Independence: FG declares Monday, Oct 2 public holiday

September 28, 2023

FG declares Monday, Oct. 2 public holiday for 63rd Independence Anniversary

The Federal Government has declared Monday, 2nd October, 2023 as a public holiday in commemoration of Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade in a statement on Thursday said the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo made the declaration in Abuja on behalf of the federal government.

“Dr Olubunmi assured Nigerians of Government’s continued commitment to tackling challenges facing the country.

“It is today a known fact that difficult Socio-Economic and Security challenges are global, and Nigeria is not isolated”, she stated.

According to her, the Minister however said that the Government is daily making efforts to confront these varied and numerous challenges with all the might available until respite comes our way.

Dr Tunji-Ojo reiterated that the eminent position of Nigeria in the comity of Nations and the greatness ahead of the country is achievable if we all work together in unity.

He also stated that; “our warm welcoming spirit and love as well as our unbounded human capital and the richness of our land makes Nigeria unarguably the leading black Nation in the World being Africa’s pride and beacon of hope for the Renewed Hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR”.

“While wishing the citizens a memorable independence celebration, the Minister recalled that our founding fathers, in spite of the differences in faith, tribe and tongue, came together for Nigeria’s freedom which we enjoy today.

“The Minister assured that this Administration through the Renew Hope Agenda will ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, as a befitting tribute to our heroes past”, the statement added.

50 poisoned at another wedding party after 114 perished during marriage ceremony

Ladun Liadi

September 28, 2023

50 poisoned at another wedding party after 114 perished during marriage ceremony

No fewer than 50 people were poisoned at a wedding in Iraq’s northern province of Kirkuk due to spoiled food, local media reported.

According to the report, the incident occurred in the town of Hawija, west of Kirkuk, the capital city of the cognominal province.

The provincial health chief, Ziyad Khalaf, said some cases were mild while others were serious.

He added that all the patients have received the necessary medical treatment in the hospital.

The incident came a day after a deadly fire ripped through a wedding hall in a predominantly Christian town in Iraq’s northern province of Nineveh, killing 114 people and injuring more than 200.

No fewer than 114 were killed after fire razed a wedding hall in the Hamdaniya area of Nineveh Province, a Christian-dominated area close to Mosul.

According to VOA, the deadly event happened on Wednesday, and television footage showed fire engulfing the wedding hall, which the civil defence officials said was filled with illegal flammable cladding.

In the aftermath of the fire, only charred metal and debris could be seen as people walked through the scene – the dark hall was only lightened up by television cameras and witnesses’ phones.

“All efforts are being made to provide relief to those affected by the unfortunate accident,” Saif al-Badr, a health ministry spokesman, said on the state-owned Iraqi News Agency. The health department in Nineveh Province pegged death toll figures at 114.

The wounded are being treated with various degrees of injuries at regional hospitals – some survivors arrived at local hospitals, receiving oxygen and bandages, with disrupted family members occupying the hospitals.

Meanwhile, Iraqi authorities warned that the death toll could rise as final figures of casualties have yet to be determined.

No official details have been provided about the cause of the fire outbreak at press time. But initial reports by the Kurdish television news channel Rudaw suggested that fireworks at the venue might have started it.

In a statement released online, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Iraq’s prime minister, ordered an investigation into the incident and tasked the officials with the interior and health ministries to provide relief.

(Xinhua/NAN)

Wike sacks 21 heads of FCTA agencies, parastatals

Ladun Liadi

September 28, 2023

Wike sacks 21 heads of FCTA agencies, parastatals

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has relieved the heads of 21 parastatals, agencies, and government companies under the FCT Administration of their appointments with immediate effect.

Anthony Ogunleye, director of press, office of the minister stated this in a press statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Ogunleye identified the affected heads of the agencies as follows:

1. Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Abuja Investment Company Ltd.

