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Tag: panic

  • Panic in Plateau as Lassa fever kills five

    The Plateau State government said it has confirmed the spread of Lassa fever in five local government areas with five deaths.

    The outbreak was first reported in Jos North Local Government Area and it has reportedly spread to Jos South, Riyom, Bassa and Barkin Ladi local government areas within one week.

    Confirming the outbreak yesterday in Jos, the state capital, Health Commissioner Dr Kamshak Kuden said fresh cases of the fever had been traced to five local government areas with 17 reported cases.

    He said: “Thirty-three cases were initially suspected, but only the reported 17 were confirmed with five deaths so far.

    “Fifteen of the patients are currently being treated at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos while two others are in Jos University Teaching Hospital.

    “Consequently, a Rapid Response Team earlier constituted by Governor Simon Lalong has swung into action to curtail the spread of the disease.

    “The team met last week and is expected to meet again tomorrow (today) to chart a way forward on the development.

    “The governor has equally approved the release of funds for the infrastructural, manpower and other logistical needs of the team.”

    The Army headquarters’ 3 Division in Jos was said to have reported the death of a soldier from suspected Lassa fever ailment a fortnight ago.

    The soldier was said to have been admitted at Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos until his death.

    He reportedly contracted the fever after travelling to a neighbouring state.

    The suspected spread of the disease has been causing panic among Jos residents.

    It was learnt that the residents are scared of even exchanging pleasantries with neighbours and friends, especially in the markets, with many avoiding hospitals and other public places.

    Many others were said to be avoiding public intra-city transport vehicles.

    The state’s Christian communities yesterday organised special prayers against the spread of the fever.

    Also, the Ondo State government said it needs urgent assistance to prevent Lassa fever spread.

    Health Commissioner Dr Wahab Adegbenro spoke at an emergency stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, the state capital.

    The commissioner said the fever had become endemic in the state.

    He said the development called for combined efforts among stakeholders as the government could not bear the burden alone.

    Adegbenro said the treatment of a Lassa fever patient costs at least N1.2 million, which he said was beyond what the state government alone could handle, considering the number of those infected.

    He urged the chairmen of affected local government areas, security agencies, development partners and other stakeholders to come up with strategies to tackle it and put it permanently at bay.

    The commissioner, who said an Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) was opened the previous day and an epidemiologist appointment, hailed the National Centre for Disease Control and other development partner for putting the outbreak under control.

  • Panic as tanker driver kills mortuary operator

    There was pandemonium at Rumosi axis of Obio/Akpor Local government Area of Rivers State yesterday following the killing of a mortuary operator by a tanker driver.

    The victim, Anele Wagbara, was reportedly attacked and subsequently stabbed to death by the unidentified tanker driver and his conductor after a slight argument over parking space.

    Eyewitness account said trouble began when late Wagbara appealed to the truck driver to move the long vehicle out of the mortuary gates along Choba – Uniport way of the East West road to enable easy movement in and out of the business premises.

    It was said the appeal did not go down well with the driver leading to serious argument.

    Suddenly, the aggrieved driver and his conductor pulled their dagger and pierced it through their victim who slumped immediately.

    Onlookers reportedly rushed him to the emergency care unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) where he was later confirmed dead.

    Sources also alleged the assailants attacked two other attendants attached to the mortuary while they attempted to interfere and are currently hospitalised.

    It was said an angry mob descended on the duo after realising he had killed the attendant.

    They were later handed over to the Police who arrived the scene shortly.

    The development caused panic in the Rumuosi axis of Port Harcourt, as indigenes trooped out for reprisal attack but were stopped by security men.

    Police Public Relation Officer, Nnamdi Omoni confirmed the incident to our correspondent on phone.

    He said the driver was receiving treatment in a hospital and will be charged to court for murder upon discharge.

    Omoni said remains of the deceased had been deposited to the mortuary while normalcy has returned to the area.

     

  • 2019: Panic in PDP over Wike’s resignation

    •Atiku returns home from UK, takes charge
    •Governors, ex-ministers, party leaders beg Wike to rescind decision
    •Why governor was angry

    There was panic in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over alleged threat by Governor Nyesom Wike to resign as the South-South coordinator for the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar.

    The disquiet in the party was informed by the fact that Wike is central to PDP’s success in the South-South which the party had taken for granted as a stronghold.

    It was learnt that governors, ex-ministers and top leaders of the party have been begging the governor to rescind his decision.

    But indications showed that the governor was angry because he has been isolated in the scheme of things.

