Author: Isah Mukhtar

NAN – H –40

Attack

Lokoja, Feb. 10, 2017 ( NAN) Some gunmen in the early hours of Friday, attacked a police station at Eika community in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi, killing two policemen and a detainee.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) gathered that the bandits invaded the police station at about 1 am and immediately opened fire on policemen on duty, killing them, alongside a detainee

The heavily armed hoodlums, said to be about 10, later set the station ablaze and proceeded to the house of  Mr Sadiq Obomi, Chairman, Eika Community Development Association, and killed him.

The State  Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdulahi Chafe, confirmed the incident , promising to provide details later.

However, a resident of Eika community who is also a member of a local vigilante group, told NAN that the gunmen came in two vehicles and started shooting into the air as they made their way to the police station.

He said that the gunmen later escaped after the operation, which he said, lasted almost two hours.

Security men have been deployed to the community to maintain peace. ( NAN)
KKA/ASH/ASH
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Tight security in Yenagoa as Osinbajo visits Bayelsa

NAN-DS-2

Security

By Nathan Nwakamma

Yenagoa, Feb. 10, 2017 (NAN) Security has been beefed up in Yenagoa, as the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, visits Bayelsa on Friday in continuation of  his fact-finding tour of the Niger Delta region.

Armed soldiers, policemen and the  Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel deployed for duties  were visible on the streets and strategic parts of the Yenagoa, the state capital.

Traffic was diverted from the roads leading to Bayelsa Government House, Ovom area, where Prof. Osinbajo is expected to hold an interactive session with stakeholders on the ongoing peace process in the region.

Pedestrians were, however, allowed to pass through the road after screening by security operatives.

The Bayelsa Police Command`s Spokesman, DSP Asinim Butswat, told NAN on Friday that the command was adequately prepared to make the visit hitch-free and warned miscreants to keep away from venue of the interactive session.

“Attendance is strictly on invitation.

‘‘The Command therefore advises all law abiding citizens to go about their lawful and legitimate businesses.

“The gathering of people not invited for the programme at any point within the state will not be tolerated, as adequate security measures have been put in place to curtail activities of miscreants,” Butswat said. (NAN)
NN/MOL/OU
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Obike Ukoh
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Gun men kill 3 , kidnap 1 in Lagos
NAN-H-155
Kidnap
By Moses Omorogieva
Lagos, Feb. 9, 2017 (NAN) Some unknown gunmen on Thursday killed three persons kidnapped another at Isheri Housing Estate, Isheri North, Lagos State.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, said about 20 gunmen stormed the area at about 1.00 am and unleashed terror on the residents.

The police commissioner identified the kidnapped person as Mr Dayo Adekoya, secretary of the housing estate, while the three persons killed were local security men guarding the premises.

According to Owoseni, the security men were killed in an attempt to prevent the hoodlums from escaping after they had abducted Adekoya.

The police boss said efforts were on to rescue the kidnapped victim and arrest the suspects.

Owoseni appealed to the public to provide the police with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects. (NAN)
MIO/WOJ

(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

French navy vessel visits Nigeria

NAN-H-109
Navy
by Henry Oladele
Lagos, Feb. 9, 2017 (NAN) A French Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), Commandant L’ Herminier, on Thursday called at the Nigerian Naval Dockyard in Lagos, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Lt.-Com. Mathias Canone, who led the French naval team, told journalists that the two-day visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation between the navies of both countries.

“We will be cooperating in safety exercises as well as diving and running of different techniques for boarding,” said the visiting French navy commander.

Receiving the vessel and crew members, Rear-Adm. Ferguson Bobai, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, said the visit showed the existing cordial bilateral relationship between Nigeria and France.

Bobai said that the navy would continue to improve on the strong partnership between the two countries.

“The visit is a welcome development which demonstrates the existing bilateral cooperation between the two navies.

