Crime Facts

Abort Media Blames: A Rejoinder to Ahmed Kadira Rhetorics

By David Adenekan “Stop Blaming The Media For The Nocturnal Activities And killing Sprees Caused by Mytte Allah And President Mohammed Buhari Administration: A Rejoinder To Ahmed Kedira Rhetorics On Negative Media Reporting On The Precarious Security Situation in Nigeria”. To start with, the recent Kedira Ahmed’s audio clip may be a nice piece to many listeners but her rhetorics on negative media coverage on the precarious security situation in Nigeria is already belated and far from the truth. All the references she made in her audio clip to countries like southern sudan, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda and Central Africa Republic about the consequences of war, are of no relevance at this point because we are almost in a state of war and I strongly doubt if Nigeria will survive a second civil war. Yes, what a biased and belated rhetorics indeed! One, is kedira Ahmed saying this is another fake news? Are we in another Trump era when everything that the press was covering about the gangsterism, insensitivity and leadership style of erstwhile President of the United States of America, Donald Trump was tagged “Fake News” until it led to a bloody insurrection that claimed five innocent lives and injured hundreds of people at the Capitol Hill? PMB and his government is a Failure At Onset (FAO). In other words, some of us were able to perceive not the Foul or the Fowl odor but the other Failure At Onset smell of General Mohammed Buhari (as prefixed by Punch National Newspaper) prior to 2015. Ahmed Kadaria should be reminded of the divisive 95 and 7 percent remark of GMB in the United States prior to taking office about those who voted and who did not vote for him. Methinks the war against a united Nigeria and our democracy started at the inception of Buhari administration when he recklessly started using his executive power to censor the freedom of press by invading some of the media houses and detained some of their editors. Did Buhari not desecrate the Judiciary as an institution by removing the chief justice of the federation without following the due process? Some of the human right activists like Omoyele Showore, Deji Adeyanju and Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN were not spared from his iron fist.They got their fingers burnt. Were they not beaten up and detained for championing the cause of the masses in a democracy? Where was Kedira Ahmed during this period? The list goes on…… Two, did her audio clip address the fundamental cause of the issues at hand? Yes, Mohammed Buhari and his cabal are the real problem, and not many of the journalists that she claimed in her audio clip. When a fish head is rotten, the body becomes an eyesore. 80% of what are reported in the news today about the dangerous security situation vis a vis terrorism are nothing but the truth. If insinuation were to be an offense under law, Kadaria Ahmed is already guilty of insinuation by putting all the blames of a highly irresponsible president on the media. In addition, it is far from the truth for Kediria Ahmed to assert that negative media reporting is escalating the multi – sectorial crisis in the country. Many of us whom I can vouch for are principled and conscious minded as regards sensationalism in news reportage and will not compromise strict adherence to the rules and ethics of journalism. Therefore, we have no choice but to verify and report the news as it is. Suffice to say that a good journalist will not call a black sheep, a white sheep . Moreover, the country is already at the brink of civil war and the real problem was electing a Jihadist and fulani terrorist, Mohammed Buhari as President. A news report had the number of attacks as a result of banditry, kidnapping, Boko Haram and other criminal activities in the country in the month of April stood at 45 with death toll in the hundreds . Also, I suspect Kedira Ahmed will not want to talk about the complicity of Mohammed Buhari in all of this shenanigans because they are both from the same ethnic stock. This is not to say that she is in support of terrorism in whatever form or shape but it is simply borne out of prejudice. Yes, we all have prejudice. It is in every human’s consciousness and subconsciousnes. Furthermore, the rot in the system is evident in a statement by the governor of Kaduna State, Malam El Rufai, who happens to be husband to Ahmed Kadara’s sister, the fact that the bandits in his state are becoming emboldened operating now in the urban area of the state compared to the past criminal activities when they were restricted to the outskirts. Sister Ahmed Kadaria should go and ask governor El Rufai the number one priority or challenge or issue giving him sleepless nights at this present moment as the executive governor of Kaduna state. Did the executive governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom make it up that the Fulani terrorists invaded the camp of Internally displaced persons (IDP) in Benue state, killed and maimed helpless people in hundreds? Did they not also raped and took some of their women away? Yes, the media didn’t make that up, it was a direct statement from just two governors out of over two dozens governors beset by security challenges in the country.Yet, with all these incidents hitting close to home, one could sense a high concentration of aroma of pretense from Ahmed Kadaria’s direction. It may also be out of fear of being branded a black sheep among her Fulani tribe that she had spared all the wrong doings of Mr. President in her rhetorics. This is because not a single line made mentioned of the ineptitude of President Mohammed Buhari and the many atrocities of Mytee Allah in this present scenario. However, to put all the blames of the precarious situation in Nigeria today on negative reporting is

