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  • Poisoning of OAU dam, act of genocide—Management

    The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has described the poisoning of its dam by suspected hoodlums as an act of genocide against members of the institution.

    Some aggrieved indigenes of Ile-Ife, who claimed ownership of some portions of the university land, had on April 3 invaded the university and allegedly poisoned the institution’s dam with a chemical.

    Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju, the university’s Public Relation Officer, who conducted journalists round the disputed land and the dam within the school’s premises, on Wednesday said the poisoning of the dam was genocidal.

    Olanrewaju said the chemical used in poisoning the dam, which was the only source of water for the university, killed all the aquatic animals in it.

    He, however, said that the dam had been treated and was now safe to drink.

    “The act is condemnable and wicked. How can some group of people poison the only source of dam where the over 36,000-strong university population was drinking from?

    “The act is genocidal and wicked. They came through the Parakin area of the town to poison the dam but God was so good to us that immediately the dam was poisoned, rain fell for two days which washed the poisonous chemical away.

    “We have treated the water and laboratory test had been done on it and now it is very safe to drink,” Olanrewaju said.

    Olanrewaju also said the disputed land belongs to the Federal Government, adding that the university was not ready to concede it to anybody.

    READ ALSO: 2face Idibia bags OAU’s honorary fellow award

    According to him, the land which is about 162 hectares was given to the university in the 60s by the then Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi.

    He said the land grabbers had started selling some portions of land to the people while construction workers working on the proposed OAU International Secondary school on the land were chased away with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons by the hoodlums.

    Olanrewaju said three blocks of hostels built for students on the said land were abandoned due to attacks by the hoodlums.

    “For the safety of our children in the university, the vice-chancellor instructed us not to allocate any of 360 rooms newly built hostel to them.

    ” The vice-chancellor has also instructed our security men not to retaliate but it is not possible for anyone to invade Federal Government land for personal gain because the land is gazetted.

    “We have informed the police and other security agencies and we believe they will act accordingly.

    “We have also informed the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and Ife Development Board,”Olanrewaju said.

    He, however, said that anyone who was ready to use any portion of the land for the generality of the people and not for personal gain could approach the university for consideration.

  • Hair stylist allegedly stabs friend over cassava flakes

    A 35-year-old hair stylist, Anita Samuel, was  on Wednesday arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stabbing her friend with a coca cola bottle on the head.

    It was alleged that Anita hit her friend, Ediomo Linus, on the head with coca cola bottle for refusing to let her have a taste of her cassava flakes.

    The defendant, resident at 22 Osho Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, was arraigned on a lone count charge of assault before Chief Magistrate Mrs O.A. Layinka.

    Prosecuting counsel, Akeem Raji, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told the court that  the defendant committed the offence on March 12 at 12.00 p.m. at No.15 Ogunsefunmi Street, Ikeja, Lagos.

    ASP Raji alleged that the defendant allegedly assaulted Ediomo by stabbing her with a broken coke bottle on her head, following an unresolved disagreement.

    Raji told the court that the defendant had told the complainant to let her have a taste of the cassava flakes she was eating but she refused.

    Read Also: Man stabs cousin to death over N500

    He said that the following day, the complainant greeted the  defendant but she did not return the gesture.

    He said this  later led to an argument which  made the defendant to lock the door on the complainant, hit her with a coke bottle on the head and gave her the beating of her life.

    The defendant denied the charge.

    The Chief Magistrate Layinka granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties each in the like sum.

    Layinka ruled that the sureties must be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified by the court.

    She adjourned the case till April 25.

  • Edo secures N5bn loan for rice, maize production

    Edo State Government has secured N5bn loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria under the Commercial Agric Credit Scheme for rice and maize production across the three senatorial districts.

    It is targeting to harvest 17,000 tonnes of rice and 11,000 tonnes of maize by cultivating 6,600 hectares of land at the end of planting season in 2019.

    Giving a breakdown of how the loan would be expended, Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Agriculture, Food Security and Forestry, Prince Joe Okojie, said N2.2bn would be used for crop production, N2.3bn for land development and N100m for irrigation.

    Prince Okojie spoke to newsmen after sensitising 200 farmers at Illushi, Esan South East local government area on how they would assess the loan.

