Kenyan police say the death toll from the starvation cult has now risen to 73. Japhet Koome, inspector-general of police (IGP) in Kenya, had earlier pegged the casualties at 58. In bizarre developments, one pastor Paul Nthenge, founder of the Good News International Church, instructed his congregation to starve themselves to “meet Jesus”. Followers of the church were reported to be living in several secluded settlements in an 800-acre area within the Shakahola forest. In a statement on Monday, Koome said the bodies were exhumed from shallow graves in the disturbing scene, adding that 29 people had been rescued. He said the investigation had so far indicated that Nthenge’s victims were subjected to extreme religious beliefs, characterized by fasting and starvation to death, as their unorthodox means to meet their maker. Koome assured that “all those culpable shall face the law” and added that rescue missions were ongoing. Charles Kamau, head detective in Malindi, Kilifi County, told Reuters, that “the death toll now stands at 73 people”. According to the report, Kamau said three more persons had been arrested. President William Ruto described Nthenge, the cult leader, as a terrible criminal under the guise of religion. He said he had instructed relevant agencies to get to the root cause of what had happened and to tackle “people who want to use religion to advance weird, unacceptable ideology in the Republic of Kenya that is causing unnecessary loss of life”.

  A yet-to-be-identified male meat seller has slumped and died while attending to a customer on Branco Street, in the Mafoluku area of Lagos State. PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened on Monday around 5pm when the deceased was attending to a customer in the community. An eyewitness who identified himself simply as Tunde said the deceased had finished selling the meat and was waiting for payment when he suddenly slumped. He said, “The man is a regular meat hawker in this area and he was hawking along the street as usual when a woman called him to sell meat for her. When he got to the woman’s place, he brought down his meat and negotiation went on for a while. He later sold the meat to her when they both reached an agreement. “It was at the point when the woman was about to pay him that he suddenly fell to the ground. That was how the woman quickly raised the alarm.” Tunde added that efforts were made to resuscitate him on the spot. “Later, some people tried to resuscitate him but all to no avail. His body was lying on the floor for close to 30 minutes. It was later that some of the residents hired a commercial bus to convey his body to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead,” he added. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident. “The man slumped and died. He probably had an underlining health issue. There was no foul play. The corpse has been deposited in the mortuary,” the PPRO said.

Tuesday 25 April 2023 Ebonyi man strangles friend, buries corpse in shallow grave Adamawa: Lawyer, CSOs demand overhaul of police, DSS Nigeria lost N2.3tn revenue to oil theft in 12 months — IOC ‘I Am Hale And Hearty,’ Tinubu Says On Return Buhari To Attend Gulf Of Guinea Summit In Ghana APC Expels Governorship Aspirant, Senator-Elect In Taraba Kogi Traditional Ruler Dies In Kidnappers’ Custody Imo Charter Of Equity Should Not Be Rigid, Suit One Zone – LP Gov Campaign Organisation IGP Launches Probe Into Adamawa REC’s Role In Controversial Poll LASTMA Recovers Over 100 Used Diapers From Lagos Accident Victim Sudan: Air Peace Willing To Evacuate Stranded Nigerians For Free – Onyema Meningitis kills 118 in 22 states — NCDC More troubles as court dashes Nigeria Air’s hope of flying Otedola confirms acquisition of 5.52% stake in Transcorp Fresh Intrigues As N/West Insists On Senate Presidency Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  President-elect Bola Tinubu says he is ready for the responsibilities attached to being Nigeria’s number one citizen. Tinubu said this shortly after returning to the country after about a month in Paris, France. While abroad, there were reports that he was undergoing treatment for an undisclosed ailment. But addressing his supporters who thronged the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, where his plane touched down, Tinubu dismissed reports about his health. “Forget about what the rumour mill may have told you. I’m strong, very strong.” Asked about his plans for the country, he said he had been consulting and planning with a view to putting together a strong team so he could hit the ground running once he assumes office on May 29. Later, he posted a tweet in which he said he was glad to be back home. “I am extremely excited to be back home and deeply humbled by the warm welcome I received on my return to Abuja today. Thank you all for your love and support. Our promise to deliver a nation of Renewed Hope for all Nigerians remains in motion.” The President-elect, who was accompanied by his wife, Senator Remi Tinubu, and son, Seyi Tinubu, was received by Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila as well as Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger), former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff. Also at the airport were former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, APC Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Deputy National Chairman, South, Barrister Emma Enekwu, and National Woman Leader, Dr. Betta Edu. There were also Senators Barau Jibril, Adeola Olamilekan Yahyi, Opeyemi Bamidele, Dayo Adeyeye, Sabi Abdullahi and Adelere Oriolowo as well as Secretary of the recently-dissolved Presidential Campaign Council, Hon. James Faleke, Hon. Babajimi Benson and Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Director of media and publicity in the dissolved Presidential Campaign Council.

