Unidentified man reportedly slumps, dies while jogging in Aba

An unidentified man reportedly slumped and died while jogging at Brass Junction in Aba, Abia State.
 

According to a staff nurse, Chioma Ofuche, who shared the photos on Sunday, March 16, the young man was brought to her hospital were he was confirmed dead. No form of identification was found on him. 

 

"Attention Attention Attention!!! This guy here was brought to my hospital this morning by some groups of boys they said he slumped at brass junction while hugging by the time he was brought to the hospital he was already dead now no identify please if this post get to your forward it to other people for clam's the body is still at brass junction now" she wrote.

Driver shot dead as gunmen abduct 13 passengers in Nasarawa

A driver identified as Adamu Usman has been confirmed dead after being shot by gunmen who abducted 13 passengers along Shafa-Abakpa -Umaisha road in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Usman was shot thrice on the abdomen and died while being treated at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital on Tuesday night.

Another driver, Ibrahim Saidu who recounted how the incident occurred told Daily Trust that it took place around 5pm.

He said the vehicles which were conveying passengers from Ugya to Abaji and Toto town, said they were attacked by kidnappers who emerged from the bush in large numbers. Saidu said the kidnappers surrounded the vehicles after the driver lost control and whisked away 13 passengers. 

The driver said; 

“In fact, I was driving behind the four vehicles in front of me, but it was God that saved when I stopped at one of the village to pick a passenger. As I was coming, I heard gunshot and immediately made a U-turn."

Iniubong Umoren: Third suspect shielded, slain job seeker’s sister raises alarm

Miss Ifiok Umoren, the elder sister to the slain job seeker, Iniubong Umoren, has raised the alarm over an alleged shielding of the third suspect, Emem Emmanuel, who was allegedly instrumental to the death of her sibling.

The Akwa Ibom State police Command had on Friday last week paraded two suspects who were Uduak Akpan and his father, Mr Frank Akpan over their alleged involvement in the murder case of Umoren at the force headquarters, Ikot Akpabia, Uyo.

But, Ifiok became worried that Emmanuel who according to her, began the process of luring her sister through his Twitter handle was not paraded alongside other two suspects at the police station.

She said Emmanuel was the person who invited her sister through his Twitter handle, adding that the suspect after giving the sister hope over the phone, dropped Uduak Akpan’s number for her to call.

“The suspects that was arrested were three but they paraded only two which I have asked why they did not parade the third person, they said that there is an investigation that is ongoing now and they are yet to confirm the third person if he was part of them.

“I now told them that even if they are yet to do the confirmation, they do not have the final say and that it is the court who has the final say over all the suspects.

“Emem Emmanuel was the person who twitted that he has a job to give to my sister and he later dropped Uduak Akpan’s number to my sister. But, after my sister was killed and the incident became public, he went and deleted all the Twitter messages he sent to my sister,” she alleged.

Ifiok debunked the allegation that she had collected money over the death of her sister, stressing that she is only demanding for justice and that no amount of money from anybody could compensate the loss of her sister which she suffered to train in school.

According to her, “There is no amount of money that anyone can give me that will be enough for the death of my sister. I can never ever collect any money from anybody over the death of my sister, the only thing I am working so hard everyday for is how to get justice for my sister.

“The only issue that seems as if things are not working is that judiciary is on strike. Once they are back everything will now commence legal proceedings over the matter.

“I have not collected any money from anybody. I sent my sister to school while earning 25,000 naira as salary, I had suffered for her but now I do not achieve anything and it is painful to me. What kind of money can someone give to me to be equated to the loss of my sister?”

She further accused the suspect of trying to hypnotise her with charm when she visited anti-kidnaping unit where he was first taken to, adding he was blocked by a nearby policeman who was there.

FCTA vows to demolish all illegal structures, warns against infractions

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has vowed that it would demolish all illegal structures in the nation’s capital no matter how highly placed.

Acting director, FCTA department of Development Control, Tpl Garba Kwamkur who disclosed this Wednesday, during weekly inspection of on-going developments across the territory, warned developers to desist from violating the Abuja Master Plan with all sorts of infractions.

Kwamkur stated that the weekly exercise became necessary owing to increased illegal development activities, as developers took advantage of the period of lockdown to put up structures, hoping that the authorities would not find out. 

Speaking specifically on some of the major development abuses, Kwamkur stated that stop work notice was served on 11 Plc to stop work on the construction of a filling station on the corridor of Bill Clinton Drive, which connects the Umaru Musa Yar ‘Adua Expressway to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. 

Blueprint gathered that the developer of the filling station was coming under the guise of a title document granted to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) for the building of the entire airport facilities, claiming to have had a partnership with FAAN to build the station to service the area around the airport. 

“But then, we have asked them to stop work because developments like will required a detailed site development plan of the whole of that area because it is a very versed. 

“And a structured plan will have to be prepared and so that we know the deleanation of each services that are to be provided to that piece of land. If not, the whole place will be destroyed completely beyond the vision of the Abuja master plan.”

