The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Two die

  • Two die in Benue community

    Two persons have died in Benue State. One was killed when suspected herdsmen attacked Tseuke community in Mbaivuur Kindred, Gwer East Local Government of Benue State on Wednesday. The second was killed when youths of Tseuke protested the attack.

    The first body was found in the bush yesterday.

    Police spokesman Moses Yamu confirmed the incident.

    Youths, about 200, blocked the Makurdi-Otukpo-Enugu highway at Ikpyongu town to protest the alleged attack on their settlements. The blockade caused a gridlock.

    Their leader, Paul Alu, said they would not open the highway until the government assured them of their safety.

    Commissioner of Police Baahir Makama, who led a detachment of mobile policemen to the scene, tried to convince them to do otherwise but the aggrieved youths refused.

  • Military/Gbagyi clash: Two die in detention

    Military/Gbagyi clash: Two die in detention

    Two of the 59 villagers who were arrested during the August military/communal clash in Bosso Local Government of Niger State have died in detention, it was learnt yesterday.

    A witness, Mamman Adamu, yesterday told the Justice Mohammed Mohammed-led Commission of Inquiry that the deceased were beaten until they bled to death, “even after they were confirmed dead, the soldiers still used their big stick on them.”

    Adamu, who was cross examined by lead counsel to the Commission, Mrs. Janus, said he and his brother, Abubakar Adamu, were arrested as they returned to the village.

    He added that they spent seven days in detention, five of which they were subjected to a high degree of torture. They were also rejected at the Criminal Investigation Intelligence Department (SCIID) because of their wounds.

    “The police at the SCIID rejected us because of the nature of the wounds they saw on our bodies. By then, the smell from our wounds did not allow the police take us from the Army,” Adamu said.

    Another witness, Mohammed Mobayi, said the soldiers stole N2.4 million from his room.

    He alleged that the soldiers barged into his house and demanded for money. After giving them, they tied him and took him to their barracks where they tortured and broke his legs.

    Mobayo, who could not stand while testifying, said he was a farmer and the money stolen was part of the proceeds from the yams he sold.

    But the military and Airforce lawyer, Lt.-Col. Micheal Ede Edom, said the Nigeria Army Headquarter would not release the soldiers who carried out the search operation to testify as it is against national security.

    Edom, who regretted his inability to present them before the commission, said most of the soldiers were now involved in other security operations.

    Justice Mohammed however insisted that the counsel to the military and Airforce should ensure that the soldiers involved in the operation appear before the commission to testify.

    He stressed on the need for the commission to hear their side of the story.

  • Two die, many injured at Ondo carnival

    TWO persons reportedly died in Ondo town at a carnival organised by youths in Kogbona area of the community.

    Many were said to have been injured and hospitalised.

    This followed a bloody clash that broke out between two rival cult groups during the celebration.

    Sources said before the incident, two rival cult groups fought.

    The death of the two persons was said to have stalled the celebration before police intervened.

    It was learnt that the youths had held a procession, wearing branded vests amid dancing and singing, with a truck-fitted music gadget round the streets.

    It was gathered that during the procession, some group of boys wanted to disrupt the celebration.

    An argument ensued between the groups alleged to be harbouring suspected cultists.

    They were said to have started shooting at those in the procession.

    One person identified as Afusat Ayodeji, was said to have died on the spot, a situation which resulted in a confrontation between the two suspected cult groups.

    Another person, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, also died.

    However, the police from Enuowa Division mobilised to the scene to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    When our correspondent visited the area a few hours after the incident, the street was deserted and canopy and chairs set for the celebration were scattered.

    A truck used by youths was abandoned.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Enuowa, Kunle Omisakin, confirmed the arrest of two persons.

    He said the matter had been reported at the police command in Akure, the state capital.

    Omisakin said investigation was on to fish out the culprits.

     

     

  • Two die in Lagos protest

    Two die in Lagos protest

    Two persons were yesterday killed in the Temidire area of Alagbado in Lagos when a peaceful protest turned bloody.

    The late Ganiu Adebayo aka Oludegun, described as a youth leader, and the late Tunji Olaniyi (aka Tunji Alaso), described as a land speculator, were attacked by a mob for taking protesters’ photograph.

    The protest was organised by landlords to protest the forcible invasion of their property and harassment by Olaniyi and his thugs.

    The placard-carrying landlords and community leaders trooped out about 1.a.m, chanting solidarity songs to condemn what they called “undue violent attacks” by Olaniyi and his boys.

    The protesters urged the Lagos State government and law enforcement agents to save them from the hands of Olaniyi.

    Men of Alagbado Police Station, who came in two patrol vans, maintained law and order.

    The protest became violent when Olaniyi and some of his boys were sighted in a black space bus taking the protesters photograph.

    About 11.05 am, some angry youths, who barricaded Moshalashi and Ibari roads, stopped Olaniyi’s vehicle and challenged him for taking photographs during a protest against him.

    Our reporter watched as Olaniyi’s vehicle was smashed by the mob.

    He left and returned with more of his boys.

    The late Adebayo was hit during sporadic gunshots by the hoodlums.

    The mob was said to have descended on Olaniyi and his men with machete.

    He died before he could reach a nearby hospital where he was rushed to.

    Speaking with our reporter before the protest turned violent, Baale of Temidire, Chief Nojeem Abioye alleged that Olaniyi and his men had been terrorising house owners.

    He said: “Many house owners moved into this community more than 40 years ago without any disturbance until a few years ago when some land speculators decided to make life unbearable for them in their own houses.

    “We faulted his claim that he was representing a fictitious Ota community who he claimed are the original land owners because Ota is in Ogun State while our community is in Alimoso Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    “I have told him several times to desist from harassing or attacking innocent landlords in this community but he would not listen to me. Yesterday, he beat up an elderly landlord in this community and the man is now on admission in a hospital. He has annexed so many buildings using his thugs to unleash terror on hapless landlords and residents.”

    A community leader, Chief Olanrewaju Ololade, said: We are protesting today because we have more than 5,000 people living in this community. Many of us bought our property from Fred Williams family over 40 years ago.

    “In 1984, some members of Ibari family in Ota, Ogun State came here to harass us and we took them to court. We got a judgement in 1988, wherein the Ibarri family’s claim to our property was overruled by the court. But lately, Olaniyi has been terrorising us claiming to represent an unknown Ota community as land owners. We told him that we have a valid court judgement which validated our ownership of the property but he resorted to violence, beating and harassing landlords and residents. We are, therefore, using this protest to call on Lagos State to save us from the activities of his boys.”

    Temidire Joint Community Development Association chairman Chief Apanishile Ale said Olaniyi had been using thugs to attack those opposed to his reign of terror.  A source, who didn’t give his name, told our reporters that Olaniyi’s boys were already planning to avenge their boss’ death.

    Policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Alagbado Division were seen patrolling the community at press time.

    Police spokesman Kenneth Nwosu, a deputy superintendent (DSP) said he received a distress call around 11.45 am  that one Tunji Rasak ‘M’, who was attacked and injured during the protest, died in the hospital he was rushed to. He added that another unidentified person was injured and is responding to treatment. Nwosu said investigation was on going.