“This will also give us the opportunity to tap from their experience in training our men in some areas,” Bobai said. (NAN)

HOB/WOJ
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(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-69
Vandalisation
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Feb. 9, 2017 (NAN) An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, released three men, who allegedly vandalised NNPC pipelines and siphoned Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on bail in the sum of N500,000 each.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Y.O. Aje Afunwa,who gave the ruling, directed the accused to provide two sureties each in like sum, who must be gainfully employed with an evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
‎
The accused;  Oluwatobi Obosi, 22, a barber, Francis Cyprian, 25, and Olatoye Semiu, 35, both labourers, are all residents of Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

The trio are standing trial on a two-count-charge of conspiracy and bunkering

The Police Prosecutor, Insp Peter Nwangwu, said the accused and others now at large, committed the offences at Ola-Imam community in  Igbo-Olomu area of Ikorodu, Lagos, on Feb. 15, 2016

Nwangwu alleged that the accused, aided some unknown oil thieves, who were currently at large too, to vandalise the NNPC pipelines.

He said the accused persons also siphoned, diverted and prevented the distribution of large quantities of PMS meant for Lagos State.

“They diverted the said products from the waterside to the upland and sold the product at the rate of N100 per 50 litres.

“Information reached the police at Owutu Division, Ikorodu and the accused were apprehended  and transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Ikeja, Lagos,” Nwangwu said.

The offences contravened Section 2 of the Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, Cap. 12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2011.‎

The Chief Magistrate adjourned the case to March 29 for proof of evidence. (NAN)

LAW/ORO/YEMI

Edited by Razak Owolabi/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN-H-5

Installation

Awka, Feb. 8, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Anambra has said that one out of eight commercial vehicles has installed the Speed Limiting Device.

The Sector Commander, Mr Sunday Ajayi, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Thursday

Ajayi said the command had carried out routine checks on vehicles across the state to ascertain the level of compliance by motorists since the enforcement began on Feb. 1.

The sector commander described the compliance rate as dismal, and urged motorists to install the device to reduce road accidents in the state.

Ajayi stated that the FRSC was working assiduously to mitigate carnage associated with road crashes, saying that researches had shown that 50 per cent of accidents was caused by speeding.

‘‘We have been enforcing compliance since Feb. 1 when the policy came into effect.

‘‘I must tell you that we discovered that only one out of every eight vehicles inspected have installed the device; this is by all standard poor.

‘‘We are unwavering in our commitment to enforcing the Speed Limiting device policy as available statistics show that 50 per cent of road crashes is caused by speeding,’’ he said.

According to him, to detect whether vehicles have installed the device is simple as it could be verified online using their plate numbers.

Ajayi advised vehicles owners to go to the vendors and buy their device and install them, stressing that non-compliance with the directive was an offence.

He also urged passengers to complement the efforts of the FRSC by encouraging drivers to install the device for the safety of commuters. (NAN)

APC/MOL/OFN
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-148
Crisis
Lokoja, Feb. 8, 2017 (NAN) Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Kogi, has waded into the crisis between Gov. Yahaya Bello and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Mr Ephraim Medupin, the state chairman of IPAC, told newsmen on Wednesday in Lokoja said the group could no longer fold its arms and allow the masses bear the brunt of the crisis.

He said that the role of IPAC was to improve the deteriorating relationship between the governor and the party that produced him.

He said that the criticism of the governor by some APC stalwarts in Abuja on Jan 27 when Bello was celebrating his one year in office in Lokoja was and indication of the sour relationship between them.

“The electorate must be spared from further distress and avoidable harassment arising from the crisis,” he said.

Medupin said that IPAC would not be party to any crisis capable of breaching the peace and stability of the state.

He urged the warring factions to embrace the opportunity of alternative dispute resolution being offered by IPAC.

He said that the state IPAC in collaboration with its national headquarters, would fashion out ways to reconcile Bello and the leadership of the APC in Kogi.

Medupin appealed to the governor and the leadership of the party in the state to sheath their sword and seek the assistance of the national leadership of the party to resolve their differences.

He warned against attempt by a section of the party to pull the down the government. (NAN)
KKA/AEA
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NAN-H-114
Suit
By Kola Adeyemi
Lokoja, Feb. 8, 2017 (NAN) The industrial dispute between the Kogi State government and 142 of its workers placed on compulsory leave without pay since 2011 has taken a new turn with the workers dragging the government before the National Industrial Court.

Documents made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Wednesday indicated that the case was filed in the Abuja division of the court on behalf of the workers by the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical And Recreational Services Employees ( AUPCTRE).

The affected categories of workers were with the Kogi State Transport Company Ltd when they were summarily asked to proceed on compulsory leave without pay since June 30, 2011.

