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Tag: scores injured

  • Scores injured as PDP, APC supporters clash in Ekiti

    •APC accuses Olujimi of instigating crisis ·•Senator is peace-loving, says aide

    Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed on Monday at a campaign rally in Omuo Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti East Local Government Area.

    About 20 persons sustained various degrees of injuries.

    Members of the APC were said to be holding a joint rally for the senatorial candidate in Ekiti South, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, and the House of Representatives candidate in Ekiti South Federal Constituency, Femi Bamisile, when suspected PDP thugs invaded the rally and attacked them.

    Those who allegedly carried out the attacks were said to be those loyal to Senate Minority Leader Biodun Olujimi, PDP’s Ekiti South senatorial candidate.

    Some APC supporters who were attacked – Adeniyi Saliu, Kayode Ojo and Adeniyi Ayo – sustained deep cuts in the heads, backs and stomachs.

    They were taken to Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) in Ado-Ekiti for intensive medical care.

    Fifteen others were said to have been wounded during the attack.

    It was gathered that the perpetrators fled the town; the police are said to be on their trail to arrest and prosecute them.

    Bamisile, a former House of Assembly Speaker and APC House of Representative candidate, described the attack as unfortunate and a threat to democracy.

    The former Speaker noted that the desperation of some PDP members would subvert democracy.

    He urged security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators without further delay.

    “APC will not fold its arms and watch its members attacked by members of other political parties; hence, the need for a strong warning to troublemakers to retrace their steps and allow peace to reign in the land.

    “Nobody has monopoly of violence. Therefore, PDP members should be aware of that and stop provoking peace-loving APC members in the state,” Bamisile said.

    APC senatorial candidate and former Minister of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, warned miscreants and political thugs planning violence and mayhem ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections to be careful or risk going to prison.

    Reacting to the attacks on APC members in Omuo Ekiti, allegedly sponsored by Senator Olujimi and the PDP, Adeyeye said the long arms of the law would catch up with political louts, no matter how fast they run.

    Adeyeye said: “Arresting and prosecuting the suspects will serve as a deterrent to others inclined to political violence. I enjoin the security agencies to be on red alert to curtail the overbearing influence of these political violence perpetrators.

    “Ekiti is a peaceful state and nobody should turn it into a theatre of war in the name of politics.”

    But the Special Assistant (SA), Media, to Oluujimi on Public Communications, Chief Sanya Atofarati, exonerated the senator and her supporters from the attack.

    He said the senator had no cause to unleash mayhem on her people.

    Atofarati said: “Attacking political opponents is of no point. It is the APC that has been attacking others because violence is their principal identity.

    “We have been going round campaigning in the senatorial district. There are no cases of violence. There is no reason for us to fight anybody. Residents of the senatorial district know this.

    “We are going to the polls; we are sure of winning. So, why would we embark on attacking others? We are peace-loving. They should settle their differences.”

     

  • Scores injured in traders, hoodlums clash at Idi Araba

    Scores were injured during a clash between traders and hoodlums at Idi-Araba Market, on Monday night.

    The clash was sparked by a stolen phone.

    Calm has returned to the area, but many shop remained shut yesterday.

    Butchers also stayed away from the market.

    Some traders gathered in groups to discuss the clash. They were apprehensive of a resurgence.

    About six police patrol vans were at the market. Armed policemen paraded the area. A van of the Lagos State Task Force and Mobile Court was also there.

    A food vendor, who simply identified herself as Mummy Angela, said the fight occurred around 11pm on Monday.

    She said: “I sell food at Idi-Araba Street. I had closed and gone home when the incident occurred, but I was told what happened. Homeless boys usually sleep on this street, but last night (Monday), they gathered, covered their faces such that only their eyes, nose and mouth could be seen so that no one would identify them.

    “About 11pm, they trooped to Idi-Araba market and started fighting the young boys at the market, who retaliated.  Many people were injured. I learnt that a boy was attacked with a machete. He sustained injuries in the head and is in hospital. I gathered that another boy was injured in the chest and he bled a lot. Although I did not hear that anybody died. ”

    A refrigerator technician Baba Sodiq, said he was sleeping in his shop when he heard noises. He said he did not come out.

