Crime Facts

Assassins shot businessman in Ondo hotel

A businessman was over the weekend killed in Ondo State by gunmen suspected to be assassins. The 38-year-old businessman, identified as Babatunde Adeluka Olubasa, was shot dead at Helena Hotel where he had lodged at Ijapo in Akure, the state capital on Boxing Day. According to findings by New Telegraph, the assailants, numbering about three, had trailed the late Babatunde to the hotel, situated some few meters from the Police Zonal Command in the state as well as the Ijapo Police Station. A source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, disclosed that the deceased had earlier attended a function in Akure before retiring to his room at the hotel. The source who added that Babatunde had arrived the hotel from Akungba-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state, which is about 80 kilometers to the state capital, stated that he was shot dead at the bar of the hotel where he had gone to get a drink. He said: “The killing of Tunde was a clear case of someone who had been targeted. “The guys who killed him (Babatunde) had requested a lighter from him at the bar. But he declined their request. Tunde’s reaction gave them the opportunity to engage him in an argument before opening fire on him. “After shooting him, they also decended on him with a small axe to completely snuff life out of him.” Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro said that, it was a case of assassination.

We Must Start Thinking About Next Pandemic – UN

The world must start preparing for the next pandemic, the United Nations has said. In a message commemorating the first observance of the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on Sunday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the idea of a virus more lethal than COVID-19 is not incredible. “This first observance of the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness falls at the end of a year in which a scenario many had feared came tragically true,” Guterres said. “With COVID-19 having now killed more than 1.7 million people, devastated economies, upended societies and exposed the world’s vulnerabilities in the starkest ways, the value of health emergency preparedness has hit home like never before. As we strive to control and recover from the current pandemic, we must think about the next. Unfortunately, it is easy to imagine a virus just as infectious but even more lethal. “We can already draw many lessons from the experiences of the past year. “Preparedness is a sound investment, costing far less than emergency expenditures. Societies need stronger health systems, including universal health coverage. People and families need more social protection. Communities on the frontlines need timely support. Countries need more effective technical cooperation. And we need to pay greater attention to the encroachment of people and livestock into animal habitats; 75 per cent of new and emerging human infectious diseases are zoonotic.” Guterres emphasised that science must be the guide towards preparedness for another pandemic and urged countries to cooperate because “no one is safe unless all of us are safe.” “The United Nations system, including the World Health Organization, is strongly committed to supporting Governments and all partners in strengthening epidemic preparedness as a crucial part of our broader work to build a healthier world and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” Guterres said. “This International Day falls on the birthdate of Louis Pasteur, the French biologist responsible for ground-breaking work on vaccinations. In honouring his work, I salute today’s medical professionals, front-line personnel and essential workers who have carried the world through this emergency with such remarkable commitment. As we recover from the pandemic, let us resolve to build up our prevention capacities so that we are ready when the world faces the next outbreak.”

Indian Police Arrest Nigerian Cocaine Suspect

A 46-year-old Nigerian national has been arrested for possession of 55 grams of cocaine drug in Tiruvanmiyur by a special team of Adyar police. The accused Alif Oluwasun Ibrahim was secured on Saturday night based on a tip-off when he reached the Tiruvanmiyur bus terminus to board a bus to Puducherry to sell the cocaine which he had packed in 55 sachets, reports dtnext. Investigation revealed that Alif Oluwasun often flies from Nigeria to Pune where he buys cocaine in bulk before reaching Chennai by bus to sell each gram of cocaine for Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000. “He does not stay in Chennai, but delivers cocaine to those who have placed an order with him over the phone and returns to Nigeria by flight,” said inspector Ramasundaram who was part of the special team. Apart from cocaine, his passport, flight tickets to Nigeria and cash were seized. “If we had not secured him, he would have flown back to Nigeria on Sunday,” said police. Police said he has customers in Chennai and Puducherry and was secured when he was on his way to Puducherry to sell the remaining cocaine with him. “He remained tightlipped about his customers and the suppliers in Mumbai. But he said he prefers buses to flight to travel from Mumbai to Chennai to avoid getting caught,” said police. The accused came once earlier this year before lockdown and took a break for the last few months due to the restrictions.