  Benue State chapter of the Labour Party, LP, has confirmed the murder of its Chairman, Mr. Nathaniel Ochoche, in an ambush by armed herdsmen at Ankpali village in Edikwu District of Apa Local Government Area of Benue state. Mr. Ochoche was said to be among the four mourners killed at the weekend in an ambush that left many injured and several others missing. According to a statement in Makurdi by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Orbunde, the deceased was the Edikwu Ward 2 Chairman of the party in Apa. It read: “It is with rude shock that the Benue State Secretariat of the Labour party received the news of the gruesome murder of its Chairman in Edikwu Ward 2 in Apa LGA, Nathaniel Ochoche, who was ambushed and killed by armed Fulani militia. “Until his death, Mr. Ochoche was a consummate party man who worked assiduously hard for the growth of his community, constituency and country both in words and works. “An ardent card carrying member of the Labour Party whose legacy of contribution, especially in the just concluded 2023 general elections, will always have a special place of pride, honour and admiration in the annals of history. “While describing the incident of his death as one too many, the Benue State Executive committee of the Labour Party sends it deepest condolences to the wife, children and the entire family members of the deceased over this terrible and unfortunate incident. “As a Party, with people centred programme, we condemn in its totality the continuous callous acts of armed Fulani militia. “We, therefore, call on the Federal and state governments, and all relevant authorities and stakeholders to rise up to the occasion of protecting the lives and properties of the people and stop the unwarranted killings by suspected criminal Fulani herdsmen. “It is high time the relevant authorities stopped these attacks and killings and allow our people return to their farms this farming season.”

  The Labour Party (LP) governorship campaign organisation in Imo State has said that the rotational initiative of the Imo Charter of Equity should not be beneficial to a single zone in the November 11 election.   The Imo charter of equity was initiated in 1999 and truncated in 2011. The charter unanimously adopted by the Imo State Council of Elders is meant to clear the path for a smooth transfer and rotation of the office of governor between the three senatorial zones of Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, the state’s Media Director, Athan Achonu Campaign Organisation, Ihejirika Emeka, stated that Orlu, Okigwe, and Owerri Zone have had 20 years, four years, and two and a half years, respectively. Emeka added that there is a need for balance in the power rotation. “You must give everybody that equity and fairness. The PDP are the ones who brought this up, and if every other person would agree to it, then it has to start where it stopped. It must not be rigid to suit a particular zone,” he said. “Orlu has done 20 years. Okigwe zone, because they had the smallest local government, only did four years; and Owerri, two and half years, in terms of equity and justice.” The legal practitioner argued that the initiative, which saw Orlu zone last in office, should allow power rotate to a different zone.   “He who must come with equity must come with clean hands. The charter of equity which is an unwritten gentleman agreement between those three zones infer that any zone that has to do their turn must do eight years, not four years. “If we want to kickstart that charter of equity which is a gentleman’s agreement, but it must start from Okigwe zone, four years; it should not start with Orlu zone that has taken 20 years, where it stopped last,” he said. The LP stalwart asserted that a chance should be given to every zone to put forward their best, adding that the ability to deliver the dividends of democracy is visible in these three zones. “There is still competence, capacity and the ability to deliver the goods as factors to be considered in choosing people. It is all visible in these component zones,” he said. “Why this zoning issue is coming up because of the incompetence of the present government especially in terms of security, service delivery, and economic development. They failed totally and that is why there is clamour now.” According to him, the value the Imo charter of equity seeks to address is the injustice of the past. He added that the PDP was responsible for the resurrection of the charter equity its inception and again at its resurgence. ‘For Equity And Fairness’ The Special Adviser, Imo Orientation Agency, Fidel Onyekene, who also made an appearance on the programme, noted that the council of elders in the state are in agreement with the decision that drove the initiative. He stated that the charter initiative was set to promote equity and fairness. Onyekene argued that there was no court decision or written agreement that indicated a power rotation. “What informed the decision of the elders’ party to come out with this charter of equity is just to ensure that there is peace, unity and progress Imo State.”