Suspected cultist stabs Delta community youth leader to death

Youth Leader of Agbowhiame community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Joseph Irhobo has been stabbed to death by a suspected cultist. The deceased, it was gathered, met with his untimely death on Wednesday, while trying to resolve a dispute between his killer and a petty female trader in the community. Sources said an argument had broken out between the suspected cultist and the trader, Mrs. Laigbe after she had refused to sell some items to him on credit. A source who sought anonymity said the cultist slapped Mrs. Laigbe, a development that resulted in a brawl between him and the children of the petty trader. “The youth leader who was walking along the road, stepped in and tried to broker peace between the family of Mrs. Laigbe and cultist. In the process, cultist stabbed the youth leader on the breast part of his chest”, the source said. He said the deceased was immediately rushed to the General Hospital at Otu-Jeremi where he was confirmed dead by doctors on duty. Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident. He said the police were on a manhunt for the fleeing killer.

Abia govt: Gunmen kidnapped only one students

After search and rescue efforts for the kidnapped Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU) students, the state government has confirmed that only one student is left with the hoodlums. This is just as it revealed that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is at the front of the rescue exercise. A statement signed by the Commissioner of Information, John Kalu, and made available to Vanguardrevealed that only one student is still being held by the hoodlums. “On Wednesday, 5th May 2021, a Sienna vehicle conveying passengers, including students of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), was waylaid around Okigwe in Imo State along with two other private vehicles by yet to be identified hoodlums. The incident occurred between 7 pm and 8 pm on that day. “Information gathered from the institution and one of the students who escaped from the abductors indicates that only one student is still being held by the hoodlums. “Law enforcement agencies of both Abia and Imo States have been mobilized to rescue the student and all those still in the custody of the kidnappers. “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is directly coordinating efforts to ensure the safe return of the student and the others as quickly as possible. “In the meantime, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has given a directive for security reinforcement along the affected route to prevent future occurrences,”

