The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Victims

  • Succour for Aba fire victims

    Help has come for traders at the popular Line 49, Lagos Zone of Ahia Ohuru (New Market) in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State who lost cash and goods to a mysterious night fire on February 6. Over 14 shops were burnt down at the market, leaving the shop owners and occupants in tears. Their losses were estimated in millions of naira.

    The traders wondered why security men on duty in the area did not raise the alarm when they saw an unusual fire or smoke in a place that is neither connected to the national electricity grid nor do the traders sell any inflammable material.

    One of the traders, Mr. Ifeanyi Ogbonna who was struggling with his emotions, told our reporter that he lost about N2.5m while a neighbour who sells provisions lost goods worth about N8m.

    According to him, men of the Abia State Fire Service came to the fire scene, but left when they ran out of water.

    He said that the fire was later put out by sympathizers who used water from a nearby borehole, adding that it was the sympathisers who stopped the fire from engulfing other shops in the zone.

    He appealed to the governor of the state Okezie Ikpeazu and other well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid as they cannot bear the pain and weight of the loss alone.

    While the local and state governments were yet to come to the rescue of the traders, the member representing Aba North and Aba South Federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ossy Prestige, after collating the names of the after persons, has responded to the traders’ plight. He gave them money.

    Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to newsmen after receiving their payments stated that the intervention of Prestige was a rare feat in the history of the constituency.

    The traders who promised to use the monies they got judiciously stated that Prestige through the cash has given them a new lease of life having fulfilled the promises he made to them when he visited the site of the disaster.

    Fielding questions from newsmen, Prestige explained that his gesture was simply an act of giving back to the people that elected him to represent them in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.

    The lawmaker urged the beneficiaries to ensure that they used the money judiciously in their efforts to rebuild their shops and starting a new lease of life after the ugly incident that befall them.

    He also debunked insinuations that his good works at Aba was politically motivated, saying he had always executed some expected projects in his constituency ever since he was elected into office.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, this gesture is part of my humanitarian efforts in ensuring that my constituents in difficulty heaved a sigh of relief, and as a lawmaker representing them, I am required to share in their joy and pain. I have been a philanthropist before going into politics. Don’t forget that without being a politician, I became a major donor in Rotary Club International years back.

    “So whoever that may misconstrue my kind gesture as trying to score political points is wasting his time and energy. But the important question that you must ask any person telling you that is what was holding the person or their pay masters from coming o the rescue of the fire victims till date. Like I said, this is purely humanitarian and as a Rotary Club member that I am, giving back to the society with the little resources that God has blessed me with has nothing to do with politics.”

     

  • Mass burial for victims of Okpokwu massacre

    Mass burial for victims of Okpokwu massacre

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has ordered that a mass burial be given to victims of Monday’s attack on Omusu community in Edumoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area.

    Fulani herdsmen massacred over 24 people at rhe community.

    Okpokwu is in Benue South and the home of former Minister of Interior, Abba Morro.

    Ortom condemned the attack and urged security agencies to arrest the perpetrators.

    This is the second time this year that a mass burial will be held in the state.

    Sources, however, said the death toll could be over 40 as some people are still missing.

    The community has been deserted for fear of further attacks.

    The bodies have been deposited at the morgue of a government hospital at Okpoga.

    Survivors are being treated at various hospitals.

    Chairman of Okpokwu council Francis Olofu Ogwuche told the governor  that he was in the community for a peace meeting.

    Shortly after leaving, he received a call that Fulani herdsmen invaded the area, killing and maiming children and women.

    He said he mobilised security agencies to the scene but the attackers had fled.

    Police spokesman Moses Yamu said only 15 people died.

  • How we fell prey to one-chance, by victims

    How we fell prey to one-chance, by victims

    SOME victims of hoodlums operating in  commercial buses popularly known as “One-Chance’’have relived their harrowing experiences.

