News Archives - Page 55 of 77

Police Reject Claims Of Killing Hunger protesters, Calls For Apology From Amnesty.

December 23, 2024 by admin

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed allegations made by Amnesty International in its report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” describing the claims as false, misleading, and damaging to the image of the Force. The report, released on November 28, 2024, accused the police of extrajudicial killings during the August 1-10 #hunger protests, claiming that at least 24 people were killed in six northern states. However, the police have refuted these claims, asserting that their findings contradict Amnesty International’s allegations. Addressing a press briefing on the matter on Sunday, the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said a special investigative panel was constituted to verify the claims. He added that the panel, in collaboration with Commissioners of Police from the affected states, conducted extensive investigations and compiled a comprehensive report detailing the inaccuracies in Amnesty International’s allegations. “Amnesty International is advised to have retrospection on its frequently false reporting on Nigerian’s Law Enforcement activities and reflect on its reporting methodology by ensuring that its reports are accurate and contain a true and fair expression of events that touch on national security and safety of all Nigerians. Accurate reporting of facts is key to the integrity and character of every international organisation and Amnesty International should not be an exception,” Adejobi added. He also said the police would write to demand a retraction of the report as well as a public apology for the alleged inaccuracies. Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force will in due time be writing the Amnesty International to demand a retraction of this report from the public space and with a public apology. The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in protecting the rights of all citizens while ensuring the security and stability of the nation. We, therefore, urge the public to be wary of sensational reports designed to incite mistrust and weaken confidence in law enforcement institutions.” Reeling out the police findings in Borno, Adejobi said the police didn’t use grenades as claimed by the organisation. He said, “In Borno State, it was established that the protesters were violent, engaging in widespread looting, pillaging, and wanton destruction of public and private property. For example, the Skill Acquisition Centre of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees was looted and vandalised. The warehouse of the World Food Programme, located on Baga/Maimalari Barracks Road, Maiduguri, was also looted, with several items belonging to the international organisation destroyed and stolen by some of the protesters. “Therefore, the claims by Amnesty International that the police threw a hand grenade from a convoy of vehicles into a filling station, killing three persons is a blatant falsehood and leaves right-thinking members of the society dismayed at this reported falsehood by an international agency which ought to act in accordance with international norms and standard of fair and honest reporting of human rights violations in the country.” In Niger State, Adejobi said the claim that three individuals were shot dead in Suleja was debunked in the police findings. Adejobi said the alleged killing of a 21-year-old in Katsina was also found to be unsubstantiated, adding that local sources confirmed that no such incident occurred. Also in Kaduna State, Adejobi said contrary to Amnesty International’s report, no protests occurred in Kaduna on October 1, 2024, and no police killings were recorded. He said instead, an incident involving the Nigerian Army was identified and openly investigated. Adejobi said Amnesty International reported the deaths of two women and a man during protests in Jigawa but the police investigations revealed no such killings, and evidence suggested that the lone fatality was caused by protester violence, not police action. In Kano State, Adejobi said the report alleged 12 deaths in Kano due to police actions, stating that investigations indicated that these deaths resulted from violent confrontations involving looters and criminals, not police activity.

Hoodlums Burgle Shops After Fire Guts Ibadan Spare Parts Market

December 22, 2024 by admin

The General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, Akinyemi Akinyinka, on Saturday , raised the alarm that hoodlums have broken into some shops at the popular Araromi Spare Parts Market, Agodi-Gate in Ibadan, the state capital. Earlier, massive fire engulfed the market, destroying goods and property worth millions of naira. Akinyinka explained that despite the ongoing efforts of men and officers of the service to extinguish the fire, the hoodlums have subjected them to embarrassment and harassment. He said, “Hoodlums have broken into shops at Araromi Agodi-Gate, and they are embarrassing and harassing men and officer of Fire Service.” The blaze reportedly started around 2am on Saturday and continues to rage, with firefighters still battling to contain it. The General Manager of Oyo State Fire Services, Akinyemi Akinyinka, said: “We are battling with a serious inferno at Agodi-Gate. Help us to call water tanker owners to assist us. We are still here battling with the situation.” The cause of the fire remains unclear as investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, a tragic fire incident, on Friday, claimed the lives of a husband, his wife, and their grandson in the Ori-Eru, Idikan area of Ibadan, Oyo State, affecting a storey building, at 3.46am. Earlier this week, a disastrous fire again wreaked havoc in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday morning, destroying three shops while the prompt arrival of the state fire services saved 13 others. Last Friday, fire engulfed a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday night, reportedly trapping several worshippers inside during a vigil. The incident occurred at about 9.30pm at Wisdom Estate, Road 1G, Olohunda Road, in the Lagelu Local Government Area.