2. CEO/Managing Director (MD), Abuja Markets Management Ltd.

3. MD/CEO, Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company.

4. CEO/MD, Abuja Property Development Company.

5. CEO/MD, Abuja Technology Village Free Trade Zone Company.

6. CEO/MD, Abuja Film Village International.

7. CEO/MD, Powernoth AICL Equipment Leasing Company Ltd.

8. MD, Abuja Broadcasting Corporation

9. MD, Abuja Enterprise Agency

10. General Manager, FCT Water Board

11. Director-General (DG), FCT Emergency Management Agency

12. Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board

13. DG, Hospital Management Board

14. Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board

15. Director, FCT Scholarship Board

16. Director, FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board

17. Director, Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board

18. Coordinator, Abuja Infrastructure Investment Center

19. Director, FCT Health Insurance Scheme

20. Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department

21. Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council

The director of press said that the affected appointees should hand over the affairs of their offices to the most senior officers in rank.

He added that appointments into the offices would be made in due course.

(NAN)

Osimhen puts crisis aside, scores for Napoli

Ladun Liadi

September 28, 2023

Osimhen puts crisis aside, scores for Napoli

Victor Osimhen has put his crisis with Napoli aside to score as they returned to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Udinese on Wednesday.

Last season’s Scudetto winners entered this fixture after a three-match winless run in Serie A, which had turned up the heat on new coach Rudi Garcia.

Osimhen’s missed penalty kick in last weekend’s stalemate at Bologna was then followed by a bizarre post on Napoli’s official TikTok account.

The video was said to have appeared to mock the Nigeria international, with the forward threatening to take legal action late Tuesday.

However, Osimhen brushed off the scrutiny to end his four-game goal drought with a smart finish in the 39th minute in Naples to fire the hosts up to seventh in the table.

After the penalty kick drama of Sunday, it took Napoli only a quarter of an hour to be awarded another penalty kick when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was fouled inside the area.

Video assistant review (VAR) was called, and eventually, the penalty was awarded, but instead of Osimhen, Piotr Zielinski took responsibility. He rolled the ball into the bottom corner after 19 minutes to make it 1-0 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Garcia’s out-of-form side were firmly in the ascendancy now, with Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen and Mario Rui forcing saves from Marco Silvestri in the Udinese goal.

Silvestri had no answer to Osimhen in the 39th minute when Matteo Politano slipped through last season’s leading marksman, who drilled into the net for his fourth goal this season.

Osimhen was initially reluctant to celebrate.

But after some anxious glances towards the assistant referee, no offside flag was raised, and he embraced his teammates while feeling the support of a raucous home crowd.

Further applause followed in the 63rd minute when Osimhen was replaced by Giovanni Simeone, who would find the net but not before Kvaratskhelia.

(dpa/NAN)

$1.5m Buddha sculpture stolen from LA art gallery RECOVERED

Ladun Liadi

September 28, 2023

$1.5m Buddha sculpture stolen from LA art gallery RECOVERED

A $1.5 million Buddha sculpture that was stolen from a Los Angeles art gallery last week has been recovered — and one man has been arrested in connection to the brazen heist, according to police.

$1.5m Buddha sculpture stolen from LA art gallery RECOVERED

The 250-pound bronze statue, which is hundreds of years old and hails from Japan, was discovered in a truck on Saturday, LAPD Lt. Ruiz told KTLA.

Justin Livick, 44 was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property. He’s since been released, cops said.

Police said it’s not clear if Livick was the thief who was caught on camera robbing the piece from Barakat Gallery in Beverly Grove or if he had purchased the stolen art.

No additional details have been released, the outlet said.

Security footage from the gallery shows the thief pull up to the gallery in a moving truck around 3:45 a.m. on Sept. 18, according to owner Fayez Baraka.

The driver steps out, busts open a driveway gate and enters the gallery, video shows. He then used a dolly to load the 4-foot-tall statue on the truck before driving off. The heist took just 25 minutes.A $1.5 million Buddha sculpture that was stolen from a Los Angeles art gallery last week has been recovered — and one man has been arrested in connection to the brazen heist, according to police.

Baraka told KTLA that the statue, which he acquired 55 years ago, dates back to Japan’s Edo Period (1603-1867). It is believed to have been commissioned for the centerpiece of a temple.

“Because it’s an ancient artifact, there’s nowhere where you can sell this piece,” he told the outlet after the theft. “You can’t go on the market. You can’t take it to a pawn shop and sell it for a few thousand dollars, it’s just not possible. So, it’s very interesting. It’s like a museum heist type thing where, what are you going to do with this object right now? We’re all very curious and really puzzled, to be honest.”