    They narrated how the  hoodlums took them  at gunpoint to some Automated Teller Machine (ATM) portals, obtain their pin numbers and withdraw  money from their accounts.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN),   the modus operandi of the  robbers remains the same – luring and robbing unsuspecting commuters of valuables using the yellow buses early in the morning or at night.

    A hospital worker, Mrs Philomina Nezianya, said she was robbed by a “One Chance’’ gang at about 5.30am on February 5 after boarding a bus on her way to work in Ikeja.

    “I entered a bus in front of Gowon Estate Police Station by Moshalasi bus stop; I was inside the bus with other people. I didn’t know it was “one-chance bus’’ that I entered.

    “Few minutes into our journey, I was held on the neck by one of the men sitting behind while the two on my left began to throw punches at me as they forced me to lie down.

    “They all held me down with their knees, they collected my hand bag, took my three ATM cards, two phones, wristwatch and a cash of N27,000 as the vehicle continued in motion.

    “While I was being strangled, the criminals demanded for pin numbers of the ATM cards and threatened to kill me if I gave them wrong pin numbers. I pleaded that I will comply but that they should not kill me,’’ she said.

    The victim added that one of  the criminals, referred to as “officer’’, told the others not to kill her before they  dropped off one of their gang members along the road.

    “About an hour later, one of them requested for acid to pour into my eyes; again I started begging them to spare my life.

    “Later, they stopped somewhere and asked me to step down and that if I should shout, they will blast my head. Immediately their vehicle sped off, I shouted for help and sympathisers came to my rescue,’’ she said.

    Nezianya said she was let off at Abule Egba  after they withdrew N150,000 each from two bank accounts and did N100,000 transfer to another bank account.

    A trader, Mrs Abiola Owusun, said she was robbed of N700, 000 last December 19, after boarding a yellow-painted bus at Gate bus-stop on Ipaja-Ayobo road.

    “I boarded the bus heading to Lagos-Island for business when surprisingly five male occupants, who were already inside, pounced on me and robbed me of the N300, 000 cash, meant to buy wares for the last Christmas sales.

    “They also collected my two ATM cards, which they used in transferring N200,000 from each of my accounts. They also collected my gold wedding rings, earrings as well as my wristwatch’’.

    Owusun said after the incident, they drove to somewhere in Abule-Egba  where they put pepper in her eyes.

    “The thieves gave me N1,000 for transport after collecting all that I had,’’ the victim said.

    A bank worker said she was dispossessed of her  valuables and ATM cards after she boarded a commercial bus at Moshalasi bus stop last December.

    The thieves, she said,  transferred over N500,000 from her accounts and humiliated her for not providing them with the secret code of her bank.

    A worker with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr Muyiwa Dare,  said he went out early for business and boarded a commercial bus heading to Iy

  • 52 kidnap victims rescued in Kano

    52 kidnap victims rescued in Kano

    •Police recover 273 ammunition 

    The Kano State Police Command rescued 52 kidnap victims, arrested 347 rape suspects and sued 331 of them to court in 2017, it was learnt yesterday.

    The police spokesman, Magaji Musa Majiya, in an end-of-year report, said the victims were rescued and reunited with their relatives.

    According to Majiya, 35 vehicles were recovered, 73 arms and 273 live ammunition were mopped out of circulation in 2017.

    The recovered items are worth N744, 699,046, he added.

    His words: “”Comparatively, 2016 witnessed 72 robbery cases and 117 arrests, while for the current year, only 35 cases were reported and 76 suspects arrested. Also, 547 rape and sexual assault offences were reported in 2016, while 334 cases were received in 2017, indicating a major decline in this crime.

    “The Kano State Police Command under the leadership of CP Rabiu Yusuf, is pleased to inform the public that 2017 is yet another successive year of progress as far as security of life and property is concerned.

    “Crime has drastically gone down, especially when focused on the adequate security arrangements strategically deployed in the state; the number of crime and criminals detected/arrested, and the collaboration with the public, especially traditional institutions, community leaders, NGO’S, and other strategic partners.