Ogun commissioner, accused of attempted rape, resigns from office

The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment who was accused of attempted rape by a teenager in January has secretly resigned his appointment from government, PREMIUM TIMES can report. Abiodun Abdul-Balogun has also coerced the family of the victims not to testify against him in court, an action that has stopped police and the state’s department of public prosecutions from proceeding with the matter, sources said. The accused did not deny when our correspondent confronted him with our findings. He simply pleaded that the matter be laid to rest. How it started A 16-year old secondary school student, Barakat Melojuekun, accused Mr Abdul-Balogun, of attempting to rape her in his residence on December 31, 2020. She alleged that the commissioner fondled her breasts while reciting incantations, apparently to scare her. She also said her screams forced Mr Abdul-Balogun to jump off her and offer her N2,000 to shut up. Mr Abdul-Balogun had offered her a lift, lobbied to get her telephone number, and promised to get her a job as a computer operator. Rather than getting the job, she claimed she was molested. The teenager said she reported the case to her parents who escalated it to the police. As expected, the police on January 1, 2021, invited the commissioner to Abigi Police Station for interrogation. During this period, the only defence Mr Abdul-Balogun pulled was that he was being set up by his political opponents. The allegations against the commissioner elicited outrage on social media and many Nigerians called for his removal from office and prosecution. Suspension from office Hours after PREMIUM TIMES’ report, the Ogun State Government announced the suspension of Mr Abdul-Balogun as commissioner. The government in a statement signed by Tokunbo Talabi, the secretary to the Ogun State Government, said the commissioner should vacate his office pending the conclusion of the police investigation into the matter. PREMIUM TIMES reported that police and the government promised to inform the public of the investigation’s outcome but nothing has been said four months after. After this newspaper’s report on refusal of police to make its findings known to the public, sources confided in our reporter that Mr Abdul-Balogun has since left the government. A close associate of the commissioner who did not want his name mentioned said the commissioner resigned from office months after the allegations in order to bury his shame and has since coerced the victim’s family. Coercion Before now, our correspondent reported that Mr Abdul-Balogun threatened the family of the victim. This forced the victim, Miss Melojuekun, in a short video, to plead with Nigerians to allow the matter be laid to rest. In her video, she did not retract the allegations but simply said: “you can recall that I was the young lady in the viral video about sexual harassment by the Commissioner for the Environment in Ogun State. I am using this opportunity to thank all meaningful Nigerians that showed their support and love towards this matter. “…I now want to use this opportunity to appeal to meaningful Nigerians to please allow this matter to rest. Thanks”, she said then in a shaky voice. This newspaper heard that the threat never stopped even after police completed their investigation and made its findings known to the Ogun State department of public prosecution for advice. “He threatened the victim and her family. He even offered them money that I was aware of back then but I can’t say if the family accepted it or not. The refusal of the family has since stopped the police and government from prosecuting him,” a source in the state ministry of justice told our correspondent. Also, sources within Governor Dapo Abiodun administration told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Abdul-Balogun resigned following the shame that followed his suspension. “He could not defend himself against the allegations and the governor insisted that he was not going to reinstate him until he did. The commissioner had to resign.” When our correspondent reached out to the victim, she maintained that her parents have asked her to allow the matter rest. Police, govt quiet Sources also confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that since Mr Abdul-Balogun resigned from government, the police and Ogun State ministry of justice have failed to take the matter further. The institutions also decided to keep mum on the matter in order not to trigger public outrage. This newspaper spoke with the state police public relations officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, on why the force refused to act but he put the blame on the department of public prosecutions. “We have long completed our investigation and we have sent the commissioner’s case file to the DPP for advice. We have since been waiting for the DPP to respond.” When PREMIUM TIMES pressed further on what the police found out in its investigation, Mr Oyeyemi simply said “I can’t disclose that except the DPP advice comes out. They are the ones that will tell us to either charge him to court or not. Police cannot tell you the outcome of their investigation so you have to reach the Attorney-General.” Our correspondent also reached out to the Attorney-General, Akingbolahan Adeniran, who confirmed that the matter has been put on hold since the embattled commissioner resigned. He said Mr Abdul-Balogun “has resigned his appointment. He is no longer a State Government official. The Police have indeed sent the case file including an affidavit from the victim that she is not willing to testify. “We cannot prove the offence without the victim’s testimony and it is our policy in sexual violence cases not to compel victim testimony. We have not publicised this in order not to expose her to danger from fanatics and others,” he said in a text message to our correspondent. Confronted with our findings, Mr Abdul-Balogun did not deny his resignation and allegations that he corced the victim and her family. “What do you want? I don’t want to talk about this matter again. This is a matter I don’t want to talk about. It was political.

Bode George: If Tinubu becomes president, I’ll cease to be Nigerian

Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says he will cease to be a Nigerian should Bola Tinubu, national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), become president. Although Tinubu has not yet expressed his interest in running for office in 2023, many of his supporters have been urging him to contest the presidency. Speaking during an Arise TV programme on Friday, George called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos state governor and his alleged involvement with Alpha Beta Consulting, a tax firm. He said: “I’ve talked about it and I’m still saying publicly that the EFCC should go urgently and investigate Alpha Beta Company owned by him. “Let me say it in very clear language, to me it’s an insult to de-civilise the people of this country who are committed to national development that the likes of him want to run this country. “We must make sure that they investigate him. He’s junketing all over the place—an insult to the civilised minds who work so hard in this country. If, by whatever yardstick, he becomes the head of state, I will cease to be a Nigerian and I’m not joking.” Concerning the security situation in the country, George described it as “very heart-wrenching,” urging clerics to preach morality to youths. He said: “Our religious leaders must come out and talk, let us teach our kids the moral standards required in a civilised environment. What happened to the civics that we learnt when we were young?”