Nigeria not becoming a failed state’ — APC replies Financial Times

‘ The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the position of Financial Times that Nigeria is becoming a failed country under President Muhammadu Buhari. In a statement on Sunday, the party said contrary to the claim, the Buhari administration is “visibly and frontally” addressing Nigeria’s current challenges. In an editorial on Tuesday, Financial Times had said “Nigeria will become a problem far too big for the world to ignore” if urgent and drastic measures are not taken by the Buhari administration. “The definition of a failed state is one where the government is no longer in control. By this yardstick, Africa’s most populous country is teetering on the brink,” the international business newspaper had written. But in the statement, John Akpanudoedehe, secretary of APC caretaker committee, described the claim and similar ones as “doomsday wishes.” “While naysayers and opposition partisans chorus their doomsday wishes for Nigeria, our dear country is nowhere close to becoming a failed state,” he said. “From the economy to security, it is easy to sum up Nigeria with some recent recorded security incidents and the economic downturn. However, this government has displayed the political will and capacity to contain any criminal/terrorist activity and return the economy to growth. “President Buhari’s administration which sees the urgent need to have a better policing system for the country and is embarking on sweeping police reforms and supporting community policing, is definitely not governing a country close to becoming a failed state. “Amid the COVID-19 induced economic slowdown, President Buhari’s administration which is stimulating the economy by preventing business collapse; supporting labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture; creating jobs through infrastructural investments in roads, rails, bridges; promoting manufacturing and local production at all levels to attain self-sufficiency in critical sectors of the economy, is definitely not governing a country close to becoming a failed state.” The party said Nigeria used to have an “ignoble pastime” when previous administrations will rather “bury its head in sand and spin conspiracies in the face of insecurity and engage in voodoo economics to hoodwink Nigerians while national resources were stolen and diverted to political cronies”, adding that “those days are gone.” “While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their hirelings engage in their unfortunate and apparently orchestrated attacks on the Armed Forces and other security services, the APC will rather support their efforts and charge them to do more to further degrade the capacity of terrorists and other criminal elements to attack soft targets,” it’ said.

Man kills Kwara worshipper over Christmas banger on mosque premises

A 30-year – old man , Abdulkadir Segi, has reportedly been stabbed to death during an argument over the detonation of a banger around a mosque in Ilorin, Kwara State , while the Muslim congregational prayer was being observed on Christmas Eve. Abdulkadir was alleged to have been stabbed in the chest in the Ita- Nmo area of Ilorin by one Kehinde Oloka of Oke -Agodi area of the town . It was gathered that the suspect, who is presently at large, was repeatedly detonating bangers in front of the mosque to disturb Muslims worshipers , who were observing their Ishai evening prayer . Abdulkadir, who was one of the congregants in the mosque , was said to have come out to ask Oloka to move away from the place of worship. It was alleged that the suspect ran home, came back and attacked Abdulkadir with a long sharp knife , with which he stabbed him and the victim reportedly bled to death . Abdulkadir was said to have been rushed to a private hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor. A family member, who spoke to PUNCH Metro on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the suspect stabbed the victim during an argument over banger around the mosque while the evening prayer was going on , adding that Oloka took to his heels after committing the crime . It was gathered that all occupants of the suspect ’ s house, including his parents , deserted the family compound when they heard about what happened . According to the family source , the deceased was single and was the only son of his parents. It was gathered that he had since been buried according to Islamic rites . The source added that the matter had been reported at the Adewole Police Station , Ilorin. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ajayi Okasanmi , confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect was on the run and had deserted his family house in Ogidi . Okasanmi , who said the police had launched a manhunt for the suspect , said members of his family were also helping the command to get Oloka arrested. Meanwhile, a 37- year -old commercial motorcyclist , identified simply as Abduazeez , who was unconsciously riding a motorcycle with number plate MUN 705 WV, suddenly fell into a canal on Sokoto Road, Sabo-Oke , Ilorin, and died . The Head of Media and Publicity , Kwara state Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, said one of the men of the service sustained an injury while trying to recover the body of the victim from the canal . Adekunle said , “ This incident was a little bit cumbersome , because during the process of recovering the dead body , one of our rescue team members also got trapped and was seriously injured . “ However , we were able to recover the two of them from the deadly canal ; the deceased was handed over to police officers from the ‘ A ’ Division and our man was taken to the Civil Service Hospital for proper treatment . “ And not quite after we reached the said hospital, the Commissioner for Works and Transport Oluwarotimi Iliasu , also came to ascertain the condition of the concerned officer , sympathised with him and fervently prayed for his quick recovery before he left us in the hospital . ”

