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  • Bayelsa: Abductors of Monarch’s wife demand N100m

    Bayelsa: Abductors of Monarch’s wife demand N100m

    Abductors of Mrs Tina Inegbagha, the wife of the paramount ruler of Ayakoro community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, have demanded a ransom of N100 million to free her from  captivity.

    It would be recalled that some yet to be identified gunmen, had on December 16, invaded the coastal settlement to abduct the monarch’s wife and Mr Egele Jack, the Principal of Government Craft Development Centre, Ayakoro.

    Mr Majesty Inegbagha, a member of the monarch’s family, said the abductors had now contacted the family with the demand.

    “The ruler, who is my elder brother confirmed that the kidnappers called him and demanded for the sum of N100 million.

    “Although, the family is pleased to know that the woman is alive, the thought of raising that sum of money has created additional challenge to the family,’’ Inegbagha said.

    Read also: Abductors of PDP chair demand N100m – Police confirm

    He expressed optimism that the ruler’s wife and the school principal would regain their freedom, following prayers and the efforts by security agencies.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Asuquo Amba, said that the incident was being investigated.

    Amba also said that following the upsurge in violent crimes in Bayelsa, the Inspector-General of Police ( I-G ), Ibrahim Idris, had sent a special squad to complement the efforts of the state police command.

    NAN

  • Dan’agundi fire outbreak throws Kano into darkness

    Dan’agundi fire outbreak throws Kano into darkness

    Most parts of Kano metropolis have been thrown into darkness, following a fire outbreak at the Kofar Dan’agundi transmission station in Kano on Thursday.

    The socio-economic activities around Dan’agundi have also been paralised in the commercial city as a result of the incident.

    Mr Sani Bala-Sani, Head, Corporate Communications, Kano Electricity Distribution Company ( KEDCO ), said one of the two 60 MVA transformers in the station was burnt down.

    Bala-Sani said that the affected transformer supplied power to the central part of Kano metropolis.

    Read also: Kano Hisbah Board arrests 12 youths involved in Immorality

    According to him, the affected areas would remain in darkness until the Transmission Company of Nigeria ( TCN ) rectified the problem.

    “It is the responsibility of Transmission Company of Nigeria ( TCN ) to either repair the burnt transformer or replace it with another one,” he said.

    He, however, said KEDCO engineers had already swung into action to divert the lines of customers affected to the other transformer, pending when the TCN rectified the problem.

    “This will serve as an interim measure because all the affected areas will be on load shedding,” he said.

    He appealed to TCN to repair the transformer in good time to save the company ( KEDCO ) from losing revenue from its customers in the city.

    Bala-Sani said the appeal was necessary, recalling that the Kumbotso transmission substation which was also gutted by fire about two years ago had yet to be fixed.

    “We have a similar problem at Kumbotso transmission substation which was gutted by fire about two years ago, but has yet to be repaired,” Sani added.

    NAN

  • I-G: Police will partner with students on security

    I-G: Police will partner with students on security

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, on Friday said that the Nigeria Police Force would partner with Nigerian students to fight crimes in the country.

    Idris stated this when officials of the National Association of Polytechnic Students ( NAPS ) honoured him with Chief Peace Builder award in Abuja.

    He also assured the students of the readiness of the police to partner with them in ensuring security of lives and property on campuses.

    The police boss, however, appealed to them to always volunteer useful information on suspicious people within their domain.

    Read also: Students face hardship to get education, says Falana

    Idris said he was encouraged by the award and promised to step up the fight against crimes in the society.

    He appealed to the people to develop cordial relationship with the police stressing, “the police is your friend, especially you, the law-abiding citizens”.

    Presenting the award, the National President of the association, Mr Adeyeye Olugbenga, said the award was in recognition of his untiring efforts at promoting peace through proactive policing.

    Olugbenga commended the police for curtailing cultism on campuses and tackling cattle rustling, armed robbery, kidnapping and other social vices in the country.

    The student leader assured the law enforcement agents of their support in the fight against criminality in the country.

    He, however, called on the police to do more, especially during the yuletide, to enable the people to enjoy crime-free Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    NAN

  • 1,500 PDP members defect to APC

    1,500 PDP members defect to APC

    No fewer than 1500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State on Friday defected to the All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    The defectors were received by Mr Olusola Sokunle, representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly and the APC Chairman in the LGA, Alhaji Olamide Kasali.

    Sokunle, who was elected into the Assembly on the platform of PDP, had in February, alongside six other lawmakers, defected to the ruling party on the floor of the House.

    The lawmakers had cited the performance of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and the leadership style of the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, as reasons for their defection.

    The new defectors were led by a PDP chieftain in the council, Mr Fola Mosaku, and four councillorship candidates of the party in the July 22 council polls in the state.

    Sokunle, receiving them, said: “APC is a party to belong to, where our political aspirations can be achieved. So, endeavour to frequently attend political meetings in your wards.

    ” Let us thank Governor Ambode for giving Oshodi a facelift. More projects are still on the way.

    ” The door is still open for other interested PDP members to join us.”