    “It is a year in which the public have made a robust input into the security-enhancing preventive measures.”

  • How we survived cancer, by victims

    How we survived cancer, by victims

    Some cancer survivors have shared their experiences on how they survived the dreaded ailment. They spoke at the launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Network Wall of Fame, organised by Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (COPE) in Ikeja, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

    Contrary to what many believe, cancer is not a death sentence. Although cancer kills fast, it can be prevented from leading to death by early detection and treatment.

    In the circumstances, some cancer victims have shared their experiences on how they had cancer, fought the battle and overcame.

    They spoke in Ikeja, Lgaos, during the launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Network Wall of Fame, organised by Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (COPE). The event also featured the unveiling of COPE partners.

    A survivor, Mrs Clara Unegbu, said she was diagnosed of cancer in August, 2015.

    “After series of tests, it was confirmed that I had a lump in my right breast and I immediately opted for surgery because I did not want to waste time. I told the doctors I was ready and determined to overcome cancer and that if they took away the two breasts, I didn’t care, because I wanted to live.

    “Overcoming cancer was expensive for me. I spent about N12 million. It is not everyone that can afford it. I thank God I am alive today.

    “The lump was discovered at Omotayo Hospital in Lagos and I was referred to Air Force Medical Hospital in Ikeja. By September that same year, I did the surgery to remove the lumps. After the surgery, it was confirmed that it was cancerous, so I had to go for another surgery in October which involved the total removal of my right breast.

    After the surgeries, I was referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), for continuation of the radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which I did as it was programmed and by God’s grace I am a survivor.”

    According to her, early detection and immediate follow up is the way to survive cancer.

    “Check your breasts regularly and know yourself. When you find anything strange, take it up because, when it gets worse, nothing may be done about it.

    “ There is no point hiding. Share your ideas and opinions with people around. You might not know it all, but you can learn from others.”

    Explaining how she discovered she had cancer, Unegbu said:“After my menstruation in August that year, I noticed a change in the size of my breast. I didn’t know what it was because my menstruation period had just ended. When my husband came back and I showed him, the following day, we went to the doctor and they told us it was a lump and that was how the fight began.”

    Mrs Mopelola Odueyungbo recalled she had cancer in 2006.

    “In 2006, I went for general medical check-up in a hospital and I was told I had a lump in my breast. It took me another year before I went back to the hospital because I was bothered. I was diagnosed for cancer in 2007.

    “After tests,   the results indicated that I had cancer.

    “I visited the LUTH to carry out some tests, and I was told I have to go for surgery. After some months, I went to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), registered and saw a doctor and after he examined me, I went for the surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and I was on drugs. I thank God I am alive today.”

    According to her, battling with cancer is not an easy experience, especially when you don’t have people to support you.

    “Early detection and treatment is critical. With this, you can have your life back,” she said.

    Elder Tony Akinfisola and his wife, Dorcas, also shared their experience in battling with cancer.

    Akinfisola said cancer experience is devastating, noting that it takes the grace of God for one to survive it.

    “Many people have died from cancer ailment. Men should not run away from their wives because they have breast cancer. When you stand by your wife in such a situation, she is 90 per cent cured.”

    Continuing, he said: “My wife had cancer in 2006, but I stood my ground that my wife will not die.”

    He thanked COPE and the Lagos State government for helping them.

    Chief Executive Officer, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (COPE)/Breast Cancer Awareness Network (BCAN), Ebunola Anozie said one out of every 12 women in Nigeria would have breast cancer.

    She said: “The launch is to enable us to keep the data of women with breast cancer in Nigeria, knowing that one out of every 12 women would have breast cancer in Nigeria. There is need to document most of the things we do; the statistics would enable us to organise ourselves and know where to concentrate or improve on.