    “Those boys who fought are jobless. I am here for business. I cannot let those small boys disturb my life. Since they did not attack my shop, I did not go out to meet them. I learnt that a phone was stolen from a hoodlum who sleeps at Idi-Araba Street. He and his friends attacked the other group and this led to the fight.”

    He said the boys fought throughout the night, adding that peace was restored following the arriaval of the police yesterday morning.

    Another food vendor said she only heard about the fight.

    Read also: Court sacks Ondo lawmaker as PDP candidate

    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), said the fight involved suspected hoodlums who sleep in the market.

    He said about 15 of them had been arrested, adding that they will be arraigned after investigation.

    “Markets in Lagos State close by 6pm according to the laws guiding operation of markets, except night markets. Nobody is supposed to sleep in the market and nobody should be in the market at the close of business. But these boys sleep in the market. Both groups are illegal. However, our intervention restored law and order.

    “We are appealing to the people to ensure that nobody sleeps in the market and other markets. At the close of activities, everybody should go home and allow security operatives to function,” Oti said.

     

  • Thugs disrupt Buhari’s group meeting in Ondo , scores injured

    Suspected thugs yesterday disrupted the regular meeting of the Buhari/Osinbajo campaign group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) organised  by Oruun ward two in Ikare-Akoko,headquarters of Akoko Northeast local government.

    The meeting was initiated to appreciate members especially women and the elderly in the ward with various gift items for Christmas and New Year festivities.

    It was also to mobilise for the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari,Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Senator Ajayi Boroffice ahead of next year’s elections.

    Sources said the hoodlums were allegedly sponsored by some party leaders said to be presently working for the Action Alliance(AA) candidates in the District as against the ruling APC.

     

  • Scores injured as Ondo APC holds parallel congresses

    •Thugs invade venue, assault delegates, journalists
    •Adetimehin emerges APC State Chairman

    NO fewer than 50 persons yesterday sustained severe injuries at the state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State when political thugs invaded the venue of the congress held by a faction of the party.

    The factional congress held at the BTO hall, along Ilesa road, had started peacefully before the hired thugs, suspected to be members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) invaded the venue and brandished various weapons, including guns, cutlasses, cudgels and axes among others.

    Leaders of the party, including the member representing Ifedore/Idanre Federal Constituency, Hon Bamidele Baderinwa, and the Osun State Commissioner for Regional Integration, Bola Ilori, were beaten to pulp.

    Reporters especially our Correspondent, Damisi Ojo, his colleague with The Sun newspaper, Bamigbola Gbolagunte, and some other media organisations at the venue of the congress were brutalised by the thugs. They were given instant medical treatment after the experience.

    The hoodlums blocked all the entrances to the hall when they perpetrated their dastardly act.

    The Commissioner for Regional Integration, Bola Ilori narrowly escaped, but some of his aides were not fortunate as they sustained matchete cuts on their heads.

    Also, the lawmaker representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Bamidele Baderinwa, who was just recuperating from protracted ailment, was assaulted. His white Buba and Sokoto were torn into shreds.

    Some of the thugs claimed that they acted on “authorities from above.” The thugs who came in seven buses and went straight to the hall where the delegates were seated threatened to kill people if they fail to co-operate with them. They proceeded to beat the delegates and other innocent people despite the presence of heavy security operatives.

    The faction recognised by the national secretariat of the party also held its congress at the International Events Centre, Akure.

    The state chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, who was the only contestant, emerged the state chairman from the congress. He described the exercise as peaceful and authentic and dissociated his faction from the violence that rocked the venue of the parallel congress.

  • Herdsmen kill 10, injure many in fresh Kaduna attack

    Herdsmen kill 10, injure many in fresh Kaduna attack

    Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herders went on a fresh rampage in Kaduna State on Friday night killing 10 people.

    Attacked were Dangaji and Ungwan Gajere villages, both in Birni Gwari Local Government Area of the state.

    The attacks lasted all through Friday night to yesterday morning, according to reports from the areas. The invaders set houses ablaze as they retreated.

    Scores of villagers fled into the bush.

    One of the lucky escapees from Dangaji said: “after they penetrated the village, they went to other places and burnt down houses.

    “This morning (Saturday) they went to another village, Kutemechi in Unguwan Gajere where they killed  about  nine  men.”

    The injured were taken to the hospital for treatment.

    However, one of the injured persons reportedly died on the way to the hospital.

    “Right now, all the villagers have fled and scattered in other communities where they can find shelter,” the escapee said.