The circular conveying the government decision was signed by the General Manager of the company, Mr Augustine Tokula.

Other defendants in the suit with reference number NICN/ BJ/89/2017 filed before the court on Feb. 7 by their counsel, Mr Aduojo Abah, are the state attorney-general and the Kogi State Transport Company Ltd.

Abah, in the statement of claim, is asking the court to compel the state government to pay N388.4 million to the 142 workers, being arrears of their salaries and allowances from Aug. 2011 to Dec. 2016.

Abah is also seeking the court’s order to compel the state government to the payment of N4.8 million monthly to the workers with effect from January, 2017 till the final determination of the suit.

He also requested the court to compel the defendants to immediately allow the workers to resume their duties in the transport company, declaring that their employments still subsist and can only be determined by strict compliance with extant labour laws.

Apart from these reliefs, Abah is demanding N10 million as damages for his clients from the defendants.

All the defendants have 14 days to respond to the complaints lodged against them. (NAN)
KKA/PIO
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(Edited by Idonije Obakhedo)

NAN-H-‎100
Defilement
By Opeyemi Aremu
Lagos, Feb. 8, 2017 (NAN) A 28-year-old man, Chikaodiri Agwu, who allegedly defiled a minor,  on Wednesday appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on a count charge.

Agwu, a resident of Ajakaiye Street on Onipetesi Estate, Mangoro area of Lagos, was charged with having sexual intercourse with his 9-year-old female neighbour.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that ‎the accused committed the offence at his residence on Jan. 16.
‎

She said the accused took the girl to his apartment and had carnal knowledge of her in contravention of Section 139 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.‎
‎

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty, and was granted bail by Chief Magistrate Ipaye Nwachukwu in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.‎

Ipaye held that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused, while the other must be a community leader or cleric with evidence of tax payment.

She adjourned the case till March 30 mention. (NAN)

OPA/MOL/IGO
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(Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Ijeoma Popoola)

Forbid students from writing external exams, Director advises Nasarawa Govt.

NAN-H-68
Students
By Olukayode Babalola
Lafia, Feb. 8, 2017 (NAN) The Director, Al-Iman Islamic Schools, Lafia, Dr Muhammad Sani-Idris, has advised the Nasarawa State Government to forbid students from writing any external examinations until they complete the required educational calendar.

He gave the advice in Lafia in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday during a visit to one of the Al-Iman Islamic Schools.

Sani-Idris said unplanned writing of Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) and other examinations by students, who were yet to complete the necessary education calendar often lead to disaster.

‘‘One of the major problems of education is the absence to the adherence to government policy on education.

‘‘Education policy in Nigeria denotes that you will not be given secondary school certificate till you complete the 6-3-3-4 process.

‘‘But some parents will take their children to school just to ask them to go and write West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations without offering them the chance to go through the leaning process required to sit for such examinations.

‘‘We are appealing to Nasarawa State Government and Commissioner for Education to make sure that nobody is allowed to write WAEC and other examinations until such person undergoes the due process of learning as directed by the policy of education in Nigeria,’’ he said.

The educationist also lamented the lack of adequate support from the government, thereby appealing for more encouragement to private institutions like Al-Iman to help eradicate illiteracy in the state.

‘‘It is not out of place to say that Nigeria is bedevilled by insecurity and for insecurity to be eradicated, handsome numbers of our youths need to be educated.

‘‘Government should look at us as people who also contribute to making sure that Nigeria is secured.

‘‘Should you come to Al-Iman and learn the correct teaching of Islam; you will not kill a non-Muslim but rather look at him as a brother, as a friend and extend hands of friendship.

‘‘Government should offer grants to schools like Al-Iman to help nurture our children to be great leaders of tomorrow,’’ he said.

Sani-Idris also revealed that he was in the state to quell rumours that the former Principal of Al-Iman School in Lafia, Ustaz Rufai Tijani, had been sacked and to find a new head for the school that will take it to greater height.

‘‘People are saying that Ustaz Rufai has been relieved. That is not correct. He actually has been elevated and promoted.

‘‘We decided to promote him as the supervisor of all our schools where he will be going around to see what is happening academically,’’ he added.

The Al-Iman administrator revealed that a new principal, who is versed in Arabic and English languages, will soon be employed to fill the vacant position left by the former head. (NAN)
OB/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide