A former Minister of Education, Professor Fabian Osuji, is dead.
He died Wednesday morning at the age of 82. Family sources said he returned from the United States on Saturday, where he had been holidaying, and was treated for undisclosed ailments. He was A Minister of Education during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. Born Fabian Ngozichukwu Chinedum Osuji on 20 January 1942, he attended Holy Ghost College, Owerri, Government College, Umuahia, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Enugu State and the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. He performed his Post-Doctoral Research at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London. He became a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan in 1973, a post he held till 1981. He was also a Visiting Scientific Fellow at the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
He became a Dean of the College of Science, Dean of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and member of the Governing Council of Imo State University. He was appointed Professor of Applied Biology, at St. John’s University, New York (CUNY) USA (1997-1999).
A suspected ritual killer, Adebayo Olamide Azeez, on Thursday revealed how he lured seven women through a dating app, “mychat” to their untimely death for ritual purposes.
Azeez, 32, confessed to being a member of a ritualist gang which specialised in killing women and selling their body parts for money rituals.
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command had earlier arrested and paraded members of the gang, namely, Moses Abidemi Awuraji, Oluwo Samuel Monday, Peter Oluwalolese, Jamiu Yusuf, AkinwunmiIfatosin, Sherifff Agbai and Osojieahen Alioneitouria.
They were all arrested for allegedly killing a 35-year-old woman, Sulaimon Adijat, for money ritual. Azeez, who had been on the run, but was later arrested by the police, said he joined the gang in September last year and has participated in the killing of seven women. He spoke when suspected criminals were paraded by the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu.
Alamutu said the suspect conspired with Moses Abidemi Awuraji, a herbalist, to kill the victims for money ritual.
The suspects strangled their victims to death and dismembered their body parts and sold them to Oluwo Monday Samuel and Alfa Ariwo (who is still at large) for ritual purposes.
“The three suspects confessed to the killing of ten different ladies at the Igbo Olomi residence of Moses Abidemi,” Alamutu said. Narrating how he lured and killed the victims, Azeez said, “I got the ladies from MyChat, which is a hookup app. I just told them that I wanted to hook up with them whenever Moses Abidemi Awuraji contacted me that they needed human body parts.
“They will call me and say that they need body parts, I will go on the app and chat with the ladies for a hookup. I didn’t know the ladies before, we didn’t have any conversation before, I only talked to them on the app. I ask if they are available and we negotiate on the amount they want to collect. When we reach an agreement, I will send my address to them and they will come over to me at Atan-Ota.
“I will pick them up and call Moses Abidemi Awuraji that they are around, I will then take them to Moses Abidemi Awuraji’s house in Igbo Olomi, Atan-Ota, and inside his sitting room, we will kill them.
“Abidemi’s wife (Awuraji Mariam) will pin their legs down while I strangle them.
“I joined the gang in September in 2023 and we have killed seven ladies. These are the ladies that I brought to the house that we killed.
“I don’t know what they use the corpses of the ladies for, my job is just to source for the ladies and bring them in. They don’t usually tell me the amount they will give, at times, they will pay me N30,000, other times, they gave me N40,000. “I can’t say no to them whenever they ask me to bring the ladies. I don’t know who they sell the body parts to and I don’t ask them about it, my own is just to source the ladies and collect my money.”
Meanwhile, Alamutu said the Command is working assiduously to unravel the identity of other victims.
He urged members of the public with missing relatives to report to the police with photographers of the missing persons.
Students of Royal College of Health Technology (ROCHTEC), Obi-Mbieri, Mbaitolu, Imo State, have been charged to imbibe good conduct, as they work hard to gain academic excellence that would enable them become successful, as well as make their parents and wards proud and happy.
This charge was given by the General Overseer of Christ Solution Ground Alter (CSGA), Akabo Ikeduru, Prophet Ben Uba (Old Prophet), during the 5th Matriculation Ceremony of ROCHTEC, held recently.
Prophet Uba who was officially invited to the Matriculation Ceremony by one of the pioneers of the Ministry, the Registrar of the Institution, Dr. Mrs. Gertrude Okorie and the School Management, urged the students to always abide by the rules and regulations of the College to make progress, advising them to remember their family backgrounds, what their parents and wards go through to sponsor them in school, hence the need for them to cultivate reading habit, referencing that “Daniel understood by reading books”.
Uba who enjoined the students to make good use of the College’s good facilities and serene environment to graduate in flying colors, told the college management to continually imbue the students with sense of humility, honesty, cultural values, good morals, “because when the students are conscious of these attributes, they will make positive impacts in various fields of learning, in line with the school philosophy of National Health Policy, which is Primary Healthcare”.
The Old Prophet advised the Federal Government of Nigeria to do something urgently in addressing the bad economy which he regretted has created hardship and hunger in the nation.
“The problem of Nigeria has nothing to do with food hoarding, the problem is lack of wisdom and not having fear of God by leaders, because the Bible says wisdom is profitable to direct. If we have wisdom, things will not be like this”, he added.
He urged leaders to apply pure wisdom in anything they are doing, maintaining that the fear of God, wisdom and understanding are the only ways to come out of all “we are passing through today”.
The Old Prophet assured that he would continue to pray for the country until there is a positive turn-around.
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has denied reports that the Military destroyed camps belonging to the Eastern Security Network, (ESN), around Eke Ututu market in Orsumoghu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
IPOB charged the Nigerian Government to stop linking ESN to acts of criminality.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, IPOB said the more the
Nigerian government tries to destroy the group, the more they will jeopardize their reputation locally and internationally.
The statement reads partly: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great prophet and liberator, MaziNnamdiOkwuchukwuKanu, debunks the fallacious and fabricated blackmail from the Nigeria military that they have destroyed ESN, camp around Eke ututu local market at Orsumoghu in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.
“It is a pity that the Nigerian government and her military are still bent on blackmailing IPOB and ESN even when they know the truth. In previous press releases, IPOB have called out Simon Ekpa’s led criminal gangs operating the said camps who initially paraded themselves as ESN and later metamorphosed into the Liberation Army as those terrorizing the innocent community of Uli, Lilu, Nnewi South and Orsumoghu.
“It is crystal clear that those creatures operating around Eke ututu ancient market were not ESN operatives and IPOB volunteers. “The more the Nigerian government tries to destroy IPOB, the more they will jeopardize their reputation locally and internationally.
“Biafrans and the international community know the truth and those behind the sponsored insecurity in the Southeast.
The people of the communities where these criminals camped knew that those people perpetrating criminalities in their communities are not ESN operatives or IPOB volunteers. IPOB and ESN operatives are freedom fighters and not criminals.
“The Nigerian government and its security agencies should do themselves a favor and stop linking ESN/IPOB to their gimmicks and antics of criminality. We are an upright freedom fighting movement focused on the peaceful restoration of Biafra Nation, through a UN supervised referendum when common sense finally prevails among the Nigeria government handlers.
“Using criminal elements to impersonate and blackmail IPOB’s self-determination movement are efforts in futility.”
Reps Warn MTN, GLO, Airtel, others over reselling of already purchased sim cards
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will bar over 42 million inactive mobile numbers from February 28, 2024. Recall that in December 2020, the Federal Government announced the integration policy of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) into the National Identification Numbers (NIN) database, as a measure to tackle the growing trend of insecurity and kidnapping across the country.Following the multiple deadline extensions due to pressure from Nigerians and a huge number of unlinked SIMs, the government directed telecommunication firms to block only outgoing calls on all unlinked lines on April 4, 2022. Naija News reports that the NCC has now decided to implement the policy at full scale since it was announced in 2020, through a letter to mobile network operators in December 2023.
The NCC affirmed the federal government’s directive to bar unlinked lines by February 28, 2024, despite pleas by telecom operators that a huge amount of lines are yet to be linked with their NINs. Speaking with TheCable, sources in the NCC said a total of 45 million lines in the country will be barred for not linking their SIM cards with their NIN.
The sources said out of the 45 million, 42 million lines have neither made a call, had a data session or sent an SMS in over one year.
Sources further disclosed that only 3 million active lines will be affected out of the 45 million to be barred.
“These 42 million lines have been inactive for over a year. So essentially, from our system checks only about 3 million active lines would be barred. We expect that the users of these lines would come out to submit their NIN and unbar their lines or abandon the lines entirely,” a source stated.
The House of Representatives has mandated the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board to extend the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration exercise by two weeks.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance titled “Need to extend UTME registration by JAMB, sponsored by Hassan Shinkafi, during Thursday’s plenary in Abuja.
Moving the motion, Shinkafi noted that the UTME registration exercise which commenced on January 15 ended on February 26, 2024, adding that as a result of the painful economic situation in the country, “Many families have been constrained from registering their wards, by this timeline.”
He said that if extension was not given by JAMB, many candidates will not be able to register and participate in the exercise and that means “There will not be a wider coverage and participation in this year’s UTME in Nigeria.
