Blog

NAN-H-47
Security
By Martha Agas
Jos, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) The Operation Safe Haven Special Task Force in Plateau says it will engage the services of the Nigeria Prisons Service dogs in its activities.

Maj.- Gen. Nicholas Rogers, the Commander of the taskforce, made this known when he visited the Controller of the Prisons in Plateau, Mr Noel Ailewon, in Jos.

Rogers said that the dogs would be used in intelligence gathering and arrest of suspects, adding the dogs were good tool for curtailing vices such as drug peddling and weapon concealment.

“There are security issues of concern like drug use and hawking, illegal possession of weapons and so many other vices affecting the society, these dogs can help us meet up the challenges.

“We want to collaborate with the Nigeria Prisons to see how we can deploy these dogs as part of our security machinery to be able to gather more intelligence and make useful arrests,’’ he said.

Rogers said the taskforce would continue to sustain the relative peace enjoyed in the state through the collaboration with sister security agencies like the Police, DSS and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

In his remarks, Ailewon pledged to cooperate with all security agencies in the state toward enshrining lasting peace in the state.

He said that the dogs were used as deterrents against prison escape in the night among the 976 inmates of the prison.

The controller said that 545 of the inmates have been convicted while the others were awaiting trial.

He urged the state government to employ the prerogative of mercy in granting amnesty to inmates qualified through their conducts.

NAN reports that a novelty match between the prison inmates and the Special Task Force team was organised in honour of the STF commander with Task force winning 2 -1

The prison inmates also displayed their arts and craft products during the event.
MAA/IS/OFN
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz//Felix Nwadioha

NAH-S-5

Players

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Abakaliki, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) Former players of Rangers International FC of Enugu have pledged to assist the club to succeed in next season’s CAF Champions League campaign.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Rangers beat El-Kanemi of Maiduguri 4-0 on Sunday to win the Nigeria Professional Football League diadem since 1984, when they won the trophy last.

The ex-players in separate interviews with NAN on Tuesday in Abakaliki, said they would offer technical assistance to the team to ensure the club retained the league trophy.

According to them, the gesture will boost the effort of the club to win next season’s CAF champions league competition.

Vincent Okpalaka, a defender who played for the club between 1993 and 1998, said the ex-players in their monthly forum, had resolved to assist the club to achieve domestic and continental successes.

The player, popularly called ‘Amani’ in his heydays, added that the ex-players might not offer monetary assistance, due to prevailing economic challenges but would readily offer technical input, if needed.

“Retaining the league title and winning a continental trophy evoke additional pressure on teams and we have the needed experience of having played in the continent with the team,” he said.

Edmund Ndukanma, another defender, who played for the club between 1990 and 2000, hailed the players for breaking the jinx, noting that they had written their names in the history of the club.

Ndukanamma, popularly called ‘Udo-(Elastic rope) in his playing days, said that the former players might not be the best individually but were the best in terms of team cohesion since 1984.

“Most of us are still part of the team as our leader Christian Chukwu is the team’s technical director.

“I will be doing my coaching course attachment with the club for three months, among other ex-players,” he said.

Phinan Ozonweke, who played for the club between 1991 and 1997 and captained the club between1995 and 1997, advised the team’s technical crew to retain the bulk of the current players and fortify areas of weakness.

The player, called “Ishawuru” during his hey days said that the ex-players could be involved in the team’s preparations for next season, to ensure that the continuity mantra was sustained.

“We also plead with the government and other club’s benefactors to remember us in this period of reward because we contributed toward its stability.” he said. (NAN)

RCO/DUA/SN

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(Edited by Dada Ahmed, controlled by Silas Nwoha)

Workers in Ebonyi resume duty after Independence Anniversary holiday

NAN-H-40

By Uchenna Ugwu

Resumption

Abakaliki, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) Workers in both government and  financial institutions in Ebonyi on Tuesday resumed work after the public holiday declared by the Federal Government to mark Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the state secretariats at the Unity Square and Centenary City, Abakaliki, reports that many civil servants were at their various duty posts.

The civil servants who spoke to NAN expressed their resolve  to re-dedicate themselves to offering quality  services at their respective government ministries, departments and parastatal agencies.

One of the respondents, Mrs Charity Ewurum, said it was her personal decision to contribute positively to the growth  and development of  the state  to enable the governor deliver democracy dividends to the people.

She commended the governor,  Chief David Umahi for announcing  the five per cent increment in  workers’ salaries and release of promotions.

“Personally, I pledge to be more alive to my duty and responsibility and  I also know that  my desire for quality service delivery is needed for the growth of the state. ‘’

Also speaking, Mr Lawrence Okoro and James Nweze , commended the governor for approving the pay rise, adding that it  will boost  workers’ morale  and commitment to duty.

Another civil servant, Mr Ugo Nwafor, stressed the need for training and re-training in order to enhance workers’ productivity.

