May 2022 – Page 73 – Crime Facts

Post Date : May 5, 2022

If I’m given opportunity to be President, Nigerians won’t regret it— Osinbajo

VICE President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday said that Nigerians will reap immensely if given the opportunity to serve as the President. Prof. Osinbajo also said there is no greater privilege than to have the opportunity to give one’s best in the service of the country, contributing to society and making life better for the people. The Vice President, who is one of the leading Presidential aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was speaking during his visits to Taraba and Adamawa States, in continuation of his engagements with stakeholders and delegates of the ruling APC in the States. Prof. Osinbajo was received in both States by their Governors, Darius Ishaku – Taraba; and Umaru Fintiri – Adamawa; as well as other senior state government officials, and excited residents and people in the States. He also visited the Lamido Adamawa’s palace on arrival in the State. At the palace, he said, “my reason for aspiring for the office of the President of Nigeria is to serve the Nigerian people. I have no other reason or objective except to serve. “After one has been in office as Vice President for 7 years, I know that God did not give me that opportunity so that I would seat down somewhere and write the history of my service as Vice President. “It is for the purpose of serving the people, and that is why I am so determined that if God gives me the opportunity to serve, the Nigerian people would realise indeed they have done the right thing by putting me in office because I would serve the country with everything, with all my heart and commitment.” The Vice President was received at the Palace of the Lamido of Adamawa, by His Royal Highness, Muhammadu Mustapha, who recalled the VP’s chieftaincy title as the Jagaba of Adamawa. The monarch then prayed for the realization of his presidential aspiration. “I hope your coming will add more light to Adamawa because you are the Jagaba of Adamawa. I hope you succeed in your efforts to become the President of this country. As long as when you’re coming to Adamawa, and with your visit to my palace, this will encourage people to see that you are really the Jagaba of Adamawa,” the Lamido said. Also at the palace, Governor Fintiri welcomed the Prof. Osinbajo to the State, adding that “we pray that God will answer your heart’s desires. I also hope that the APC delegates will see the reason to put a square peg in a square hole. I welcome you to Adamawa and I wish you the best of luck.” The Vice President thanked the monarch for his warm reception and prayed for his good health. He also noted the continuing efforts of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in addressing the diverse challenges facing the country. “God doesn’t give you a challenge without showing you how to solve them. I know all the efforts we are putting in place especially led by President Muhammadu Buhari, we will see an end to the insecurity in our country. In the next few years, God giving us the strength and opportunity, we will definitely see progress in our country,” Prof. Osinbajo stated. “I want to say to our country that there is a lot of hope; this country has everything that is necessary to be great – the talents, resources and we also have the men and women who are able to serve. I am very optimistic that all will be well with our country.” While addressing the delegates in both States, Osinbajo acknowledged all the support that has been offered towards his presidential bid, while again emphasising that his sole purpose for seeking the highest office of the land, was purely to serve Nigeria and give his best for the country. Emphasizing the importance of service to the people, Prof. Osinbajo stated that “one of the very important things I want to share with delegates anywhere I go is that the role of the politician is an important one.” “God has given us an opportunity to serve, and that opportunity is one that we must treasure and thank God for. Out of so many people in the country, those of you who are here are those who have been chosen in one way or the other, appointed or elected. “That position is not for our personal aggrandizement, it is to contribute to our society and make life better for our people. It is an opportunity to truly serve the people,” he noted. During his meeting with the APC delegates, the Vice President took questions from the stakeholders, speaking on issues of national development, with specific focus on different sectors, including agriculture, security, business and economy, youths, technology, health, education, social investment/welfare among others. Later while addressing reporters after his interaction with delegates in both States, the he expressed delight at the commendable support he’s been receiving from the delegates across the States. First, in Taraba, Osinbajo told the reporters, “we have had fruitful discussions and robust engagements, and all of it is directed at various ways we can do good things for our country and how we can make progress. I think that the future looks very bright indeed.” Later in Adamawa he told the journalists at the end of the meeting that “the support here is very commendable and I am really excited to see all our party members who are here. We have had a very useful discussion and we have been able to talk about a wide variety of issues. We are all looking forward to much more progress in our country.” The Vice President was accompanied on the trips by members of the National Assembly and other notable political leaders.