While urging the lawmakers to intervene, Shinkafi added that an extension will encourage parents of less privileged students to register their wards for the exercise.
The House, while urging JAMB to extend the registration by two weeks, also mandated the relevant committees on Education and Legislative Compliance to enforce strict compliance.
The House of Representatives on Thursday, passed for third reading, a Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps.
The Bill was jointly sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu and House Majority Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, among others at plenary in Abuja. The bill is titled: “Bill for an Act to Establish Nigerian Peace Corps to facilitate Peace, Volunteerism, Community Services, Neighbourhood Watch, Nation Building and for Related Matters”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian Peace Corps Establishment Bill sought to give statutory backing to the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria. However, less than two months after the passage, a motion for rescission on the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2023 was moved on the floor of the house by Rep. Francis Waive (PDP-Delta). Waive noted that after the passage of the Bill, new facts emerged that would strengthen the functions and the operational structure of the corps.
He added that this was why the house rescinded its decision on the Bill and recommited it to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration and passage. The Bill sought to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps as a body, charged with the responsibility to develop, empower and provide gainful employment for youths. When enacted, the act would facilitate peace, volunteerism, Community Services, Neighborhood Watch and Nation building.
NAN reports that by this passage, the Nigerian Peace Corps establishment Bill would be making its way to the Senate for concurrence and eventual transmission to the President.
A London morgue where the remains of former Senate President, late Dr Joseph Wayas, is kept, has collected the sum of £6,710, amounting to N13,366,320, from members of his family, before allowing them access to the body.
This was disclosed in a report by Justice Maurice OdeyEneji, Chairman of Joe Wayas’ Burial Fact Finding Committee.
The report is dated 27 February 2024.
The report said the morgue managers had insisted on the amount, representing cost of maintenance of the body and general charges for over two years that the body has been kept there.
The committee, made up of elders in the Cross River northern district, needed to ascertain that the body was available, and what state it was in.
Wayas’ daughter based in Nottingham, UK, Ms Donna Wayas, and one MrsEchiko Julie Odey, were the two individuals who had access to sight and ascertain the state of the body.
Late Wayas, born 21 May 1941, died on 30 November 2021 in a London Hospital, after a lingering sickness.
He was Senate President from 1979 to 1983.
Former governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, first managed his health condition, and when he died, the state government released N200 million for repatriation of the body and burial.
However, soon after, a family crisis ensued which delayed the funeral.
In the report dated February 27, Justice Eneji said the committee has been very proactive, meeting regularly and is committed to ensuring that the body is repatriated for the burial.
However, he said they were still in need of a further £60,478, that is, N120,934,992, and have launched a passionate appeal towards raising the amount.
“In line with burial committee’s agreement with Ms Donna Wayas, we need to raise and remit/transfer to Donna the sum of £60,478 to offset all outstanding indebtedness, inclusive of cost of repatriation of the corpse to Nigeria for burial.
“We also need to raise and refund the sum of £7,210 paid on our behalf to the morgue managers in London,” Justice Eneji added.
Meanwhile, members of the Fact Finding Committee have agreed that they must allow both the state government and National Assembly to play their parts.
“Both the state and federal governments may have committed funds for this purpose in the past but he (late Wayas) has not yet been buried.
“He is not in any way responsible for the circumstances leading to the delay of his burial, neither does the delay detract from what he was in, and for, Nigeria.
“I think that now that the complexities surrounding his death and burial have been unravelled, our statesman is entitled to, and should be given, the burial that befits his status by both the federal and state governments.
“I think that we should communicate officially to them that all the knots have been loosened and all is now set for the burial as soon as it is convenient for government,” key member of the committee, who did not wish to be named, said.
Imo Police nab man for killing, dumping body of girlfriend in gutter ...Arrests another for stabbing 57 yr-old man to death
Imo State Police Command says its operatives have arrested one Chinenye Nwaneri of No 43 Christ Church Road, Owerri, for allegedly murdering his girlfriend, Chienyenwa Nnodua and dumping the corpse in a gutter.
This disclosure was contained in a press statement endorsed by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, (PPRO) Henry Okoye and made available to The Statesman which also revealed that the command also arrested one Onwuhara Nwachukwu for stabbing a 57 yr-old man, Theophilus Ukwe to death.
According to the press statement, Nwachukwu stabbed Ukwe to death over a minor dispute.
The statement partly read: “Following a distress call received from Bishop Silas Anoruo ‘m’ on 7/1/2024, that the lifeless body of a young lady was seen inside a gutter in front of his uncompleted building at Madumere Street, Christ Church Road, Owerri, Operatives of Owerri Urban Divisional Headquarters mobilized to the scene, recovered the corpse and deposited same at Imo State for autopsy.
Preliminary investigation unveiled the identity of the deceased as Chienyenwa Nnodua and further revealed that she was seen last with her alleged lover, Chinenye Nwaneri ‘m’, of No 43 Christ Church Road, Owerri, trekking down to his house very late in the night on 5/01/2024”.
He said the information raised the suspicion which prompted the determined operatives to invite Chinenye Nwaneri, a member of the Umuodu vigilante group for questioning.
“On interrogation, Chinenye Nwaneri initially denied knowing the deceased, but later confessed after he was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) that he was with the deceased the night before she was found dead in a gutter, but denied that she was his lover”.
According to the statement, competent witnesses, including the sister of the deceased and a vigilante member who was on night guard duty with him volunteered statements to the Police. The sister of the deceased stated that the suspect was her late sister’s boyfriend for four years, narrating further that her sister informed her on 5/02/2024 that she was going to spend a night in the suspect’s house.
Also according to the statement, the vigilante who was on night duty with the suspect stated that he saw him at midnight with the deceased along Christ Church Road while on foot patrol.
The statement further read, “Investigation is still ongoing, the body of the deceased has been sent to a forensic pathologist to ascertain the cause of death. The case will be charged to court pending the outcome of the investigation”.
Continuing, the statement read, “In another development, operatives of Imo State Police Command arrested one Onwuhara Nwachukwu, ‘m’, 27 yrs for stabbing to death one Theophilus Ukwe ‘m’ 57yrs over a minor dispute.
“On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime stating that he gave the deceased a severe machete cut on his body which resulted in his death, because the deceased approached him with a cutlass on his farm while he was harvesting his palm fruit”.
The Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, through the statement gave an assurance that the suspect will certainly have his day in court, after the police investigators must have concluded their investigation.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has assured the general public that the Command will continue to work tirelessly in providing maximum safety and security for all and sundry in the State.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University chapter, on Thursday, appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas to pay the N1.7 billion accumulated earned Academic and promotional allowances owed to staff of the university since 2014.
This is even as the Union lamented the prolonged delay in the payment of their withheld salaries, noting that with each day passing without the payment of these outstanding salaries, the financial strain on their members intensifies, pushing them further into distress and uncertainty.
Addressing a press conference at the ASUU house at the Taraba State University, the Chairperson of the Union, Dr. Garba Mbave, said the non-payment of promotion arrears and withheld salaries, not only create financial strain for members, but also erodes their morale and diminishes their trust in the fairness and integrity of the institution.
“These situations we have been subjected to have the potential to disrupt industrial harmony and compromise the productivity and effectiveness of our workforce. The prolonged delay in the payment of Earned Academic Allowance has created significant discontent and frustration among our members. The non-payment of these allowances, not only undermines the commitment and dedication of our academic staff, but also poses a threat to the overall industrial harmony within our educational institution.
“The accumulation of these unpaid allowances since 2014 has only exacerbated the grievances and discontent among our academic staff. We urge the government to take decisive action to address this pressing issue and prioritise the prompt payment of the outstanding Earned Academic Allowances and withheld salaries owed to our members.
“Without a pension scheme in place for members of staff, we are faced with the challenges of financial insecurity and uncertainty. This is an unacceptable situation that highlights the urgent need for action.” While commending the governor for the renovation of students’ hostels and slashing of fees for undergraduate students, the union urged the government to take decisive action on the issues of outstanding earned academic allowances, withheld salaries, promotional arrears, and construction of a parameter fence for the university.
The Nigeria Insurance Corporation says it has reimbursed deposits of 179 rested microfinance and four primary mortgage banks across the country.
The Managing Director of the NDIC, Dr. Bello Hassan, stated this at the NDIC Special Day during the ongoing 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair on Thursday.
Hassan, who was represented by the NDIC’s Deputy Director, Communication, Hauwa Gambo, insisted that the corporation’s priority was the protection of Nigerian depositors’ funds of licenced banks in distress. According to him, in carrying out its statutory functions, the corporation has introduced the Single Customer View framework to expedite payment to depositors of closed banks. Besides, he added that the NDIC has enhanced its collaboration with the judiciary for speedy prosecution of failed insured banks which has resulted in resolving long-drawn cases of closed banks such as Fortune and Triumph Banks liquidation.
According to him, the efforts have significantly improved the debt recovery rate which enabled the corporation to declare 100 per cent liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors of more than 20 deposit money banks in liquidation.
