Crime Facts

NBC grants TV broadcast licence to NYSC

  The National Broadcasting Commission has granted an operational television broadcast licence to the National Youth Service Corps. With the license, the NYSC would commence Direct Satellite Broadcasting as well as Internet Protocol Television. The NYSC Director-General, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, received the broadcast licence from his NBC counterpart, Mallam Balarabe Ilela, in Abuja on Wednesday. With the approval, Ilela said the Federal Government would give more voice to the scheme “to tell the NYSC story; especially its tremendous achievements to the whole world”. He said that the NYSC, as one of the successful achievements of the Yakubu Gowon’s administration, has achieved its purpose of uniting the country in several ways, and also contributing immensely to national development. Ilela said, “The commission normally gives licence in trust and we believe this will be used for the purpose it is given. We are very proud to be part of your progress. With somebody like you, we are sure our license is in safe hands.” He, however, said the NYSC radio license was underway. The NBC Director-General also used the forum to congratulate the NYSC Director-General on his recent promotion to the rank of Major General. Ibrahim said that since his assumption of duty he has been passionate about the NYSC having its own radio and television stations, stating that it is quite fulfilling that the dream has come to fruition. He assured that the NYSC would utilise the opportunity of the broadcast station to promote its programmes, including government policies and programmes.

Truck crushes pensioner to death in Imo

  An aged man whose identity is yet to be ascertained but believed to be a pensioner was crushed to death by a truck loaded with sand at Wetherel road, Owerri, on Monday, a source told our correspondent. The senior citizen, an eyewitness told our correspondent had gone to the bank to cash his money in one of the new generation banks at Wetheral road in the company of his 13-year-old child when the incident occurred. According to the source, the deceased, an octogenarian, was reportedly told by one of the staff of the bank that no money was credited to his account. Disappointed, the man decided to go back home, said the source, but on attempting to cross the road, he was knocked down by the vehicle and his head crushed in the process. Realising his action and in a bid to save himself from people in the area who have gathered at the scene, the driver of the truck fled to the divisional police station at the Fire service to surrender himself. A police source from the station, who did not want his name mentioned, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

Ebubeagu Allegedly Kills 22-Year-Old Man In Imo

  A local vigilante outfit of the Imo State government, Ebubeagu, has killed a 22-year-old man, Chigozie Igbo, at Okwu Umuoke in Atta Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State. The outfit killed the Chigozie during their search for the Eastern Security Network(ESN) of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). An eye witness, Pastor Christopher Okewuihe, of the Defenders of Faith Church disclosed the incident to newsmen in Owerri Wednesday. He said the deceased was sitting alongside 3 other youths from the community precisely beside a roadside food vendor when they sighted the vigilante group in 2 Hilux vehicle advanced towards them. On sighting the vigilante outfit, the youths made an attempt to run but they opened fire on them and Chigozie was hit by their bullet and he died instantly while they continue chasing the other 3. As of the time of this report, the community is still searching for the 3 youths, but a source from the community has expressed fears that they might have been detained or killed. He said: “It’s unfortunate, I saw them with my own eyes, I was just going to buy something when I saw the 2 Hilux with some men with arms wearing black attire, they said they are Ebubeagu, the boys saw them and started running, they opened fire on them and killed Chigozie.” He said that the other three boys continue running and nobody has seen where they are till now, whether they might have been taken away or killed. The incident which occurred on January 28 has thrown the whole community into a mourning mood, while the mother, Mrs Mercilina, is yet to get over the shock. She said: “I want my son, please whoever know where they have sent him should still bring him back to me, he is my only child, how can I survive without him,” the widow lamented. Imo police spokesperson, Mike Abattam denied any knowledge of the incident when contracted by Crimefacts.News.

Troops neutralise four IPOB, ESN gunmen enforcing sit-at-home in Anambra

  Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised four members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network in Anambra State. Items recovered from them include one motorcycle, two pump action double-barrel guns, 12 live cartridges and substances suspected to be cannabis amongst others According to the Army, the IPOB/ESN members led by one Ejike, who were enforcing a sit-at-home order, fired sporadically in and around a filling station in Ihiala town. Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement on Wednesday. He said, “On receipt of a distress call, troops of the NA launched out to the location to restore normalcy. On intercepting the dissidents, a firefight ensued and the gallant troops neutralised their leader, Ejike, and three others. “Items recovered from the gunmen during the encounter include one motorcycle, two pump action double-barrel guns, 12 live cartridges and substances suspected to be cannabis amongst others. “Sadly, one combat vehicle conveying troops was involved in an accident during the operation following a technical fault. One gallant officer and a soldier paid the supreme price in the accident, while two sustained injuries. The injured are currently responding to treatment at a military hospital. “While we pray for the repose of the souls of deceased personnel, the general public are enjoined to continue to support the military and other security agencies through the provision of timely and accurate information that could enhance ongoing operations and ultimately, restore peace and stability in the region.”