Kidnapped Kaduna PFN chairman, wife, regain freedom

Kidnapped chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria , Apostle Emmanuel Egoh Bako , and his wife , Cindy , have regained freedom from their captors. Gunmen about 8:00pm on Christmas Day , invaded the Albarka Prayer Camp at Fadan Kagoma near Kafanchan in Jema’ a Local Government Area of the state, shot indiscriminately before taking away the cleric , wife and one other person simply identified as Mr . Douglas to an unknown destination . A government statement by the commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr . Samuel Aruwan , said Bako and the wife were freed from the kidnappers ’ den on Sunday . The statement was titled , ‘ Apostle Bako , wife regain freedom. ’ The commissioner said the Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Kaduna State , Rev. Tony Inwulale , also confirmed the development to the government . Aruwan said Governor Nasir El -Rufai expressed relief and happiness over the development and offered his best wishes to the cleric and his wife . “ The Kaduna State Government has been informed by the security agencies of the release of Apostle Emmanuel Ego Bako and his wife , Mrs Cindy Bako on Sunday afternoon by their abductors, ” the commissioner added .

Police hold 85-year-old Osun man for allegedly impregnating girl, 12

The Osun State Police Command, on Sunday , said investigation had commenced into the allegation that an 85-year- old man , Rafiu Abimbola , impregnated a 12-year – old girl at Isundunrin in the Ejigbo Local Government Area of the state. Abimbola was accused by the mother of the victim , Folasade Ola, of having carnal knowledge of her daughter sometime in September , which resulted in pregnancy . PUNCH Metro learnt that after the matter was reported at the Ejigbo Division of the Nigeria Police Force, the suspect was subsequently arrested. When contacted , the Police Public Relations Officer for the command , Yemisi Opalola, said investigation had commenced into the incident . Opalola said , “ The victim, aged 12, and her mum , Folasade Ola , reported the matter at the Ejigbo Division. “ The complaints said one Rafiu Abimbola of Oba’ s Compound , Isundunrin, near Ejigbo , aged 85, had sexual intercourse with the minor sometime in September 2020. “ They also said the intercourse resulted in pregnancy. The suspect has been arrested, while the victim has been taken to hospital for a test. Investigation has commenced into the matter . ”