The NDIC boss said the corporation had achieved remarkable success in reimbursing depositors during the recent closure of 179 Microfinance Banks and four Primary Mortgage Banks, ensuring timely payment of insured sums.
He said, “Our priority at NDIC is the protection of Nigerian depositors. We are dedicated to safeguarding depositors’ funds from the adverse effects of bank failure
“The corporation has introduced the Single Customer View framework to expedite payment to depositors of closed banks. The Corporation has enhanced collaboration with the judiciary for speedy prosecution of failed insured institutions.
“This concerted effort has resulted in resolving long-drawn cases of closed banks such as Fortune and Triumph Banks in liquidation.
Moreover, we have utilised Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms and out-of-court settlements, revitalising our liquidation activities.
“These efforts have significantly improved our debt recovery rate, enabling us to declare 100 per cent liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors of more than 20 deposit money banks in liquidation.
“The Corporation achieved remarkable success in reimbursing depositors during the recent closure of 179 Microfinance Banks and 4 Primary Mortgage Banks, ensuring timely payment of insured sums.”
In a heartbreaking incident, 13-year-old Kelvin Onyengba drowned while enjoying a hangout at Alatise beach in the Ajah area of Lagos State. Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred at noon on Tuesday, with the deceased and five of his friends swimming at the time. According to a police source, the incident occurred on February 27, resulting in the tragic death of Kelvin due to the force of the sea’s waves.
The source said, “The incident happened yesterday. The mother of the boy said that the wave of the water swept her son. According to her, he went out with five of his friends to swim and hang out, but unfortunately, the boy did not come back to his parents.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident when reached for comment. Hundeyin mentioned that detectives from the area had already surveyed the scene of the incident, noting that the deceased’s family was still anticipating the recovery of the missing body.
Similarly, Our correspondent reported that a Lagos-based prophet identified as Oriyomi Remilekun has died during a beach hangout commemorating Valentine’s Day celebration. The deceased was said to have drowned during the beach hangout, which took place in the Ajah area of the state.
The bill to designate Anambra State as a member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) sparked controversy in the Senate on Wednesday, with members expressing differing views during the bill’s second reading.
Senator representing Anambra North, Tony Nwoye, introduced the bill seeking to amend the NDDC Act N86 LFN 2004 to include Anambra State. However, the bill did not progress past the second reading as lawmakers voted against its passage.
Citing information from the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Senator Nwoye argued that Anambra State meets the criteria to be recognized as an oil-producing state. The lawmaker highlighted that the RMAFC, during its 139th Plenary Session on July 27, 2021, approved the attribution of 14 oil wells to the state, including Nzam 1, Anambra 1, 2, 3, Ogbu-1, Alo-1, Amesi 1, 2, 3, 4, and Enyie 1, 2, 3, 4.
In an attempt to persuade his colleagues to support the bill, Senator Tony Nwoye informed the Senators that the official allocation of 13% mineral derivation revenue has commenced from November 2021 until the present date.
Following this, chaos erupted when Senate President Godswill Akpabio presented Senator Tony Nwoye with a choice to either withdraw the bill for further consultations or subject it to a voice vote among the Senators. Should Lagos, Kogi, Bauchi, and Other Oil Producing States Also Be Included in The NDDC? Akpabio, being the first to contribute to the bill, pointed out flaws in it. The Senate President explained that the current nine member states of the NDDC (Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, Edo, Ondo, and Rivers) were included due to their geographical location within the Niger Delta, which Anambra State is not a part of. According to Akpabio, if Anambra State were to be included, it would imply that other oil-producing states such as Lagos, Gombe, Kogi, and Bauchi would also be included in the NDDC and recognized as Niger Delta States. Akpabio garnered backing from Senators such as Seraike Dickson, Isah Jibrin, Olamilekan Solomon, and Eshilokun, while Senators Adams Oshiomhole and a few others supported the bill.
In response to Akpabio, the bill’s sponsor Tony Nwoye accused Senator Jibrin Isah (Kogi East) of providing false information to the Senate by claiming that Kogi State has been receiving oil derivation funds since 2022.
He said: “Mr Senate President, I have the record that Anambra State has started receiving 13 % derivation since November 2021, and as of today, Kogi State is not receiving a dime from the Federal Government. He mentioned Kogi and he was trying to misinform the Senate.
” However, Jibrin fired back, admonishing the Anambra lawmaker to limit his argument to his state, saying, “Kogi has started receiving oil derivation since 2022.”
“With due respect Mr. Nwoye I want to limit yourself to your presentation and your state. What happens in Kogi State is not your business. I am telling you that the information getting to me shows that Kogi is getting 13%, Isah stood his ground.” Speaking further over the arguments, Akpabio urged Senator Nwoye not to rely solely on the letter received from the RMAFC, as it only offered clarifications on the 13 per cent derivation of Anambra, not Kogi. The Senate President proposed an amendment that would consider other states, including Kogi, which has recently become an oil-producing state, as well as potential future oil-producing states. Akpabio argued that there was no need for the bill, as Anambra already receives its 13 per cent derivation from the Federation Government and benefits from funds as a member of the host communities under the Petroleum Industry Act bill.
More than 30,000 Palestinians have now been killed in Gaza since 7 October, the Hamas-run health ministry says.
That number equates to about 1.3% of the 2.3 million population of the territory – the latest grim marker of the awful toll of this war.
The ministry says that the majority of those killed were women and children.
Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and fighters when identifying those killed.
In its daily update on Thursday, the ministry said 81 people had been killed in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 30,035.
The actual number of dead is likely to be far higher as the count does not include those who have not reached hospitals, among them thousands of people still lost under the rubble of buildings hit by Israeli air strikes.
More than 70,000 injured people have been registered by the Gaza ministry of health (MoH), which is the only official source for casualties. Its data is quoted by UN agencies and other international institutions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says it has a “long-standing co-operation” with the Gaza body and that it has “good capacity in data collection/analysis”. Its previous reporting has been considered credible and “well developed” by the UN agency.
The WHO notes that when the current breakdown of deaths is compared with previous data recorded by the UN from past conflicts in Gaza, “it clearly shows an increasing number of civilians being killed, with a higher proportion of children and women fatalities”.
Asked about its assessment on the number of fatalities and the breakdown of civilians and fighters, Israel’s military told the BBC only that “the number of terrorists killed stands at approximately 10,000”.
For a Palestinian death to be registered in Gaza, a corpse or remains must be seen by hospital staff or medical workers. At the end of each day, hospitals send lists of all casualties including – where known – names, identity numbers, dates of injury or death, and details of injuries and condition to a centralised MoH system. Its operators are now based in Rafah.
The Palestinian Red Crescent also contributes data.
During this war it has been more difficult than ever to report figures because of overflowing mortuaries, fighting in and around hospitals and clinics, and poor internet and phone connectivity.
However, if and when a longer-term truce is agreed or the war ends, efforts to recover bodies and trace the missing should allow a clearer picture to emerge of numbers killed, including numbers of combatants. The UN and rights groups, as well as the Israeli military, can be expected to carry out their own investigations.
On Wednesday, heavy gunfire was heard near his party’s headquarters in the capital, N’Djamena.
Mr Dillo is a vocal opponent of his cousin, President Mahamat Déby, who has been in power since 2021.
Mr Déby succeeded his father who was killed by rebels after three decades in power.
The unrest in the Central African country follows the announcement that presidential elections will be held on 6 May.
These elections are intended to return the country to constitutional rule.
Communications Minister Abderaman Koulamallah told the AFP news agency that Mr Dillo had died on Wednesday “where he had retreated, at the headquarters of his party. He didn’t want to surrender and fired on law enforcement”.
On Wednesday, Mr Dillo said the accusation he was behind the attack on the National Security Agency (ANSE) headquarters was intended “to make me afraid so that I don’t go to the election”.
One of Mr Dillo’s colleagues, the general secretary of his Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF), told Reuters news agency that PSF members had come under attack from soldiers outside the ANSE building while trying to retrieve the body of their colleague Ahmed Torabi.
The PSF official said Mr Torabi was arrested and shot dead on Tuesday, before his body was dumped outside the ANSE building.
According to the government, Mr Torabi had attempted to assassinate the president of the Supreme Court.
Relatives and party members who tried to get to his body were shot at on Wednesday morning, resulting in multiple fatalities, the general secretary said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warned protesting labour unions in the country against causing unrest. The Nigerian leader gave the warning in his speech on Thursday during the inauguration of the Red Line Rail Project in Lagos.
Tinubu, who said he watched how people are demonstrating across the country over the ongoing hardship, said that unions must not hide under the guise of human rights to cause unrest.“You are not the only voice Nigeria has…” Tinubu said.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) members staged a demonstration across the states on Tuesday over the continued rise of the price of commodities, among other economic crises in Nigeria.However, having commended the Governor of Lagos State, BabajideSanwo-Olu, for the Red Line project, and extended his regards to all dignitaries present at the occasion, President Tinubu reiterated that he sees the groaning of the people over the current economic hardship in the country.
He said, “Allow me to throw a jab here. The Labour Union should understand that you are not the only one with freedom and rights. If you want to participate in the electoral process, meet us in 2027. If not, maintain peace. You are not the only voice of Nigeria.”
Tinubu, however, said his administration will not back down on its policies and actions taken to curb corruption and make good use of diverted funds in the public sector.
“When you put people at the focus of your vision and planning, you will understand the value of democracy,” Tinubu said.
The President said the commissioning of the Red Line was the culmination of the vision he nursed 25 years ago when he was governor of the state, calling for more collaboration between the Ministry of Transport and other states to develop railway infrastructures across the country.
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, departed Nigeria for Doha, Qatar, on a state visit.
Tinubu departed Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, shortly after commissioning the first phase of the Lagos Red Rail Project.
As earlier reported by this platform, President Tinubu will embark on a two-day official visit to the State of Qatar, to further strengthen cooperation between the two nations in several areas, including security, cultural exchange, and economic development.
This is to honour an invitation by His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.
This was made known in a statement to journalists on Wednesday night by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
During the visit, Tinubu will witness the signing of several agreements focused on boosting Nigeria’s real sector and creating value-additive investments across the fields of trade, education, culture, solid minerals, digital economy, agriculture, and gas, as well as fostering cooperation on counter-terrorism. The President will also participate in a business and investment forum that will bring together top-level executives in both the private and public sectors of Nigeria and Qatar, to advance cross-sectoral opportunities for mutually beneficial growth and development
The President will be accompanied on the trip by senior government officials for the signing of agreements.
Imo State House Of Assembly on Wednesday during plenary seasion Urged the state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma to direct the ministry of Tourism , Creative Arts And Culture to mandate the Imo State Hoteliers Association to install , maintain and operate a functional Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in all hotels and hospitality related business places in Imo state.
The Call was made in a motion moved by the minority leader and the member representing Aboh Mbaise state constituency, Hon princewell Ugochukwu Amuchie and seconded by the member representing Oguta state Constituency, Hon Glibart Nwosu.
Presenting the motion, Hon Amuchie said that most hotels and hospitality related business places in the state do not have a functional CCTV cameras in operation.
According to him, the lodgers, occupiers and all persons who usually patronize the hotels and hospitality related business places in the state are desirous of having and savouring the convenience of a secured and safe environment for ease of commerce.
The Imo State House of Assembly also resolved to urge the state Government, through the service of ISAMMATA and ENTRACO, to decongest eight roads in Owerri Municipal, to avert accidents, health hazardous and other criminal acts.
The motion was moved by the member representing Owerri Municipal state Constituency, Hon Clinton Amadi and seconded by the member representing Ngor-Okpala state Constituency, Hon Obinna Egu.
Moving the motion Hon Amadi stated that School Road ,Rotibi street,Chikwere street,Ekeonunwa street, and some parts of Douglas Road have been totally blocked by street traders.
He noted that some people benefitting from the toll they are collecting on daily basis from these street traders who occupy the roads and streets have made it impossible for motorist to ply those roads and causing nuisance on those streets in Owerri Municipal.
Hon Amadi said that the state Government was desirous of seeing that the roads are motorable , in good sanitary condition and risk-free for the citizens to enjoy.
Eight Members of Labour Party (LP) in Anambra House of Assembly have promised to donate their six months basic salary as their contribution to alleviating the plight of the people of the state. Mr John Umunnajiego representing Onitsha South 2 said this on Thursday in Awka while addressing newsmen. Umunnajiego, who is the leader of the LP caucus in the House, said they would work out modalities to ensure effective use of the fund. He appealed to the federal and state governments to prioritise poverty alleviation, health, security and infrastructure, so as to give Nigerians new lease of life.
He commended the federal and state governments for their bid to provide social infrastructures to the people but urged more attention to basic needs such as food, good health and security. “It will be appreciated if the governments suspend projects that do not have direct effects on people and rather provide stomach, health and security projects.
“This is because it is only healthy and the living people that will enjoy social infrastructure. So we ask that basic needs like food, security and working hospital be provided,” he said.
Umunnajiego said with elections lost and won, it was unfortunate that many Nigerians were suffering.While commending the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, for providing constructive criticism of President Bola Tinubu administration, Umunnajiego said it demonstrated Obi’s desire for a better Nigeria.
“It really shows that he is committed to making this nation a better place for all of us. “To the masses, hope is a virtue; we must sustain hope. That is the currency for better tomorrow”, he said.
Also speaking, Mr Henry Mbachu, representing Awka South 1, said that it would be insensitive on the lawmakers’ part to pretend that all was well with their constituents. Mbachu urged other lawmakers both at national and state levels to make substantial sacrifice to change the narrative of poverty in the country.
Mr Fred Ezenwa, member representing Onitsha South 1, said that it was their plan to touch the lives of the people over the next six months.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Western countries against sending troops to Ukraine.
The consequences of such a decision would be “tragic”, he said.
In his annual state of the nation address, President Putin accused the West of trying to drag Russia into an arms race.
At the same time, he said that Russia needed to strengthen its defences on its western border now that Sweden and Finland were joining Nato.
President Putin said the West “provoked” the conflict in Ukraine and “continues to lie, without any embarrassment, saying that Russia allegedly intends to attack Europe”.
Probably referring to comments by French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this week that sending Nato ground troops to Ukraine “could not be excluded”, President Putin said: “The consequences for possible interventionists will be… tragic.”
“We also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory,” he added.
“All this really threatens a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilisation. Don’t they get that?”
Several Nato countries, including the US, Germany and the UK, ruled out deploying ground troops to Ukraine.
President Putin also boasted about Russia’s sophisticated weapons – like hypersonic aircraft and unmanned underwater vehicles – and said that Russia’s strategic nuclear forces are in a “state of full readiness”.
Notably, President Putin explicitly referred to the two years of fighting in Ukraine as a “war”, despite his repeated insistence that Russia’s invasion should be described as a “special military operation”.
He said that an “absolute majority” of Russians supported his decision to invade Ukraine, and that the Russian people were now united against what he called Western attempts to weaken the country.
He also hit out at accusations from the US that Russia is developing nuclear weapons for use against satellites in space.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the address could “to a large degree be seen as [Putin’s] election programme”.
Indeed, much of the address focused on domestic issues ranging from the modernisation of the tax system to pensions and incentives aimed at boosting Russia’s dwindling birth rate.
He also talked about the need to improve the health of the nation, announcing a series of measures aimed at boosting Russia’s life expectancy, which at 70 is currently one of the lowest in Europe.
Urging people to focus on physical activity and cut down alcohol consumption, he joked: “Stop drinking and start skiing!”
The speech lasted a record two hours and was attended by all senior politicians, the CEOs of oil and gas firms Rosneft and Gazprom, as well as religious leaders of all denominations.
It was broadcast on giant screens across Moscow, and several cinemas in Russian cities reportedly screened it free of charge.
As expected, there was no mention of the death of Alexei Navalny, the opposition leader who died in a Siberian penal colony two weeks ago and who many saw as President Putin’s greatest opponent.
Navalny, who will be buried in Moscow on Friday, died under circumstances yet to be fully established on 16 February. His widow Yulia has insisted that President Putin was responsible.
Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma has felicitated with the Board, management and staff of The Punch Nigeria Limited on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the publication of the newspaper, The Punch.
The ceremonies for the golden jubilee of The Punch have been slated for this year, though the organisation was founded in March 1973, making her 50 years old in March 2023.
A statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor of Imo State said Governor Uzodimma is pleased to identify with the success story of The Punch encapsulated in hardwork, perseverance, commitment, determination and penchant to serve the public.
The Governor said The Punch did not only build a brand for itself, but for Nigeria where the Board, management and staff ply their trade, noting that where her competitors failed the medium excelled enormously.
Governor Uzodimma who is the Chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum recalls that the media have a critical role to play in the growth, development and moulding of the Nigerian society, noting that over the past 50 years of The Punch’s existence, the medium has demonstrated willingness to contribute its own quota for the betterment of the country, taking into cognisance, the demands of the journalism profession.
The Governor reminded the medium not to shy away from the practice of development journalism which he reasons, serves as the route that will lead to Nigeria’s socio-economic, political and cultural development.
On behalf of the government and people of Imo State, Governor Uzodimma wishes The Punch many years of service to the society.
Imo State Universal Basic Education Board, IMSUBEB, and the Universal Basic Education (UBEC), have commended Umudibia Youths Organisation and those in diaspora, for coming to the aid of Umudibia Community Primary School Nekede Owerri West LGA Imo State, as the association begins the construction of sanitary structure for the school.
The education bodies made the commendation during an official inspection visit to the school on on Tuesday.