    Instead of being on the driver’s seat like the case before the National Convention, the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, and the National Working Committee (NWC) defer more to Atiku, the National Leader of the party, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson who was one of the arrowheads of Atiku’s victory at the party’s convention.

    It was learnt that unlike pre-convention era, the party leadership does not rely on Wike for funds any more.

    The sudden financial independence of the party, through alternative sources in the party, has made Wike to know little of developments in PDP.

    A few others, however, attributed Wike’s anger to the spill over of the party primaries in which his candidate, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal lost out.

    Investigation by our correspondent showed that Atiku and many PDP leaders were caught unawares by Wike’s threat.

    A top source said: “We were all shocked to read of his plans to quit as the South-South coordinator of PDP campaign for Atiku. All our leaders have been in panic since the news broke out. This development will be a setback if not quickly reversed.

    “As I talk to you, most PDP governors, leaders, ex-ministers, ex-governors and leaders have been begging Wike to rescind his decision. This is what we have been doing today (Saturday).”

    The source said PDP leaders also felt embarrassed because Wike has not raised any objection.

    The source defended what he described as a “painstaking” composition of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

    The source added: “Wike never complained about any issue; he has not expressed reservations on the composition of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and he just came out with a bang.

    “The PCC was representational of all the tendencies in the party. It took us much time to release the final list because of consultations. Atiku, who was in the custody of the list, was always tinkering with it after due consultations with the party hierarchy and leaders.

    “Contrary to Wike’s claim, no director was brought from outside. All the directors were appointed from the National Working Committee.

    “Let me give some examples. The Contact and Mobilisation Directorate is headed by the National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu; Kola Ologbondiyan is in charge of the directorate of Media and Publicity; and Finance is being managed by Abdullahi Maibasira, just to mention a few.

    “Wike himself put the NWC in place with his boy, Uche Secondus as the national chairman. To avoid this type of rancour, the party restricted the choice of directors to NWC members. There is no basis for Wike’s complaint because he owns the present NWC of PDP.”

    Findings, however, revealed that Wike’s grouses were consequences of the National Convention of the party in which his favourite candidate, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal lost out.

    Also, the Rivers State governor was said to be aggrieved because he is fast losing his control of the PDP machinery.

    A reliable source said: “Wike’s anger has to do with perceived gang up against him in the party to clip his wings. He only hid under alleged lack of consultations with him in constituting the PCC. He is just waking up to the reality that he has lost the grip of the party.

    “Before the National Convention of the party in Port Harcourt, he was calling the shots in the party including the financing of PDP. For paying the piper, he was dictating the tunes. This wholesale control of PDP gave him the confidence that Tambuwal will emerge as PDP presidential candidate.

    “Unknown to Wike, some party leaders decided to clip his wings. To jolt him, they toyed with the idea of changing Port Harcourt as the venue of the National Convention in order to gauge his mood. He became riotous to the extent of threatening the party and making allusions to Atiku.

    “The second stage of the plot against Wike was the stoppage of the party’s leadership going cap in hand to him for funds. Some leaders of the party, including those who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to PDP started financing the party covertly.

    “The final stage was the emergence of Atiku as the presidential candidate of the party contrary to Wike’s permutations. He was devastated to the extent that he could not wait to listen to the acceptance speech of Atiku.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “The true position of the game in PDP is that the power equation in the party has changed. The party leadership does not source funds from him anymore and it defers mostly to Atiku, the National Leader of PDP, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the Chairman of the Reconciliation Committee, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, who was central to the mobilisation of support for Atiku.”

    A member of the Presidential Campaign Council said: “The challenge at hand is that Wike has not fully accepted the choice of Atiku. But he should know that God gives power and he also takes power from leaders.

    “For instance, our evaluation so far revealed that it is only in Rivers State that government functionaries and party leaders do not work for Atiku because they are reading the body language of Wike.  We are relying on a few friends and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to mobilise support. His threat to quit is just the icing on the cake.”

    As at press time, the presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku jetted back to Abuja from the United Kingdom to “take charge of the situation ahead of the beginning of his campaign on Monday in Sokoto.”

    “Our candidate is just back from London to take charge of the situation, including Wike’s palaver,” a reliable source said.

     

  • Panic grips stock market as equities lose N1.31tr

    Panic selling set in at the Nigerian stock market at the weekend as five consecutive losses unnerved investors and threw the equities market into its lowest momentum in recent times. An all-week decline threw the bears all out and exacerbated the muted slowdown that had marked share pricing in recent week.

