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Strikes affect persons with underlying health conditions
Strikes affect persons with underlying health conditions -Diabetes Association
Health
By Christian Njoku
Calabar, June 4, 2024 (NAN) Persons Living with Diabetes in Nigeria on Tuesday complained of the effect of the nationwide indefinite strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress.
The strike, which began at midnight on Monday June 3, over a new minimum wage, has been total as offices, schools, airports and fuel stations have all been shut down in states across the country, while hospitals only offer skeletal services.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar, Mr Bernard Enyia
National Coordinator, Persons Living with Diabetes in Nigeria, said the strike may appear legitimate, those living with underlying health conditions like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases among others, were the ones bearing the brunt.
Enyia said the implication was that they could no longer access essential health care services making them breakdown with serious complications, risking avoidable deaths.
He said Nigeria as a sovereign nation had come of age and should not be resolving issues of wages through strikes.
“Each time we hear of strike, it sends shock waves through our spine because strikes are like weapons of mass destruction to us with underlying health conditions, and people with health emergencies, as we are left to our fate.
“We are angry with NLC and the Federal Government because the damage they are doing to those of us with underlying health conditions is terrible, so, we appeal that the strike be called off immediately.
“Instead of strikes, both parties should continue negotiations until they reach a balance because the action is endangering our lives, as we can’t access care,” he said.
Enyia added that whenever strikes were called off, families who lost their loved ones were not compensated by the Federal Government nor the labour unions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
CBN/IFY
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole
June 4, 2024
Customs confirms killing of rice smuggler in Badagry
Smugglers
By Raji Rasak
Badagry (Lagos State), June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has confirmed the accidental killing of a smuggler in the Badagry area of Lagos State.
The Public Relations Officer, FOU Zone A, Mr Theophilus Duniya, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Badagry.
Duniya said that a group of men armed with charms and machetes attacked the team while evacuating smuggled rice.
“They injured a customs officer in the face and a soldier on the leg.
“Our personnel, acting in self-defence, neutralised the leader of the gang to prevent him from inflicting more injuries on them.
“The gang leader was evacuated for immediate medical attention but unfortunately, died on the way to the hospital,” he said.
Daniya urged parents and community leaders to discourage their children from engaging in criminal activities that could put their well-being and other citizens at risk.
NAN reports that the incident occured on Sunday when the middle-aged smuggler and his gang allegedly attacked the customs officers.
It was learnt that the incident took place in Erekiti, a border town in the Badagry area, around 4 a.m.
NAN gathered from locals that the late smuggler, named Saka Wakilu, was the leader of the gang.(NAN)
ROR/CHOM/JNC
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
June 4, 2024
Liverpool medical school, Foundation train NPMCN examiners on obstetrics skills
Liverpool medical school, Foundation train NPMCN examiners on obstetrics skills
A section of participants at the training
Training
By Aderogba George
Abuja, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), an NGO, have commenced the second batch training of National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) faculty examiners.
Mrs Adanna Maduka, Director of Policy, Partnerships and Grants, WBFA, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
She said that the second batch training on Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills (AOSS) training for NPMCN faculty examiners commenced on Monday June 3, with 24 participants.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organisers held the first batch of the training in May.
The training is taking place the project’s Centre of Excellence at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Maduka said that the training was aimed at supporting the NPMCN faculty examiners in training resident doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology (OBGYN), as well as ensuring quality assurance, and evaluating programmes.
She quoted Dr Hauwa Mohammed, Country Director for LSTM Nigeria, as while encouraging participants to engage actively with the training assured them of an enriching training experience.
Dr Helen Allott, the Course Director, said the project was aimed at enhancing maternal and child healthcare outcomes across Nigeria.
Allott said that LSTM’s and WBFA’s were committed in strengthening the healthcare systems as well as to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in country.
“This effort underscores the partnering organizations’ response to Nigeria’s high maternal and neonatal mortality rates’’, he said.
According to Allott, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that Nigeria has the second-highest maternal death rate globally and one of the highest neonatal mortality rates in Africa.
She quoted the WHO as saying that Nigeria has 800 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and a neonatal mortality rate of 33 per 1,000 live births in 2019.
She said that by advancing AOSS competency-based curriculum for resident doctors in OBGYN at NPMCN, the partners aimed to ensure high-quality healthcare for mothers and newborns.