Speaking to newsmen, the Director of Continuous Quality Assurance Evaluation from the Board, represented by Clinton Chilaka, who witnessed the foundation-laying ceremony of six block restroom building, informed that IMSUBEB, in partnership with Universal Basic Education Commission,UBEC have been in the forefront in ensuring that best educational practices are offered to students of the state.
Mr Chilaka commended Umudibia youths at home and those in the diaspora, coordinators of the project, High Chief Bathlomew Uchehara and Dr.Emmanuel Nze, for initiating such project which he said, was also in line with the agenda of the the Board.
He said the Board was delighted to witness such humanitarian service carried out by the youth body and their brothers in the diaspora.
Flagging off the building project, the immediate past Sole Administratior of Owerri West LGA Hon.Victor Osigwe, thanked the youths and sponsors of the project which he said, would help to ease off the sanitary challenges facing staff and pupils of the school.
He advised the School authorities to make sure that the facility is properlly maintained when completed.
Lending her voice, the Headmistress of the School, Faith Onwuvuariri said she was overwhelmed with joy, maintaining that ever since she came to the school, that the youths have been of immense help to the School.
“They always come to ask us how we are faring, which is very rare, compared to other places l have been to. I, on behalf of staff and pupils of the school, appreciate this humanitarian gesture from them,” she said.
The Youth President, Comrade Paul Okereafor ,aka, Ability, disclosed that what informed their carrying out the project was the complaints of the School Head Teacher, who, in one of their visits, informed them that the school doesn’t have toile, adding that it was a big challenge to them.
He said after listening to the Headteacher, the Youth body decided to reach out to friends and their brothers in diaspora, to come to the aid of the School, hence the commencement of the project.
He use opportunity to thank in a special way, the facilitators of the project in the persons of High Chief Bathlomew Uchehara and Dr.Emmanuel Nze.
Others that witnessed the event were, Okenze of Umudibia, Felix Emeana, Chief Raymond Irechukwu, Okey Njoku, Rodney Egeka, community youths, staff and pupils of the School.
The Craneburg construction company handling the reconstruction of Owerri-Orlu, Owerri-Okigwe and Owerri-Umuahia highways, is set to construct an overhead bridge around Control Post in Owerri Municipal.
The flyover will serve vehicles and pedestrians coming from Onitsha, Port Harcourt and World Bank areas of the town.
While on a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of Amawom autonomous community, HRH Eze Ezechikere Peter Njemanze, MSI, Ozuruigbo VI of Owerri, the Head of Operations, Mr Serbastine informed the Royal Father and his Council of their plans to engage the youths from the host communities, as unskilled workforce for the company.
The expatriate, while briefing the royal father of his visit, used the occasion to urge him to recommend youths for employment in certain categories, which he outlined under their unskilled platform.
He stressed that his company would work with the youths, towards achieving the aspiration of Sen. Hope Uzodimma on youth empowerment and his administration’s “Urban Renewal Project.”
Among leaders at the occasion was a former IMC Chairman of Owerri Municipal Council, who also served as SA, Door-to-Door Campaign for the governor during the last gubernatorial election in Imo State, Hon. (Chief) Sir Ambrose I. Nkwodimmah.
While contributing his opinion during the occasion, he expressed delight at the visit of the team and the location of the project, which he opined, is happening for the first time and only during the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Chief Nkwodimmah, while reacting to the development, applauded the governor for attracting a lot of projects to his community, and commended him for carrying his people along. He added that the bridge construction would also enhance the aesthetics of the city, boost the tourism potentials of the state, and increased Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) for the government.
In his remark, the Ozuruigbo VI of Owerri, HRH Eze Ezechikere Peter Njemanze, commended Governor Uzodimma for the bridge. According to the Royal Father, his people are excited and look forward to its completion.
“I want to tell you that your CLO here is our brother and we are grateful for that, I want to use this opportunity to thank the governor for all he has been doing. He has never left us, he has been carrying us along, and we are happy with him. We are happy that he brought such project that will brighten the state, that will enable the whole state move forward.”
“We thank him for the things he has done, we wish him good luck throughout his stay for the next four years. We wish him all the best of luck and I want to tell you we love him and he loves us. That place has some problems but that problem, he has vetoed it. He vetoed it to give some back to you. We are grateful, we have recieved this in good faith. All you are doing there will go well with you and will go well with the company and also go well with us.
“We wish you a happy welcome and a happy stay with us in the one, two, three years. You will be with us, we will be with you and we shall be very very happy for you to be relating with us, and we shall be relating with you from time to time, ” he concluded.
The nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28 by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, over the high cost of living in the country has commenced in Abuja.
NLC had alerted its members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to protest against the hardship being faced by civil servants in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the NLC and the Trade Union Congress had on February 8, issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government over the failure to implement the agreements reached on October 2, following the removal of fuel subsidy.
However, as Nigerians continue to grapple with economic hardship, the union decided to embark on a two-day nationwide protest to press their demands.
Despite security advisory by the Department of State Services, DSS, the union kick-started the protest in many cities across the country.
Aggrieved Nigerians and workers were seen trooping into the Labour House with security operatives in the early hours of Tuesday.
South East Development Peace Initiative, SDPI, has advised Ndigbo nationwide to resist the urge of joining the much talked about mass protest against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
There has been a nationwide outrage against the current administration with flashes of protests in different parts of the country due to rising inflation, hunger and general hardship. However, despite the growing bitterness, Nigerians in the South East region have stayed away from the protests, raising eyebrows from some prominent Nigerians who questioned why the zone has remained calm despite the biting hardship.
In particular, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, while expressing surprise against situation said:
“I honestly don’t know why the South East is quiet, uncharacteristically quiet….”
Speaking after a meeting of the group in Enugu on Tuesday, its President, Hon Vitus Okechi said that the injustices against Ndigbo in Nigeria were such that they had no reason to protest, as they have faced more challenging situations in Nigeria.
Okechi, a local government chairman in Enugu State, expressed shock that other parts of the country were protesting just because of hunger when Ndigbo had serially suffered deprivation, marginalisation, discrimination, humiliation, neglect, and even higher level of hunger and deprivation.
He said, “Igbo people are used to suffering in Nigeria. Our people have been killed at the slightest provocation; our shops and businesses have been burnt and looted because we are Igbo. “We have been neglected, afflicted, marginalised to the extent that what is happening now is not new to us.”
He recalled the post civil war era when every Igbo person was awarded £20 at a point the government was declaring ‘No Victor, No Vanquished,’ stressing that, “the people survived and heavens did not fall. Nobody protested.”
“Ndigbo were further purnished when the same government banned the importation of stock fish and second hand clothes- two major commodities traded in Onitsha and Aba, all targeted at ensuring that the defeated Igbo people remained down and out. There were no protests. “We have all forgotten the 1974 indegenization policy, when shares and stocks owned by foreigners in businesses in Nigeria were to be relinquished to local interests. “Of course the Igbo had been battered by the war and would not have the financial muzzle to compete. The North and West took centre stage in acquiring these shares and stocks which shifted the economic balance in their favour.
“Ndigbo have been at the receiving end in the affairs of the country and all efforts for equity and justice have fallen on deaf ears. Were there protests, NO!
“Today, the South East is the only geopolitical zone that has only five (5) states and 95 local government areas, while some geopolitical zones have as much as 188 local government areas. “The sit-at-home in the South East is because of the incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The sit-at-home has caused the Igbo losses in lives and properties. All the appeals to the federal government for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu have been rebuffed as an Igbo problem.
“We have been marginalized in every way. The roads in the South East are abandoned and neglected while the few motorable ones are made taxation points for security operatives. “Outside that, some persons have sworn that no Igbo should be allowed to be president in Nigeria. That is while when it is the turn of the Igbo, political parties threw their tickets open even against their own constitution.
“In political appointments, we are treated like strangers. Even the Federal Character is jettisoned just to deprive the people. We are used to injustices in a country we have contributed immensely to its development. No! We can’t protest.
“We cannot protest because of hunger or any other thing in Nigeria. We have faced worse hunger, worse starvation and we survived.
“Those asking why we are not protesting are doing so to set us up for the slaughter as usual. We all recall several incidences where Igbo protesters were brutally murdered in the past. “No one will achieve that with us now. We are wiser.
“We will continue to show support for President Bola Tinubu. We believe that he knows what he is doing. We are sure that the current hardship will be for the good of the country. “Why didn’t these protests start during former President Buhari who laid the weak economic foundation. “We are bold to support the government of President Bola Tinubu; we will also back him for a second tenure in office. We stand on his mandate.
“In our capacity, as a Pro-Igbo group, we add our voice to the call by Igbo leaders that no Igbo man anywhere should join the current hunger-induced protests,” the former Enugu Commissioner said.
US President Joe Biden says he hopes to have a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza by Monday.
His comments come amid reports of some progress in indirect negotiations involving Israeli and Hamas officials.
It would involve aid deliveries to Gaza and the release of more hostages taken during the 7 October Hamas attacks.