“Computers, machines and other gadgets are maintained by regular servicing. Likewise workers need training and re-training for higher productivity.”

Mr Leonard Nkah, President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ebonyi Chapter, who also spoke, commended workers for reporting promptly to duty after the holiday.

He said that workers should show more commitment to duty in appreciation of the governor’s good disposition towards the work force.

Nkah said that besides workers, the governor needs the cooperation of all in order to fast-forward development in the state.

NAN recalls that Gov. David Umahi had on October 1, 2016 at the 56th Independence Anniversary and 20^th Anniversary of creation of Ebonyi announced five per cent increase of workers’ salaries and release of promotion arrears. (NAN)

UVU/OSA/OU

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Edited by Shittu Obasa/Obike Ukoh

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NAN-H-42

Stealing

By Deborah Akpede

Lagos, Oct.  4, 2016 (NAN) Three persons,  including a 51-year-old female, were on Tuesday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing drinks valued at N4 million.

The accused, Adewale Akinremi, 39; Adebayo Akinfenwa, 32 and Anah Ushie (female), 51, were charged with conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 17, 2016, at Apapa, Lagos.

He said that the accused conspired to steal Orijin Beer and Malta drinks valued at N4, 184, 483, property of Transnational Haulage Ltd.

“The first accused, Akinremi, who is a driver of the company conspired with others to steal his company products,” Ogu said.

According to him, the first accused diverted a truck loaded with 10 pallets of drinks to another destination.

“He took the truck full of Guinness products to another customer and he came to the office to abandon the truck and absconded with the sales money.

“Information got to the company that the first and second accused persons were seen offloading the products to the third accused who is a drink seller,” he said.

Ogu said that the offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 285 provides that if convicted of the offence, the accused is liable to three years imprisonment.

The Magistrate, Mrs T. Akanni, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N1.2 million each after they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Akanni also ordered that the accused should produce two sureties each.

He adjourned the case till Nov. 21. (NAN)

DOA/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-H-41
Rights
By Ajayi Toba
Ilorin, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) An Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Mrs Bola Ake, has called for the arrest of careless parents as a means of protecting child rights in the country.

Ake, who gave the advice when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Tuesday, said government should be rigid on parents in order to protect child rights.

She said most parents were careless in handling their children, resulting into the high rate of child abuse in the country.

“Most parents shows non-challant attitude toward their children and go scot-free in Nigeria unlike advanced countries where effective child rights law are in place,” Ake said.

The lawyer called on the government to arrest parents of children found roaming about the street aimlessly to serve as a deterrent to other parents.

Ake urged the Integrated Child Protection Scheme to ensure the protection of child rights and keep children safe from risks of childhood.

“Human rights applies to all age groups, children respectively have the same human rights as adults,” she said.

Ake also advised parents to take appropriate care of their children and ensure they impacted good morals of life in them. (NAN)

LEX/ORO/OFN
Edited by Razak Owolabi//FElix Nwadioha

NAN-H-8
Driver
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday slammed a N250,000 bail on a driver, Jimoh Taylor, who allegedly inserted his fingers into the private part of a minor.

The Magistrate, Mr T.A. Elias, granted the accused bail after he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Elias ordered the accused to produce two sureties as a condition for the bail.

He adjourned the case to Nov. 30 for mention.

Taylor, a resident of Isheri Osun area of Lagos, is being tried for indecent treatment of a child.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Rapheal Donny, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Aug.25 at his residence.

He said the accused unlawfully and indecently romanced the breast and private part of an eight-year-old girl.

“The accused romanced the victim’s breast and also inserted his fingers in her private part,” he said.
Donny said the accused went to buy something in a chemist at the victim’s house and lured the girl with a N10.00 biscuit.

“The accused came to a chemist in front of the victim’s house; he approached the girl who was playing and gave her a biscuit.
“He persuaded her to follow him to his house to collect money, to which the victim complied.
“On getting to his room, he removed the victim’s clothes, placed her on his chair with her legs wide open and romanced her private parts.
“An informant, who saw the whole scene, quickly informed the sister of the girl, and both rushed to the house of the accused,” he said.

The offence, Donny said, contravened Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 135 provides that if convicted of the offence, the accused is liable to seven-year imprisonment. (NAN)
DOA/FLP/BOS
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye, controlled by Dele Bodunde

NAN-H-4
Acid
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) For allegedly threatening to bathe a pastor with acid and destroying his church, a 40-year-old Muslim cleric, Saheed Gbadamosi, was on Tuesday hauled up before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

A resident of Aboru area of Iyana-Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, Gbadamosi, is being tried for breach of peace, assault and threat to life.

According to the prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu, the accused committed the offences on Sept. 4 at his residence.

He said the accused with others still at large conspired and  assaulted  Pastor Emmanuel Ugbo by beating him, destroying church property and threatening to pour acid on him.