Post Date : May 5, 2022

2023: PDP Reschedules Election Timetable, Shifts Primaries

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rescheduled its primary elections. A statement by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the party, said the Governorship Primaries is now slated for Monday, May 23, 2022, while the Senatorial District Primaries comes up on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Part of the statement also said the House of Representatives Primaries is now set for Friday, May 20, 2022 and State House of Assembly (State Constituency Congress) is for Wednesday, May 18, 2022. The party also said the Local Government Area (LGA) Congress to elect one National Delegate per LGA and one Person living with disability in the 774 Local Government Areas is for Tuesday, May 10, 2022. The party disclosed that “all aspirants to various positions, critical stakeholders, members of our Party across the country as well as relevant agencies of government should please take note.”

Post Date : May 5, 2022

Soludo drafts Anambra monarchs into battle against ‘unknown gunmen’

Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo has drafted traditional rulers in the state into the battle against “unknown gunmen.” Soludo directed them to revamp vigilance groups in the domains in order to contain hoodlums who have for months held the state by the jugular. The latest of the violence by “unknown gunmen” was last Friday when five persons lost their lives in Osumenyi, Nnewi South Local Government Area. The governor, at a meeting with the monarchs and other stakeholders in Awka yesterday, stated that now was the time for them(traditional rulers) to take charge of the communities. “Traditional rulers and presidents- general must take charge of their communities. You must re-examine and revamp your local vigilantes to forestall further breakdown of low and order. “The culture of silence must stop. I’m sure you know the hoodlums and you must expose them on time before they strike. “We must resurrect community participation and mobilise youths to take back our societies,” he said. He also challenged youths to help security agencies with intelligence. Soludo told the monarchs and the stakeholders that he had declared state of emergency on roads and other infrastructure in the state. Stressing that he would make Anambra Dubai-Taiwan of Africa by first resurrecting Onitsha, which he described as the Obi of Ndigbo. He restated his plan to bring down “houses blocking the river” in the commercial city, saying that the cooperation of all residents of the state was of utmost importance. The governor said, “Today (yesterday) marks 49-days we assumed office. This is the second time we’re calling this meeting to keep you abreast on our commitment in transforming the state. We’ll call you again in 100-days. “Our first duty is to resurrect Onitsha. Onitsha must rise, being the Obi of Ndigbo. Almost all gutters in the city are all filled up. Distilling of Sakamori has commenced. All houses blocking the river must come down. “The presence of touts has pursued many businessmen away from the town. It’s difficult to find where to park to shop. But we assure you that shopping in Onitsha will become a pleasurable experience soon.” Soludo promised continued consolidation of projects of his predecessor, Willie Obiano, despite paucity of funds. While announcing the recruitment of teachers and health workers soon to make up for manpower shortages in public schools and hospitals, the governor promised to increase the “N20 million community- choose-your project initiative” of Obiano to N25million. He also foreclosed further appointments, stressing that funds at his disposal could not afford for more. Soludo added, “Every government policy must go down to the grassroots. Repairing Anambra will start from the communities, towns and villages. “We’ll partner with those with private farms to assist us in producing enough palm oil and coconuts we can consume and export.”

Post Date : May 5, 2022

2023: ‘Presidency Not An Inheritance’ – Fayemi Denies Betraying Tinubu

A presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kayode Fayemi, on Wednesday denied betraying Asiawju Bola Tinubu, saying the office of the President is not an inheritance. Fayemi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), spoke in Abuja during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. Tinubu, APC National Leader had on January 10 declared his intention to become Nigeria’s President after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa. But the Ekiti State Governor, who is seen by many as being a beneficiary of Tinubu, said the ambition of APC presidential aspirants is to make a difference in the lives of Nigerians. “The Asiwaju that I know and have interacted with will not subscribe to demonising anyone. I don’t believe that he would use terminologies like betrayal,” he said. “This is not an inheritance; it is not a traditional title that we are seeking.” “The office that we are seeking is to make a difference in the lives of Nigerians. It is about Nigeria which is the commonwealth of all Nigerians,” he added. Earlier, the governor explained that he believes his entry into the race will rebirth a new Nigeria. ‘After careful consideration of where we are as a nation…I believe that my entry into the race will offer Nigerians the opportunity to examine competing visions for national rebirth,” Fayemi said. He said it has been his singular honour to have been an active part at various times with other committed compatriots labouring from various works of life, labouring with determination towards rapid and sustained national progress. “Dear compatriots, it is in the spirit of this abiding faith in our country and the promise of its unfinished greatness that I stand before you today in total humility and in all sense of responsibility solemnly declare to all within our party and Nigerians at large my decision to accept my name to be put forward for consideration by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership and membership as our party’s standard-bearer in the upcoming contest for a successor to our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari,” he added.

