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  • One dead as cultists attack LASPOTECH Ikorodu campus

    One dead as cultists attack LASPOTECH Ikorodu campus

    One person was killed while several others were wounded on Tuesday following a bloody attack on Ikorodu Campus of the Lagos State Polytechnic ( LASPOTECH ) by suspected cultists.

    The deceased, identified as Ahmed Amao, was a former LASPOTECH student who had been expelled from the institution.

    We gather that the groups of hoodlums invaded the Ikorodu campus from different directions on Tuesdacy evening, chasing the students around the polytechnic with guns, machettes and knives.

    LASPOTECH spokesman, Olanrewaju Kuye, told our reporter that the terrified students alerted the institution’s security personnel on sighting the hoodlums, comprising some former students of the polytechnic.

    “So, we had to chase them out the campus via the polytechnic’s first gate; but when we got there, we discovered another set (hoodlums) approaching from the adjourning village to attack our students.

    “Upon sighting our security men the gang began to shoot at will and our security men had no choice but to retaliate.

    “Unfortunately, we hit one of the hoodlums, Ahmed Amao, a former student who had been expelled for examination malpractice. We learnt he died on Wednesday,’’ Kuye said.

    He added that but for the prompt response of the institution’s security personnel, many students could have lost their lives in the attack.

    Kuye assured parents of the safety of their wards following the attack on the campus by suspected cultists, saying “this will never be allowed to happen again.

    “They should go on with their normal duties because nothing untoward will happen to them.

    “Our security men now wield firearms too and our students have our phone numbers for prompt response. We will not take chances,’’ said the LASPOTECH spokesman.

    Confirming the incident, Chike Oti, Spokesman, Lagos State Police Command, said that the attackers were on revenge mission following an attack on one of their members.

    Oti said two suspects were arrested with a locally made pistol following the incident.

    There was heavy presence of gun-wielding security personnel comprising the police, Oyabo (local vigilante) and private guards when our correspondent visited LASPOTECH Ikorodu Campus on Wednesday.

    Calm is gradually returning to the institution as students and other members of the polytechnic community were seen going about their normal activities on Wednesday.

    NAN

  • ‘I’ll only return to school if Buratai is the gateman’

    ‘I’ll only return to school if Buratai is the gateman’

    …no girl is abducted – Yobe Education commissioner insist

    Faiza Mohammed, one of the girls who escaped Boko Haram onslaught at Government Girls Science and Technical  College Dapchi  said she will not go back to school except the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai is the gateman of the school.

    Faiza statement underscores the need for authorities to beef up security in the school so as to build confidence both among the students and parents who are at the moment apprehensive of the resurgence attacks especial the Monday attack on the school.

    The attack on the school has also caused some level of panic across the northern part of Yobe State which has witnessed fewer attacks of the insurgents in the last seven years except Geidam.

    According to Faiza who gave a graphic account of the experiences they went through in the process of shielding their presence from the marauding Boko Haram terrorists also informed that one of her classmate was bitten by a snake as they tried to escaped their way through the bushes in the night to unknown destinations.

    Faiza who praised the efforts of their teachers during the time noted that, “our teachers tried to keep us together. They tried their best to control us not to scatter into the bush but some stubborn students started jumping the fence to run into the bush. There were some of us that hide into nearby houses from the school”.

    She informed that the Vice Principal Academics and the Vice Principal Admin were together monitoring the movement of the Boko Haram around the school.

    “I told my mother that I will not go back to that school again except Buratai is the gateman. But my sisters Daughter told me that my demands are impossible because Buratai cannot come down to Dapchi to become gateman at my school. What I simply want is for government to provide for us enough security.

    “Because of what my sister said. I will go back but if I see not security, I will just come back and study at home and write my final exams and my JAMB, Faiza said.

    Speaking on the number of students that ran to the bush, Faiza informed that one of her friends and her classmate from Gashua  was bitten by a snake, while others have broken their legs in the process of running into the bush.