    “The essence of the breast cancer awareness network is for women to present early in order to reduce the mortality rate of breast cancer. This is why we are in collaboration with Variant Advisory, Access Bank, Citi Bank, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Union Bank Plc, LASAA and Skye Bank to enable us to reduce breast cancer mortality; increase political commitment for breast cancer prevention and control;  ensure equal opportunity in accessing screening regardless of location and socio-economic status and prevention in late presentation.

    She noted that cancer is not a death sentence, adding that early detection gives one a better chance of survival.

    “The partnership would also facilitate broad networks of cancer control partners and experts at national level; generate new knowledge and disseminate existing information to facilitate the delivery of evidence-based approaches to cancer control.”

    She urged women to always do self-breast examination monthly or go for check-up.

    COPE Vice-Chairman, Seyi Oduntan said breast cancer patient, when treated early, stands the chance of full recovery.

    “Lack of exposure, education and information on breast cancer makes people to die from it,” he said.

    He thanked all the partners for their support, noting that it is good to support a project that saves lives.

  • NGO aids accident victims

    A non-governmental Organisation (NGO) Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), has reaffirmed  its commitment  to assisting accident victims in need of emergency health care in public health institutions in Lagos.

    The initiative, which is part of the group’s “None should die Campaign”, is aimed at stabilising critically injured road accident victims within 48 hours of such an occurence.

    Speaking during a charity walk  it held  with Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), HEI Executive Director, Achunine Paschal, said the organisation has seen unconscious accident victims who were neglected because no one paid for their treatment.

    “To prevent recurrence of such situations, HEI with the support   its partners, is glad to announce that hope is not lost for such patients. HEI will be responsible for the bill to stabilise the accident victims in about 22 public hospitals in Lagos and Oyo states. In all these public hospitals, the management will not ask for card or deposit because we are going to pay within 24 hours after which we would support in reaching the victim’s relatives to take up from there.”

    Paschal said since the initiative kicked off few months ago, many victims have benefited. “One of the beneficiaries was a nine-year-old cerebral palsy, who was brought to the hospital unconscious and she only needed drugs worth about N13,500 for resuscitation. HEI assisted in bring her back to life.

    “Three weeks ago, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officials took one accident victim to the Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, and because HEI has signed an MoU with the hospital. They did not need anybody to say who would pay because the following morning, our team went there to settle the bill to ensure that the person, who would probably have died, was stabilised.

    The group’s Hospital Visitation/Engagement Com-mittee Chairman, Khanayo Okonkwo, however, appealed to corporate organi-sations and well-meaning Nigerians to support them.

    “We also look after some indigent patients at the hospital. One of the recent cases we intervened was a mother who lost her children during birth but still  prevented from going home because of she could not pay the hospital bill,” he added.

    Leader, Corporate Responsibility, Diversity and Inclusion, PwC, Obioma Ubah, said the organisation is supporting HEI because of its service to humanity, urging other corporate organisations and individuals to do so.

    Ubah said as part of its efforts in giving back to the society and sharing love this Yuletide, PwC’s workers and alumni organised the five-kilometre walk for five charity organisations.

    “The charity organisations are Health Emergency Initiative, Optimal Children Home in Magodo, Cerebral Palsy Centre, Down Syndrome Foundation and Destiny Trust Centre. We are very passionate about their service to humanity and we encourage other corporate organisations and individuals to do same.

    ‘’People should not just give to charity organisations for giving sake, but also engage them in interaction to better understand what they are dealing with. We have walked before for charity and supported charity in different ways, but this is the first time we are supporting five charities at a time,” she added.

  • Why Nigerian victims of slavery cannot sue Libya, by Falana

    Why Nigerian victims of slavery cannot sue Libya, by Falana

    •Fed Govt urged to accept African Court’s jurisdiction 

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) yesterday explained why it will be impossible for aggrieved Nigerians, who are victims of slavery to sue the Libyan government.

    He explained that the Federal Government is yet to deposit its declaration accepting the jurisdiction of African Court on Human and Peoples Rights at the court’s registry in Arusa, Tanzania.