Don’t condemn Fr Mbaka — Nnamdi Kanu warns IPOB members

The leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has issued a warning to his supporters not to condemn the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu State, Rev Father Ejike Mbaka following his suspension by Bishop Calistus Onaga. Recall that after calling for President Muhammadu Buhari’s impeachment due to his incompetence in leading the country, Mbaka became a social media talking point. Presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu threatened to report him to the Pope for asking the president for contracts, to which he later responded that he had received a message from God to curse Buhari’s government. The head of the Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), who went missing for a short time and sparked outrage in Enugu, reappeared later. While Mbaka has been the subject of controversy, the IPOB leader warned people in the South-East not to join in condemning the clergyman in an audio broadcast. His words; “Let me tell our people something they don’t understand. In a normal country so to speak, the condemnation of Father Mbaka you may welcome it somehow. “I know sometimes regardless of our shortcomings, we are brutal in the way we think. Biafrans are very brutal, very pure. We see what is bad and say is bad. “It doesn’t matter who is doing it. That’s why a lot of people came down heavily on Father Mbaka but I’m telling you this, yes in Biafra, we can do anything we like to him. But, in Nigeria, as far as Nigeria is concerned, never ever condemn your own.”

Nigeria’s unity is sacrosanct — Osinbajo

AGAINST the daunting security challenges, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo, Thursday, said the unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct. Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to the Obi of Owa Kingdom, HRM, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor II at his palace in Owa-Oyibu, Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State before proceeding to commission the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Marshal Inspectorate Training School in Owa-Alero, Osinbajo insisted that the unity of the country should not in any way be compromised. Saying those fanning the ember of discord in the country should be cautioned against such a move, he held that “Nigeria is a great nation because of its diversity irrespective of its present challenges.” The Vice President said Nigerians should harness the inherent benefits in the nation’s diversity to promote sustainable socio-economic growth and development of the country, adding that: “to truly achieve this, Nigeria as a nation, must continue to promote justice, equity and fairness among the diverse groups (ethnic nationalities) in the country. “We must caution those who are agitating for the break up of the country against such agitation. It is important for our people to understand that the unity of this country (Nigeria) must not be compromised. “What is important is that we must continue to promote justice, equity and fairness among the diverse groups (ethnic nationalities) in the country”. While saying that his relationship with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa goes beyond the party line, Osinbajo said a robust partnership between states and the federal government was needed to promote sustainable development in the country. Commissioning FRSC Marshal Inspectorate Training School in Owa-Alero which was built and equipped by the state government, Osibanjo said the complex was an excellent example of the benefits of collaboration between states and federal government or federal agencies. He said: “The ultimate beneficiaries are the good people of Delta State, and of course the country at large. This far-sighted and thoughtful contribution of the state government is worthy of all commendations.” While commending the management of FRSC for its quest for top quality manpower development through the building of its training institutions, he said; “the Corps has within the short span of its existence come up with four world-class institutions including the FRSC Command and Staff College, Ibadan; the FRSC Academy, Udi; the FRSC Marshal Inspector Training School here in Delta; and the FRSC Road Marshal Assistant Training School in Jos for the development of its Personnel. “The existence of these Institutions reflects the laudable desire of the corps to improve the capacity and competence of its personnel in road safety management. “I must encourage all levels of government to emulate what Delta has done, and also Enugu, Plateau and Oyo states which have exemplified the spirit of cooperation and development by their tremendous support for road safety institutions within their jurisdiction”. Osinbajo told FRSC personnel to put the institutions to the best use, by working with partners in the road traffic ecosystem to ensure the very best training and the best capacity building initiatives. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said though the project stretched the financial resources of the state, the benefits outweighed the cost, adding that the institution would bring about urbanisation, property appreciation, employment and also boost the informal sector in the host community and its environs. The Corps Marshall of FRSC, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi who also spoke at the ceremony, thanked the state government for building and furnishing the school at no cost on the commission, pledging that facilities at the institute would be put to good use. In his welcome address, Chairman of Ika North-East and Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Mr Victor Ebonka, commended the state government for the project, saying “it is first of its kind in the South-South zone. Ebonka said they have been witnessing a harvest of projects executed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration in the past two months and thanked the governor for consistently augmenting Local Government Councils monthly subvention. Earlier, the Owa monarch, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor II, while welcoming Osibanjo to his palace, expressed appreciation to God for the relationship between Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the Vice President irrespective of their political parties affiliations. He said they would fight to keep Nigeria as one, adding that the country would not break in their time.