According to her, the course covers advanced techniques and best practices for managing obstetric and neonatal emergencies, directly contributing to improved healthcare delivery.
The project, according to her, is funded through the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP), supported by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
It is managed by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (@THETlinks) for the benefit of the UK and partner country health sectors. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
AG/KUA
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Edited by Uche Anunne
June 4, 2024
Afreximbank, APPO sign establishment agreement of Africa Energy Bank
Afreximbank, APPO sign establishment agreement of Africa Energy Bank
Agreement
By Okeoghene Akubuike
Abuja, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Africa Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) have signed the Establishment Agreement and the Charter of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB).
The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The event was hosted by Tarek El Molla, Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, a statement issued by Vincent Musumba, Manager, Communications and Events, Afreximbank, said on Tuesday.
Musumba said Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman, Board of Directors, Afreximbank, and Dr Omar Ibrahim, Secretary-General, APPO, signed the Establishment Agreement and the Charter of the Africa Energy Bank on behalf of their respective institutions.
He said the signing ceremony concluded two years of negotiations and preparations by the two parties, having signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2022 toward the establishment of the AEB.
Musumba said the AEB was created to address the impending funding crisis in the African oil and gas industry, triggered by the global energy transition.
“Traditional financiers, on whom Africa has relied for decades, are withdrawing support, particularly in Africa, citing climate change concerns as the primary reason.”
He said while the AEB’s focus would be funding oil and gas projects, it would not close its doors to renewable energy projects.
Musumba said AEB would strive to harness all forms of energy to ensure that Africa’s energy poverty was eradicated.
“Although started by Africa, shareholding is open to all investors who share the mission and vision of the bank”.
He said the AEB had been structured as an independent and supranational Pan-African energy development bank with an initial five billion dollars capital.
“With the signing of the establishment documents by the two founding institutions, at least two member countries now need to sign and ratify the establishment documents for the bank to take off.”
He said El Molla, who is also a member of the APPO Ministerial Council, was quoted as saying, “It is a great honour to witness the establishment of the AEB.
“This moment marks a significant milestone in our continent’s journey towards energy independence and sustainable development.
“By harnessing our collective resources and expertise, we are paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for all Africans”.
El Molla said the collaboration between Afreximbank and APPO was a testament to the two institution’s unwavering commitment to powering Africa’s growth and ensuring energy security for generations to come.
“ I am confident that this newborn institution shall grow to serve the cause of Africa and its people. I commend the negotiating team and on behalf of the APPO Ministerial Council, I congratulate the team.’’
Musumba quoted Oramah as saying, “today marks a historic day for our continent and we are honoured to have collaborated with APPO towards the establishment of the AEB.
“These are challenging times when we must strive to find the right balance between the imperatives of mitigating climate change.
“Also the urgency of averting social upheavals as a result of increasingly difficult economic and financial conditions in Africa.
“For us at Afreximbank, we are proud to be co-investing in this new vehicle and for taking the lead role in advising on the management and implementation process with the operational launch set to commence in July,” Musumba quoted Ibrahim as saying.
“The AEB is Africa’s response to the imminent funding challenge that the global paradigm shift from fossil fuels to renewable energies, euphemistically called the energy transition poses to the oil and gas industry in Africa”.
Ibrahim said for too long, Africa’s oil and gas industry had been dependent on extra-African funding.
“We came to take foreign financing of our oil and gas projects for granted until the advent of energy transition made us realise that those on whom we have depended for many decades have decided to abandon us.”
The Secretary-General argued that Africa cannot afford to abandon oil and gas in a hurry when it has the largest proportion of its population living without access to energy.
Ibrahim commended Oramah for his exemplary leadership and commitment to the cause of the African continent. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OKE/VIV
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu
June 4, 2024
Ipas urges FG to re-train health personnel on unsafe abortion
A group picture of some of the NAWOJ members who participated in the Ipas two-day sensitisation workshop on sexual and reproductive health rights organised for women journalists in Lagos on Sunday.

Abortion
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, June 4, 2024 (NAN) IPAs, an international group advocating safe abortion, has urged the Federal Government to equip and retrain health personnel on managing unwanted pregnancies to reduce maternal mortality in the country.
A Consultant to IPAs, Dr Akintunde Fehintola, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of sensitisation workshop on sexual and reproductive health rights organised for women journalists in Lagos.
Fehintola said that the re-training of health personnel would enhance safe termination of pregnancy for those who were within the legal indication, to avoid death as a result of unsafe abortion.