    Meanwhile, Yobe State Government has closed down the school for one week, as the Army has launched a search and rescue operation for the missing students.

    The commissioner for Education in the State Hon. Mohammed Lamin has insisted that no child was abducted by Boko Haram but however admitted that some children are still missing from the attack.

    The commissioner in a text message admitted that the insurgents were in Dapchi but no form of abduction took place at the school.

    In the meantime, some parents of the students who are yet to see their children are still faced with frustration and anxiety and trauma after they have not spoke to their children for more than 48 hours.

    Some of them have taken to the social media to demand explanation on the missing girls.

    One of the parent wrote on his faebook page as captured by our correspondent thus:

    #Tragedy #Disaster#Trauma #Emergency
    Where are our Girls?
    Following the attack on Dapchi my hometown by suspected Boko Haram members and their penetration into the Government Girls Science and Technical College in the town on Monday 19/2/2018. A lot of families are left in confusion and trauma of not knowing the whereabout of their daughters and the authorities concerned did not give any genuine  feedback to the people.
    The Authorities insist the  Girls are missing while parents of the Girls and Community members including myself have established that those girls were abducted by the insurgents just as the widely  publicized Chibok Girls.
    I am by this urging the Government at all levels to be sincere with us and let us know and possibly participate in any effort put in place for  finding  the “missing ” girls. To the  media also, your investigative reportage  should not just stop at political wrangling, this  is a time  the  helpless community people need your  services.
    So far, within Dapchi town alone, nothing is heard of over forty girls and no Authority consoled their families after almost 48hrs. Haba!

    One of the teachers told our correspondent that over 70 students are still missing.

    In the latest update, the Yobe State Police Commissioner Abudulmaliki Sunmonu told journalist in Damaturu that  a total of  815  students have been physically counted and seen out of 926 student population of the school.

    We have physically seen 815 students out of the 926 students in the school. That gives you the figure of 111 still missing,” CP Sunmonu said

    He informed that the rescue operation comprising the police, military and the DSS is still ongoing in the gener

     

  • Housemaid steals employer’s jewellery, bolts to home state

    Housemaid steals employer’s jewellery, bolts to home state

     

    A 21-year-old housekeeper, Janet Igwe Ogbu, who allegedly stole her employers’ property including jewellery valued at N460,250, is facing trial at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused was arraigned before the Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, felony and stealing.

    Janet, who resides with her employer, however, pleaded not guilty and was admitted to a bail of N100,000 with two sureties.

    Kubeinje said the sureties should be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

    According to the Prosecutor, Police Sgt. N. Kenrich, the accused committed the offences between Nov. 12 and Dec. 1, 2017 at Magodo Phase 1, Lagos.

    He told the court that the accused, who is from Benue, conspired with another man still at large to steal some property including jewellery valued at N460, 250 belonging to the complainants — Mr and Mrs Alex Taiwo.

    “The accused stole N150, 000 cash, a Samsung S5 phone valued at N85, 000, N120, 000, a suit case worth N25, 250 and jewellery worth N80, 000, totalling  N460, 250 and ran to Benue.”

    Kenrich said the accused, who again stole in Benue, was re-arrested and brought back to Lagos to face the music.

    The offences violated Section 287 (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The section stipulates seven years imprisonment for offenders.

    The magistrate has fixed March 14 for further hearing.

    NAN

     

  • Under-aged voting: INEC sets up 8 member investigation panel

    Under-aged voting: INEC sets up 8 member investigation panel

    …Panel to turn in report in two weeks

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set up a eight member committee to investigate the alleged underaged voting in the recent Kano state Local Government Election.

    The Committee which has two weeks to turn in its report has Engineer Abubakar Nahuche, a national Commissioner as Chairman.