    It was also gathered that a week ago, no fewer than three persons people were kidnapped in Dangaji village.

    Six million was said to have been paid as ransom for their release.

    Another eyewitness said the hoodlums disappeared before the arrival of military men.

    The  Kaduna State  Police Command spokesman, ASP Mukhtar Aliyu did not respond to calls put across to him last night.

     

  • 14 dead, scores injured as female bombers strike in Kano

    14 dead, scores injured as female bombers strike in Kano

    •Buhari vows to wipe out Boko Haram 

    Fourteen persons died yesterday when two female suicide bombers detonated explosives at the Kano GSM Village.

    Over 100 others were injured in the blasts, according to the National Emergency management Agency (NEMA).

    The Nigeria Red Cross, NEMA, Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other stakeholders were on hand to evacuate the injured to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nassarawa Hospital and Murtala Muhammad Hospital.

    Those with minor injuries were treated and discharged immediately, NEMA spokesman Sani Datti, said yesterday.

    President Muhammadu Buhari called for increased vigilance among Nigerians to reduce suicide terror attacks on soft targets.

    He condemned Tuesday’s suicide bombs in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, and yesterday’s explosions in Kano.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the President commiserated with the families of the victims as well as the governments and people of Adamawa and Kano states.

    He reassured Nigerians that his administration was determined to wipe out Boko Haram and bring perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice.

    President Buhari also urged Nigerians not to despair because of what he called the cowardly terrorist attacks, but to have confidence in the ability of the nation’s reinvigorated, well-equipped and well-motivated Armed Forces and security agencies to overcome Boko Haram soon.

    But he noted that vigilance was necessary to save lives since security agents could not be everywhere to deter every planned attack.

    Citizen’s vigilance, the President said, would help to reduce the frequency of such attacks.

    Kano State Police Commissioner Muhammad Musa Katsina told reporters that eight other persons were injured in the explosion, which occurred at 4.30pm.

    The police chief said the injured were taken to hospitals for treatment while the scene was cordoned off with tight security .

    He said a Sharon Space Wagon vehicle arrived at the market with six passengers, including the two female bombers.

    Katsina said the suicide bombers entered the GSM market through different gates and detonated the bombs on them.

    The police chief urged the residents to be vigilant and report suspected characters to security agencies.

    It was learnt that one of the suicide bombers blew herself up on the road while the other managed to enter the main market, where she blew up herself.

    The Chairman of the GSM Village traders, Alhaji Umar Dan-Fulani, said about 20 people died in the blasts.

    He said: “We were in the market and, all of a sudden, we heard two deafening sounds. People started running helter-skelter. I counted about 20 bodies; several other people were injured.”

  • Two killed, scores injured in Ebonyi community’s crisis

    The factional President-General of Ishiagu Community Development Union

    (ICDU), Mr. David Ajah, has urged the Inspector-General of Police, Ebonyi

    State Governor Martin Elechi and others in positions of authorities to direct the police commissioner to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the killing of two persons in Okue Autonomous Community, Ivo Local Government Area.

    Addressing reporters at the weekend, Ajah alleged that a team of policemen invaded the community last Wednesday and killed two residents.

    He said: “ICDU, with a bleeding heart, condemns the way the police invaded the Okue autonomous community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State in the early hours of Wednesday. They shot sporadically and killed two innocent and helpless citizens of this community instantly and injured dozens of others. Some are still missing.”

    Ajah alleged that the community is no longer safe.

    According to him, there is a political undertone to the incident because the residents are not at war with each other.

    He urged the people to avoid taking the law into their hands while they await the intervention of the federal and state governments.

    The community leader prayed that those behind the act would be arrested and prosecuted.

    Ajah said: “We also pray that whoever is involved in this barbaric act should be seriously punished to avoid a recurrence. As I am writing down this report, my name must have been penciled down among the people to be assassinated. But I must always stand on my feet to oppose and condemn the wrong deeds of some people.”

    Mr. Stanley Anyim, the Anyim Pius Anyim-led factional President-General of the union, regretted the killings.

    He said the incident had nothing to do with the union.

    Anyim described thse linking the crisis to the union as mischief makers.

    Police spokesman Sylvester Igbo, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said the police are investigating the incident.

    He added that the perpetrators would be apprehended and prosecuted.