DPO, Soldier Killed As Gunmen Attack Jibia In Katsina

  Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) during an attack on Jibia town in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State. The slain security operative, Abdulkarim Rano, was until his death the officer in charge of the Divisional Police Headquarters in Jibia, eyewitnesses told Channels Television on Wednesday. Although the casualty on the part of the gunmen could not be ascertained, residents said a soldier was also killed and another injured. Police and military authorities in the state have yet to confirm the incident. The Police Public Relations Officer in Katsina, Gambo Isah, could not be immediately reached. The injured military operative, who was reportedly shot in the leg, was simply identified as Colonel Masoyi and the commander of the Nigerian Army in the area. According to residents of Jibia, the gunmen attacked the town on Tuesday night, firing gunshots sporadically to cause panic among the people.   They were, however, engaged in a fierce gunfight by a joint team of security operatives comprising police and military personnel. The gunmen, they stated, fled the town after the attack but not without abducting the wife of a yet-to-be-identified businessman in the town.   This comes barely a day after bandits killed eight people at Guga village and Galadima community in Bakori Local Government Area of the state. During the attack which occurred on Tuesday morning, the gunmen kidnapped four others, including a village head and carted away many food items. Isah had told Channels Television that the bandits, numbering over 40 and armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the village on motorcycles at about 1am. He said the bandits killed four persons at Guga village, four at Galadima community, and abducted four others during the attack that lasted for hours.

ACF knocks Akeredolu, says issuing threats won’t get South 2023 Presidency

  The pan-Northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum, on Wednesday, came hard on Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), for declaring that any political party that fields northern candidate in the 2023 presidential election will lose. The northern group argued that the governor being a legal luminary, should know better when it comes to electing anybody to occupy the nation’s coveted seat. The group warned Akeredolu to desist from issuing threats, noting that intimidation can’t get the South, presidency next year. The PUNCH had reported the governor while receiving on a courtesy visit, members of a group, Power Rotation Movement, led by the Chairman, Pogu Bitrus, who also doubles as the Chairman, Middle Belt Forum, said the 17 governors in the Southern part of the country under the auspices of the Southern Governors’ Forum are determined to ensure that the next President comes from the south. However, the ACF through its National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, drew the attention of the governor to constitutional provisions for electing the presidential candidate of any political party in the country as president. The ACF spokesman in an interview with The PUNCH in Kaduna, said, “Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) should know that presidential candidate needs votes from 24 states and not 17 (south) and 19 (north) to win the seat. That is what the Constitution says. “As a very senior lawyer, Governor Akeredolu should know the provisions of the constitution. It is therefore not possible for a group of states to come together and say we ‘must’ produce the president. Anybody eying that seat must traverse the country, north and south to meet the demands of the Constitution.” Also, a former Secretary General of the ACF, Anthony Sani, reminded the governor to note that no zone could produce the nation’s presidency on its own. Sani noted that for that reason, regions or zones, must to produce the president and further the unity of the nation. The former scribe while speaking to our correspondent in Kaduna on Wednesday, maintained that threats and intimidation were not part of democratic ethos that produce president He said, “I hope those who claim fielding a northerner or southerner as presidential candidate for 2023 are aware of the import of the provisions in the constitution that before one emergences as president he must meet two important requirements, to wit, of the majority votes and spread in garnering at least 25% of the votes in each of at least two thirds put currently at 24 states. “Since none of the regions has 24 states, it means non can produce the president with its own votes alone. “The regions must meet in order to produce the president and further the unity of the nation. So, any political parties and candidates are expected to use their campaigns to enable their victory in the elections instead of resort to threats and intimidation that are not part of democratic ethos to produce the president.”