Israel has not commented and Hamas officials have indicated the two sides are not as close to a ceasefire deal as Mr Biden suggested.
Qatar, which has been mediating in the talks alongside Egypt, said they were “pushing hard” for a deal and felt “optimistic”, but had nothing to announce.
Israel launched a large-scale air and ground campaign in Gaza after Hamas gunmen killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel.
The attackers also took 253 people hostage, a number of whom have since been released.
The Hamas-run health ministry in the Gaza Strip says at least 29,878 people have been killed in the territory since then – including 96 deaths in the past 24 hours – in addition to 70,215 who have been wounded.
According to Reuters news agency, quoting an unnamed source close to the talks, Hamas is still studying a draft framework, drawn by France, which would include a 40-day pause in all military operations and the exchange of Palestinians held in Israeli jails for Israeli hostages, at a ratio of 10 to one.
“We’re close,” President Biden told reporters in New York on Monday. “We’re not done yet. My hope is by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire.”
On NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers” which was broadcast later, the president said Israel would be willing to pause its assault during Ramadan if a deal was reached.
The Islamic holy month begins around 10 March.
“Ramadan’s coming up and there has been an agreement by the Israelis that they would not engage in activities during Ramadan as well, in order to give us time to get all the hostages out,” Mr Biden said.
However, a Hamas official told the BBC: “The priority for us in Hamas is not the exchange of detainees, but the cessation of the war.
“It is not logical, after all this loss of life and property, to accept any offer that does not lead to a complete ceasefire, the return of the displaced, and the reconstruction of Gaza.”
Last week, the US – Israel’s main ally – was widely criticised for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Instead, it proposed its own resolution for a temporary ceasefire “as soon as practicable”, which also warned Israel not to invade the southern Gazan city of Rafah “under current circumstances”.
Israel has faced mounting international pressure not to launch an offensive in Rafah, where about 1.5m Palestinians are sheltering, most having fled fighting further north in the territory.
“There are too many innocent people that are being killed,” Mr Biden said on Late Night With Seth Meyers. “And Israel has slowed down the attacks in Rafah. They have to. And they’ve made a commitment to me they’re going to see to it that there is ability to evacuate significant portions of Rafah before they go and take out the remainder of Hamas.”
Gov Hyacinth Alia of Benue yesterday admitted that the government was aware of the sufferings of workers in the country and other Nigerians.
Alia disclosed this in Makurdi while addressing the organized labourat Government House, Makurdi. It was reported that the protesters, carrying various placards, were at the Government House to convey their grievances over the harsh economic realities to the governor.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Paul Biam, assured them that their grievances would be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu.
He said it was very clear that Nigerians were passing through tough times but assured that efforts were on to ameliorate their pains.
“As a government, we are completely in agreement with the fact that workers and indeed Nigerians are going through tough times.
“We have to accept these realities in our faces. It is only when we accept and try to bring up policies that can cushion this that we can live better,” he said.
Alia said that the government was in support of whatever legitimate things the organized labour was doing to ensure that government was on her toes to bring in policies that would alleviate the sufferings of the masses.
“We are aware of your sufferings. We understand your predicaments. Please be assured of the governor’s concern and worry. “We understand your predicaments and we will continue to engage your leadership to ensure that together we build a better Benue,”he pleaded.
Alia assured the State chapter of the union of his commitment to workers welfare and commended them for their peaceful protest in the State.
Earlier, in his remarks, State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Terungwa Igbe, said Nigerians were passing through untold hardships following the economic policies of the federal government.
Igbe said prices of goods had skyrocketed to the extent that within a day and in the same market same items were sold at different rates, depending on the time of the day.
He said the high cost of living had affected the workers seriously and urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently initiate and implement policies that would alleviate the sufferings of the masses.
Also, Dr Paul Anyagh, ASUU chairman, Joseph Saruam Tarka University Makurdi, said their current salaries were no longer enough to feed two persons for a month due to the high cost of living in the country. “If not by the economic hardships inflicted on Nigerians by these policies, we won’t be talking about salaries here.
“Our salaries can not feed two persons for a month,” he said.
Also, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, told our correspondent that the protest was peaceful and orderly. He said that there were no issues of violence or hoodlums hijacking the exercise.
A 29-year-old man, Joseph Yakubu, has been arrested by the Plateau State Police Command for allegedly killing his father, Yakubu Dalyop, with a pestle.
Yakubu was said to have picked a pestle and hit his father during a disagreement.
This led to the victim’s unconsciousness and eventual death.
The suspect who committed the act in the Anglo-Jos community, Jos South Local Government Area of the state was among other suspects paraded for various offences yesterday by the state Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, at the command’s headquarters in Jos.
The commissioner said, “On 20/02/2024 at about 6pm, information was received at the Anglo-Jos division by a good Samaritan that on 15/02/2024 at about 8pm, one Joseph Yakubu, male, 29yrs of Kambel Anglo-Jos had a minor misunderstanding with his father, one Yakubu Dalyop aged 49yrs.
“As a result, the son took a pounding pestle and hit the father on the head. The father became unconscious and was rushed to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital for medical attention. Police arrest hospital manager, invites doctor over Rivers graduate’s death
“Unfortunately, he died on 19/02/2024 at about 1pm while receiving treatment. The suspect has been arrested while the corpse was deposited at the same hospital mortuary”
The commissioner said the case was still under investigation and the suspect would be charged in court upon conclusion of the investigation.
The commissioner said after studying the security situation I the state, he had designed a new operational template for the command which would flush out criminals from their nests across the state.
He said the application of the new operational strategies within a few weeks in office had started yielding positive results with the arrest of criminals paraded for criminal conspiracy, trespass, disturbance of public peace, kidnapping, and culpable homicide
He assured the people of adequate protection of their lives and property while soliciting their support and cooperation to achieve the objective
Barrister Chris Agidy, the Senior Legislative Aide, SLA, to the lawmaker representing Delta North, Senator Ned Nwoko, who was kidnapped by bandits in 2023, has been killed. The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed this to newsmen yesterday.
It would be recalled that at least 19 persons were in November 2023 kidnapped from their homes in the Galadimawa area of nation’s capital by gunmen. A report earlier emerged that 12 of the abductees were killed.
However, the identities of the deceased was not clear as the lawmaker and the security operatives continued efforts to rescue the lawyer.
Confirming the killing yesterday, the FCT PPRO said the lawmaker’s aide was killed by one of the wanted notorious kidnappers terrorizing the country’s capital city, SamailaWakili. Wakili was arrested on February 24 at the Sardauna Forest, in the Toto area of Nasarawa State, by police operatives.
The FCT PPRO said the suspect, upon his arrest, “led police operatives to where the remains of Barr. Chris Agidy is”. She noted that “the remains was recovered and deposited in Gwagwalada General Hospital”.
Five persons died while 26 others were rescued after a building collapsed at Odu-Igbo Market in Ochanja, Anambra State.
The state governor, ChukwumaSoludo, who visited the scene on Tuesday, said that rescue operations are still in progress.
While speaking to the crowd gathered at the site, Soludo expressed deep sorrow over the incident, labeling it as “tragic” and emphasizing that it could have been prevented.
The governor announced that 26 individuals have been rescued and hospitalized, while five fatalities were recorded. He added that rescue efforts are ongoing to locate those still trapped under the rubbles.
Soludo reiterated his commitment to addressing the issue of illegal constructions and impunity in the state. He further revealed that the collapsed building was erected by a private developer without government approval.
“The contractor at his own cost will come and put down the illegal buildings he erected here. “They are all going to come down. My government did not approve this building. We will redesign this area and build it properly.
“All buildings constructed without proper approval will be brought down henceforth, including structures currently under construction at other markets.
“A comprehensive inventory of buildings in Anambra markets and public places will be conducted. “Markets will undergo integrity tests to identify and remove potentially unsafe structures and individuals found responsible for illegal construction will face legal consequences,” he added.
The governor stressed the importance of prioritizing public safety, vowing to eradicate “the impunity and lawlessness” surrounding unauthorized construction.
Police in Anambra State, working in concert with community vigilante operatives, have apprehended four persons connected to the killing of a community leader in the state.
Mr Silas Onyima, the President General of Umuoji community in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state was last weekend killed in his home.
A press release by the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP TochukwuIkenga stated that four suspects have been arrested.
He said: “The handset and ATM Card of the deceased were recovered from them. In their confession, they named four other accomplices who are now being hunted for by the Police.”
He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye commended the Police in Ogidi and Umuoji Vigilante for working together to apprehend the suspected perpetrators, and has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to deploy its Forensic Team to take over the investigation.
The command assured Presidents-General across the State that their safety was of primary concern to the Police as they represent their people in governance by their town unions.
A man, identified as Marcel Udeh from Umunneochi LGA of Abia State has been nabbed by the Police, for allegedly killing his son.
His son’s offense, according to a community source, was that he returned home and ate the last portion of food in a pot inside the family’s kitchen.