Families Cry Out As Abuja DSS Arrests Lovers In Osun

December 22, 2024 by admin

The families of Nurudeen Adesiyan and Kehinde Akintunde have cried for help after the lovers were taken away by men of the Department of State Services suspected to be from the Abuja headquarters. Nurudeen and Kehinde were reportedly apprehended on November 29 at Arowosola Quarters, Ajape, Modakeke, Osun State. According to family members, the lovers have been held incommunicado since their arrest, and their whereabouts are unknown. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Boyenle Adesiyan, the elder brother to Nurudeen, said efforts to locate the duo had been abortive. He said the DSS officers, who invaded their house around 5 am with four vehicles, did not disclose the station they came from and where they were taking the lovers to. Boyenle said, “My brother (Nurudeen) texted me around 5 am on the 29th of November, telling me that security men were at our house but they were yet to arrest anybody. I replied to the message immediately but Nurudeen didn’t respond. “Around 6 am, my mother called to inform me that the personnel hijacked the door from her when she wanted to bathe. She said the officers took her phone and asked who ‘Kehinde 2’ on her call log was. “She said the officers asked her to lead them to Kehinde’s house, unknown to them that the said Kehinde was with her and standing beside them. Kehinde is my brother’s fiancée and she stays in our house frequently. They arrested my brother and Kehinde, and my mother, and led them to Kehinde’s house.” According to Boyenle, when the men got to Kehinde’s house, they allegedly ransacked the place and destroyed some things. She added that the operatives also seized phones and beat up the victims. “They arrested every member of Kehinde’s family and drove them away. But when they got to Community Grammar School, they freed Kehinde’s family members. But she and my brother, Nurudeen, were taken away. “Since then, we have not heard anything from the DSS, Nurudeen and Kehinde. The DSS didn’t tell us where they came from or where they were taking our people to. We visited the DSS office in Ile-Ife, and we were told the officers who arrested Nurudeen and Kehinde were personnel of the service. “However, they didn’t disclose where they came from. When we visited their office a second time, they didn’t give us any reasonable response again. “We want the general public to help us; we want to know the whereabouts of our people and the offence they were arrested for. They are not criminals. They have rights,” she stated. Giving an account of the arrest, Gbenga Akintunde, an elder brother to Kehinde, said the DSS officers threatened to shoot him when he demanded what his sister’s offence was and where they were taking him to. He said, “My mum called me very early to inform me that some security operatives had invaded our house. When I got to our house, I met the DSS officers. I asked them what the issue was but instead of answering, they threatened to shoot me. “They broke into our house, beat and arrested everybody, including my mother. They also seized their phones and drove them away without leaving any information. When they got to the community school, they freed the people and returned their phones, while they drove away Kehinde and her boyfriend. “We went to the DSS office in Ile-Ife to report the case and we were told that the personnel were DSS officers, but we were not told where they came from. “We have not been able to reach both Kehinde and Nurudeen since then. Sometimes, their phone would ring but nobody would answer the call.” Gbenga said he was not allowed to enter the DSS office when he visited to ask if the lovers were being held there. Efforts to get a reaction from the Osun command of the DSS proved abortive. But a credible source at the headquarters told Sunday PUNCH that the operation was carried out by personnel from the national headquarters. “We are aware of the case but we didn’t carry out the operation. The operatives were from Abuja,” the source said. The DSS head office in Abuja does not have a spokesman. Punch