‘We Don’t Trust Them,’ ASUU Accuses FG Of Lip Service

  The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU) has accused the Federal Government of paying lip service to its promises to the lecturers. ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, who was a guest on Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, explained that the union has lost its trust in the government. “Let me give you an example; last year, the President went for a programme outside the country and he promised that in 2022, he would increase the budget for education by 50 per cent and by 2023, he would double the budget for education. If you look at the budget, the budget of this year decreased by just one per cent, it decreased!” he said on the Channels Television breakfast programme. “We are having a promise at the international level, and we come back home and not implement it; that is why we don’t trust whatever they tell us. if you don’t fund your education, what else do you want?” Another strike looms as the leadership of ASUU in various states have begun to mobilise members for the planned industrial action. Amid the series of negotiations between the lecturers and government, both parties have been at loggerheads over the welfare of members and the condition of universities in the country. On Tuesday last week, President Muhammadu Buhari promised that the government would honour the promises made to the union to prevent disruptive strikes, encourage uninterrupted academic programmes, and improve funding of educational institutions. He had also urged the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) to inform the lecturers that his administration was not unaware of the service they provide to the nation. Professor Osodeke, on his part, identified the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as one of the major causes of the irregularities in the payment of lecturers. “Nigeria (the government) has forced us into this their so-called IPPIS and has been reported to be fraudulent,” he said. “Today lecturers don’t know what they will earn at the end of every month. “A vice-chancellor cannot discipline any staff because if you do so, at the end their salaries are being paid. These are the critical issues that we are having.”

Public Officials Risk N500m Fine, Jail Term Over Unauthorised Medical Trip

  The House of Representatives has passed for second reading, a bill which will provide a fine of N500 million on public officials who flouted the provisions of the ‘National Health Act 2014’ and embark on medical trips with public funds. The bill, sponsored by Sergius Ogun (PDP, Edo), seeks to amend the ‘National Health Act 2014, Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.145, Vol.101 (HB.1611)”. In his lead debate, the lawmaker said the existing law has not provided penalties for flouting its provisions, hence the proposed amendment to the law. He said the main objective of the bill is to amend the Principal Act so as to make provision for sanctions against any public officer who violates the provisions of the Act, especially Section 46. He said the section provides that: “Without prejudice to the right of any Nigerian to seek medical check-up, investigation or treatment anywhere within and outside Nigeria, no public officer of the Government of the Federation or any part thereof shall be sponsored for medical check-up, investigation or treatment abroad at public expense except in exceptional cases on the recommendation and referral by the medical board and which recommendation and referral shall be duly approved by the Minister or Commissioner of health of the State as the case may be.” He added that the amendment is to discourage medical treatment abroad at the detriment of our indigenous health institutions. The lawmaker added that the bill is to reinforce the need to revamp the poor state of the healthcare sector in Nigeria among other things. He added: “It is no news that Nigeria’s healthcare system is in a deplorable state and needs urgent attention. “There is paucity of infrastructure, dearth of medical personnel, poor standards and many other challenges that need to be addressed. “The intent of this bill is to spur public officers to pay more attention to our healthcare sector and take drastic steps to develop and improve on the sector”. Citing clause 2(2) of the Bill, he said it provides that, “(2) Any public officer of the Government of the Federation or any part thereof who violates the provision of sub-section (1) above shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000,000 (five hundred million naira) or to an imprisonment term of seven years, or both”. The bill was debated and passed for second reading.

Adulterated Petrol Has Been Removed From The Market – Petroleum Marketers

  Petroleum marketers have explained that the long fuel queues, which recently surfaced in Lagos, Abuja, and some parts of the country are caused by the distribution of some adulterated products which has now been removed from the market. President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Okoronkwo, who disclosed this Wednesday, during an interview on Channels Television breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, said the queues may persist due to the ripple effect of the initial distribution of the product. “Off-spec petroleum was brought and people began to see some of the damages and the relevant authorities have come out plainly to explain what happened. “In the system, any destruction of maybe two or three days can escalate the issue for up to one week. I can tell you that the product has been removed from the market but the ripples caused are still there. I believe before the end of this week, everything should normalise,” the IPMAN boss said. He stressed that retailers have removed the contaminated petrol and the new products will soon be in full circulation. “The new products are coming, you can see that some stations have started selling but the problem caused is humongous, that is why we are suffering the effect,” Okonronkwo added. Also on the programme, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry said the effect of the adulterated fuel in circulation was mostly felt by the retailers. “It’s quite a big problem. The retail outlets felt it the most. It’s not something that we know before, we got to know about it after the fault,” Gillis-Harry said. He explained that the product when tested showed it is petrol but when exposed, it started having difficulties and it led to a public outcry. He, however, said efforts are ongoing and the retailers are working with the authorities to ensure that the compromised product is no longer in circulation. Following the resurgence of fuel queues in some parts of the country, the Federal Government on Tuesday announced that it has identified and subsequently dealt with the cause. The CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, Farouk Ahmed, said methanol quantity above Nigeria’s specification was discovered in a supply chain, which has since been isolated. Ahmed said while the quality control agencies of the government have swung into action, NNPC Limited and oil marketers have been directed to ensure a robust supply of petroleum products. Meanwhile, some parts of the country have continued to witness heavy traffic as motorists jostle for fuel in long queues.