The Nigerian Police Force has paraded members of a family for torturing a 13-year-old girl with hot water and pepper over an allegation of theft.   The commissioner of police in the state David Iloyanomon disclosed this to journalists at the police headquarters in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital. According to him, the state command had received a complaint on the 1st of July, 2024 at Yorro Division, that one Bulus Bitonopa tortured one Bridget Samuel, causing temporal paralysis of her hands while one Hon. Cleopas, took the victim to his house in Jalingo in a bid to conceal the crime, failed to take the victim to the Hospital and resisted police intervention. A visit to the Federal Medical Centre Jalingo showed that the 13-year-old girl, may not use two of her hands henceforth following the act of torture. According to her, two of her uncles tied her two hands with a black rubber, dipped them into a bowl of hot water, and added pepper and sand to it. She is falsely accused of stealing ₦5000 from the purse of the uncle’s wife. She narrates, ” They tied me around 3:00 PM until around 11:00 AM the following day when another uncle of mine stepped in, untied me and took me to a nearby clinic for medical attention. Meanwhile, at least 38 persons suspected to be kidnappers, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms have been arrested by the police in the state. A breakdown of the suspects and their involvements according to the police commissioner reveals that 12 out of the 38 suspects have been charged to court, with 26 others under investigation. He revealed that while acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with local vigilante groups apprehended six kidnapping syndicates On 20th June 2024. According to him, one AK-47 rifle and 20 rounds of 6.62mm live ammunitions, 3 SMG rifles with 20 rounds of live ammunitions, one mark4 rifle with 10 rounds of live ammunitions, one starlet vehicle, were recovered as exhibits and all suspects made confessional statements of involvement in the commission of the crimes. ” On 4th July 2024, police operatives attached to SID in collaboration with FIDSTS from Abuja arrested one Saidu Sale of Ibi local government area who conspired with his cohorts and kidnapped a lady and collected the sum of 1,500,000 as ransom” ” One AK-47 rifle, three magazines, and three rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered as exhibits. In another incident, a joint team of police operatives from the anti-kidnapping squad, in collaboration with local hunters succeeded in arresting one Shehu Garba in connection with the kidnap of Maunde Mohammed of Sunkani, in Ardo kola local government area. ” Exhibits recovered include three AK-47 rifles, 4 magazines, 19 rounds of live ammunition, 23 empty shells of ammunition, 5 solar panels, 3 chains, 11 padlocks, 1 wristwatch, one knife, a bunch of keys, 11 aprons, assorted charms and a black waist bag. ” In the case of armed robbery, the highway patrol team while on a stop and search operations arrested one Abdullahi Yahaya in Wukari with a black colour Toyota Corolla vehicle with registration number AGU 570 TN which was snatched at gunpoint and the driver shot at Anambra state and we have since reported the incident to Anambra state and they are continuing with the investigation ” ” On 22/06/2024, a combined Police Team from Wukari Division and Gbegi Division in Benue State combed the bush around a scene of the crime where one suspect named Aondokatu was arrested and a robbed motorcycle was recovered” On unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, a patrol team attached to the Sunkani Division arrested the following persons 1. Rudana Obadiah 2. Majo Benjamin 3. Benjamin Isah in possession of one locally made pistol ” ” Acting on actionable intelligence, on 17/06/2024 at about 1435hrs, Police Operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad arrested one Alhaji Abdul Buji Shehu ‘m’ of Sibre Village, Ardo-Kola LGA. The following firearms were recovered from his House (1) an AK47 rifle (2) one locally made revolver gun (3) one pump action and (4) one Single barrel gun. The investigation has been completed and the case charged to court ” Other cases include cattle rustling, housebreaking and theft, and culpable homicide among several others. While urging all Taraba residents to be law abiding and not resort to self-help in settling scores, the police boss asked all non-state actors that have volunteered to assist the police in providing security to their communities to do so under the supervision of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Area of Responsibility” ” The command will not tolerate illegal possession and use of firearms under the guise of community security. May I also thank the Executive Governor of Taraba State Dr. Agbu Kefas, other sister agencies and the Vigilantes/Hunters for their support, synergy and collaborative effort in combating crime within the state ” ” The command under my watch will remain resolute in its pursuit for lasting peace in the state Finally and will continue to remain committed to upholding law and order, we commend the dedication of our officers and men and also urge the public to continue volunteering vital information to aid in the fight against crime ”