    Losses mounted to N1.31 trillion at the weekend in three-month consecutive decline that started in March with the weekend’s panic underlining the growing anxieties this month after two earnings seasons failed to rekindle the rally at the Nigerian equities market.

    Nigerian equities had lost N557 billion in March, showed restraint with a modest loss of N44 billion in April, but turned worst this month with a net capital loss of N705 billion. Quoted equities lost N416 billion last week, equivalent to an average decline of 2.84 per cent for the five-day trading week, more than half of the 4.72 per cent decline recorded so far this month.

    Most quoted equities now carry the minus sign, indicating unmatched shares supply and a full-blown buyers’ market. There were nearly four losers for every gainer in the last trading session at the weekend as bargain-hunters took advantage of shares glut to under-price stocks.

    With macroeconomic fundamentals and crude oil price on the rise, most analysts were hesitant about the underlying trigger for the rush for exit but were unanimous that bandwagon effect had played on latter-day sellers.

    “There is no reason for anybody to panic. We are used to the political cycles and electioneering, there has been no major policy somersault to warrant the rush. People should not allow bandwagon to drive them out of values,” President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), Patrick Ezeagu said.

    Ezeagu said the decline at the equities market might have been worsened by assets reallocation from equities to fixed-income securities as investors run for the safety of the guaranteed returns to hedge against uncertainties. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last week retained the benchmark interest rate, the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 14 per cent, despite widespread clamour for a rate cut.

    GTI Capital Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Kehinde Hassan, said the trading momentum at the equities market has left the realm of profit-taking to panic-selling, citing the huge shares supply at the weekend.

    He, however, noted that the steep decline in recent period has created considerable buy opportunities for investors, urging investors to lock in values from undervalued shares in the consumer goods, industrial goods and banking sectors.

    The All Share Index (ASI)-the benchmark index for the Nigerian equities market, closed at the weekend at a low of 39,323.62 points as against 41,268.01 points recorded at the beginning of this month. It had opened the week at 40,472.45 points.

    Aggregate market value of all quoted equities at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dropped at the weekend to N14.244 trillion compared with N14.949 trillion recorded as value on board at the beginning of the month. Total market value of quoted equities had opened last week at N14.660 trillion.

    The sustained decline cut the average year-to-date return for Nigerian equities down to 2.83 per cent from 8.53 per cent at the end of the first quarter or 7.91 per cent at the beginning of this month. On the face value, net capital gain by investors in Nigerian equities, so far this year, has plummeted from N1.34 trillion at the beginning of this month to N635 billion at the weekend.

    Investors in Nigerian equities had ended the first quarter of this year with a net capital gain of N1.38 trillion, sustaining the upswing that had seen quoted equities with net capital gain of N4.36 trillion in 2017. A strong start in January and February helped the market to moderate a running downtrend in March and sustained the positive quarter-on-quarter performance of the Nigerian equities market.

    Nigerian equities had in January 2018 hit all-time high market capitalisation of N15.3 trillion while the ASI had risen to 43,041.54 points, its highest index points since October 2008.

    Nigerian equities closed 2017 with full-year average return of 42.30 per cent, ranking within the top 10 best-performing equities across the world. Aggregate market value of quoted equities closed 2017 with net capital appreciation of N4.36 trillion.

    Most pundits expected the Nigerian equities to record double-digit returns in 2018. In its ‘Economic and Financial Outlook 2018-2022’ report, FSDH Merchant Bank Group stated that Nigerian equities have potential to generate average return of 27.43 per cent in 2018. Analysts expected the overall macroeconomic performance to continue to improve, strengthening sectoral growths and returns.

    FBNQuest Capital Limited, the investment banking subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc, predicted that the Nigerian equities market would sustain a bullish run for the second consecutive year with a double digit return of 25 per cent in 2018.

    Capital Bancorp noted that several performance boosters could see Nigerian equities ending the year with average return of 25 per cent.

    Presenting its special outlook report tagged: “Nigeria in 2018: Looking Beyond the surface”, Cordros Capital outlined a positive outlook for the Nigerian economy and the equities market, noting that average return at the equities market could range between a modest return of between 10 and 15 per cent and a bullish performance as high as 40 per cent.

     

  • Parents withdraw kids from schools in Ondo

    Parents withdraw kids from schools in Ondo

    There was panic yesterday among parents of school children in Akure, Ondo State capital, as rumours spread that some pupils had died after they were given suspected deadly vaccine by unidentified soldiers.

    Many parents withdrew their children from schools before closing hours but were resisted by the schools’ management.