FCT, Edo, 23 states to experience 48-hour downpour – NiMET

Ladun Liadi

September 28, 2023

FCT, Edo, 23 states to experience 48-hour downpour - NiMET

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has notified the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Edo, Kwara, and 22 other states of 48-hour downpour beginning on Thursday.

In its weekly heavy rainfall forecast bulletin released on Wednesday, the agency told the residents to also expect flash floods.

Other states listed are Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Enugu, Delta, Bayelsa, Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kwara, and Benue.

The bulletin reads: “Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected within the forecast period (Thursday 28th and Friday 29th, September 2023) over parts of Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Enugu, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa.

Other States are: “Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kwara, Benue State and the Federal Capital Territory.”

The agency said other parts of the country will experience light to moderate rainfall.

On the likely impact of the rains, NiMet warned: “The expected moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to cause some flash flooding over their areas of occurrence.
“Strong winds should accompany the rains with the strongest winds expected over parts of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi State.”

The agency cautioned residents against driving through surface runoff waters, as they have strong undercurrents.

It identified slippery road surfaces and reduced visibility as other hazards that may be triggered by the downpour.

Covenant, UI, FUTA ranked BEST universities in Nigeria

Ladun Liadi

September 28, 2023

Covenant, UI, FUTA rank BEST universities in Nigeria

Covenant University, University of Ibadan and the Federal University of Technology, Akure have emerged top universities in Nigeria.

They secured the top ranking in Nigeria according to Times Higher Education’s 2024 rating.

Analysis of the latest ranking showed that Covenant University is among the top 1,000 universities in the world.

Though ranked first in Nigeria, Covenant University is placed within the global 801-1000 range.

Covenant University, a private-owned institution, stands at the top spot in Nigeria, while the University of Ibadan followed in second and FUTA emerged third.

The University of Lagos and the University of Bayero emerged fourth and fifth in Nigeria, respectively.

Others universities that achieve the top ranking is Nigeria include the University of Ilorin, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Afe Babalola University, University of Benin, Federal Univ of Agric, Abeokuta, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lagos State University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Port Harcourt.

Among the 15 top universities, nine are located in the South West, two in the South East, two in the South South, one in the North West and one in the North Central.

Woman kills husband with pestle in Ondo, son testifies

Ladun Liadi

September 28, 2023

Woman kills husband with pestle in Ondo, son testifies

The Ondo State Police Command, on Wednesday, said it had begun a manhunt for a middle-aged woman, Mrs Tayelolu Solomon, for allegedly killing her husband, Mr. Felix Solomon, in Ondo town of the state.

Tayelolu was reported to have hit her 67-year-old husband with a pestle last Saturday at the Government Reserved Area of the community while he was asleep.

Prior to the incident, it was gathered that the couple had been having a lingering crisis.

The son of the deceased, Ibukun Solomon, who witnessed the incident confirmed that his mother allegedly hit the head of his father while he was sleeping and ran away, saying the couple had a misunderstanding some hours earlier.

He narrated, “My mother killed my father with a pestle in my presence and took to her heels. She used the pestle to hit his head when he was asleep.

“Earlier on the fateful day, a minor argument had ensued between them that resulted in a fight. After the fight, my father went to lie on the chair and my mother hit his head with the pestle.

“He became unconscious in the process and fell down from where he was sleeping. My mother used the pestle to hit my father’s head three times and he later died.

“When my mother saw that my father was already unconscious, she hid the pestle at the back of our house and ran away.

“I alerted some of the residents, who rushed my father to the hospital. But he later died. His corpse has been deposited at the morgue. My mother had three children for my father and I’m the last child.”

The state Police Public Relation Officer of the command, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the incident said, the command would soon arrest the suspect. She said the deceased was quickly rushed to the hospital where he gave up the ghost.

“The incident happened last week when the couple had a fight but the suspect is currently at large. We are already on her trail,” the PPRO stated.

Murder suspect of female tech CEO, Forbes ’30 under 30′ Pava LaPere is arrested

Ladun Liadi

September 28, 2023

Murder suspect of female tech CEO, Forbes '30 under 30' Pava LaPere is arrested

The convicted felon suspected of murdering tech CEO Pava LaPere in her Baltimore apartment was arrested on Wednesday night, according to authorities and a report.