“The accused and his accomplices beat up the complainant and damaged four chairs valued at N4,000 and mixer valued at N35,000 being church property.

“The accused and others also threatened to bathe him with acid if he refused to stop converting his `clients’ to his church.”

Nwosu said  the accused stormed the complainant’s church with hoodlums armed with different types of dangerous weapons and attacked the complainant.

“The complainant was in the fellowship  with his members when the accused stormed the church with hoodlums carrying iron rods, sticks and other dangerous weapons.

“The accused obstructed the complainant from performing his duty as a pastor by chasing away all his members before descending on him,” he told the court.

The offences, Nwosu said, contravened Sections 56, 166, 170 and 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused may be sentenced to a minimum of three years imprisonment on conviction, according to the Criminal Law.

The accused pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mr A.A. Adesanya, adjourned the case to Oct. 10 for mention. (NAN)
DOA/DA
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Edited & controlled by Dele Akinsola

NAN-H-39
Rioting
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) The police on Tuesday arraigned 10 men in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for rioting, assaulting and damaging people’s property,

The accused persons were; Umar Zakari, 18; Babagida Malami, 20; Babagida Sani, 22; Salisu Auta, 33; Aminu Nuhu, 32; Ezekiel Yahaya, 29;  Bala Yau, 30; Mohammed Bello, 45; Shefiu Halidu, 22; and Aji Rabiu, 29.

The accused are being tried for breach of peace, conspiracy, rioting assembly, damage and assault.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Michael Unah, told the court that they committed the offences on Sept. 6 and  Sept. 7 at Abattoir Animal Market, Agege.

He said that the they conspired to riot, disturb the peace and damaged property of the residents of the area.

“The accused persons conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause fear by attacking the innocent residents of the area with dangerous weapons,” he said.

Unah said that there was a disagreement between the two factions of the accused over demolition of some structures which resulted into a fight.

“The two factions had an argument which degenerated into a fight, and they stormed the area with cutlasses, knives, sticks, iron rods and other dangerous weapons,” he said.

The prosecutor also told the court that the accused damaged several vehicles and used the avenue to rob people of their belonging.

Prosecution said the offences contravened sections 50, 166, 348 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, which on conviction attracts between three and seven years jail term for offenders.

The accused persons pleaded innocence of the offences and were granted bail each in the sum of N50,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mrs O A. Gbajumo adjourned the case till Oct. 10 for mention. (NAN)
DOA/TO/OFN
Edited by Tola Okinbaloye//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-DS-1

Confirmation

By Mohammad Tijjani

Kaduna, Oct 4, 2016, (NAN) The Police Command in Kaduna State on Tuesday, confirmed the kidnap of the immediate past Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurentia Mallam and her husband, Mr Pius.

The Command’s spokesman, ASP Aliyu Usman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that the two were abducted along Bwari/Jere axis on Kaduna-Abuja highway on Monday evening.

Usman said that the abductors took away the former minister and her husband, but spared their driver unharmed.

He assured that the Police was tracking down the perpetrators and would ensure the release of the victims unharmed.

Sources indicated that the abductors had reached out to the minister’s family demanding for ransom.

The command’s spokesman, however, said the police was not aware of any demand by the abductors.

“All what we are doing is to see that the victims are freed from captivity and returned to their home unhurt,” Usman said.(NAN)

TJ/DUA/MZA

Edited by Dada Ahmed and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed
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NAN-H-7
NACAN
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) The National AirTraffic Communicators Association of Nigeria (NACAN) says the inadequate number of its personnel for operations in the country’s 24 functional airports is worrisome.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NACAN’s President, Mr George Nkambo, spoke at the association’s fourth general meeting in Lagos on Tuesday.

Nkambo disclosed that there were only 97 trained and licensed communication personnel nationwide, which was grossly inadequate to cover operations across the nation’s airports.

According to him, the management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) did not employ personnel into the department between 1989 and 2012.

He, therefore, appealed to the management to approve the basic training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology for officers to be properly integrated into the mainstream.

According to him, this will assist in addressing the acute manpower shortage in the department.

Nkambo said that NAMA, as an air navigation service provider, had the responsibility of rendering its task with high sense of professionalism as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) annexes.

The NACAN president also decried the inability of his members to attend mandatory local and foreign courses to build their capacity due to lack of funding by management.

He explained that air traffic communication was an important part of air traffic service in NAMA as spelt out in ICAO Annex 10 volume II, which was necessary for exchange of air traffic service messages.

Nkambo, however, commended the NAMA’s management for converting some personnel from within the agency who applied for conversion after meeting the requisite criteria, into the department.

The NACAN president also called for provision of modern facilities across the airports to improve the safety of air navigation in the country. (NAN)
ASO/AOM/SOA
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(Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed and Controlled by Oluwole Sogunle)