    As early as 9 am, rumours filtered that about 20 soldiers invaded some schools at Ore, headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area, and allegedly administered vaccine on some school children.

    Three of such children were rumoured to have died.

    But it was learnt that the rumour, which also went viral on social media, was unfounded.

    At many schools in Akure and neighbouring towns of Oba-Ile, Ilaramokin and Ifon, no soldier was sighted.

    Anxious parents stormed many public and private schools in the state capital to withdraw their children.

    This caused chaos at Fiwasaye High School in Alagbaka area of the town.

    Also, police officers were drafted to man gates of the schools.

    The situation made it difficult for any individual to enter the schools.

    The management of Ejioba High School at Oba-Ile, a suburb of Akure, hurriedly released their pupils and the headteacher, to address reporters.

    The school said the Ministry of Education instructed headteachers not to comment on the matter.

    Army authorities denied the allegation, saying none of its officers was involved in administering a vaccine in the state.

    Spokesman of the Nigerian Army Artillery in Akure, Major  Ojo Adelegan, stressed that no officer can administer a vaccine on a child for any reason.

    He urged the public to consider the rumour as the handiwork of detractors.

    Adelegan said: “There was nothing like that. No officer administered a vaccine on any child in any part of the state. It was a mere rumour, which only exists in the minds of those peddling it. Pupils should continue with their studies and parents should not be worried by the rumour.”

    Also, the Ondo State government described the rumour as baseless and unfounded.

    It called on the citizenry to disregard it.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi, quoted the government: “Real-time investigation across the state has shown that none of such things exist in Ondo State.”

    READ ALSO: MonkeyPox: Panic as parents withdraw children from public schools in Edo

     ‘Disregard rumours on harmful vaccination’

    Ondo State Health Commissioner Dr Wahab Adegbenro has urged parents and guardians to disregard rumours about some deadly vaccine allegedly administered on pupils by “unknown soldiers”.

    The commissioner described the report as untrue.

    He said there was no immunisation campaign in the state, besides  the routine immunisation at health facilities.

    Adegbenro said the people would be notified whenever there was an immunisation campaign.

    He urged residents not to misconstrue the current net campaign for an immunisation.

    The Health commissioner noted that the state’s vaccines were potent enough, adding that the people will be notified when a vaccination takes place.

    Adegbenro appealed to heads of educational institutions not to allow any immunisation in their schools until the government so directs.

    He reassured residents that the government places a high premium on health and lives.

     

  • ULC strike: NNPC cautions against panic buying

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has warned Nigerians against panic buying of petroleum products in compliance to the strike embarked upon by the United Labour Congress (ULC), stressing it has enough stock of products to meet national need.

    This was even as the strike purported to have commenced on Monday failed to make any impact on the masses and businesses as Nigerians went about their activities without any disruption.

    The ULC President, Joe Ajaero, however, said the strike in its first day recorded huge success in the target the centre set for it to achieve.

    The NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in a statement in Abuja, said the corporation had sufficient Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, in stock to serve the nation for 48 days.

    He said: “Similarly, there is in stock, sufficient quantity of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) as well as Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) to serve the country.

    “Motorists are further enjoined to report any challenge they may have in the course of purchasing any of these products to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

    “The DPR is statutorily empowered to deal with such issues and has offices located in all parts of the country.”

    NNPC assured that the government was working to arrive at an amicable resolution of outstanding issues with the industry unions.

    The ULC had threatened the Federal Government that it would go on strike from Monday, if its 11-point demand was not met. It demanded, among others, that the Federal Government stopped stationing soldiers and policemen in its workplaces.

  • Panic as two brothers beheaded in Rivers

    Two brothers from Rumuokparali Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have been beheaded.

    Ifeanyi and Emeka Wobo were found dead, with their heads decapitated, around Elekahia Housing Estate.

    The development has thrown Rumuopkarali into mourning. Youths yesterday called  on the police to fish out and prosecute the killers.

    Speaking to The Nation, Mr. Pamoses Omah, a youth leader in the community, said the deaths caused wailing in the community, adding  that their remains have been deposited in the mortuary.

    Omah said the two victims were of the same father, but different mothers.

    Omah noted that the two young men had taken a drop out of Rumuoparali on Monday and that yesterday morning, their bodies were discovered by the police.

    The source stated that the police got Ifeanyi’s wallet and found his identity card and traced his next of kin.

    Omah said: “They are two sons of the late Chief Oliver Wobo. The incident is tragic. There is serious crying and wailing in Rumuokparali now because it is a strange incident. Nobody knows what happened, but their bodies were found around Elekahia Housing Estate. They left home on Monday evening.