Post Date : May 5, 2022

Uzodimma orders immediate renovation of schools, health centres in Imo

Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has directed immediate renovation of primary and secondary schools as well as health centres in the state. The governor gave the directive on Wednesday at an interactive session with traditional rulers, chairmen of local government councils and other stakeholders in the state, at the Government House, Owerri. Uzodimma, who expressed satisfaction with the level of work on the ongoing construction and renovation projects, directed that attention be shifted to renovation of the 305 health centres and rural schools in the state. He said that the essence of the interactive session was to acquaint the stakeholders with progress reports on the government’s grassroots development initiative. “The report presented to me earlier by the Executive Secretary of Imo State Healthcare Development Agency (ISPHCDA), Rev. Maria-Joannes Uzoma, indicates that work has been completed on 240 health care centres. “I wish to commend the efforts made by all those involved in the projects, considering the fact that the projects were embarked upon late last year. “I urge the technical team to fast-track the remaining 65 centres and bring the chapter to a glorious end. “The aim is to develop the rural area alongside the urban cities, and with the collaborative efforts of the communities, we will deliver on this,” he said. According to the governor, the government will, in no distant time, roll out modalities for the reconstruction of rural primary and secondary schools across the state,” he said.

Post Date : May 5, 2022

ASUU strike: It’s sad that we’re talking about elections when schools are closed, says Peter Obi

Peter Obi, former Anambra governor and presidential hopeful on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says it is sad that federal universities are on strike while politicians are campaigning for the 2023 elections. Obi said this on Wednesday while appearing as a guest on the Berekete family radio in Abuja. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is currently on strike over the federal government’s failure to honour an agreement on issues bordering on funding universities, as well as salaries and allowances of lecturers. According to Obi, such a situation in which students are not attending classes and election campaigns are ongoing can only happen in Nigeria. “It is very very sad. It is intolerable that schools are closed and we are campaigning and we are even talking about elections. It would never happen in any other country except Nigeria,” he said. “Education is the most important investment a nation can do for its citizens, which we are playing with here. “The scourge of this problem is because we have an uncaring government. The agreement was made in 2009 that they will give universities N1 trillion to renovate universities, and that they will pay lecturers’ allowances. “If they were to be paying N100 million yearly, the payment would have been paid in full. Even N50 million yearly would have done it to some extent.” He said the ASUU strike shows the inability of the government to keep to agreements. “The problem is the government made empty promises. So, this made everyone fight. Money collected from presidential aspirants can feed ASUU’s demands,” he added. Obi said if he is elected to rule the country, he will make primary and secondary education free, but not for tertiary level. “I won’t make tertiary education free. Primary and secondary will be free, but we must find a way to fund tertiary education,” he said.

Post Date : May 5, 2022

Man Rapes Minor To Death In Nasarawa

The police in Nasarawa State have arrested a 36-year-old man, Bako Anjeh, for raping a 17-year-old girl to death in Nasarawa-Eggon LGA. Our correspondent in the state learnt that the suspect forced his victim to drink gramoxone, a chemical used for killing grasses, and had carnal knowledge of her. The police spokesman in the state, ASP Ramhan Nansel, who confirmed this on Wednesday in an interview with City & Crime, said the personnel of the command tracked down the suspect and arrested him. He said, “A complaint was brought before Akwanga Area Command by one Dimka Sarki that his daughter was lured by one Bako Anjeh to his room with the intention to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her. “When she refused, he subjected the victim to drink gramoxone, a chemical used in killing grasses, and after drinking it, the victim eventually became weak and he had carnal knowledge of her. “Upon receipt of the complaint, police operatives swiftly moved to the scene and got the suspect arrested. “The victim was taken to Ola Hospital in Akwanga LGA where her statements were taken before she later died and her corpse was deposited for post-mortem.”