Ibadan Stampede: Makinde Cancels 57th Birthday Party

December 20, 2024 by admin

S/East PDP leaders visit, commiserate with gov Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that the death of some children in a stampede at a private funfare held in Ibadan, the state capital, last Wenesday, was sobering and could have been avoided if due diligence had been done by the organisers. The governor stated this on Friday, when he received leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-East geopolitical zone, who paid him a visit to condole with him over the deaths. Governor Makinde declared that apart from cancelling a birthday lecture planned in his honour in Ebonyi State, he had decided to cancel his birthday party on 25th of December to honour the departed souls. The governor appreciated the South-East PDP leaders led by the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees and former Senate President, Dr Adolphus Wabara, for their show of love and for letting the residents of Oyo State know that “they are not alone in these sad times.” Those in the South-East PDP delegation also include a former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Sam Egwu; a former National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Ben Obi; a former National Woman Leader of the PDP, Iyom Josephine Anenih; new National Secretary of the PDP, Chief SKE Udeokoye; PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), Chief Ali Odefa; Chief Obasi Elebi and the Ebonyi State PDP chairman, Chief Onyema Nwele. The governor said: “We flew into Abuja and planned to be on our way to Ebonyi, when the sad event started unfolding on Wednesday. First, we had to secure the place. I sent the security people in there. “The most painful part for me was that this incident could have been avoided altogether and the deceased are innocent children. “By the time I got to Abuja and I got the full report, I said there was no way we could go on to Ebonyi. But I appreciate all the arrangements and commitment that we were able to see, from my able leader and former National Secretary, Senator Ben Obi. “The love from the South-East is not lost on me and the people of Oyo State. I really want to say thank you for the love. You are the first set of leaders that came physically to commiserate with the Government and the people of Oyo State for that unfortunate incident. “Yes, some people have called, reached out but in terms of physical presence, you are the first. That will not be lost on the people of Oyo State. “This is not a day for long speeches; it is a day that is really sobering for me personally. Not only did I cancel the event in Ebonyi, I told everyone that I would stay indoors on my birthday. There is no party; I have sent the message out. “It has been a difficult year, really. Early in the year, we had the Bodija explosion. We managed through quite a bit. But we are strengthened by the show of support for us, to let us know that we are not alone in facing all of these. “So, on behalf of the government and the people of Oyo State, we want to appreciate you for coming to commiserate with us and to let us know we are not alone.” Speaking earlier, Dr Wabara, expressed the condolences of the South-East PDP to Governor Makinde, noting that the governor is much loved in the South-East and the PDP leaders have chosen to visit to commiserate with him and the people of the state. “Your Excellency, the people you see here this afternoon came all the way from Enugu, the political capital of the South-East, on hearing what happened to you and the good people of Oyo State two days ago. “Yesterday, the entire South-East waited for you but as a statesman, a man who loves his people, you cancelled the meeting because fire was burning in your house. “We, on our own, had to cancel the event and it was well-taken and everybody went back from Abakaliki crying. Not weeping because we didn’t have food to eat but because we know that once Oyo is crying, the entire South-East is crying, not to talk of the leader in your person. You are very much loved in the South-East. “We decided that these elders here should come to clean the tears of the Oyo State people. As you are weeping, we are also weeping. So, we are here to commiserate with you, and through you, with the people of Oyo State. “It is going to be a very sad Christmas for us. The children that died; they are not just Ibadan people, they are Nigerians and we are Nigerians. So, we feel the pains just as much as you do. It will be a bad Christmas. If it is possible for the people of South-East to cancel Christmas, we would have done so. “What has happened is unprecedented and I am happy that you are following it up as you have ordered that a thorough investigation be carried out. You have gone through a lot but with your sagacity and understanding of governance, God has been seeing you through. “Generally, as Christians, when anything happens, whether good or bad, we give thanks to God. So, we want to, on behalf of the South-East PDP stakeholders, pray to God to grant you and the people of Oyo State, particularly the parents of the deceased, the fortitude to bear the loss. “They are supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow but unfortunately, this happened. God knows best.” Governor Makinde also used the occasion to congratulate Chief SKE Udeokoye, who was affirmed as the National Secretary of the PDP by the Court of Appeal on Friday as well as the new chairman of the PDP in Ebonyi State. He advised the new National Secretary to be firm and to provide leadership, saying: “For the newly-minted PDP National Secretary, I wrote to the BOT that fair … Read more

Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Price To N899.50

December 19, 2024 by admin

Dangote Refinery has announced a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit to N899.50 per litre, in a bid to offer Nigerians some relief as the holiday season approaches. This was contained in a statement issued by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, on Thursday. The refinery, Africa’s first privately-owned oil refining facility, had previously cut the price to N970 per litre on November 24. The latest reduction aims to ease transportation costs during the festive period, a time when Nigerians often face increased travel expenses. Announcing the special purchase offer, Chiejina said consumers can now buy an additional litre of fuel on credit for every litre purchased in cash, provided they secure a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank. “To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on PMS. From today, our petrol will be available at N899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM. “Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank,” Chiejina said. The refinery thanked Nigerians for their continued patronage and reiterated its commitment to supplying high-quality, environmentally friendly petroleum products at competitive prices. Chiejina emphasised that the Dangote Refinery is ending Nigeria’s dependence on substandard and blended imported petroleum products, which have historically harmed human health, machinery, and the environment.

BREAKING: N’Assembly To Extend 2024 Budget Cycle

December 18, 2024 by admin

The National Assembly is set to extend the 2024 budget cycle It was also learned that the 2025 budget will be passed at the end of the year. President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to present the N47.9tn 2025 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly at 12 pm. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Markets and Institutions, Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West), noted that the late submission of the budget makes its passage within the year unfeasible. Isunazo said, “The budget is coming late. Today is December 18, so we will lose that culture of beginning a new year with a new budget. Nevertheless, the budget has a lifespan of 12 months. “So whenever we pass it, it will have a lifespan of 12 months. Even after 12 months, we still have the liberty to extend it. In fact, we are extending the 2024 budget today. “But that culture of starting on the 1st of January, we have lost it. The executive ought to have brought this budget way before now. But I believe that maybe they are putting things together. “They wouldn’t want to delay deliberately bringing the budget to the National Assembly. So I’m saying that that is not a problem, but we have lost that culture.” The 9th National Assembly in 2020 introduced the January-December budget cycle during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a strategy to enhance budget performance. This marked a departure from the June-May cycle, which persisted until the 2019 appropriation. During the transition, the then-Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Ahmad Lawan, noted that the June-May cycle posed challenges for planning and effectively implementing Nigeria’s macroeconomic framework. “We believe that if we can do that, our budget will go back to that regular cycle, that desirable cycle of January to December, and that will enhance the budget performance of this country,” Lawan has stated. Although the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper last week, uncertainty lingers about when President Tinubu will present the 2027 budget estimates to a joint session of the legislature Tinubu presented the 2024 budget before a joint session of the National Assembly on November 29, 2023, and it was subsequently passed on December 30—approximately one month later. At the presentation, Tinubu emphasised the importance of maintaining the January-December cycle, urging lawmakers to ensure the 2024 budget’s timely passage. “I am confident that the National Assembly will continue to work closely with us to ensure that deliberations on the 2024 budget are thorough and concluded with reasonable dispatch. Our goal is for the Appropriation Act to take effect on the 1st of January 2024,” he had stated. Both chambers are in separate closed-door sessions. Our correspondent reports that the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun and Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, among other executives, are already at the National Assembly.

Edo Assembly Suspends 18 LG Chairmen, Deputies Over Alleged Insubordination

December 17, 2024 by admin

The Edo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed a resolution suspending chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils for two months. The House also mandated the leaders of the legislative arms to take over leadership of their respective councils. The suspension of the council chairmen and their deputies was sequel to a motion moved by the member representing Esan North East 1, Isibor Adeh and seconded by the member representing Akoko-Edo 2, Mr Donald Okogbe. The state governor, Monday Okpebholo, had earlier written a petition to the House over the refusal of the chairmen to submit financial records of their local government to the state government. In the letter, Okpebholo, who described their action as an act of insubordination and gross misconduct, requested the House to look into the matter. When the matter came up for debate, 14 members supported the motion for their suspension, six of them were opposed to the motion while three members refused to either support or oppose the motion. The speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, told the members that all of them must speak on the matter. Agbebaku said, “I will implore that all members of the house speak on this matter before a decision is taken.” Punch