    Other members of the committee are: Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, a national Commissioner, Barrister Kassim Geidam Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa state, Yakubu Duku, Electoral Operations Department, Mrs. Rukayat Bello Voter Registry Department, Paul Omokere ICT Department and Mr. Jude Okwuonu P&M Department, Secretary.

    The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu announced the composition of the panel yesterday when he received in audience Leadership of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) at the Commission’s headquarters.

    Yakubu said the committee shall focus solely on the allegation of under-aged persons on the voter register.

    The committee he said among other things is to ascertain if the voter register requested by the KSIEC was actually used in the council poll.

    As part of the terms of reference, the committee is to investigate the widespread report that persons below the statutory age of 18 years voted using INEC’s register.

    The committee he said is also expected to engage with stakeholders on issues related to the use of the voter register in the election.

    At the end of its work, the committee is expected to make any other recommendations which in its opinion are relevant to its assignment.

    He stressed that since both bodies have constitutional mandate to conduct elections, the committee is not investigating the conduct or outcome of Local Government election by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KSIEC).

    Besides, he said issue of under-aged voting has given cause for the review of the aspect of the collaboration between the Commission and the SIEC.

    He said: “INEC will continue to improve on our processes and procedures. We are totally committees to the task of strengthening our electoral process. Where we have cause to review aspects of our collaboration, we will not hesitate to do so. One such area is the alleged incidence of under-aged voting in the recent Local Government election in Kano state. We promised Nigerians that the matter will be fully investigated and a committee will be set up for this purpose headed by a national commissioner with Resident Electoral Commissioners and staff from technical departments of the commission as members.

    For the purpose of clarification, the committee is not investigating the conduct or outcome of the Local Government election by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission. These are outside the constitutional and legal responsibilities of INEC. Rather, the committee shall focus solely on the allegation of under-aged persons on the voter register.

    On the relationship between INEC and the forum of SIEC, Yakubu regretted the none consistency in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both parties in 2012.

    This he blamed on paucity of funds and the high rate of turnover of SIEC Chairmen and Commission members.

    “We believe that consistent collaboration with SIECs and the knowledge gained through the regular conduct of Local Government elections are invaluable to enhancing the quality of elections at that level.

    “Regrettably, both the processes and outcomes of Local Government elections have become issues of heated discussion among Nigerians,” he added.

    While noting that the existing MoU needs to be reviewed as a matter of urgency, he however assured the forum of the commission’s readiness to partner with SIECs.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Forum, Justice Igbozurike Akomas (rtd) said the visit was to reawaken and strengthen the tenets of the MoU so as to achieve the core objectives of conducting free, fair and credible elections at all levels.

    Akomas also solicited for the support of INEC towards SIECs achieving financial independence.

    He said, “We wish to solicit the continued cooperation of INEC in working towards SIECs becoming more efficient in discharge of their constitutional duties. Today any person who visits the INEC website sees a clock counting down to the 2019 General Elections. It is a reflection of how INEC legal framework has given her capacity and independence to carryout long term plan towards election. This we believe is also achievable for SIECs if INEC supports the struggle of SIECs towards financial independence. “

     

  • Police parade 16 suspects for Armed Robbery in Kano

    Police parade 16 suspects for Armed Robbery in Kano

     

    The Kano State Police Command, on Wednesday, paraded 16 suspected criminals for various offences, ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping.

    While parading the suspects in Kano, the Spokesman of the Police Command, DSP Magaji Musa Majiya, said syndicate of armed robbers, who rob inhabitants of Kurna Asabe, Tudun Bujuwa, Tudun Fulani and its surrounding is led by Auwalu Isa of Tudun Fulani quarters.

    According to him, Isa, who is a jail bird was just released from prison custody for armed robbery after having served four years jail term, he now led other gang, comprising Nasiru  Yayaha of Kurna Asabe quarters, who is another jail bird and was released from prison after serving eight month jail term for a crime.