Fehintola urged the media to report on the burden and impact of unsafe abortions to reduce maternal mortality in Nigeria.
“Nigeria ranked second on the death of women during pregnancy according to a 2024 World Health Organisation Data on maternal mortality.
“Unfortunately, we have not been able to gain ground when it comes to unsafe abortion in Nigeria and that is what informed the new development of the strategy guideline for safe termination of pregnancy.
” A young girl who is raped and being pregnant, will not able to go back to school due to the unwanted pregnancy.
“If a woman is depressed due to unwanted pregnancy, the likelihood that such woman can kill herself is very high, such women need counseling.
“Also, we have women whose medical conditions can not allow them to carry pregnancy due to sickness; such a woman needs counseling instead of engaging in unsafe abortion with unsafe method,” said Fehintola, a Gynecologist with Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital.
Mr Lucky Palmer, Country Director, Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation (Ipas), urged government to respect the international statutes it signed to curb deaths from unsafe abortion.
Palmer said that many women who had been rape victims as well as women who could not carry the pregnancy due to health conditions could be prevented from trauma which might result in committing suicide.
“Women who were raped would not want to carry unwanted pregnancy. That will depress them emotionally, drain and make them become suicidal in the future.
“That is why we are saying that we should implore our governments to respect the international statutes that they had signed.
“To also respect the policy they had signed in Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act (2015) which addresses all forms of violence and ensures the protection of individual rights.
“This marks a significant step toward combating violence and providing legal remedies and justice for victims.
“THE VAPP Act eliminates violence such as psychological, sexual, emotional, physical and economic. The VAPP also provides effective remedies and ensures justice for victims.
“Anybody who has been or is constantly abused in a relationship and family members are aware, the law expects the family to report,” he said.
A Development Journalist and Gender Equality Advocate, Ms Ene Oshaba, appealed to journalists to engage in detailed reporting about sexual and reproductive health rights of women.
“We should be careful about judging people who have misconceptions about the sexual and reproductive health rights of women.
“It is not only men who stigmatise women. Women also stigmatise themselves due to level of information that they have,”Oshaba said.
She asked the media not to relent in their efforts to sensitise community leaders on preventing maternal mortality through unsafe abortion.
Ashaba urged NAWOJ to raise awareness as well as educate the public about the provisions and protections offered by the VAPP act. (NAN)www.nannnews.ng
AIC/ISHO/VIV
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Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Vivian Ihechu
June 4, 2024
Junkanoo festival: Country representative advocates peace to drive Nigerian culture

From left: Nigeria Country Representative, World Junkanoo Festival for Tourism and Culture (WJFTC), Prince Felix Ihonre; National Coordinator, Isoko-Urhobo Cultural Group, Apostle Abraham Ezaza and Coordinator, Kingdom Orpanage Home, Olamide Judith, during the news conference in Abuja on Monday (3/6/24).On the forthcoming World Junkanoo Festival for Tourism and Culture in Canada.
Culture
By Aderogba George
Abuja, June 4, 2024 (NAN) Amb. Felix Ihonre, Nigeria’s Country Representative for World Junkanoo Foundation and World Carnival Commission, has called for peace in order to drive Nigeria’s cultural heritage and harness its potential.
Ihonre made the call in Abuja on Monday at a news conference on the upcoming World Junkanoo Festival for Tourism and Culture, scheduled to hold in Vaughan City, Canada, from July 4 to 8, 2024.
The country representative, who said that the culture and tourism activities only thrived in a peaceful society, urged the government at all levels to intensify efforts in their fight against terrorism, kidnaping and other vices.
“I will like to say that since the inception of President’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, there had been a promotional atmosphere of culture and tourism activities in all parts of the country.
“And there is need to intensify the activities to make sure that culture thrives but I will tell you that culture and tourism activities cannot thrive in the mix of terrorism.”
Ihonre added that the cultural activities
could not thrive in the mix of violence atmosphere, hunger and poverty.
“That is why today we are happy to say that this present administration has really come up to say we want to fight terrorism and kidnapping. We want to fight every thing that serves as detriment to our cultural heritage.
“The first aspect of our cultural heritage is agriculture and farming. Food security becomes a problem in the country today because there is violence every where.
“Where farmers are supposed to go to farm, they are deprived to farm. This is why we are calling on both federal and state governments to intensify efforts in their fight and approach to reduce or eradicate completely the act of terrorism and kidnapping.
