Explosion at an illegal fuel depot in Cotonou, the Republic of Benin, has killed 34 people. A government official confirmed the incident to newsmen today, Saturday. The government official said no fewer than 34 people were killed when a contraband fuel dump burst into flames in southern Benin near the border with Nigeria. “A serious fire occurred in the town of Seme Podji,” Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou told reporters. “Unfortunately we have 34 deaths including two babies. Their bodies are charred because the cause of the fire is smuggled fuel.” More to follow…

  The Ondo State Family Court sitting in Akure, the state capital, has ordered the remand of a man, Pelumi Folorunsho, for allegedly sodomising his step-brother. The men of the state police command arrested the defendant, for allegedly sodomising the eight-year-old boy at No. 3a, Odige Street, NEPA area of Akure on September 16, 2023. The suspect was said to have been caught by his neighbours while committing the act at his residence. Pelumi was subsequently arraigned before the family court on a one-count charge of indecent assault. According to the police prosecutor, Mr Martins Olowofeso, the defendant committed the offence at about 3 p.m. on September 16, 2023, at their residence, adding that the defendant sexually assaulted his step-brother and caused him harm. He said, “That you, Pelumi Folorunsho, ‘m’ on September 16, 2023, at 3 pm at No 3a, Odige, NEPA area of Akure in the Ondo State Magisterial District, did indecently assault an 8-year-old boy, by intentionally penetrating his anus with your penis, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(1) (a) of the VAPPLAW of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2021”. He added that the defendant removed the victim’s trousers and forcefully inserted his manhood into his anus when his parents were not around. In his ruling the magistrate, F.A Aduroja, ordered the defendant to be remanded in police custody pending when judgment will be delivered. He also ordered him to clear bushes around the police station for two weeks and adjourned the case to October 5, 2023, for judgment.

  Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, has directed law enforcement officials to take stringent action against people caught carrying out illegal mining activities in the state. In a statement issued on Saturday, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the governor’s spokesperson, said over the years, illegal mining in Zamfara has fuelled banditry and other criminal activities. According to the spokesperson, the governor said it is time to end the activity and implement measures to protect the safety and wellbeing of the people. The governor said as such, security operatives had been given strict orders to take bold action and shoot on sight anyone found engaging in illegal mining. The directive is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the good people of Zamfara and deter potential wrongdoers from committing such acts,” the statement quoted Lawal as saying. “It is also a swift action to enable the state government to be in total control of state resources and block activities that endanger the lives and properties of the people. “Illegal mining is undeniably one of the driving forces behind the rampant banditry plaguing Zamfara state. “We must take swift, decisive action to curb this menace and restore peace and security to our communities.”

  Five persons who have been masquerading as soldiers have been arrested by 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos. The suspects who were handed over to the Police for further investigation and prosecution, yesterday, were reportedly apprehended on separate occasions at Ojodu Berger, Ikorodu, Ogba, and Ikeja areas of Lagos. The suspects, identified as Johnson Ayemoba, Salami Olamilekan, Mumammed Bilyaminu, Abijo Taofeek, and Adewale Quadri, according to the Director of Public Relations for the 9 Brigade, Major Augustine Kolawole, were captured during a routine patrol conducted by the Brigade. One of the impersonators, 32-year-old Johnson Ayemoba, was found dressed in full military camouflage, with a photograph of himself wearing the military uniform. During interrogation, Ayemoba claimed that a friend gave him the uniform. He said, “I work as a bouncer and provide security at event places like Ikeja, Lekki, and Victoria Island. I obtained the uniform from my friend, Tiger. My arrest occurred in Ikeja while I was not wearing the uniform but in civilian attire. I took this picture during my birthday.” For Olamilekan, he explained that he wore it to escort vehicles within and outside Lagos, adding that he acquired the uniform from a man he gave his name simply as Tiger, who was introduced to him by the first suspect. While briefing journalists on the arrest, Major Kolawole, said “These impostors had been presenting themselves as soldiers of the Nigerian Army, causing disturbances, engaging in theft through deception, and at times, resorting to violence while using military uniforms and equipment. These actions, along with those of other impostors still at large, have severely tarnished the reputation of the Nigerian Army among law-abiding citizens. “For the record, Headquarters 9 Brigade Nigerian Army under the command of Brigadier General Adegoke Adetuyi will continue to ensure that troops deployed on Internal Security duties operate professionally within the purview of the law. This Headquarters will continue to uphold the Nigerian Army Code of Conduct, ethics, core values, and soldiers’ creed, hence, it will never encourage or tolerate the engagement of troops in any act that will hurt law-abiding citizens they are meant to protect. “We, therefore, appeal to law-abiding citizens to be wary of such impostors parading themselves as soldiers and mounting illegal roadblocks in some parts of Lagos state. “We also request Lagosians to report any suspicious act by unauthorized men in military uniforms to the appropriate authority in order not to fall victim to their dastardly acts”. Major Kolawole expressed optimism that the police investigation and subsequent prosecution would send a strong warning to other criminals within the 9 Brigade’s Area of Responsibility and the nation as a whole. He further warned members of the public to desist from the use of Army stickers, placement of camouflage jungle hats on vehicle dashboards, and the display of other military insignia or accouterments on private vehicles, “as well as wearing military uniforms for fashion purposes. They are illegal. Anyone caught engaging in these violations may face prosecution for impersonation.” Recall that the Lagos State Police Command recently arrested and paraded impostors in military uniforms who confessed to being responsible for the murder of an aide to Senator Adela Yayi representing Ogun State, Adeniji Sanni, last month.

