that safety on the road is everybody’s responsibility,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • ICYMI: Court dissolves marriage over wife’s penchant for twisting husband’s testicles

    ICYMI: Court dissolves marriage over wife’s penchant for twisting husband’s testicles

    An Igando Customary Court in Lagos State on Tuesday dissolved the five-year-old marriage between Mr Chukwuma Onwumere and his wife, Obianuju, following the respondent’s threat to the  petitioner’s life by always twisting his testicles anytime they were fighting.

    The president of the court, Mr Moses Akinniyi, in his judgment said the estranged couple was tired of the marriage, adding that all efforts to reconcile them had failed.

    “Since both parties consented to the dissolution of their marriage, this court has no choice than to dissolve the marriage.

    “The court pronounced the marriage between Mr Chukwuma Onwumere and Mrs Obianuju Onwumere dissolved today ( Tuesday ); both parties, henceforth, cease to be husband and wife.

    “Both are free to go their separate ways without any hindrance and molestation,” Akinniyi ruled.
    The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) reports that Chukwuma had earlier told the court that his wife was a threat to his life.
    “My wife had wanted to kill me by always grabbing my testicles anytime we were fighting.

    “Apart from twisting my scrotum, she was always hitting me with dangerous weapons over trivial issues.
    “She once cut me with a machete on my head during one of our fights,” he said.
    The 43-year-old petitioner said that his wife was in the habit of going out and returning at will, adding that each time he cautioned her she would engage him in a fight.

    Obianuju also said that his wife was fond of disrespecting him and his relations.

    He, therefore, implored the court to dissolve their five-year-old marriage, saying that he was no longer interested in the relationship.

    Read Also: ‘My wife is a party freak’ husband tells court

    Obianuju  who was the respondent in her submission  denied all the allegations levelled against her by the petitioner.

    She said that her husband was actually a threat to her life.
    “My husband was always beating me; all the scars on my body were as a result of his battering. There was a day he beat me and one of my teeth went off.
    “There was also a night while sleeping that I saw my husband with a charm in his hand, moving round my bed and reciting some incantations.
    “I quickly stood up from the bed, but he left my room and placed the charm at my door step,’’ the 34-year-old woman said.
    The mother of two said that her husband moved her belongings to her village on the allegation that she had witchcraft.

    “My husband took my property to my parents, saying that he was told by a spiritualist that I am a witch.
    “He told my parents that he was no longer interested in our marriage,” she said.
    She also denied the allegation that she attacked her husband with a machete, saying there was no machete in their matrimonial home.
    The respondent, therefore, pleaded with the court to grant her husband’s wish by dissolving the marriage.

  • Police contributes N10bn to National housing fund – IGP

    Police contributes N10bn to National housing fund – IGP

    The Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday said it had contributed over N10 billion in remittances to the National Housing Fund since the inception of the scheme.

    The Inspector – General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, made the disclosure at the inauguration of the Nigeria Police Mortgage Bank Cash Centre and ATM gallery in Abuja.

    Idris said that the establishment of the bank became imperative to provide police officers with unhindered access to the National Housing Fund.

    He also said that the bank had also provided officers with loans at lower interest rates than obtained in other commercial banks.

    Read Also: Police to strengthen ‘bail is free’ campaign

    He promised to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of all police investments to enhance welfare of personnel.

    “It is my earnest belief that the Nigeria Police Mortgage Bank is strategically positioned to drive our ambitious welfare agenda,”the police boss said.

    He said that the force would continue to support and encourage synergy toward achieving the welfare objectives of the bank.

    He said that the police management would consider ways of encouraging and engaging other police investments and Institutions in mobilising fund to support the bank.

    The Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank, retired DIG Uba Ringim, said that the bank had successfully disbursed mortgage loans to over 500 police personnel.

    Ringim said the bank had also processed over 400 National housing fund loans approval from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria for personnel.

    He further said that over 200 police officers were beneficiaries of other loan products with the lowest interest rates.

    He said that the cash centre would avail the bank customers with the opportunity to walk in and access wide range of products and mortgage services.

    The chairman said that the bank had obtained CBN approval for the deployment of three additional ATMs in Garki, Wuse and Dei-Dei, all in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) reports that the Nigeria Police Mortgage Bank commenced business in 2015 to provide personnel with affordable and quality housing.