“Herdsmen/farmers crisis should be removed completely. I happen to come from Niger Delta and when there was crisis from Niger Delta, we stood by the then government and we embraced peace in NIger Delta.
“That was why Nigeria started to get good proceeds from the oil that is sustaining the country today. If the Niger Delta youths that have oil are saying yes to peace, northern youths should also embrace peace.”
He called on northern youths to end violence situation in the north, adding that they have capacity to do it.
According to him, when the youths work with this present administration, peace will reign and we will have more foods.
“I will tell you today that I happened to be somebody who grew up in Makurdi, Benue State. Yam happened to be one of our favourite foods, the so called ‘Opa’ happened to come from Benue, fruits and tomatoes that are feeding this country came from Benue State.
“But today, there is violence in Benue State. There is violence in Edo, Maduguri and Bauchi and the rest. Why don’t we call it short and sheath the guns, machetes and fear situation in the area.
“We are saying this because we want the next World Junkanoo festival to be hosted by Nigeria and we cannot host this programme, if there is no peace in this country.
“The whole world will not want to come to Nigeria if there is no peace in this country.”
The country representative said the upcoming Junkanoo festival would provide investment opportunities for Nigeria, saying that Nigeria’s cultural heritage would be showcased to attract people living abroad to invest in the country.
“The festival will provide us opportunities to have our pavilion and showcase Nigerian cultural heritage. This will attract many investors to come and invest in culture, tourism, sports and other sectors of Nigerian economy.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
AG/ADA
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab
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June 4, 2024
Alleged 2nd Niger bridge vandalism: Police begin investigation

Vandalism
By Monday Ajogun
Onitsha (Anambra), June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Anambra says it has commenced investigation into the alleged vandalism of the second Niger bridge that is linking Asaba and Onitsha in Delta and Anambra respectively.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Onitsha.
Ikenga said that he was yet to confirm the incident; I have not confirmed the incident, but we have escalated it to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to get the necessary information.
When asked about the 24 hours patrol launched on Aug. 4, 2023 by a Joint Task force of Anambra and Delta state Police Command as part of efforts to make the bridge safe for road users, he said that the operation was still ongoing.
He, however, said that he was yet to confirm if the video was a recent development or not.
NAN reports that a yet-to-be-identified man was seen in a viral video narrating how some rail fittings connecting the second Niger bridge was allegedly removed by some suspected scavengers.
When contacted on the development, Mr Uche Orji, the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, simply said that security action had been taken and he was not ready to disclosed further information.
Also speaking, Anambra Commissioner for Information, Mr Paul Nwosu, said that the incident of the alleged vandalism on the 2nd Niger Bridge had been brought to the attention of the Highway Department of the Federal Ministry of Works.
According to him, this is not to say that the state government is not concerned about the theft of those iron.
“Police is aware of the theft; before now, there has been an indication of nefarious human being looking to make away with those things.
“There has been a patrol of policemen along the bridge, you know these people; you won’t know where they are hiding to know if patrol has passed before they attack.
“One thing about criminals is that they are also members of our society.
“They know where you have security presence and where you don’t; immediately they noticed a kind of movement, they come out to do what they want to do.
“It’s not as if the security agencies are not on the alert, but just when it appears that they have moved to oversight in a different place, these thieves will strike.
“You know people who gathered condemn iron, but this one is not a condemn iron, this one is not a disposed iron.
“These are irons that are actively in use, to make sure that people enjoyed the brand new road that federal government put for us to enjoy, but security agencies particularly the police have been on patrol in that area,” he said.
The commissioner said that it had long been discovered that some thieves had been carrying out their nefarious activities on that bridge.
He said that a unit of mobile police would stationed on the bridge to forestall future occurrence. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AJOM/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
June 4, 2024
Landlord collapses, dies after argument with tenant over unpaid rent
Landlord collapses, dies after argument with tenant over unpaid rent
Argument
By Abiodun Lawal
Abeokuta, June 4, 2024 (NAN) A landlord, Benjamin Apeh, has reportedly died after he collapsed during an argument with his tenant over unpaid rent.
SP Omolola Odutola, the Public Relations Officer, Police Command, Ogun, in a statement on Tuesday in Abeokuta, said that the incident occurred on Sunday at Arigbabu Village, Sotubo in Sagamu local government area of Ogun.