Saudi Arabia has curbed, not banned, underage marriages ― Report

On December 23, Saudi Arabia’s Justice Ministry issued a memorandum to courts and marriage officials (Maazouns) to refrain from concluding marriages for those under the age of 18. Issued by Justice Minister Dr Walid bin Mohammed Al-Samaani, the instructions were for courts and officials to refer all such cases to the competent courts in accordance with the Child Protection Law. The law, introduced in 2014, has a provision that states “Before the conclusion of the marriage contract, it is necessary to ensure that a person marrying under the age of 18 will not be harmed, whether male or female.” While not banning marriages below 18 entirely, it adds another step to the process. Now, such marriages will need the approval of a specialised court, which must determine whether the marriage would harm the minors in question and if it is in their best interests. In January, the Kingdom’s advisory Shoura Council approved a ban on the marriage of minors, male or female, below the age of 15. As per its stipulations, marriages of those below the age of 18 would need permission from a specialised court. While hailed as a great step forward many years in the making, the stipulations still leave room for abuse—the deputy director of international NGO ‘Girls Not Brides’ told Reuters that girls could still be at risk of being forced into marriage if their parents persuaded a court to agree to it. Arab News reported that matchmakers found violating the law would be “held accountable” and “referred to the ministry for necessary legal action”. Also, while eariler there was no minimum legal age for marriage, now, this has been set at 18. According to the ‘Girls Not Brides’, globally, one in five girls is married before the age of 18. A report by Pew Research in 2016 found that 117 countries around the world had legalised some form of child marriage through exemptions in their minimum age requirements. The move is part of the kingdom’s efforts towards its Vision 2030 goals, as it legislates reforms aimed at keeping the kingdom in line with its international treaties and a new, modernised image, as it seeks to advance from an oil-economy to a diversified one. Saudi Arabia has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), as well as two optional protocols on protecting children from being recruited into an armed conflict and on prohibiting child slavery, prostitution and pornography. The United States is the only country not to have ratified the UNCRC. Other reforms of note include those over the guardianship system that required women to seek male permission to marry, work or travel was still under place. This system was partially rolled-back in August, allowing women to travel without permission. In October, the kingdom cleared the way for women to join the armed forces.

COVID-19: Wike Threatens Another Lockdown In January

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says he may re-impose another lockdown beginning from January as the number of coronavirus cases surge in the State. He gave hint of imminent second phase of lockdown amid rising cases of COVID-19 during the thanksgiving church service in celebration of the 90th birthday of Mrs. Priscilla Nwanediye Mark, at the St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government on Sunday. Governor Wike, lamented as worrisome the refusal of most churches and markets in the State to enforce compulsory wearing of face mask in adherence to COVID-19 protocol. He said the State government had initially relaxed the restriction on the number of persons who worship in churches, but with second wave of COVID-19, he will by this week announce new stringent measures to check the spread of COVID-19 cases in the State, “When you go to some churches, they don’t wear mask. Go to market, they don’t wear mask. They believe COVID is not real. It’s not real because it has not happened to you; nobody had died whom you know. When somebody has died and the person was close to you, you will know that COVID is real. “So, it is real and I want to appeal to all of you that we have to be more strict now because the second wave is more dangerous than the first wave. It’s very, very dangerous. I know how many people we have lost since the second wave started.” Governor Wike implored the Bishop of Diocese of Ikwerre to prevail on members of all the churches under his jurisdiction to always wear their face mask. “If you don’t comply, I have no choice, but to shut down the churches; Pentecostal, Catholic, Anglican. I have no choice, because when you have it, who spends the money? It is the state that treats. So, we need to use the money for some other things, but not for this. Let us discipline ourselves and know that COVID is real. Let nobody tell you that there is nothing like COVID. It’s real.” Delivering a sermon titled “Thanking God for His Mercy” the Bishop, Diocese of Ikwerre, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Right Reverend Blessing Enyindah, stressed the need for people to always acknowledge God’s mercies in their lives. Bishop Enyindah who observed that this is an era were people lived below the lifespan of 50 years, said it was the mercy of God that made Mrs. Priscilla Mark attain 90 years.

Anambra retirees threaten hunger strike over unpaid gratuities

Retirees in Anambra State have threatened to embark on hunger strike over unpaid gratuities. The state chairman of the pensioners, Anthony Ugozor , disclosed this to our correspondent in Awka , the Anambra State capital on Sunday. While stating that the state government was owing pensioners in the state four years arrears of gratuities, Ugozor said the retirees would hold a meeting early next year to take a decision on the matter . He said , “ We don’ t know what to do on this again . You know you are longer in active service , so government is treating our matter with levity because it knows we can no longer embark on industrial dispute. “ We may consider hunger strike after our meeting . The only problem we may have about hunger strike is whether it will not be detrimental to our health at our age. But members will decide that in our meeting “ I got my December pension before Christmas . We thank Governor Willie Obiano for that; he pays pension regularly , but pension is not all that the pensioners need . We are dying in piecemeal, the governor should pay us our gratuities. ” He said since 2017, the state government had not paid any retiree in the state gratuity.