14 burnt to death in Lagos-Ibadan expressway accident

No fewer than 14 passengers — 11 adults and three children — were on Thursday night burnt to death in an accident around the Long Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, the spokesperson of, Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta on Friday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that TRACE had earlier stated that an unspecified number of persons were burnt to death in the auto crash. Giving an update on the incident, Akinbiyi said the accident involved a silver Toyota RAV 4 with registration number LND 13 GS, a silver Toyota Camry marked GGE 369 GJ, and a Mazda bus with an unidentified number. The TRACE spokesman said the accident occurred at 8:20 pm on Thursday night. He said that the commercial Mazda bus was allegedly involved in wrongful overtaking before it hit a faulty Toyota RAV 4 that was parked. Akinbiyi said that 17 passengers were in the bus when the accident happened, and 14 persons were burnt to death beyond recognition. “The burnt commercial bus was involved in wrongful overtaking before it hit a stationary vehicle (Toyota RAV 4), parked in the middle of the road due to breakdown, and also hit a Camry car. “In the process, it lost control, somersaulting severally before it burst into flames,” he said. Akinbiyi said that two victims who sustained injuries were rescued and taken to Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre, and one other to the General Hospital, Gbagada for treatment. He commiserated with the families of the dead victims, warning drivers to desist from speeding, wrongful overtaking, and attitude that exposed other road users to risk and danger.

Gunshots as police officers, okada riders clash in Lagos

Gunshots were fired on Friday when motorcycle riders and police officers clashed in the Oke-Ira area of Ogba, Lagos state. According to residents, the police officers, who are officials of the state task force, were in the area to enforce the ban on motorcycle riders along some major roads in the state. The motorcycle riders were said to have resisted the task force officials, while one of the police officers was alleged to have shot a rider. This was said to have escalated the clash between the policemen and the riders. The clash had caused pandemonium in the area as residents and passers-by scampered for safety. A resident told TheCable that normalcy has been restored and commercial activities have resumed in the area — but the motorcycle riders are no longer on the roads. On Thursday, the task force had raided Yaba, Oyingbo, and Surulere areas of the state to confiscate motorcycles plying the major highways and restricted routes. The officers also retrieved dangerous weapons from some of the riders who tried to attack them. On April 26, several persons were injured and some feared dead when members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and motorcycle riders clashed in the Iyano-Iba area of the state.

Man beaten to death by friends in Delta for stealing N3,000

The Police in the Delta State command have arrested one Mr Efe Lucky and Mr Ramson Akpojibu for beating their friend to death over allegation of theft of their N3,000 and phones. Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Bright Edafe confirmed this yesterday, in a statement. “On the 3/5/2021 at about 1430hrs, information was received from a distressed caller that at good Samaritan reported that one Efe Lucky and Ramson Akpojibu both ‘m’ of Ughoton community Okpe LGA brought a patient, one Mr Christain ‘m’ Surname unknown” to one of the clinics in Warri. “As soon he was certified dead, the duo with bloodstains on their clothes were about to abscond. The DPO Orerokpe Division deployed detectives to the clinic. The corpse was viewed and signs of violence were seen on the body of the deceased. “Corpse was photographed and deposited at Orerokpe General Hospital mortuary. The police arrested the two suspects Efe Lucky ‘m’ and Ramson Akpojibu ‘m’, and the premises of the suspects were searched. A bloodstained cutlass, hammer and blood-soaked towel were recovered. “They confessed that they were five in number and they beat up the deceased over an allegation of stealing their three thousand naira (N3,000.00) and phones. “Effort is on to arrest the three other suspects. The Commissioner of Police Delta State has ordered that the case be transferred to State criminal investigation department for further investigation,” the statement read.