    Falana gave the Federal Government till December 31 to deposit its declaration accepting the court’s jurisdiction.

    He said: “If this request is not granted before December 31, 2017, I will not hesitate to approach the Federal High Court for an order of mandamus to compel the Federal Government to deposit the declaration at the registry of the African Court with a view to empowering Nigerian citizens to secure the enforcement of their human rights in the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights”.

    The senior lawyer said this yesterday in a statement in Lagos titled: “Why Nigerian victims of slavery cannot sue Libya”.

    Falana said unless government deposits its declaration with the registry of the African Court, it will be impossible for aggrieved Nigerians who are victims of slavery to sue the Libyan government.

    The activist, however, advised government to demand for payment of monetary damages by the Libyan government to the victims in view of the facts and circumstances of the illegal human trafficking in Libya.

    Noting that Libya has not formally accepted the jurisdictional competence of the African Court, Falana contended that the victims of the illegal slave trade could have submitted a petition to the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights and thereafter apply that the communication be referred to the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights for judicial determination.

    The senior lawyer, who admitted that there was nothing to prove that Libyan government has been involved in the illicit trade, contended that the government was liable on account of its failure to curb the trade in slaved, which he described as crime against humanity.

    In addition to the demand for payment of compensation to the victims of the illegal slave trade in Libya, Falana advised the Federal Government to take urgent steps to facilitate access to the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights by aggrieved Nigerian citizens and non-governmental organisations by depositing the declaration accepting the jurisdiction of the court.

    He said this is in pursuant to Article 1 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, which imposed a duty on the Government of Nigeria to recognise the rights, duties and freedoms enshrined in the Charter and undertake to adopt legislative or other measures to give effect to them.

    Falana noted that over the past 20 years, his law office has been inundated with complaints from Nigerians who were brutalised in some African countries. Falana explained that some of the complaints pertain to the barbaric killing of 18 Nigerians during an armed invasion of the Nigerian Embassy in Guinea Bissau on October 8, 2013.

    According to him, it is common knowledge that Nigerians living in South Africa have been subjected to xenophobic attacks, which have led to loss of lives and destruction of properties on several occasions while other Nigerian have been brutalised or killed gruesomely in some other African countries.

    He noted that of recent, there have been reports of young men and women who were killed in North Africa while crossing the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea on their way to European countries for greener pastures.

    Falana said in the process of such trips, many of the travellers have been captured and sold into slavery in Libya.

    He noted that Federal Government has ordered the evacuation of thousands of Nigerian youths held in notorious slave camps in Libya.

    He added that Nigeria has itself to blame for the tragedy in Libya for blindly supporting “the illegal resolution of the United Nations Security Council which authorised the invasion of Libya to effect a regime change”.

    “Today, not less than five armed gangs are laying claim to the leadership of the country. It has been confirmed that the arms and ammunition looted from the armory in Libya were sold to the dreaded Boko Haram sect. It is also true that the shameful slave trade which Nigeria is battling with is part of the fallout from the removal and brutal killing of President Muammar Gaddafi by armed gangs supported by the allied forces of imperialism led by the United States under President Barrack Obama,” he said.

  • FRSC hails group for saving crash victims

    FRSC hails group for saving crash victims

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has praised a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), for saving over 200 accident victims in the last two years.

    During a five-kilometre walk, carnival and charity programme organised by HEI in Lagos, the state’s Sector Commander Hyginus Omeje said HEI saved the victims’ lives through prompt intervention and payment of hospital bills.

    Omeje, represented by Mrs Ololade Mala, Sector Assistant Route Commander, FRSC, said: “The HEI has done so well in saving the lives of accident victims through its quick intervention to them at all times.

    “An example is the recent crash at the Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; the organisation helped to make some payments to the state hospitals where they had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

    “This enabled the victims to receive prompt treatment to save their lives before their relatives were contacted.