    Read also: PDP  to sanction promoters of ‘Fresh PDP’, says spokesman

    He said that the APC-led government had performed beyond expectations, with various development projects executed in different parts of the state.

    Also welcoming the defectors, Kasali assured them that APC would ensure their interests were protected.

    The party chairman said that the party would soon begin its membership registration in the wards.

    He urged all new and old members to go to their various wards for registration immediately the exercise commences.

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Mosaku said: “We dumped the PDP for APC because of the performance of our Honourable Sokunle.

    “We are also motivated by the performance of APC government in Lagos; we will not make any u-turn back to the PDP.

    “Four councillorship candidates in the last local government election and I are leading other members of PDP to APC today.

    “We are joining APC permanently,” Mosaku said.

    Mr Ayodeji Ogungbayibi, one of the defectors, who was a councillorship candidate in the July council poll in Mafoluku Ward, said the PDP was not functioning in the state again.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests suspected drug baron in Nasarawa

    NDLEA arrests suspected drug baron in Nasarawa

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) in Nasarawa State has arrested a suspected drug baron who was caught  with 108 cartons of  tramadol.

    Mr Sumaila Ethan, the state Commander of the agency, told  newsmen in Lafia on Friday that the seized drug weighed  2,873 kilogrammes.

    He said the suspect was arrested with the drug at a warehouse in Masaka, Karu Local Government Area of the state, on December 7 after being tracked for almost two months.

    The commander explained that tramadol is an opiate drug similar to heroin in its addictive nature.

    Read also: NDLEA arrests 86 persons in Gombe

    He expressed regrets that the drug had  become the most abused psychoactive substance, especially among youths in the state.

    “The youths, unaware of its destructive effects, have made it a drug of choice for euphoric pleasure.

    “Hardly can you search  a commercial motorcyclist, tricycle operator or  driver  and not recover some tablets of high dose, abused and banned tramadol,” Ethan said.

    The NDLEA official  said that with the large seizure, a significant percentage of  the drug  would be out of circulation during the Yuletide in the state.

    He also noted that crime rate would drop in the state as drug abuse had been identified as a major contributory factor in the perpetration of crimes.

    Ethan  admonished the youths  to steer clear of drugs and other psychotropic substances to enable them to live meaningful He said the suspect would be taken to court as soon as investigation was concluded on the matter.

    The suspect, however, declined comments when approached by newsmen, insisting his lawyer must be present for him to speak on the incident.

    NAN

  • Pastor docked for duping worshipper of N1.1m 

    Pastor docked for duping worshipper of N1.1m 

    A 40-year-old man, Femi Adewale, was on Thursday arraigned before Chief Magistrate  B. B. Adebowale  of an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun for allegedly collecting  N1.1 million under false pretences from a worshipper.

    Adewale who claimed to be a pastor collected N1.1 million from one Ibukun Aderonmu, with a promise to assist her to solve her spiritual problems.

    The accused of No. 22, Farinde St., Ijako, Ota, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.

    The prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha told the court that the defendant and others, still at large, committed the offences on Sept. 14 at Ijako area of Ota.

    Mustapha said that the defendant and his accomplices collected the money with a promise to help Aderonmu to solve her spiritual problems, an agreement he did not fulfill.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Vol. 1, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B. B. Adebowale, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said that the sureties must be residing within the court’s jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.

    Adebowale also ordered that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Ogun State Government and submit four recent passport photographs to the court.

    The case was adjourned until January 22, 2018 for hearing.

    NAN

  • Edo Assembly passes 2018 N150.09 bn budget

    Edo Assembly passes 2018 N150.09 bn budget

    The Edo House of Assembly on Thursday passed the state’s N150.09 billion budget for 2018 with an increase of about N3.433billion.

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki had on November 29 presented a budget proposal of N146.6 billion, made up of N66.7 billion recurrent and N79.8 billion capital expenditures to the House for consideration.

    The House increased the proposal by about N3.433 billion.

    Considering the bill clause by clause, the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation and Project Monitoring, Mr Damian Lawani (APC-Etsako Central), said the proposal, christened “Budget of Growth’’, was designed to ensure completion of ongoing projects in the state.

    The house also raised the capital expenditure from N79.8 billion to N82.53 billion, while the recurrent was raised from N66.7 billion to N67.55 billion.

    The House, after considering the amendments, passed the bill into law.

    The speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, directed that clean copies of the document should be sent to the governor for his assent.

    NAN

  • Auchi Poly confirms sack of former Deputy Rector for misconduct

    Auchi Poly confirms sack of former Deputy Rector for misconduct

    The Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, in Edo, has dismissed a former Deputy Rector, Mr Femi Balogun, with several other senior members of staff undergoing various management sanctions.

    Investigation showed that Balogun’s dismissal followed council’s review of several allegations of gross misconduct against him, for which he was subsequently found culpable.

    Balogun’s residence at the senior staff quarters is devoid of any human activity as he may have vacated the premises, in compliance with council’s directive for him to handover, with immediate effect, all polytechnic property in his possession to the institution’s management.