  The Katsina State Hisbah Board said on Sunday it seized and destroyed alcohol drinks and illicit drugs worth N60m in the Funtua Local Government Area of the state. The Hisbah Commander in the state, Dr Aminu Usman, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Katsina on Sunday. According to Umsan, no fewer than 1,750 crates of alcohol, and about 33 jerry cans of locally-brewed beer were recently seized and destroyed in Funtua. The Hisbah commander said the effort was part of their mandate of ensuring good morals among the people in the state. While commending the officials of the board for their effort, he urged them to redouble their commitment to discharging their duties. He also sought the support of religious leaders in the state for the success of the board, saying Hisbah does not belong to any particular group or sect. He commended Governor Dikko Radda for his full support for the board to discharge its responsibilities. Usman appealed to the members of the public to always assist the board with genuine information about places where immoral behaviours are committed. He called on parents, teachers, and community leaders to intensify efforts to instil discipline and good morals in the youths.

  The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said its operation was seriously disrupted following a series of false emergency calls in the first half of 2024. This was contained in the statistics of the mid-year activity report, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH. In the emergency calls log, the Lagos Fire Service Director, Margaret Adeseye, explained that her fire-fighting departments received no fewer than 331 deceitful alarms raised by some mischievous persons. The director said 70 hoax fire alarms were received in February; 60 in April; and 75 in May. She also identified five local government areas where the bulk of the calls came from. They include Igando, Ikotun (28), Eti Osa (16), Ibeju Lekki (12), Kosofe (13) and Ojo (13).   Margaret, who spoke through the Lagos Fire Service Publicity Director, Ololade Agboola, however, explained that not all the calls were malicious. “Yes, we know some mischievous persons just dialed our emergency numbers for fun, especially when they are idle and fiddling with their smartphones. That notwithstanding, we have noted that some of these calls were made with good intent. “Sometimes, we received calls that there was a fire outbreak in an area with no traceable address. In other cases, our firefighters would race to the scene or locate the address only to discover no trace of a fire incident. “Again, some panic-stricken people would place an emergency call over any visible sign of smoke emanating from the neighbourhood. For instance, there was a bank along Oba Akran Road in Ikeja that was said to be on fire. But we found out that what the people thought was a thick smoke emanating from the building was actually a fumigation exercise. “In some instances, the fire may have been put out with the affected people calling us again to tell our officials not to bother coming again when the firefighters are already close to the scene. These are some of the challenges we encounter,” she said. The director appealed to residents of the state to make the agency’s job easier by calling only when there is actual emergency.