Jason Billingsley, 32, who was considered highly dangerous while on the run, was nabbed just after 11:10 p.m. in Bowie, Maryland after two days on the lam, according to a since-deleted tweet by the US Marshals Service in Baltimore.

Sources also confirmed to the local station Fox 45 News that investigators tracked the fugitive to the MARC train station on Laurel-Bowie Road, where they arrested him without incident.

Billingsley was named the sole suspect in the murder of LaPere, who was reported missing Monday and later found dead with blunt-force trauma to her head.

The 26-year-old founder of EcoMap Technologies, who was named on this year’s Forbes 30 under 30 list for social impact, was discovered badly beaten and partially clothed on the rooftop of her upscale Baltimore apartment building.

Billingsley is still on parole for a violent r3pe and assault of a 25-year-old woman in 2013.

Police warned the public to beware of the alleged killer — who is also a suspect in a horrific attack on a man and woman about a week before LaPere was found dead.

Billingsley is being eyed as the man who broke into the man and woman’s house, where he handcuffed and duct-taped them at gunpoint and then allegedly r3ped the woman before slashing her neck.

He then allegedly doused them in liquid and set them on fire — nearly killing them. A 5-year-old child who was in the home also suffered smoke inhalation.

“This individual will kill and he will r3pe. He will do anything he can to cause harm,” acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley cautioned.

Billingsley was released from prison on parole in October 2022 after serving nine years out of his 14-year sentence because he had amassed enough credit for good behavior to earn mandatory release, according to the Baltimore Banner.

He had pleaded guilty to first-degree s3xual assault for the 2013 attack and was sentenced to 14 years behind bars and another 16 years as a suspended sentence as part of a plea deal struck by the office of former DA Marilyn Mosby.

The judge at the time said he didn’t think the sentence was enough but allowed it as the victim didn’t want to testify at trial.

American Airlines flight attendant found dead with sock in her mouth in hotel room

Ladun Liadi

September 28, 2023

American Airlines flight attendant found dead with sock in her mouth in hotel room

An American Airlines flight attendant has been found dead.

She was found dead in a Philadelphia airport hotel room with a sock in her mouth, two days after she was supposed to check out.

The 66-year-old woman from Las Vegas was discovered unresponsive by cleaning staff at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott on Monday evening and medics pronounced her dead around 10:40 p.m.

There were no signs of forced entry or a struggle and no weapons were found inside the room, 6ABC reported, citing police sources.

Sealed prescription bottles were found inside the room, and investigators said she was on “several medications.”

A cause of death has not been determined, but she “suffered a sudden death,” Chief Inspector Scott Small told NBC10.

The woman’s identity has not been made public as autopsy results haven’t been released as of Wednesday.

Small said the woman’s death is considered “suspicious” and is being investigated by the police department’s Homicide Detectives Division.

A COUP was attempted in Burkina Faso on TUESDAY

Ladun Liadi

September 28, 2023

A coup was attempted in Burkina Faso on Tuesday but was foiled.

Burkina Faso’s security and intelligence services foiled a coup attempt on Tuesday, according to the country’s military government, BBC reports.

It alleged that officers and others had planned to destabilise the country and throw it into chaos.

It has been just less than a year since the interim President Capt Ibrahim Traoré seized power.

That was the country’s second coup of 2022 as it grapples with an Islamist insurgency.

In a statement read out on television, the authorities said some arrests had been made, without giving specific details.

There have been recent reports of discontent within the military.

On Tuesday, rumours of a brewing mutiny led hundreds of people to take to the streets of the capital, Ouagadougou, in support of the junta.

On the same day, the authorities suspended the French-language news magazine Jeune Afrique, accusing it of publishing articles discrediting the armed forces.

Videos: Naira Marley speaks on Mohbad, Sam Larry

Ladun Liadi

September 28, 2023

Naira Marley has finally shared his own side of the story on the death of late singer and ex-signee, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

In an interview, posted on the X handle of a Social Media Influencer, Reno Omokri last night, Naira Marley explained how he tried to get professional psychiatric help for the late singer and paid for scans.

Naira Marley also spoke about his relationship with Lagos socialite, Sam Larry as well as addressed other issues as regards the allegations levelled against him over Mohbad’s death.