Odutola said that a suspected murder case was reported on Monday at 5:00 p.m., by the daughter of the deceased, Precious Apeh.
According to the police spokesperson, the daughter of the deceased informed the police that her father had an argument with the tenant at 7:20p.m., on Saturday, over unpaid house rent.
Odutola said that Precious Apeh further told the police that at around 6:30 a.m., on Sunday, she heard her father again arguing with the tenant, who threatened to kill him.
” During the argument, Apeh collapsed and was rushed to NNPC Hospital, Mosimi, but was later confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
” The suspect fled the scene, but efforts are underway to apprehend him,” the police spokesman said.
Odutola said that the body of the deceased has been deposited at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) Morgue, Sagamu.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
LKA/AOS
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni

June 4, 2024
We’ll adhere to FG’s decision on state Police – I-G

L-R: AIG Zone 2 Durosimi Olatoye, DIG Abiodun Alabi and CP Adegoke Fayoade, during the DIG visit to Lagos Command on Monday (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Police
By Moses Omorogieva
Lagos, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olukayode Egbetokun says the force will abide by whatever decision the Federal Government will take on the issue of State Police.
Egbetokun disclosed this on Monday in Lagos State, through the Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police, South-West, Mr Abiodun Alabi, who was on a working visit to the state.
He said the force decided to explain its stand in view of many opinions and views the matter had generated.
The police chief advised officers and men to continue in their job as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution.
Egbetokun charged the men to be disciplined, hard working, respect human rights, and carry out their duties in the best professional ways.
He warned the personnel against misuse of firearms, stressing that such should be used responsibly in strict accordance with the law.
On the mental and physical health of the men, the I-G said the officer in Charge of Police Medical had been given orders to carry out mental and psychological test on personnel for better performance.
Egbetokun said the force was already working with some consultants on befitting accommodation for the officers and men, stressing that very soon, the personnel would access their own homes.
The police chief warned his officers and men against rivalry with other security agents, stressing that Nigeria police alone cannot provide the needed security for Nigerians.
He charge them to always work harmoniously with other security agencies, with a view to providing good security for all Nigerians.
On cultism in Lagos state, Egbetokun urged the men to be proactive by reaching out and engaging the youths in the areas of their command to lecture them on the dangers of cultism.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos state, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, who welcomed the DIG to the command, said all security architecture put in place in collaboration with stakeholders had brought down crime rate in the state.
“It is, however, gratifying to note that since the introduction of people centered, collaborative and co-operative, crime prevention strategies by the commissioner of police, crime and criminal activities in the state has reduced drastically.
“The strategies adopted include: prevention strategies e.g. (intelligence raids of criminal hideouts, cordon and search) etc. intelligence led policing.
“Use of modern technology device(s) (scientific aid) to track down dangerous criminals e.g. kidnappers, armed robbers, car hijackers etc. Extensive and Intensive Patrol and Community Policing Strategy amongst others,” he said.
The police boss in Lagos re-assured the visiting DIG that the current tempo in crime fighting would be sustained until the state is rid of all criminal elements.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DIG was in the command in Lagos, as first state in the South-West on his working visit.
He will be visiting six states in the region, a visit ordered by the I-G for all DIGs to carry out on-the- spot assessment in all commands. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
MIO/CHOM/VIV
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Vivian Ihechu

June 4, 2024
Police neutralises 2 suspected kidnappers in Plateau
Police neutralises 2 suspected kidnappers in Plateau
Kidnappers
By Polycarp Auta
Jos, June 4, 2024(NAN) The Police Command in Plateau has neutralised two suspected kidnappers and foiled a kidnap attempt in Bokkos Local Government Area of the State
DSP Alfred Alabo, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos on Tuesday.
Alabo said that the incident occurred on Monday morning.
”Yesterday, at about 5:30a.m., we received a distress call from a patriotic citizen that some hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers were operating in Fangha area of Daffo District, Bokkos LGA.
”Upon receipt of the tip-off, a team of Policemen and other security agencies swiftly rushed to the scene of the incident where they engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel
”In the process, two of the hoodlums were neutralised, while others escaped with bullet wounds.
”Exhibits recovered from the hoodlums include, one locally fabricated revolver gun loaded with four 7.62mm ammunition, two Phones, one dagger and a knife,” he said.
The police spokesman said that a manhunt had been launched to apprehend the fleeing gang members. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AZA/AOS
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni
June 4, 2024