A 25-year-old man simply identified as Monday, yesterday escaped lynching after being caught with two live goats allegedly stolen in Obio Ndot, Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom state. Monday who hails from the community but resides in Uyo, was alleged to have sneaked into the village and caught trying to make away with the goats.   A community source disclosed that the alleged thief, an ex-convict, is noted for stealing livestock from the community to sell off in Uyo since returning from prison for similar vices. He said, “On this occasion, he was caught red-handed by youths in the community. After being given the beating of his life, petrol was being sourced to roast him alive when elders of the community intervened and called in the police who rescued him. “This same Monday who sells roasted pork in Uyo, had two years ago stolen two goats from the community and was caught trying to move them out on a chartered tricycle (Keke). “He escaped from the tricycle at that time, leaving the rider arrested and taken to the police station at Abak Divisional headquarters.” The alleged thief, on this latest allegation confessed to the crime, saying, “It’s hunger that pushed me into this mess, promising to repent if left off the hook. A senior police officer confirmed the rescue of Monday, noting that, “Investigation is still ongoing and he would be handed over to legal department for prosecution. “After rescuing him beaten to stupor, he was taken to a private clinic for first aid treatment before being taken to the police station where he is currently cooling his feet.”

  The Federal Government says it has invited Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, over his comments on the activities of bandits in the country. This was disclosed by the Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday while addressing journalists at the State House, Abuja. Idris said Gumi is not above the law, noting that the government has deemed it

  A man identified as Usman Abubakar reportedly died during a fight that occurred at Isale Koko, Ojagboro area, Ilorin in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State. The incident, which happened last Wednesday and claimed the life of the deceased, was a result of the combat between him (the deceased) and another man identified as one Omotosho Jimoh of Elekoyangan area, Oke-Suna, Ilorin, who is now at large. The incident, according to the police, was a result of a minor issue that degenerated into combat and later led to the death of Usman. A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer read, “The Kwara State Police Command is saddened to report a tragic incident of culpable homicide which occurred on March 20, 2024, in Ilorin. “I Cannot Call My Forefathers Unwise Because I’m A Christian” -Says A Herbalist Who Is Also A Pastor0.00 / 0.00 “At about 2030hrs on March 20, 2024, Mr. Adebayo Ahmed, a resident of Isale Koko, Ojagboro, Ilorin, reported a distressing incident involving his son, Usman Abubakar. “It was reported that on the same day, around 1930hrs, Usman engaged in hand-to-hand combat with one Omotosho Jimoh of Elekoyankan Area, Oke-suna, Ilorin, over a minor issue. “Tragically, during the altercation, Usman Abubakar slumped and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel. “Immediately, the scene of the crime was visited, and the necessary documentation was carried out. However, the family of the deceased has declined to release the body for autopsy, insisting on burial according to Islamic rites. “Presently, the suspect, Omotosho Jimoh, is at large. The Kwara State Police Command has initiated a preliminary investigation into the matter, and efforts are underway to apprehend the suspect and ascertain the full circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident.” Ejire-Adeyemi said the Command assured the public that efforts were being made to bring the perpetrators to justice. In March 2023, a male adult slumped and died during an argument over a parking space at a supermarket on Admiralty Way in the Lekki area of Lagos State. Operatives of the Edo State Police Command, in October 2023, arrested a 21-year-old man identified as Ononomeh Badamasi over the circumstances surrounding the death of a 52-year-old man, Orumidayo Awolowo, who went to demand money owed him. The Lagos State Police Command also confirmed last month that a man, Adebayo Adeseko, and his girlfriend, Sarah Adesanya, died after fighting in their apartment.

  The federal government has said that no ransom was paid to free the pupils who were abducted from Kuriga village in Kaduna state. This was revealed by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during Monday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Idris said: “As promised by Mr. President, they have been rescued. No ransom was paid.” The minister applauded President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Service Chiefs, and everyone else who made a significant contribution to the kids’ release. The Nation reported that President Tinubu had vowed that the Federal Government would not pay any ransom to secure the release of abducted victims. The minister added that President Tinubu has directed security services to step up their efforts to put an end to the nationwide kidnapping crisis. He said: “The President has also charged security agencies to make sure kidnappings are brought to a halt, and all the perpetrators of kidnapping will be fished out and punished.”

  Nigeria’s leading telecom operator, MTN Nigeria, has experienced a decline in its active subscriber base following the implementation of directives mandating the linkage of SIM cards with National Identification Numbers (NIN). According to recent industry data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), MTN’s total active subscriptions, which stood at 87 million in December 2023, dropped to 79.7 million in January. Recall that in December 2023, NCC issued a directive to telecommunications operators (MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, among others) to implement full network barring on all phone lines for which the subscribers have not submitted their national identification numbers (NINs) by February 28, 2024. MTN disclosed that it disconnected 4.2 million lines in compliance with the NCC’s directive on NIN-SIM linkage. Since December 2023, when the NCC issued the directive requiring full barring of subscriber lines not linked to NIN, MTN has verified a total of 19 million lines. Out of these, 4.3 million have been verified, and 4.2 million have been disconnected as of February 28, 2024. In contrast, Airtel and Globacom reported marginal gains in their subscription databases for the month, despite the ongoing disconnection exercise.

  The death toll in a tragic stampede during an almsgiving programme in Bauchi over the weekend has risen to seven, police authorities in the state say. Six of the victims were pronounced dead at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital while one died at home. The spokesman of the Bauchi Police Command Ahmed Wakilin said this on Monday while giving an update about the incident. He gave the details of the deceased as follows: 1. Aisha Usman ‘f’ aged 13yrs of Gwang Gwang Gwang, Bauchi 2. Sahura Abubakar ‘f’ aged 55yrs of Anguwan, Bauchi 3. Aisha Ibrahim Abubakar ‘f’ aged 43yrs of Kobi Street, Bauchi. 4. Khadija Isah ‘f’ aged 8yrs of Karofi, Bauchi   5. Maryam Suleiman ‘f’ aged 20 years of Kandahar, Bauchi 6. Maryam Shuibu ‘f’ aged 16 years Gwang Gwan Gwan, Bauchi 7. Hassana Saidu ‘f’ aged 53 years of Dutsen Tanshi, Bauchi. The incident happened on Sunday at Shafa Holdings Company Plc along Jos Road in the Bauchi metropolis where many residents had gathered to receive N10,000 each as alms for the poor which was generously provided by a philanthropist. But there was chaos during the event, resulting in the stampede.