According to the story, Mr Udeh was enraged that his late son could enter the kitchen to take food without getting permission from his father.
In anger, he was alleged to have dashed into his room, brought out a gun and fired at his son, leading to the victim’s death.
Mr Marcel Udeh was promptly apprehended by members of the community who tied his two hands and placed him on the lifeless body of his child.
Another account of the incident claimed that the suspect used a sharp object on his son, leading to his death.
Udeh, who was begging for mercy, blamed his actions on the devil, saying that he regretted what he did.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Abia State Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka confirmed that the incident was reported at the Umunneochi Division, adding that the suspect has been arrested.
Yes, we got a report at Umunneochi Division, the suspect has been arrested and the matter has currently been transferred to the SCID for discreet investigation and will be charged to Court afterwards”, said the PPRO.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged the Federal High Court, Abuja, to dismiss the no case submission filed by the suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Professor Cyril Ndifon and his lawyer, Barrister Sunny Anyanwu.
The ICPC is prosecuting Ndifon and Anyanwu before Justice James Omotosho over alleged sexual misconduct and attempt to perverse the cause of justice.
The alleged offenses are contrary to sections 8, 18 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and Section 182 of the Penal Code Cap. 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 2006.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, counsel to the two defendants, Mr Joe Agi, SAN told the court that upon the receipt of ICPC’s reply to the written address on the no case submission application, the defence had resolved to rely on the same argument to the court to allow the no case submission.
He also argued that the position of the defendants was that in the originating process, “the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case”.
Citing Section 26 subsection 2 of the ICPC Act, Agi said it is only the state or the FCT High Court that has jurisdiction to hear the case, adding that territorial jurisdiction also applies since the alleged offences took place in Calabar, Cross River State, hence it should be heard there and not in Abuja.
The counsel to the defendants also told the court that ICPC invaded the privacy of his clients as the Commission ‘failed’ to secure a court order before it subjected the phones of the first and second defendants to forensic examinations.
“You do not invade anyone’s privacy unless you come to court and ICPC did not answer that when the question was posed to it. Again, TKJ (the 2nd Prosecution witness) never complained to anyone about her affair with the first defendant but ICPC broke their privacy by sharing their private pictures. TKJ is an adult and once you are above 18, you are at liberty to do what you like”, he argued.
In his response, Counsel to ICPC, D rOsuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha told the court that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendants, hence the prayer for the dismissal of the no case submission filed by their counsel.
He added that the position of the prosecution was that the defendants’ argument on the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case lacked merit as all matters that has to do with cybercrime, as provided for in the Cybercrime Act are instituted in the Federal High Court.
On the allegation that ICPC invaded the privacy of the defendants by subjecting their phones to forensic investigations, Akponimisingha argued that the defendants were already under investigation and they also signed a consent form allowing access to their respective phones.
He cited Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution which says that nothing in Section 37 (of the same Constitution) that relates to privacy of citizens can invalidate any law on public morality, which the case is hinged on.
The trial judge, J. K. Omotosho thereafter adjourned the case to March 6, 2024 for ruling on the no case submission as well as the application for variation on bail granted to the first defendant.
The Police Commissioner in Lagos State, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, said the command provided water and biscuits for protesters so as to avoid anyone collapsing on the way.
Fayoade spoke with newsmen in Lagos on the sidelines of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) nationwide protest carried out on Tuesday.
He said that the journey was a long distance for protesters to trek, coupled with the hot weather, hence the need for at least water and biscuits to give the participants strength for a successful protest.
“I provided water and biscuits because I didn’t want anyone to collapse on the way. We have to use water to strengthen everybody. That is the least we could do,” he said.
It was reported that many protesters were rushing for the refreshments being distributed from patrol vehicles by police personnel on the way.
Fayoade, who described the protest as peaceful, said no one was arrested for any violations during the protest. “The protest went on as agreed with the NLC leadership. We promised them protection, and we provided it from the beginning to the end.
“The same protection will be provided on Wednesday, and I will be part of the operation,” the CP said.
The police boss said that the command remained committed to the security of lives and properties in Lagos State.
He urged the residents to support the police and other security agencies by providing timely information on crimes.
NLC had slated protests for Tuesday and Wednesday across the country over the high cost of living. The body claims that the hardship in the land followed the hike in prices of goods and services consequent upon the removal of fuel subsidy and the free fall of the naira.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, said he and his team are not responsible for Nigeria’s current economic woes.
Cardoso stated this while responding to a question about whether the CBN is responsible for the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians at the first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja yesterday.
The CBN boss, however, said the CBN is taking the necessary steps to get the country’s fiscal and monetary health back to normal. He said, “I laugh at that question but it’s not a laughing matter and I think it is very important for Nigerians to understand that the Central Bank Governor — I and my team — are not responsible for the woes that we have today; we are part of the solution.
“We are determined to ensure that we work hard to get out of the mess that Nigeria is in. We assumed responsibility in a time of crisis of confidence; there was a crisis of confidence and you may all want to go to bed and wish that crisis of confidence was not there but it was, and we can’t turn back the clock.
“All we can do is do the difficult things to make a bad situation better and I do believe that the efforts that we are making are beginning to bring back confidence because to be frank, without confidence in your business, you are not going to get far.”
Meanwhile, the CBN has raised its benchmark interest rate, the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), to 22.75 percent.
This represents 400 basis points, up from the current 18.75 percent.
Cardoso disclosed this at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC meeting held in Abuja today.
It would be recalled that in 2023, Nigeria’s MPC implemented a strategy of gradually increasing the MPR over four consecutive meetings.
Other important indices, such as the Cash Reserves Ratio (CRR) and Liquidity Ratio, stayed constant throughout the time despite these aggressive efforts, with the CRR remaining at 32.5 percent and the Liquidity Ratio at 30.0 percent.
The Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to immediately address hunger and economic hardship in the country.
Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this when addressing workers during a peaceful protest from its headquarters to the National Assembly yesterday in Abuja.
The protesting workers carried placards with inscriptions such as :”End hunger and poverty’, “Reject IMF/World Bank policies’, ”End Naira devaluation, support local production”.
“Stop the profligacy in government, subsidise the poor’, “Fix local refineries, end subsidy’, ” Remove tax on drugs, our health matters, among others.
It would be recalled that on Feb. 16, NLC at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting had declared a two-day nationwide protest from Feb. 27 to Feb. 28, over the worsening economic hardship and insecurity in the country.
It would also be recalled that the Department of State Services (DSS) had warned the NLC not to embarked on the planned protest for the fear that it would be hijacked unscrupulous elements.
According to Ajaero, we are here for a peaceful protest. We are here to tell the Federal Government that Nigerians are hungry.
“The protest is to make Mr President to know how Nigerians feels, we know where it is pinching us.
NLC President
“We are also here to register our complaints before Nigerians, the level of suffering and hunger in the land.
“We are here to call on the federal government to immediately address the issue of hunger in the country.
“There is nobody that does not know that bag of rice is over N70, 000 or more, we can not even buy indomi, even bread is out of reach and with N30, 000 minimum wage, if you eat a loaf of bread everyday, you will be spending over N40,000,”he said.
He expressed worried over why the government keeps reneging on most of the palliatives it promised to provide to ameliorate the pain of workers, since the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29th, 2023.
Ajaero said that the primary purpose of governance had always been the welfare and security of the citizens.
He said government must rise up to its responsibility of implementing the welfare provisions as contained in Chapter Two of the Constitution of-the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
He added that, among the key welfare provisions is the generation of employment opportunities for citizens through massive investment in agriculture and value-added manufacturing.
The NLC president noted that to address issues of hunger government should immediately provide subsidies to farmers to boost agricultural production and food security. Ajaero however, urged the government to open all food storage silos and enforce equitable distribution across the country. He also said efforts must be geared towards fixing of abandoned factories and revival of our local production and patronage of Made-in-Nigeria goods and services.
He noted that the fixing of the four refineries have become germane and a matter of urgent national priority.
He added that electricity and water should be made available, affordable and accessible to all citizens, owing to the dire situation in the country.
According to Ajaero, we want government to invest massively in road-rail infrastructure and social housing.
“There is urgent need for deployment of cheap mass transportation, buses powered by CNG to ease the crisis of transportation for the poor people.
“Government must put an end to further privatisation and liberalization of the economy and take control of the commanding heights of the economy.in line with the Nigerian Constitution.
“Go after the oil subsidy cabal and other economic saboteurs instead of helpless Nigerians, put a stop to all dollarization of the Nigerian economy.
“They must also put a stop to wasteful spending and profligacy in government; proper and adequate funding of education and health care at all levels, among others of our demands,” he said.
It was reported that Ajaero presented a letter containing 17 point demands of the Congress.
Receiving the letter, Sen. Diket Plang, Chairman, Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity commended workers for the peaceful protest.
Plang also said that the NASS would do its best to ensure the quick passage of the minimum wage when implemented and the demands from the NLC would be looked into.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Command, has arrested a 21-year-old undergraduate, Anthony Oscar, for allegedly kidnapping a 17-year-old girl.