  The Osuagwu family of Obollo, Mbano in Imo State, have written a petitioned to the Human Rights Commission, asking it to investigate the alleged murder in custody of Mr. Peter Osuagwu and his wife, Franca, who were arrested on allegation of being commanders of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. The family said their son, Chibuzor, and his friend were killed and burnt in Ossomala, Ogbaru Local Government Anambra State. Peter and his wife Franca were allegedly arrested in his fish farm in Ossomala by a combined team of Police, Navy and Department of State Services, DSS, two weeks after the attack on US Embassy officials, over a petition allegedly instigated by a former police officer. The Osuagwu family, in a petition by their lawyer Nnamdi Alokalam, told the Human Rights Commission to investigate the alleged murder of Peter and Franca, and to investigate the Police Officers that illegally withdrew all the monies in Mr. Peter’s bank account and where it was carried out. They also want the Human Right Commission to investigate the corpses of Mr. Peter and Franca Osuagwu, to ascertain whether their body parts were not harvested as alleged. According to the family’s petition, “Your timely resolution of the above posers will be appreciated as the five surviving children of the couple are all teenagers and are under intense threats by some hoodlums. “Peter’s children are being moved around from one state to another to avoid being killed; they no longer attend schools and this has devastated the family. A former police officer swore to totally eliminate every family member of Peter’s family. “The Anambra Police Command with DSS is doing everything possible to cover up the arrest and subsequent murder of Peter Osuagwu and Franca Osuagwu. The sponsored hoodlums are also being shielded from arrest by the police authorities in Anambra State.” Narrating the incident that led to the arrest of Peter and his wife Franca and subsequent killing of their first son Chibuzor, the family alleged that a former officer was on a vendetta mission against Peter and his wife.

  A non-profit organisation, Lawyers Alert, has said 80 percent of human rights violations in Benue State are gender-based related and that less than 10 percent of the survivors access justice. Lawyers Alert’s Senior Legal Officer, Barrister Solumtochukwu Precious Ozobulu disclosed this during a press conference, saying that Sexual and Gender-Based Violence survivors in Benue could not access justice in spite of the passage of VAPP) Law 2019. Lawyers Alert called on Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Dr. Hyacinth Alia, to expedite action on the review of the VAPP Law and put mechanism in place for the operationalization of the Sexual Assaults Referral Centre (SARC). Ozobulu said, “We call for an urgent review of the VAPP Law in order to enhance access to justice for vulnerable persons especially women and girls. The review of the law will benefit over 100,000 (one hundred thousand) women and girls who lack access to justice and other benefits of this legislation immensely.” The 8th Benue State Assembly passed the VAPP law 2019 which criminalized all forms of violence against persons. According to Ozobulu, Lawyers Alert is working with certain members of the 10th Benue Assembly to see that the law is reviewed. Solumtochukwu Ozobulu said the passage of this law sought to protect vulnerable persons especially Women and girls. However, the implementation of this laudable legislation has not been as smooth as earlier envisaged. Lawyers Alert said “Despite the passage of this law, violence against persons especially Women and girls has persisted and sadly, survivors of gender-based violence in Benue State hardly access justice owing to limitations and gaps in the legislation.” It is estimated that over 80 % of human rights violations in Benue State are gender-based violence related. Interestingly, less than 10% of these survivors of gender-based violence access justice.”

  The Nigerian Army has asked troops to always be on the guard in tackling the myriad of security challenges, saying failure is not an option. Commander Corps of Artillery, Major General Marcus Kangye, said this on Saturday while addressing the troops during a familiarisation visit to the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala Barrack, Ogun State. He emphasised constant training and discipline among soldiers, saying an untrained force is bound to fail. Flanked by Brigadier General Mohammed Aminu, the Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Kangye said the leadership of the Nigerian Army always prioritizes the welfare of soldiers in order to enhance their performance. According to him, the Chief of Army Staff’s philosophy is to drive a well trained, equipped and motivated Nigerian Army ready to accomplish its constitutional responsibilities. Kanye said “Any soldier that does not train, any force that does not train is deemed to fail and he (Chief of Army Staff) is not ready to fail. There is no failure for us at all. “Despite the myriad of security challenges bedevilling our country, we must rise up to the occasion to ensure that we rid this country of the criminal elements that are disturbing the peace of the nation. And to do that, we must be very ready. So, I urge all of you to remain disciplined as you have always been. During the briefing by your commander, so far, we have not heard cases of indiscipline among you. You should maintain the status quo so that we don’t have records of indiscipline.”