Naira Marley also shared a video of his last conversation with late singer Mohbad, wherein, the deceased opened up about his struggle with suicidal thoughts.

Naira Marley said: “There was another time when I was in America and his girl called me to say he (mohbad) locked himself in the toilet and he wanted to kill himself or something like that. So, I called him from there and recorded the conversation, asking him: “Why do you want to kill yourself? You are a king, if your family is stressing you out(because this time, he was with his family) just tell them to chill, you can do what you want to do, do not stress yourself, if you kill yourself now, what do you want people to say.

“I was so concerned so I called him to try to give him rest of mind, if your family is stressing you out, leave.

“He wanted to commit suicide, in the video, I was just trying to find out what was wrong with him.”

Naira Marley reinstated his willingness to return to Nigeria to clear his name over allegations suggesting his involvement in his ex-signee Mohbad’s death if the Nigerian Police guaranteed his safety.

The videos…

I Tried To Get Professional Psychiatric Help For MohBad And Paid For Scans-Part 2 of The Naira Marley Interview pic.twitter.com/dOJ7xqFKJX
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) September 27, 2023

Video Of Me Talking MohBad Out of Committing Suicide After His Girlfriend Reported Him To Me. She Is Alive. Ask Her If This Is Fake-Naira Marley pic.twitter.com/ODDbINcFJI
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) September 27, 2023

Video: Woman allegedly kills step-son in Lagos

Ladun Liadi

September 27, 2023

Video: Woman allegedly kills step-son in Lagos

A woman has allegedly killed her step-son in Lagos.

The incident, reportedly happened at Abaranje, in Ikotun, Lagos state.

The sad news was shared by an X user, @Nwaadaz, on the platform formerly known as Twitter, no thanks to Elon Musk, who has been gradually erasing Twitter’s good memories.

Sharing the video, the user described the woman has been wicked, and also stated that, it won’t be the first time of her beating the young boy.

According to the user, the child’s offence according to the step mother is that, he disturbs her.

Captioning the video, where officers are seen trying to protect the culprit from the mob, he wrote;

”Video: Wicked Step mother killed her stepson in Abaranje ikotun Lagos and they wanted to go dump the boy before their neighbour caught them 💔it so heartbreaking 💔😭

She said that the child use to
disturb her … actually this not her first time of beating the boy like this”

Video: Wicked Step mother killed her stepson in Abaranje ikotun Lagos and they wanted to go dump the boy before their neighbour caught them 💔it so heartbreaking 💔😭
She said that the child use to
disturb her … actually this not her first time of beating the boy like this pic.twitter.com/xHTQhB2UuT
— Nwa ❤️ (@Nwaadaz) September 27, 2023

DSS arrests Shi’ite’s spokesperson at Kano Airport on way to Saudi Arabia

Ladun Liadi

September 27, 2023

DSS arrests Shi’ite’s spokesperson at Kano Airport on way to Saudi Arabia

The Spokesperson of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shii’tes, Malam Ibrahim Musa has been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS).

Journalists were told that Musa was arrested by the DSS, at the Aminu Kano International Airport on Wednesday morning, while on his way to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj.

In a statement issued by an official of the IMN; Abdullahi Usman, it was stated that no reason has been provided by the authorities for Musa’s arrest, and called for his immediate release.

According to the statement, Musa was known for his role in the call for the release of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky who was arrested by government in 2015 in Zaria, Kaduna State.

According to the statement , “Ibrahim Musa, who was with a family member Binta Sulaiman, was abducted by the Nigeria’s secret police, DSS, at the Aminu Kano International Airport early morning on Wednesday while on his way to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj (Umrah).”

“Meanwhile, no reasons have been provided by the authorities for his arrest even as he is known for his role in the call for the release of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky who was arrested at the wake of a clampdown and extrajudicial killing of about 1000 of his followers by the Nigerian government in 2015 in Zaria, Kaduna state.”

“He was part of the campaign that got the Federal High Court judgement ordering the release and compensation of Sheikh Zakzaky, the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, for which it is believed the security agents who lost in the case are displeased.”