Mr Oluyemi Ibiloye, NSCDC State Commandant, made this known while parading the suspects and two others yesterday in Akure.
The commandant explained that the suspect collected N50,000 as ransom from the parents of the victim.
He also said the suspect was arrested on Feb. 17 at his residence in Calabar, Cross River State, by the tactical team of the command.
According to him, Anthony, a resident of No. 31 Jordan St., IkotIshie, Calabar, Cross River, is a specialist in kidnapping of teenagers for ransom.
“On Jan. 30, 2024, a complaint of their missing 17-year-old daughter, Araba Joy Temitope, was reported at the NSCDC headquarters by Mr and Mrs Araba Alaba of number 24, Double Taiwo St., Ijoka, in Akure. “Temitope (victim) has been reported missing since January 24, 2024, while returning home from her school, Elibest College of Education, Oba-Ile, in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
“On Jan. 30, the command issued a ‘Missing Person Statement’ to the press for whoever knows her whereabouts to contact the parents or the command at the contact numbers.
“On Feb. 6, seven days after the command’s press release, a phone number, which was later identified to be that of Oscar, notified the parents of the missing girl that their daughter was in his camp for rehabilitation.
“And he (suspect) demanded for N50,000 to be sent to Monie Point Microfinance bank account No. 8162041939 and that their daughter would be released,” he said.
Ibiloye, who said that the command initiated a sting operation and instructed the victim’s parents to pay the said amount, explained that the mobile number of the suspect was tracked, and he was arrested.
The commandant said that the suspect had confessed to the allegations and admitted receiving the N50,000 ransom, but has not revealed the whereabouts of the victim.
“From investigations, the suspect, who is a 400-level Mass Communication student of the University of Calabar, has various photographs of missing persons.
“He also has their family contacts on his phone, suggesting that he is into kidnapping for ransom, fraud, and cybercrime.
“Investigation is still ongoing to unravel the location of the missing girl and to arrest his accomplices,” he said.
Anthony, who spoke with newsmen, confirmed his involvement in the crime and said he only called the parents of the victim to dupe them.
“Actually, I was in my school in Calabar when I saw a post on my Facebook over a missing girl, and a phone number was attached to the post, in which I called the number to demand N50,000.
“And the N50,000 was sent to me, and I never called the number again because I have never set my eye on the girl (victim) before or known her from Adam.
“So, I was arrested because I didn’t hide my phone number when I called the parents for money. I have never come to Ondo State before until I was arrested on Saturday in my house in Calabar,” he said.
The Senate at plenary yesterday passed for second reading, a bill for an act to amend the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN)Act 2007.
The bill was sponsored by 41 members of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions.
Leading debate on the general principles of the bill, Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Adetokunbo Abiru, (APC-Lagos)said the bill was read the first time on Jan.30th.
He said the mandate of CBN was derived from the 1958 Act of Parliament as amended in 1991, 1993, 1997, 1998 and 2007.’
Abiru said the current act of 2007, which empowers the bank with the overall control and administration of the monetary and financial sector policies of the federal government, has not been amended for over 16 years, despite growing changes to the bank’s balance sheet.
He said there was also challenges in monetary policy implementation occasioned by fiscal dominance and the rapidly changing financial landscape.
Abiru said the proposed amendments were therefore aimed at strengthening the bank to discharge its primary mandate of maintaining monetary and price stability in support government’s economic growth objectives.
He said the amendment was designed to align its governance mechanisms with global best practices.
According to him, the current act made no provision for coordination of monetary and fiscal policies which accounted for the reason monetary policies of the bank often diverge from fiscal policies to the detriment of the economy.
He said the bill introduces for the purpose of co-ordination of the monetary, fiscal and trade policies, a Coordinating Committee for Monetary and Fiscal Policies.
He listed the functions of the committee to include:
“Setting internally consistent targets of monetary and fiscal policies that are conducive to controlling inflation and promoting financial conditions for sustainable economic growth.
“Applying caps to any fiscal deficit at a level that can be financed without having recourse to direct monetary financing from the Bank, that is Ways and Means.”
He said membership of the proposed committee shall consist of, Minister of Finance who shall be the Chairman, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Minister of Agriculture, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Others, according to Abiru are the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The senator said the bill also proposes to amend the provision to provide a single non-renewal term of six years for the Governor and the Deputy Governors.
This, he said was the practice adopted by many independent Banks such as the United States Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, where their Chief Executive Officers serve only one non-renewable term.
According to him, empirical evidence showed that a single term for the members of the executive and board members of central banks helps to reduce political influence on monetary policy decisions and the time inconsistency problem associated with non-independent central banks.
“The bill proposes that where a vacancy is created by the death or resignation of a CBN Governor or Deputy Governor, the President can appoint an acting Governor in the interim pending the appointment of a substantive Governor or Deputy Governor.
“Where a substantive appointment is made, such appointment will be for a fresh term rather than serving the tenure of the previous Governor or Deputy Governor.”
He said the bill proposes the establishment of the office of a Chief Compliance Officer for the Bank, of the rank of a Deputy Governor, who reports directly to the Board and may occasionally be summoned to appear before the relevant committee of the National Assembly.
This,he said was to help to strengthen the internal control systems put in place by the management of the Bank.
He said the primary role of Chief Compliance Officer was to ensure that the bank complies with all the public accountability and transparency requirements contained in extant laws under which the bank operates.
The bill was referred to Committee on Banking Insurance and other Financial Institutions for further legislative inputs and to revert back to plenary in two weeks by Deputy President of Senate Sen Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano).
The Nigeria Customs Service, on Monday, announced the suspension of the sale of foodstuffs following a stampede that reportedly killed seven persons at the NCS Old Zonal Headquarters in the Yaba area of Lagos State on Friday.
The Chief Superintendent of Customs and National Public Relations Officer for Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed the suspension of the exercise in a statement on Monday.
Nigeria Customs had said it was selling seized food items at N10,000 per 25kg to alleviate the people’s suffering as a result of the current high cost of living and other economic hardships.
On Friday, a pregnant woman and six others reportedly died in a stampede after some suspected hoodlums attempted to force their way into the Yaba Customs office compound. Some Lagos residents who thronged the NCS office in Yaba expressed disappointment on Monday following the suspension of the initiative.
When our correspondent visited the Customs office at Yaba on Monday, a mass of people, including the elderly, queued up in front of the gate to buy the rice.
It was also observed that despite spirited efforts by officers to assure the people that the service was out of stock, the crowd continued to grow.
Speaking at the scene, one of the intending buyers, identified as Toyin Oke-Owo, urged President Bola Tinubu to find a lasting solution to the economic hardship in the country.
She said, “I have been here since 8 am. They said there would be no rice again. I have not eaten anything since this morning. Help us to tell the President that we are hungry.
“They said they wouldn’t sell it because some people died here. They have been chasing us away with a cane. I am hungry. This morning, I soaked cassava flour for my child to drink as breakfast.”
Another woman, who identified herself as Adesola Odefunso, said, “Please, help us to beg them that they should distribute what they have to those of us who have been here since morning.
“We are not as many as the people who came here on Friday. Help us to beg them to give us rice. We have been here since 5 am. We didn’t sleep throughout the night because of this rice.”
Meanwhile, in a statement on Monday evening, the NCS said the suspension became necessary considering “the recent unfortunate event.”
“We regrettably announce the suspension of this exercise until we establish what transpired on Friday, February 23, 2024,” the NCS spokesman said.
He explained that: “The disposal of the food items got off to a smooth start at about 0800hrs. We enjoyed the cooperation of the large crowd that obliged us, giving preferences to the elderly, people living with disabilities, pregnant women, and other vulnerable Nigerians who showed up for the exercise.
“This was the case up until about 1700hrs, as attested to by the over 5,000 beneficiaries and members of the press. However, unforeseen challenges arose when we ran out of stock and announced the continuation of the exercise the following day, leading to a regrettable outcome.
“The crowd became desperate and charged through our barricades in search of rice bags inside emptied containers. In the stampede that ensued, some fatalities and injuries were regrettably recorded.”
The Customs extended its “heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the unfortunate incident.”
The service said it was working with health authorities to establish contact and engage directly with the victims’ families on their next steps.
The nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28 by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, over the high cost of living in the country has commenced in most parts of the country, including Abuja and Lagos
NLC had alerted its members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to protest against the hardship being faced by civil servants in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the NLC and the Trade Union Congress had on February 8, issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government, over the failure to implement the agreements reached on October 2, following the removal of fuel subsidy.
However, as Nigerians continue to grapple with economic hardship, the union decided to embark on a two-day nationwide protest, to press their demands.
Despite security advisory by the Department of State Services, DSS, the union kick-started the protest in many cities across the country.
Aggrieved Nigerians and workers were seen trooping into the Labour House with security operatives in the early hours of Tuesday.