  Monday 22 July 2024 FG plans N320bn banks tax, N’Assembly submits report Wednesday Biden drops re-election bid, endorses Vice-President Kamala Harris ECOWAS spent $13m on counterterrorism, humanitarian interventions – Tinubu FG sets July 31 deadline for civil servants’ screening Civilians not permitted to wear military camouflage – Army Biden Was ‘Not Fit To Run’ For President, Says Trump ‘Nature Of Politics,’ Oshiomhole Reacts To Shaibu’s APC Return NDLEA Uncovers Illicit Drugs Hidden In Incense Candles, Ladies’ Wears Afam Osigwe Emerges As New NBA President Lagos Govt Denies Imposing Parking Fees On Churches, Worshippers 2023 Polls: Probe Cases Of Electoral Violence Against Govs, Court Orders INEC One Dead In Anambra Auto Crash Kogi asks residents not to join planned nationwide protest Man, 35, in Police net for stabbing girlfriend’s brother in Ogun Dangote Refinery: Buy Me Out, Aliko Tells NNPCL Govt targets N2tr in banks’ forex gain tax Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  Yusuf Gagdi, a federal lawmaker representing Plateau state, has sparked outrage on social media after gifting his daughter Aisha a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) for graduating from secondary school. On Saturday, Gagdi took to his X page to reveal that he recently attended the Lead British International School graduation ceremony in Abuja where his daughter had just completed her secondary education. “Today, I attended my amazing daughter’s graduation ceremony. Watching you, my dear daughter, walk across that stage fills my heart with immense pride and love,” he wrote. “I celebrate your achievements and the strength you’ve shown. Here’s to a future filled with endless possibilities and happiness.”   The lawmaker was asked to present gifts to the best-graduating students. He also donated N3 million to the top students. “An incredible day at Lead British International School Abuja’s graduation ceremony! Emphasized the importance of focus and commitment for a bright future ahead,” he added. “Delighted to make a significant donation of N3 million Naira to top students and dedicated staff to encouraged academic excellence.” Advertisement On Sunday, Gagdi shared a report from a page on Instagram, which partly read, “To celebrate her graduation and great performance in JAMB, her father surprised her with a gift of a car”. In the photos, the lawmaker gave his daughter keys to the SUV. She was also seen posing with the grey-coloured exotic car. The development has attracted a chorus of condemnation on X, with several users berating Gagdi for showing off his wealth at a time when Nigerians are asked to endure ongoing economic hardship.

  The Kogi state government has asked its residents not to join a planned nationwide protest. There are reports that some youths are planning a nationwide protest between August 1 and 15 against the rising cost of living and economic hardship in the country. In a statement on Sunday, Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi commissioner for information and communication, said the state government is in solidarity with the efforts of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to fix the economy. “The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is working assiduously to get the nation’s economy working again,” Fanwo said. “Apart from the fiscal and monetary policies that are already yielding positive results, the Federal Government has injected economic stimulating incentives to address the challenges we are facing in the short, medium and long-term. Agriculture, industrialization, infrastructure, education and healthcare are receiving due attention from the Federal Government. “The administration of Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo in Kogi State is completely committed to ensuring the central efforts percolate into the state as we have begun massive investments in agriculture, education, healthcare and infrastructure. “We have also continued to support homes across the state with palliatives to cushion the effects of the economic hardship occasioned by decades of mismanagement that the Tinubu Administration is working hard to correct. “As responsible citizens, there is a need to queue behind the efforts of the government at all levels to frontally deal with the issues challenging our well-being. “A protest would have been proper if the Government was making no efforts. Protests would have been popular if the efforts were not bearing fruits yet. Protests would have been understandable if we were not gradually moving out of the hopeless situation. “But a protest at this point is an attack on the foundation of our rebuilding process and an attempt to throw the nation into the darkness orchestrated during the #EndSars destruction and carnage.” Fanwo said intelligence reports have allegedly linked the protest with “opposition figures”. “We are proud of the fact that the people of Kogi have refused to yield the state to the macabre dance of agents of destabilisation,” he said.

  A young Nigerian, Winston Dennis-Masi, has been honoured by the University of Essex, Colchester, England, for his exceptional academic performance at the institution. Winston Dennis-Masi, aged 20, was awarded a first-class degree in the highly sought after Computer Systems Engineering at the university. Dennis-Masi, who hails from Omoku in Rivers State, attributed the accomplishment to dint of hard work, focus and time management with his numerous academic activities. He also thanked his parents for the support accorded him throughout his stay at the institution. Winston, who had his primary and secondary education in Port Harcourt and Abuja, Nigeria has indicated interest in enrolling for a masters’ degree programme at one of the universities in the United States where he is resident.