Post Date : May 5, 2022

Police confirm bomb blast at oil company in Imo community

The Police in Imo have confirmed a bomb blast at an oil company in Izombe, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo. The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Mike Abattam, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Owerri, said it occurred in the early hours of Wednesday. Abattam said the explosion occurred at a facility operated by Addax Petroluem Development Nigeria Limited. According to him, Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mohammed Barde, already deployed a squad from the command’s anti-bomb unit, as well as some of its operatives to the area to prevent breakdown of law and order. The Police in Imo have confirmed a bomb blast at an oil company in Izombe, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo. The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Mike Abattam, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Owerri, said it occurred in the early hours of Wednesday. Abattam said the explosion occurred at a facility operated by Addax Petroluem Development Nigeria Limited. According to him, Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mohammed Barde, already deployed a squad from the command’s anti-bomb unit, as well as some of its operatives to the area to prevent breakdown of law and order. A witness who pleaded anonymous, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that two persons died in the explosion. He said that the two middle-aged men were the carriers of the bomb, which exploded and killed them while they were trying to find their way into the flow station through the entrance. NAN, however, reports that Addax Petroleum is one of the two oil companies located in the Izombe community.

Post Date : May 5, 2022

Strike: ASUU wants minister’s certificate withdrawn

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has written to the University of Jos, demanding a probe and the recall of the doctorate degree of the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba. Also on Wednesday, students from different tertiary institutions in the Edo State protested the lingering ASUU strike in Benin, the state capital. The PUNCH reports that ASUU, which commenced a warning strike on February 14, 2022 has yet to call off the industrial action. Some of the demands of the union include the demand for university autonomy, release of revitalisation funds for Nigerian universities, and the deployment of the University Transparency Accountability and Solution payment platform for the payment of salaries and allowances of university lecturers among others. The government and the union have yet to reach an agreement on the issues raised. As the disagreements linger, Nwajiuba confirmed to The PUNCH that the union had written to UNIJOS asking for the recall of his certificate. The minister said, “ASUU wrote UNIJOS to recall my certificate. I am not sure what it is they are pursuing. I was informed by the university that this was the directive from ASUU: to investigate my certificate. That is how far they have gone. “When I got the letter from the university, in fact, the university didn’t hide it, they noted that ASUU wrote them.” The strike has, however, been taking its toll on the students, some of whom have been complaining of its adverse effects on them. Vehicular and human movements were disrupted in parts of Benin for several hours on Wednesday as students from across tertiary institutions in the state protested the continued strike. They asked for government’s intervention as they vowed to continue a daily stay in the city centre until their demands are met. The students mobilised from the University of Benin, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi. They displayed placards with various inscriptions and blocked the Oba Ovonramwen Square popularly called Ring Road to express their grievances. Their action resulted in traffic gridlock around the axis, including Akpakpava, Mission and Forestry roads. Speaking on the issue, National Vice President, Special Duties of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Idiahi Thomas, faulted Nigeria’s educational sector, saying, “our leaders have bastardised it, and, as it is, Nigerian students are at home and yet, government officials are busy purchasing forms for N100 million, an amount presidents of other countries cannot earn constitutionally throughout their four-year tenure. “If the Federal Government does not want us to remain here, they know what to do. You are taking a course of four years or five years, but the strike makes you spend six to seven years. Post graduate students who are supposed to spend 18 months are spending two to three years and some get frustrated and abandon their programme.” A student Union leader from AAU, Abumere Joseph, said, “We are tired of staying at home. For the past three months, we have not attended classes, I was supposed to graduate in April but as it is now, I don’t know when I will graduate, I have been in one level for close to two years, so we are tired.” On his part, the President, Students Union Government of UNIBEN, Foster Amadin, said the strike is “suffocating the dreams of Nigerian students while politicians go about their political ambitions and the striking lecturers are going about their individual businesses.” A civil right leader, Kola Edokpayi, said the government does not respect the wishes of the people of Nigeria lamenting that “Our students are at home, yet the Minister of State for Education was able to buy a presidential nomination form of N100m.”

Post Date : May 5, 2022

Man electrocuted while stealing in Aba church

A man has been electrocuted while allegedly stealing electrical appliances in a church in Aba, Abia State. Locals said the deceased was a street urchin called Bouncer. The Nation learnt that Bouncer was electrocuted at St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Eziukwu-Asa-Okpuaja area of the city. A church worker said the alleged thief scaled a back fence in the night before finding his way into the church, adding that his body was discovered in the morning. Bounce allegedly dismantled some equipment and was cutting wires when power was restored, leading to his electrocution. “The church has lost newly-fixed roofing sheets worth millions of naira. We have lost too many plastic chairs. Nothing is safe here. Not even the roofing sheets,” the worker said. Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the incident, adding that Bouncer’s body had been deposited in a mortuary.