    “This is in sync with part of the 2017 Strategic Goals of FRSC; the goal to improve enforcement and post crash care by reducing traffic crash by 15 per cent and fatality by 25 per cent.

    “The HEI has been doing tremendous work to ensure that the lives of indigent and vulnerable victims are not lost as a result of road crashes,” he said.

  • Friesland Campina WAMCO donates to Benue flood victims

    Friesland Campina WAMCO donates to Benue flood victims

    Staffers of Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, makers of Peak and Three Crowns milk, have raised funds to help 100 families and 100 school children affected by the recent flood disaster in Benue State.

    They donated cooking wares and back-to-school supplies to the victims. The donations were made in conjunction with the Benue State Chapter of the Nigerian Red Cross Society last week.

    Explaining the company’s philanthropic gesture, its Corporate Communication Manager, Nkechi Ejesi, said:“Social responsibility transcends momentary relief, and how the affected people will cope when they have returned to their homes is very important.

    Ejesi said members of staff of the dairy giant identified the need for school children, who were displaced by the flood, to settle-in quickly after resumption – hence the intervention with school supplies such as bags, sportswears and stationeries.

    Similarly, the company distributed cooking stoves to families, whose homes had been submerged in water and as a result of this, and who were left with little or nothing to survive with.

    This social investment is sequel to FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s initial donation of 1,500 cartons of Peak Evaporated Milk to the internally displaced persons in Benue State.

    The products were donated to flood victims through the Office of Social Investment for the Benue State government.

    “Prior to the disaster, FrieslandCampina WAMCO has maintained a long-standing  relationship with the state. It was made evident in our adoption of Government College Makurdi, year-round upkeep of a charity home and our partnership on the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, among other things”, said Ejesi.

  • Another developer fleeces victims of N50m

    Another developer fleeces victims of N50m

    Less than a month after a developer at Iponri allegedly defrauded some house seekers, another one, Mali Najeemdeen has been accused of a similar offence.

    Najeemdeen was alleged to have fleeced about 74 victims of N50million under the guise of providing them accommodation at Ijeshatedo in Surulere.

    The victims were said to have individually paid money to the suspect as rent for a-two-storey building situated at 1, Bankole Street, off Adigun Street, Ijeshatedo, which was “under renovation.”

    Trouble started September 28, when some of the victims billed to take possession couldn’t enter the apartments they paid for because multiple persons have been promised particular flats.

    According to Samuel Chonkea, he saw the developer as a religious person and never knew he could defraud others.

    He said: “I did not know the developer would defraud us, because I saw him as a religious person. I paid him the money after inspecting the building and noticed that what is left was minor. I was asked to come back September 28 for the collection of my keys. But I could not make it on that day.

    “However, a friend of mine who lives on the street called that somebody was moving in and when I rushed down there, I was surprised that somebody has moved into my apartment. I was about leaving when the person who packed in came out.

    “When I told him that I am the owner of the apartment, we engaged each other in a fight and I ran to Itire police station to report the incident. It was after I fought with the other tenant that I got to know that many people had been duped by the developer.

    “I want the commissioner of police to intervene in our matter, because the developer said nobody can prosecute him.”

    Another victim, Isiaka Oluwatoyin said he paid N300,000 for a mini flat in June.

    He said: “A friend introduced the developer to me. After paying him, he said I can move in by July ending. When my wife and I went, he told us to come back by September 28 that renovation was still ongoing.

    “It was someone who called me that there was a crowd in the front of the building, protesting that they had been duped by the developer. When I got to there, I saw people protesting and I also went straight to Itire police station not knowing that other people had been coming to make statements in respect of the developer.”

    Uche Solomon, another victim, said he paid N450,000 for a two-bedroom flat on September 14.

    He said: “It was my colleagues in the office that introduced me to the developer. After inspecting the house and the apartment I wanted to move into, I transferred the money to him that same day and I was asked to pack into my apartment on September 29. To my surprise, I received a phone call that some people were protesting a day before.”