    Another armed robbery suspects, Ukasha Ibrahim, Shehu Rabiu, Samshudeen Abdullah, Abubakar Abdullahi, Bashir Isa, among others were arrested at various flash points for attacking innocent citizens and dispossessing them of their belongings, worth millions of naira.

    Read Also: Two arrested for robbery, murder

    Magaji said they were also able to burst kidnappers syndicate, led by Jabir Usman Sule and Bashir Aminu of Cherinchi Gabas Dorayi quarters in the metropolis were arrested for criminally conspiring and kidnapping a four-year old victim by dropping a note for a ransom of N2 million  from his father or else they would kill the boy.

    However, based on coordinated efforts of our detectives led to the rescue of the victim safely, without paying any ransom, while the two suspects were arrested.

    He said during interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime in addition to two other kidnappings of some children in their neighborhood.

    So far, according to him, there rescue victims were identified and investigation is in progress, while the suspect would soon be arraigned in court.

  • AfDB Board approves $3mn Rockefeller Trust Fund for Africa

    AfDB Board approves $3mn Rockefeller Trust Fund for Africa

     

    The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved the establishment of a Rockefeller Trust Fund to be hosted by the Bank.

    With an initial endowment of US$ 3 million dollars, the Fund will support the Bank’s activities, particularly with regards to two of its five high priorities – Feed Africa and improve the quality of life for the People of Africa.

    A statement from the AfDB noted that “subsequent contributions may also be received to support other areas of the High 5s.”

    The trust fund will foster the joint effort of the Foundation and the Bank in establishing a strategic partnership that can help to the transformation of Africa.

    Read Also: AfDB okays $10million bond support fund

    The two activities targeted by the trust fund are support to the Leadership for Agriculture Platform under the Bank’s Feed Africa priority and support to the Jobs for Youth for Africa Coding for Employment Flagship Programme under the Improve the Quality of life for the People in Africa priority.

    The Rockefeller Foundation Trust Fund is the Bank’s second formal collaboration with a foundation, following the establishment of the Bill and Melinda Gates Trust Fund in March 2015.

    Established in 1913, the Rockefeller Foundation’s mission is “to promote the well-being of humanity throughout the world.”

    “Together with partners and grantees, The Rockefeller Foundation strives to catalyze and scale transformative innovations, create unlikely partnerships that span sectors, and take risks others cannot,” the Foundation says in its mission statement.

    The foundation’s goals tally with the Bank’s effort to catalyze Africa’s transformation over the next decade by leveraging its own resources and significantly scaling up development finance for the benefit of its Regional Member Countries (RMCs).

     

  • Saraki, PDP task security agencies on female students

    Saraki, PDP task security agencies on female students

    President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP have tasked the nation’s security agencies on the 94 school girls allegedly abducted by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The latest mass abduction by the insurgents was reported to have taken place at Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe State Monday night.

    Saraki, in a statement Wednesday by his media adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, condemned in strong terms the attack on the school by the insurgents.

    Saraki described the attack as one too many even as he urged the security agencies to get to the root of the matter, with the view to bringing the perpetrators to book and ensuring that all students of the school are properly accounted for.

    He called on security agencies to reinforce security around academic institutions in the country in order to prevent criminal elements from taking advantage of such soft targets to disrupt academic activities.

     

    Read Also: Yobe girls’ school attack one too many –   Saraki

    The President of the Senate bemoaned the attack, regretting that it’s coming at a time the Federal Government was working assiduously to end the incidents of terror in the Northeast and other flash points in the country.

    He urged the security agencies to be proactive in protecting lives and property in the country and also ensuring that accurate information about attacks such as the one recently witnessed in Dapchi, Yobe State, is promptly made available to members of the public to prevent unnecessary speculation and panic by family members of victims and citizens alike.

    Saraki expressed sympathy with the affected students, parents, school authorities and the government and people of Yobe State over the unfortunate incident.