    “The police found the wallet of ifeanyi. They used it to trace the company where he acquired his pipeline welding skill. They obtained the phone number of his next of kin and called. Ifeanyi is a pipeline welder. The mother of Ifeanyi is still unconscious.”

    Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni (a Deputy Superintendent of Police) said: “Yes, we are aware and efforts are on to  unravel the circumstances that led to their death.”

  • Mystery bag causes panic at US Consulate

    Mystery bag causes panic at US Consulate

    There was panic at the United States (US) consulate in Lagos yesterday when a bag was found inside a vehicle.

    Workers and visitors thought it was a bomb.

    The bag was found by a security man. The workers and visa seekers took to their heels when the security man raised the alarm.

    There was pandemonium on Walter Carrington Way, Victoria Island, as drivers made frantic U-turns when they heard about the incident.

    Mobile policemen and their counterparts from the Anti-bomb Squad immediately cordoned off the area. Detectives from the anti bomb unit went in to investigate.

    Minutes later, the police and some embassy officials left.

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni told reporters that it was not a bomb.

    He said the bag contained medical equipment.

    “We got a call at about 7.40am concerning the strange bag. I immediately dispatched the anti-bomb team, marine police and anti-terrorist personnel to the scene. The anti-bomb team professionally removed the bag from the vehicle. After scanning the bag, they discovered that all items inside were medical tools. We are, however, investigating the reason why the bag was left there and who the owner is. We don’t want to leave anything to chance.

    “We want to also allay the fear of people in Lagos and the diplomatic community that there is no cause for alarm. There is no bomb planted at the American Embassy in Lagos. The police in Lagos assure foreigners and citizens of their safety. We are ever ready to live up to our constitutional responsibilities. Since the bag was removed from the embassy, normal activities have resumed,” Owoseni said.

    Owoseni showed reporters the bag’s content.  It included bandages, scissors, plaster among others. The bag with its content was taken to the anti-bomb office for further investigation

  • No panic in Enyimba’s camp – Gata

    No panic in Enyimba’s camp – Gata

    Ismaila Gata has said there is no panic’ in Enyimba’s camp despite their poor form in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    The seven-time topflight champions stretched their winless run to four games, after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.

    The People’s Elephants now find themselves sitting in 13th position, three points above the relegation zone. But Gata believes that the squad has the quality to turn their fortunes around.

    “It is not nice to go four games on the bounce without a win and we have not played to the level that we are capable of, but there is no panic,” Gata told Goal.

    “We want to get back on a winning streak and the main thing is to look at ourselves and what we can do. We still have confidence in our own abilities.

    “I still believe that we have a great squad and that we can beat any side in this division when we are at our best.”

    The People’s Elephants will be eyeing a return to winning ways when they host MFM FC on Matchday 13.

  • Panic in Delta community over Okowa’s aide’s kidnap

    There is panic at Olomoro in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State over the circumstances surrounding the abduction of a Special Assistant (SA) to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Community Development, Chief Avura Awheme, by some gunmen.

    Awheme, who is said to be interested in the chairmanship seat of the local government in the next council poll, was reported abducted by gunmen over a week ago while returning from a trip on a property matter.

    It was learnt that the abductors had been paid N5 million ransom since last Wednesday.

    A community source said the abductors asked for N30 million, but the victim’s family managed to reduce it to N5 million.

    Despite the payment, the abductors have not released Awheme and his family heard from them at the time of filing this report last night.

    “They used Avura’s phone to call and demanded N30 million. The person who picked the call asked for N1 million and cut the line. When another call was established, the demand was negotiated to N5 million. The money was paid about four days ago. But the kidnappers have not released him,” a community source said.

    A close associate, who confirmed the development to our reporter but wished not to be named, said the abduction was causing panic among the residents.

    The source said some people were uncomfortable with the development and were linking the kidnap to his ambition to contest the chairmanship of the local government area in the next election.

    The source added: “He (Awheme) had gone to settle a property development disagreement at Olomoro and was returning when he was kidnapped. The matter is seriously heating up Olomoro because our people believe this might have a connection with politics. We believe he ought to have regained his freedom, with all the efforts already made. We just pray they haven’t done anything to him because that may cause a serious crisis in the town.”

    Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the command was working with vigilantes to rescue Awheme.

    He said: “A ransom of N30 million was, in fact, demanded. We are not resting on our oars. Our efforts are being complemented by the vigilantes towards a successful rescue of the victim.”