    He explained that N1.2bn would be used to cultivate rice in Iguoriakhi, Iguomon, Illushi, Warrake and Agenebode while Maize would be cultivated at Usugbenu, Sobe and Ekpoma.

    He said: “We hope to produce millionaire farmers this year. We do not anticipate a drop in the price of rice.

    Read Also: Edo debunks fake recruitment exercise

    “We are hoping that we are able to produce about 17,000 metric tonnes cultivating about 4,400 hectares of rice farm.

    “We took about N5bn under the Commercial Agric Credit Scheme. About N2.2bn is for crop production, N2.3bn is for land development and N100m for irrigation.

    “We are not doing cassava now but maize. We are looking to cultivate about 2,200 hectares and we are hoping that we will be able to harvest approximately 11,000 metric tonnes.

    “We have engaged a lot of agronomists. We have employed the services of NIRSAL (Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending) that is going to be our technical partner and they are going to bring on board, a lot of agronomists that will help us.

    “We are trying to see how we can deploy best practices for the cultivation of the crops this season and hope that we get better yield than the one that we got two years ago.”

     

     

  • Khashoggi murder: Family denies considering settlement

    The children of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, on Wednesday denied discussing any sort of settlement over his killing by Saudi agents.

    This followed a report that the family was considering accepting financial and material compensation for his death.

    “Currently the trial is taking place and no settlement has been discussed or is being discussed,” said the statement, published on Twitter by Khashoggi’s eldest son, Salah.

    The Washington Post, where Khashoggi was a columnist, reported last week that the children were given million-dollar houses and monthly five-figure payments as compensation.

    But it added however, that it was a separate deal from any potential “blood money” payment that could be negotiated after the murder trial under the Saudi justice system.

    Read Also: Jamal Khashoggi: Murder so horrible

    While ruling out a “settlement,” the statement did not, however, explicitly deny receiving the compensation.

    “Acts of wisdom and generosity arise from high morals and humanity and are not an admission of guilt or error. We were raised to be grateful for favours and not reject them,’’ the family said in the statement.

    The Kashoggi family, however, could not be immediately reached for further comments on the matter.

    Eleven suspects are on trial for last year’s murder of Kashoggi, which the CIA and some Western governments believe was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

    The authorities have continued to deny Salman’s role or knowledge of the killing, which sparked an international outcry and limited sanctions by Western allies.

  • FG inaugurates committee to review National Policy on Albinism

    The Federal Government has inaugurated the technical committee for the review of the National Policy on Albinism.

    The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, inaugurated the committee on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Adamu, who was represented by Mr Sonny Echono, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the review of the policy was necessary because of the emerging issues and challenges confronting the albinism community in Nigeria.

    According to him, the issues need to be addressed and the review of the policy will facilitate improved lives of persons with albinism through access to social services such as education, healthcare and employment.

    Read Also: Issues on policy implementation

    He added that it would also reduce stigma, discrimination and ensure the inclusion of persons with albinism into the socio-economic development of the country.

    Adamu explained that the ministry had resolved to help those living with disability in one way or the other including ensuring albinos get the real sense of existence without discrimination.

    He said the mandate of the policy would be expanded as it was ready to invite other stakeholders to look critically into the challenges of the group.

    “The 14-man committee that has been constituted is saddled with reviewing the existing policy to conform to international best practices with emerging issues.

    “It will ensure that all critical stakeholders are carried along to close the gap on issues relating to albinism and disability.

    “It will also address the issues of non-implementation of policies and as well present a workable framework that will capture the current needs of persons with albinism,” he said.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Albino Foundation, Mr Jake Epelle, said the major issues disturbing albinism should be addressed by the government.

    Epelle noted that Nigerians with Albinism would no longer be victims of social stigma and inequalities.

    This, according to him, is with the help of the United Nations and critical stakeholders who are focused on empowering persons with albinism as well as educating the society on issues relating to albinism.

    NAN

  • Navy arrests three suspects with 416 bags of contraband rice

    The Nigerian Navy in Akwa Ibom State have arrested three suspects with 416 bags of contraband rice said to have been smuggled into the state from neighboring Republic of Cameroon.

    The operation was carried out by naval operatives of Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo local government area.

    The suspected smugglers were reportedly intercepted in a wooden boat along the Mbo river by naval officials of the Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo local government area during a routine patrol.