    In a similar vein, the PDP also expressed shock at the development, adding that the party was seriously disturbed by this ugly incident, especially given the conflicting reports on the whereabouts of the innocent girls.

    In a statement Wednesday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP stated that the life, safety and wellbeing of all Nigerians were of paramount importance to the party.

    The party called on the federal government and the security agencies to ensure no effort is spared in the search for the missing girls.

    “The PDP is monitoring development on the position of the Nigeria Police investigation of the matter. We however charge the Inspector General of Police to immediately put all machinery in place to unravel this disturbing situation and recover the missing children.

    “We also urge the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled Federal Government to live up to its basic responsibility of protecting lives and property in our country”, the statement added.

  • Wike is the type of leader Nigeria needs – Former Speaker

    Wike is the type of leader Nigeria needs – Former Speaker

    Governor Wike is the type of leader Nigeria needs, says Former Speaker of the House of Representatives

    Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Ghali Umar Na’abba has described Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as the type of leader needed for the rapid development of the country.

    Na’abba endorsed Wike’s brand of politics,  which he said is focused on the development of all communities, kindness to all politicians irrespective of their political affiliation and display of  uncommon maturity in all political situations.

    Ghali Umar Na’abba, spoke on Wednesday after he commissioned the Edeoha-Ikata-Ochigba Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    He said with his political attitude and high level performance in office, Governor Wike will grow to be the President of Nigeria.

    The Former Speaker of the House of Representatives said: “The message I have for Governor Wike is that this kind hearted politics, this statesmanship that you have demonstrated, please continue.

    “Nigeria needs politicians like Governor Wike.  With this kind of posture, one day, you will become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Read Also: No apology for rejecting cattle colony in Rivers –  Wike

    “Should you declare for the Presidency one day, count on my support and that of those under me. What we need in this country is this kind of attitude.  Attitude of friendship “.

    Na’abba commended the Rivers State Governor for playing inclusive politics that promotes development. He said it takes statesmanship for a governor to construct projects in the communities of his opponents.

    He noted that the brand of politics being practiced by Governor Wike will introduce sanity into the political terrain.

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibodum Nwuche said Governor Wike is not just politician, but a statesman.

    He said the Edeoha-Ikata-Ochigba Road was abandoned by Former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, because of him (Nwuche).

    The Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives noted that Governor Wike released funds for the construction of the road, despite the fact he (Nwuche) is a member of the APC.

    He said: “I tell people that politics is about the people.  People love Wike for his good works.  They love him for the roads he has for Ahoada people. I urge Governor Wike to keep being the good person that he is”

    Responding, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated that he constructed the Edeoha-Ikata-Ochigba Road in fulfillment of his promise to Prince Chibodum Nwuche.

    Governor Wike said: “This road was abandoned because of Chibodum Nwuche and I gave him my word that we shall construct the road.

    “We cannot allow our people to suffer simply because their leader belongs to another political party”.

    He said that under his leadership there is no politics of victimization because everyone is carried along in the spirit of New Rivers State.

    “There is no politics of victimization in Rivers State. The only political party we have in this state is Rivers State.  All of us are working for Rivers State “, he said.

    The governor urged all the people of the state to attract developmental projects, whenever they have the opportunity.

    Rivers State Commissioner of Works, Dum Dekor said the length of the road is 8.4kilometres. Member Representing Ahoada East Constituency 2, Mr Ehie Edison stated that the prople will support Governor Wike for a second term.

     

     

  • Taraba signs N104.2 billion appropriation law

    Taraba signs N104.2 billion appropriation law

     

    Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, on Wednesday, gave assent to the one hundred and four billion naira budget passed by the State House of Assembly for the 2018 fiscal year.

    The governor said his top priority will be in agriculture, because the people Taraba State are largely peasant farmers.

    He noted that he has built a Greenhouse that has employed hundreds of Taraba people, who are exporting vegetables and increasing the revenue base of the State.