“Human rights organizations, especially the Amnesty International (AI), had pressured the immediate past Governor of Kaduna state, Malam Nasiru Elrufai to publicly announce that his government had buried about 350 people killed in the extrajudicial killing in a mass grave at Mando village in Kaduna.”

“Ibrahim Musa is known to have been active in speaking against the acts of state terrorism, extrajudicial killings and marginalization of a minority group of Muslims by the Nigerian Government under President Muhammadu Buhari.”

“He placed his life on the line to ensure justice is done and thousands of those arrested following the state managed mass murder were released by the government using available judicial means.”

“We wish to call for the immediate release and safety of Malam Ibrahim Musa whose only crime is standing against genocide and disregard to law and order perpetrated by those in power under the Buhari regime.”

“We also wish to draw the attention of the authorities and other stakeholders to the dangers behind extending the murder activities in which innocent men, women and children were extrajudicially killed by the immediate past regime, to the current regime of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu.”

“We want to believe that the current government of President Bola Tinubu would not want to identify itself with the abuse of democratic tenets, human rights abuse and intimidation through genocide perpetrated by the immediate past regime. Hence, we reiterate the call for his immediate and unconditional release,” the statement added.

Darey Art Alade visits Sound Sultan’s grave

Ladun Liadi

September 27, 2023

Darey Art Alade visits Sound Sultan's grave

Nigerian singer and songwriter, Darey Art Alade, has visited his late friend, Sound Sultan’s grave.

Dare who at the moment is in the US, apologised to Sultan for visiting his grave late.

In a video shared on his page, Darey could be seen placing flowers at the burial site, and then breaking down in tears.

Captioning the moment, he wrote;

”Lanre, since your sudden departure, I’ve only just been able to visit your gravesite. Ma binu. You know how these things go. Farida and the kids miss you much. We all do in our own various ways. So much has happened since you left but we are still hanging in there. God be praised always 🌙 🤲🏾

Thinking of you bro @soundsultan 👑

Keep resting with the Angels 🕊️ 😇”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Darey Art Alade (@dareynow)

Lady hits the road with ”Looking For A Husband” placard

Ladun Liadi

September 27, 2023

Lady hits the road with ''Looking For A Husband'' placard

A lady has shocked many, after she stormed a major road with a placard that has the inscription ‘Looking For A Husband’.

Many men were shocked to see a lady beautifully dressed seeking for help with such.

As passers by expressed shock, some men were bold enough to move towards her and asked for her contact.

Though some of the men through their facial expressions, believe it’s a joke, as they mocked her, others including women left their jaws opened, as she proudly lifted her placard up to get her desired want.

Cool or Not cool?

Eid-el-Maulud: Jigawa declares Thursday holiday

Ladun Liadi

September 27, 2023

Eid-el-Maulud: Jigawa declares Thursday holiday

The Jigawa State Government has declared Thursday as a public holiday to mark 2023 Eid-el-Maulud celebration.

The Public Relations Officer, Office of the Head of Civil Service (HoS), announced this in a statement made available to Newsmen on Wednesday.

Ibrahim quoted the State’s Head of Service, Alhaji Muhammad Dagaceri as saying that the approval for the holiday was given by Gov. Umar Namadi of the state.

“I write to inform you that Government has declared 12th R/Awwal, 1445AH (28th September, 2023) as work free day to celebrate the Birthday (Maulud Nabiy) of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W),” Ibrahim quoted the HoS.

He said Dagaceri enjoined the workers and the entire Muslims in the state to be tolerant and prayerful for peace, tranquility and development.

The HoS also called on residents to use the period to pray for Allah’s protection and guidance for leaders in steering the affairs of the state and the nation at large.

Oshodi-Apapa: Truck drivers, touts dare Sanwo-Olu to evict them

Ladun Liadi

September 27, 2023

Oshodi-Apapa: Truck drivers, touts dare Sanwo-Olu to evict them

Despite an ultimatum by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State ordering sanity along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, truck drivers and touts, yesterday, dared the governor to evict them.

It will be recalled that Governor Sanwo-Olu, last Friday, carried out an inspection tour of the axis with an ultimatum to the truckers to vacate the road or face the consequences.

Despite the partial compliance on Monday, the traffic situation has worsened as touts returned to the Mile-2 axis unchallenged by the Police and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA.