  • A’Ibom Christmas Groove: Tuface, Tiwa, Wizkid, others to perform

    A’Ibom Christmas Groove: Tuface, Tiwa, Wizkid, others to perform

    Wizkid, Tuface, Tiwa Savage, and others to perform at Akwa Ibom Christmas Groove Wizkid, Tuface, Tiwa Savage will perform at the maiden edition of the Akwa Ibom Christmas groove tagged, “Ukap’isua,” scheduled to hold Dec. 26 and Dec. 27 in Uyo.

    Mr Victor Antai, state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, who made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo, listed other acts to include Tekno, Phyno and many more.

    He said more than 100,000 fun seekers are also expected at the “Ukap’isua’’ groove which means the end of the year Christmas festival and would feature musical concerts, dance party and beach competitions.

    According to him, the star studded event will also include a parade of five bands along the carnival routes, University of Uyo mini stadium – Ikot Ekpene road – Aka road – UdoUdoma Avenue – Unity Park.

    He said that five bands have been named after tourist attractions and historical features in the state such as, Blue River Band, Rolling Hills Band, The Beach Town Band, The Bridge Band and The Plaza Band.

    He said, “the bands are named after tourist attractions and historical features in the state.’’

    “The bands will further expound on the significance of their respective tourism features in their costumes, presentation and parade, thereby helping to market the tourist potentials of the state.’’

    “Following our highly successful outing in `Orange September,’ a series of events organised to commemorate the 30th anniversary of our dear state.

    “The Ministry of Culture and Tourism under my supervision has decided to undertake another major event in our conscious and regular efforts to further stamp the state as a tourism destination.

    “As we all know, yuletide periods in the state have hitherto been bereft of hyped activities.

    “During this period we usually witness an outflow of human traffic into neighbouring states as indigenes and fun seekers leave the state in their numbers to other parts of the country in search of entertainment and recreation.

    “It is in an attempt to remedy this and spice up the yuletide experience for the citizens of Akwa Ibom State, while effectively marketing our huge tourist potentials that the Ministry has decided to host “Ukap’isua.”

    “We hope to create during this same period, a unique experience that will not only create recreation and entertainment, but also market our huge tourism potentials,’’ Antai said.

    He explained that “Ukap’isua would commence with the opening of the festival village, located at the auspicious Ibom Unity Park, Udoudoma Avenue, Uyo.

    Antai said that the festival village would host relaxation spots, shopping stalls and other recreational facilities.

    The commissioner expressed the commitment of the state government to focus on tourism as major source of revenue generation and jobs creation rather than depending solely on oil.

  • Federal and states partnership crucial to national development – Osinbajo

    Federal and states partnership crucial to national development – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the collaboration of the Federal and state government is crucial to achieving development plans of the country.

    He stated this on Tuesday at the retreat of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with Secretaries to the State Governments held in Abuja.

    He noted that the business of governing needs innovations to tackle complex challenges, adding that the two tiers of government were in a better situation to resolve them through partnership.

    “But despite the important initiatives and decisions of fg we will achieve little if we do not have relevant state government agencies actively working with the federal government to implement them.

    “So, the role of the SGFs is clearly central to cascading the action points and conclusions to the relevant MDAs in their states.

    “And this is so, whether we are implementing the federal government’s fertilizer policy or the anchor borrowers scheme in the states.’’

    He said that one of the challenges of federalism is that while the federal and state governments enjoy individual autonomy, they must still operate as one government.

    He noted that the objective was for the government of the federation to serve the best economic and social interest of the people.

    “So when we speak of the Nigerian economy it is the sum of the economies of the federal government and the states.

    “Yet each government determines its own priorities, draws its own budget and implements its own programmes and projects.
    “So a meeting such as this, where the agenda and modalities for collaboration may be set is in my view an eminently sensible idea and requires the support of all of us if we are to meet the expectations of our people,’’ he said.

    The Vice President stated that one of the crucial concerns of the federal government’s economic development agenda was to improve local and foreign investments in the country.

    Osinbajo remarked that the SGFs office coordinates the Ecological fund and NEMA that frequently intervened in the states.

    He said it was the responsibility of the SGFs office to interface with the states to ensure that such interventions were improved.