    Former registrar of the institution, Mrs Margaret Ashepelokhai, is also undergoing a three-month suspension for gross misconduct, while a former Dean of Applied Sciences, Mr Abdulkareem Adamu Obomekhe’s job is also being threatened.

    Obomekhe is currently serving a three-month suspension and may face outright dismissal, subject to the governing council’s ratification.

    He has also since handed over to Mr Kadiri, as Dean of Applied Sciences, as directed by management.

    Further investigations revealed that no fewer than 10 academic staff were being tried by the institution’s senior staff disciplinary committee (SSDC) for various administrative infractions ranging from blocking to sexual harassment.

    A management staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the story, saying “ it is true that the former registrar is now undergoing a three-month suspension after she was previously sent on a compulsory three-month leave.

    “For Obomekhe, several administrative panels found him culpable of the allegations against him.

    “He was found to have absconded from his duty post at the Kaduna Polytechnic, where he was being tried for a sexual harassment-related case and got employed here in 1999.

    “He was found to have simultaneously received three months salary from his former school and also here at the Auchi polytechnic, sometime in 1999.

    “He is presently on suspension, while management awaits council’s ratification of further recommendations,” the staff said

    Auchi Polytechnic Public Relations Officer, Mr Mustapher Oshiobugie, who confirmed the development.

    He said “yes, I am aware that the governing council of the institution has sanctioned some members of staff for alleged misconduct’’.

    The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Mr Justin Momodu, while also confirming the sanction, said that the union was on the same page with management in its desire to rid the institution of undesirable elements.

    “We are on the same page with management on its anti-corruption and cleansing agenda. The union would not condone any form of indiscipline among its members.

    “But we will also pursue and defend with our collective might, any perceived case of intimidation by management on any member.

    “The cases of the dismissed former ASUP chairman and union members are good examples.

    The union did not relent until they were recently recalled and their entitlements paid to them.

    “On this, the union is with management on its cleansing exercise. We are also watching carefully to ensure that due processes is followed,”  he said.

    NAN

  • Lalong presents N145.4 bn budget for 2018

    Lalong presents N145.4 bn budget for 2018

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has presented the 2018 Appropriation Bill of over N145.4 billion to the state House of Assembly for approval.

    The governor presented the bill tagged “Budget of Rescue and Consolidation” to the house on Thursday in Jos.

    According to him, “the budget seeks to consolidate on the gains and achievements of the administration since inception of the rescue mission in 2015’’.

    Lalong said the budget was made up of N69.6 billion capital and N75.8 billion recurrent expenditure.

    “The budget has a total size of N145. 4 billion; N75. 8 billion which represents 52.13 per cent of the budget is for recurrent expenditure while N69.6 billion, representing 48.87 per cent is for capital expenditure.

    “As part of our rescue mission, we shall continue to accord priority to the welfare of civil servants through timely promotions and payment of salaries and allowances, pension and gratuities of our retirees and the release of running cost for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    “Mr Speaker, with your timely scrutiny and passage of this budget, the confidence to consolidate on what we have started will be further strengthened,” he said,

    The Speaker, Mr Peter Azi, assured that the house would expeditiously process, scrutinise and pass the appropriation bill.

    Azi said that the 8th Assembly in the state had put in place stringent mechanism that would checkmate loopholes and mismanagement of budgets my MDAs.

    “It is our collective resolve as members of the house in line with the administration’s determination for effective service delivery to the people, to expeditiously pass this budget into law.”

    NAN

  • Navy rescue four Chinese men from kidnappers

    Navy rescue four Chinese men from kidnappers

    The Nigerian Navy in Lagos on Thursday said they rescued four Chinese men from kidnappers around Igbokoda area of Ondo State.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Sylvanus Abbah, told journalists in Lagos that the four victims were abducted on board a fishing trawler within the Lagos waters on December 14.

    According to him, operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT rescued the abducted Chinese nationals from a militant camp in the riverine area of Ondo State.

    He said that after the abduction, the kidnappers took their victims in a speed boat to Igbokoda, Ondo State the same day.

    “Naval operatives attached to Forward Operations Base (FOB) who sighted the kidnappers as they were entering Igbokoda gave them a hot pursuit.

    “The kidnappers opened fire on the naval gunboat.

    “There was a fierce gun battle between the suspects and the naval men and the hoodlums abandoned their boats and fled on foot through the creeks,” he said.

    Abbah said that the naval men went after the suspects who later abandoned the four Chinese men and fled.

    “Presently efforts are ongoing to arrest the suspects.

    “The Chinese sustained bullet wounds during the gun battle and they have been treated and are in stable condition,” he said.

    Read also: Navy uncovers hotel where fuel is siphoned in Lagos

    Meanwhile, the Acting Chinese Consul General in Nigeria, Mr Guan Zhonggi, who paid a thank you visit to the FOC, commended the navy for its prompt intervention.

    He said that the four Chinese men regained their freedom because of the swift action of the naval men.

    NAN