    He disclosed that he intends to establish small scale industries that would be processing agricultural produce in the State such as cassava, soybeans, tomatoes and fruits.

    The governor added that he would take care of crop farmers and cattle breeders, with a view to not only rehabilitating those affected in their clashes, but educating them on the symbiotic relationship between them, targeted at ending their perennial clashes.

    Ishaku had submitted a budget proposal of N96.6 billion to the House, but the lawmakers increased it to N104.2 billion.

    Ishaku promised to do his best for people to see, as such, he said: “the modest increase will solve many problems of infrastructure and would provide the desired dividends of democracy.”

    The House of Assembly Speaker, Peter Abel Diah, said, the Assembly, in the course of processing the budget, “in its wisdom,” increased the budget by N2.02 billion.

    Read Also: Taraba herdsmen, farmers agree to end hostilities

    “Furthermore, following the governor’s letter of January 26, 2018, requesting House’s approval to expend the third tranche of the Paris Club Excess Debt Service Payment refunds amounting to N5.6 billion, the House deemed it important to incorporate this amount into the current budget.

    “Accordingly, this has raised the total proposed expenditure to N104.2 billion.

    “It is my hope and desire that the budget will be accorded diligent implementation to meet the aspirations of the people of Taraba State,” the Speaker said.

    Diah assured of the House’s commitment to a good working relationship with the executive arm of the State.

    He said: “We (Assembly) shall continue to perform our constitutional responsibility of oversight to ensure that the approved budget is appropriately implemented by the various MDAs.

    “We were eager to achieve a timely passage of the bill and equally conscious of our responsibility to meticulously examine every aspect of the appropriation bill, to ensure that the bill is not expeditiously passed into law, but that it is also capable of addressing the needs of the people of our dear State.”

     

  • Diesel theft: Navy arrest seven suspects

    Diesel theft: Navy arrest seven suspects

    The Nigerian Navy has arrested seven men for allegedly transporting 522 tonnes of diesel believed to be stolen from pipelines, an official said on Wednesday.

    Capt. Victor Choji, the Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, told newsmen in Onne, Rivers, that the suspects were arrested on board a vessel, MV Mac Clint.

    He said that the seizure was part of the ongoing clampdown on illegal refineries, illegal bunkering, sea piracy, robbery and pipeline vandalism in Rivers and its environs.

    “In furtherance of our campaign against all forms of illegalities within Rivers State maritime environment, one of our patrol elements on Nov. 22, intercepted a vessel, MV Mac Clint.

    “The vessel was caught transporting 522 metric tonnes of diesel around Okono oil field without clearance to move the product.

    Read Also: Navy seeks funds to solve accommodation shortage

    “MV Mac Clint, suspected to be involved in illegal bunkering activities, had seven all-male sailors of Nigerian nationality on board.”

    Choji said that NNS Pathfinder would not rest on its oars until it puts criminals operating within Rivers and its environs out of business.

    “We are committed to doing this so that we can encourage and create a conducive environment for lawful social and economic activities to thrive within the state and environs.”

    Choji said the Navy had concluded its preliminary investigation, and that its findings showed that the product was allegedly stolen from an undisclosed location.

    The executive officer handed over the vessel, product and suspects to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out further investigation on the matter.

    A senior detective of the EFCC, Aminu Ismaila, said the commission would conduct speedy investigation on the matter.

    According to him, the suspects will be arraigned and if found culpable, would be appropriately dealt with by the laws of the land.

    The Captain of the vessel, Mr William Ajohworode, said he was contracted by an undisclosed company to deliver the petroleum product to FPSO Mistra Limited.

    He said that his employees told him before sailing the vessel that the permit would be handed over to him by Mistra upon delivery of the product.

    “When we got close to our destination, a Navy gun-boat stopped us and demanded for our permit and we couldn’t provide it.

    “We told them that Mistra would send the permit but the security men arrested us,” he said.

    NAN