OYRTMA Cracks Down On Illegal Street Trading In Ibadan

December 16, 2024 by admin

The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), over the weekend launched a series of raids against illegal street traders within Ibadan metropolis. The operation, led by the agency’s Chairman, Major Adekoya Adesagba (rtd), spanned a day and targeted Oritamerin, Gege, Agbeni and Ogunpa areas of the state. According to Adesagba, who was accompanied by the General Manager, Commander Ayoade Adekola, the move aims to tackle the issues of blocked roads and slow traffic regulation in the area. He said the areas had been converted into makeshift markets, leading to severe traffic congestion and environmental pollution. Adesagba highlighted that the activities violate environmental laws, contributing to indiscriminate waste disposal and drainage systems, thereby worsening flooding in parts of the city. The Chairman expressed disappointment at the marketers’ failure to comply with government regulations, seizing their market stalls and imposing fines on those caught. Additionally 12 individuals operating an illegal motor park in the market were also apprehended, with fines imposed on the offenders. He warned marketers to desist from selling on the roads, emphasizing that the government’s efforts are geared towards ensuring their safety and protecting their property. “The OYRTMA’s enforcement operation is part of the Oyo State Government’s broader efforts to reduce accidents and improve road safety”, he said. “This government’s initiatives have led to a significant reduction in accidents, making the roads safer for marketers and road users alike”, he added. According to him, OYRTMA’s actions have been commended for promoting a conducive environment for business and transportation in Oyo state.

Oyo Govt Vows To Prosecute Killer Of OYRTMA Officer

December 16, 2024 by admin

The Oyo State Government, on Monday vowed to prosecute a reckless driver found culpable in the death of an officer of the state’s traffic agency, Fabunmi Kehinde, in the Agbowo area. Mr. Fabunmi, a Level 4 officer of the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority, OYRTMA, was killed on Saturday, by a driver of a Black 4matic Benz with Registration number LSD 862 JS, who disobeyed traffic light and was apprehended by OYRTMA officers. Speaking in Ibadan, the Chairman, OYRTMA, Major Adekoya Adesagba (rtd) condemned Mr. Fabunmi’s brutal killing, adding that the victim died while performing his lawful duties of making Agbowo safe for motorists and commuters. He emphasized that OYRTMA officers are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of lives and property, and that anyone who assaults or disrespects them will face the full wrath of the law. Major Adesagba commended the swift response of the police and OYRTMA officers in apprehending the suspect and expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased officer. He also praised the Oyo State Government for its unwavering support in ensuring the safety and security of the state’s roads. “No one who disrespects or assaults our officers will go unpunished,’ Adesagba stated, affirming that the suspect will be prosecuted. “The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by traffic officers and the need for drivers to exercise caution and respect for the law”, Adekoya said. “The suspect has been arraigned at the Magistrate Court, Iyaganku, today, but since the court was on a weekday break, the case was adjourned to Thursday. The suspect remains in police custody.” According to an eyewitness, the driver, trying to escape after being apprehended by OYRTMA officers, reversed his vehicle and in an attempt to zoom out, killed Fabunmi Kehinde, who had approached the vehicle at the front. Officer Fabunmi Kehinde sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Orogun, where he received treatment. He was later transferred to another hospital within Ibadan metropolis where he unfortunately passed away. The driver attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by OYRTMA officers and police personnel at the University of Ibadan area. The suspect was subsequently dragged to Sango Police Station.

Fire Guts Petrol-Laden Truck On Osun/Kwara Highway

December 14, 2024 by admin

Commuters along the Inisa/Okuku/Offa highway were seized by fear Saturday evening, as a truck carrying petroleum reportedly caught fire while travelling on the interstate road. It could not be immediately ascertained when the fire started, but footage obtained from the scene around 5:30 pm revealed a raging fire on the truck, left in the middle of the highway. Also, some operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and men of the Osun State Fire Service were observed working to contain the fire. The presence of the burning truck on the ever-busy road had forced commuters to find alternative routes and bypass the point where the vehicle was located. The spokespersons of the Osun NSCDC, Kehinde Adeleke, and State Fire Service, Ibrahim Adekunle, confirmed the incident in separate telephone conversations with our correspondent. Adeleke, who said the Command deployed operatives to the scene immediately after the incident was reported, added, “A thirty-three thousand litres tanker fully loaded with Premium Motor Spirit is on fire presently at Ijabe town, right on the highway which links Osun state with Kwara. “The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained. The incident has led to blockage of the road and has also caused obstruction to vehicular movement, which in turn has brought about panic to the dwellers, travellers and most especially farmers around the area.” Adekunle, while commenting, said the situation was under control, noting that firemen were working hard to prevent further destruction.