    It was discovered that a medium-sized boat which was fitted with two 40 horsepower Yamaha outboard engines was carrying the 416 bags of 50kg rice.

    Speaking on Wednesday in Ibaka during the hand-over of the suspects, rice, boat and engines to the Nigeria Customs Service, Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Reginald Adoki said the handover is a customary practice and a way of renewing the commitment of the Navy to rid the area of illegal activities on the water ways.

    “The gunboat of FOB, Ibaka while conducting retinue patrol along Mbo river and other adjoining creeks intercepted a medium sized wooden boat. After offloading, it was discovered to be carrying 416 bags of 50kg rice, and two 40 horsepower Yamaha outboard engines which are fitted to the wooden boat. The three suspects, from preliminary investigations revealed they were bringing the rice from Cameroon.

    Read Also: Navy, others search for answer to piracy

    “This handover is customary to us and a way of renewing the commitment the Navy has put in clearing this area of illegal activities and reiterate the confidence the Navy has in the Customs to deal with the cases handed over to them for further investigation and prosecution,” he stated.

    Receiving the suspects and bags of rice from the Navy, the Controller, Eastern Marine Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt, Elton Edorhe, who was represented by Mr Ibrahim Adamu, Chief Superintendent of Customs appealed to the smugglers to desist from harming the economy of the country through their actions.

    He said, “On behalf of the Customs Controller, Eastern Marine Command, Controller Elton Edorhe, I thank the Navy for the seizures and appeal to the smugglers to consider the economy of the nation that is being bastardized through smuggling. They should do the needful and desist from this economic sabotage and also save themselves the pains of losing their money”.

    However, one of the suspects, Mr Victor Asuquo, a professional hair barber from Mbo LGA, said he was innocent of the charge against him.

    Asuquo who said he was returning home after about six months sojourn in Cameroon stated that he was only a passenger in the captured boat and not involved in smuggling of the seized rice.

    “I am not involved in this smuggling; I just entered the boat as a passenger. The driver of the boat escaped when the boat was arrested, the three of us are passengers. I left Cameroon because of the crisis there and since I did not have an international passport to board a flying boat, I paid 5,000 franc to board the local boat,” he said.

  • Dispatch rider, one other killed as hoodlums clash in Fadeyi

    Two persons were confirmed dead on Wednesday when a fight broke out at Fadeyi, Ikorodu road area of Lagos State among hoodlums popularly called ‘area boys’.

    The Nation gathered the two persons were a dispatch rider killed by a stray bullet when he rammed into the scene and an unidentified man from the hoodlums.

    Police officers, stationed at the area to maintain orderliness, confirmed the killing, adding they have deposited the corpses at the morgue.

    Although Fadeyi is noted for incessant cult clashes, residents of the area confirmed the fight was between two factions of “area boys” of two streets in Fadeyi.

    The fracas, according to eyewitnesses, broke out around 11am with sporadic shooting that left people scampering for their lives and the federal road closed down for hours.

    Residents, who spoke with our correspondent, were not certain of the cause of the clash between the two factions of the hoodlums.

    “The crisis is not a small matter. Immediately the shooting started, the police on ground ran away, because those boys were heavily armed.

    “They were not carrying pistols. I don’t know how to describe their guns, but the guns they carried surpassed that of the police in terms of the sophistication.

    “It was after the whole crisis has simmered that the police and some SARS officials came to the scene,” a resident of the area said.

    Our correspondent, who visited the scene, met high presence of patrol vans and armoured personnel carriers of the Lagos State Police Command on the ground.

    Remnants of broken bottles, blood spills and sticks littered ground of the street.

    Residents, who also sustained various injuries, were also seen receiving treatments on the street.

    The residents feared they may be reprisal attacks due to the ‘high profile’ person killed from one of the factions.

    A resident, who prefers not to be named, said similar incident occurred sometime last year when the hoodlums stormed the street and carted away items from traders, including six motorcycles from a park.

    According to the residents, number of death recorded from fighting in Fadeyi this year alone stands at five.

  • 60-year-old widow remanded over alleged lover’s death

    A chief Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has ordered the remand in prison custody of a 60-year-old widow, Priscilla Ikenga over the death of her alleged lover.

    Ikenga allegedly pushed the victim, Eziwhuo Ejuh an alleged drunk,  during an altercation and he fail to the ground on his forehead and died.