The truck drivers, who claimed to have settled everyone involved in the traffic management along the route, are daring the Lagos State government to address the problem by tackling the root cause and other contributory factors, adding that truck drivers are human beings too.

We’re suffering untold hardship—Truck drivers

A truck driver, who identified himself simply as Abdullahi, said: “From the look of things, everyone is blaming truck drivers, who are suffering untold hardship on the road while the police, LASTMA, NUPENG officials and area boys, who extort us are left to continue with their exploitations on us on daily basis.”

Abdullahi, therefore, urged the state government to convene a meeting of all the parties involved in the management of the axis with truck drivers to find a lasting solution to the problem.

“I am appealing to the government to meet with all the parties to find a lasting solution, otherwise their current effort is like scratching the surface of the matter,” Abdullahi said.

He noted that most of the officials mentioned are living on the sweat of the truck drivers, who spend days under the sun and rain with harassment from the officials and area boys.

Touts return as Police, LASTMA look on
Some of the drivers, who spoke toVanguard on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the road has become their last bus stop as the government has refused to provide them with rightful places to park.

One of the drivers, who looked quite tired, asked our reporter if he thought that they were happy to work under the conditions they found themselves in.

The driver said: “Do you think that we are happy to work under this harsh condition without taking our bath for days and with harassment from area boys, Lagos State Transport Management Agency, LASTMA, Police and other security agencies?”
He lamented that it had been their wish that the traffic should flow but those in authority have refused to do something about the whole thing.

“Why have they refused to do something about the harassment and extortion by the various security agencies and area boys?” the driver queried.

Pressed by the reporter to say their expectation from the government, the young driver said: “You should ask the Nigeria Ports Authority, LASTMA, Police and area boys why the traffic is not flowing.

“They know why they are making everything difficult for us so that they can make more money daily.”

Source

Gunmen shoot three Nasarawa poly students

Ladun Liadi

September 27, 2023

Gunmen shoot three Nasarawa poly students

Nasarawa State Police Command, yesterday, confirmed that three students of the ISA Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic at the heart of the state headquarters, Lafia, were shot by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

The command also confirmed the abduction of a female student of polytechnic.

The Police Command, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, said the female student of the polytechnic was abducted during a robbery incident.

It was gathered that the three students shot were receiving treatment in the state-owned specialist hospital and are said to be in a stable condition while the abducted student, simply identified as Ajomuke, is an ND ll student of the Department of Science Laboratory Technology of the institution.

The male students shot during the raid were identified as Freedom Luka, HND l Public Administration; Ogwuche Janet, HND II Business Administration and Danlandi Nicholas of Management Department.

One of the female students, who narrowly escaped the robbery attack, who did not want her name mentioned, claimed that she was returning home when they heard sporadic shooting ahead of them and they were forced to make a U-turn and went to one of their colleagues’ house, where they hid.

She appealed to the security agencies to step up surveillance around the institution to forestall further attack on the students and other residents in the area.

Videos: Teens loot Apple store, targets iPhone 15

Ladun Liadi

September 27, 2023

Teens loot Apple store, targets iPhone 15

Some teens have targeted an Apple store just to loot the new iphone 15.

About twenty people have been arrested after widespread looting broke out in Philadelphia last night, with one woman who livestreamed the chaos.

Police in the city said that a large group of around 100 juveniles kept moving from store to store and looting them.

Videos shared on social media show officers attempting to grab thieves, some of whom are wearing Halloween masks, as they run riot through a Lululemon store.

One officer manages to hit one of the looters with a punch after managing to tackle them to the ground, in social media footage.

The incident happened on Walnut Street in the heart of the city center and also involved a nearby Foot Locker and Apple store.

Police in the city said that they had so far made between 15 to 20 arrests and recovered two firearms from the scenes.

Footage shows bikes and piles of merchandise piled up on the sidewalk outside of the Lululemon branch as officers arrived on the scene and started making arrests.

BREAKING: Reports of mass looting in Center City, Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/2qB2ozQqO1
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) September 27, 2023

Can you believe this is Philadelphia, USA?? Looters hit multiple stores & targeted the Apple Store for the iPhone 15 Pro Max & more. Cops finally stepped in to stop the loot #Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/aHOmfmLBcd
— Rosy (@rose_k01) September 27, 2023