    A police document obtained from the court alleged that the deceased visited the suspect while drunk on February 23, 2019 and in the bid to resist him from gaining access into her house mistakenly pushed him.

    The incident the Police said happened in one of the communities in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

    The two-count charge of murder preferred against him was not read to her; hence she did not take any plea.

    She had no legal representation in the sitting.

    Read Also: Widow seeks justice from Buhari

    The presiding Chief Magistrate, Sokari Andrew-Jaja said the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter and ordered that the original case file be duplicated and remitted to the office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

    Jaja ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

    He adjourned the matter till May, 9 2019 for Report of DPP’s advice.

  • IGP vows to smoke out bandits and kidnappers

    The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar arrived Katsina state on Wednesday to rally support for his newly launched “Operation Puff Adder” aimed at wiping out banditry and other insecurity challenges in the eight frontline local government areas of the state bordering Zamfara

    Speaking during a courtesy call on Governor Aminu Bello Masari who was represented by his Deputy, Manir Yakubu, the IGP reiterated the commitment of the Police to reduce banditry in the state to a barest minimum

    He said “the activities of the bandits and kidnappers in the state have become a source of concern to President Muhammadu Buhari who has directed us to clear the bandits through whatever means’’

    “Insecurity challenges in the state could be brought to a low level if we have the required cooperation from the public and the traditional institutions. We shall employ community policing strategy in implementing this presidential directive’’

    “We shall take the war to the camp of the bandits in the forest, to identify, destroy and occupy their camps. Clearing the bandits and prosecuting them is a task that must be done. As we succeeded in arresting those who kidnapped the Governor’s mother in-law recently so shall we arrest and prosecute these bandits’’

    Responding, the governor described the present security challenges in the state as ‘a period of anxiety and apprehension whereby a part of the state is taken over by bandits who strike, kill and maim the citizens at will’’

    Read Also: Buhari committed to ending criminality, banditry – IGP

    The Governor further expressed shock that the kidnappers have taken over the highways in the state and harass citizens even at their homes and places of comforts

    He said “We appreciate the latest directive by the President which will put paid to the end of criminality in the state and the entire North West’’

    “With the synergy of operation in the entire North West, it will be all encompassing and will restrain the bandits in their strides. We have always assisted in funds and logistics and we do same again. We will do whatever it takes to protect live and property because security is the first responsibility of any government’’

    The IGP also visited Basari, one of the strategic camps the squad was deployed to interact with members of the squad as well as the traditional rulers. He also visited the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdumuminu Kabir Usman

     

     

  • 48 houses destroyed, 285 persons homeless in Plateau rainstorms

    No fewer than 285 persons have been rendered homeless by rainstorm that destroyed at least 48 houses in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau.

    The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, has become a source of concern to both the State and Local Governments.

    The residents of Toghomwol-Bungha community in Mangu were most hit.

    Most of the houses affected were either totally destroyed to the foundation level or had their roofs completely blown off, leaving no chance for the victims.

    “I have six children and our house has completely been destroyed by the rainstorm. I don’t have a place to stay now,” lamented one Mr Dabit, a victim of the storm.

    He said that he had no option but to look for a relationship to keep his family.

    Dabit called on the authorities to come to his aid because he had lost his home.

    Read Also: Police: kidnappers on the prowl in Plateau

    Already, the State Deputy Governor, Prof. Sonni Tyoden had led a delegation of government officials and P-SEMA on Wednesday on a sympathy visit to Toghomwol-Bungha community.

    Tyoden, who addressed the victims, appealed to them to be calm and look at the incident as an act of God.

    “This is an unfortunate incident that happened to you; it is indeed sad but I want you people to take it as an act of God.

    “I want to assure you that the government is so worried and concerned over your plights and will do whatever it takes to assist you.

    “You could see that officials of SEMA are here with me. Data will be taken to see how the government can assist in its little way,” he said.

    The deputy governor, however, made a personal donation of N1 million to the victims.

    Also, Mangu Local Government Chairman, Mr Lawrence Danat, donated N200, 000 while Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Mr Usman Idi Bamaiyi, donated N50, 000 to the victims.

    Nevertheless, Danat told NAN that the council authority would constitute a committee to compile comprehensive reports, which will be submitted to SEMA and NEMA for possible assistance to the victims.

    NAN