In the case of an Army estate under construction in Idu, the development control boss revealed that Army moved into the land on the basis of an Area Council allocation and have taken up to 100 hectares of land. 

Kwamkur who said his department has written the Army on the matter, was hopeful of a meeting between the two government organizations to reach an amicable resolve, even as he regretted they (Army) did not approach the authorities to look at status of the land in the Abuja Master Plan and commenced development without necessary permit. 

Calling on the army to forward their permit for approval, he explained that the FCT Act of 1976 made it clear that all developers, private, institutional of governmental, must receive permit from the deplorable Development Control before embarking on any physical development within the city. 

Also explaining another infraction by the military (Nigerian Navy Housing Scheme), along the Airport, Kwamkur, again stated that they got the allocation from Area Council, which had since been quashed by a past FCT Administration, insisting that any allocation with the city must be made by the FCT Minister. 

The team also served a quit notice on a Fulani settlement, located off the Airforce Base, near Army Peacekeeping Operation Base on the corridor of the Bill Clinton Drive. 

The Acting Director therefore warned: “The city has a master plan and it must be followed to the latter”, even as he called on all developers in Abuja to comply right with all development laws and regulations or face necessary sanctions, including demolition and revocation.

Buhari, Return Home, You Have Failed Nigeria— Nigerians Protest In Paris

Nigerians on Tuesday protested in Paris, the French Capital where President Muhammadu Buhari is attending the Africa Finance Summit on a four-day visit.

The Nigerians who carried the #HarassBuhariOutofParis placards lamented that Buhari had failed the country and his government had been characterized by bad governance, bloodshed, killings and poor policies.


Some of the placards read, “Innocent Nigerians are dying daily”, “Buhari government has failed Nigerians” and “Harass Buhari out of Paris.”
“You have to go back to Nigeria. Paris cannot be for you. There are hunger, insecurity and kidnappings in Nigeria. People are suffering. And you are here to come and relax. Go and fix Nigeria. You have failed Nigerians,” one of the protesters screamed.
“Go back and fix the hospitals. Make the environment conducive. People are dying every day,” another person said.
“Buhari, what kind of a president leaves his country and comes to take refuge in another country? We are living in another man’s land because our country is not good. Look at me; I am a refugee in this country. I cannot go back to my own country. You have failed Nigerians,” a female protester lamented.
“Can you imagine Benjamin @Netanyahu leaving Israel for a summit in France, when his country is on fire? Yet, more people were killed by terrorists and bandits in Nigeria last week, than in the ongoing Israel Palestine conflict. This is why we convened #HarassBuhariOutofParis,” said Reno Omokri, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s aide, who is one of those who organized the protest.

SaharaReporters had on Tuesday reported that some Nigerians staying in South American countries and other European countries were to hold the #HarassBuhariOutofParis.
A Nigerian had confirmed he was flying in from Rio De Janeiro from Brazil into Paris for the protest while others were joining in from other European countries close to France.
On Monday, Omokri called for the #HarassBuhariOutofParis protest in the wake of Buhari leaving Nigeria for Paris on Sunday to attend the African Finance Summit.
The protesting Nigerians are angry that President Buhari left the chaotic state of Nigeria burning with insecurity and failed leadership, to attend the Africa Finance Summit In Paris, France for four days.
“Get ready to join us today for #HarassBuhariOutofParis by 12 noon Paris time, at the Temporary Exhibition Centre, front of the Eiffel Tower. Buhari can’t be globetrotting, while Nigeria is drifting. He should go back and fix Nigeria! And if he can’t do it, let him honorably resign.

“This made my day. This is a patriot. Flying all the way from Rio de Janeiro to join the #HarassBuhariOutofParis protest tomorrow, 12 noon, at the Temporary Exhibition Centre, at the Eiffel Tower. @MBuhari can’t be globetrotting, while Nigeria is drifting. Go back and fix Nigeria,” Omokri had said on Twitter on Tuesday morning.
On April 2, a crowd of Nigerians in the United Kingdom had also stormed the Abuja House, 2 Campden Hill, Kensington, London, demanding that President Buhari, then on medical leave, immediately return home.
#HarassBuhariOutOfLondon had trended after the president departed Nigeria for the UK to undergo a medical check-up.

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, had also advised Nigerians in the UK to occupy the London hospital where President Buhari planned to have his medical checkup.

FG suspends processing of new passport

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has suspended the processing of new international passports to enable it clear the backlogs of applications.

The suspension which took effect on Monday, May 17 was announced in a statement by NIS Deputy Controller General AB Yarima.

Minister of interior Rauf Aregbesola mandated Immigration to halt the issuance of new passports to clear the backlog ahead of a new passport regime which kicks off on June 1.

The deputy controller general also urged all passport control offices to make use of the period to ensure it clear all outstanding passport processing.

“Consequently upon the foregoing, all PCOs are therefore directed to utilize this period, May 17, 2021, to May 31, 2021, to ensure that all backlogs are produced and handed over to command controllers for collection by members of the public concerned,” Yerima said in an internal memo.

He added that new applications for passports, “whether fresh or renewal are by this circular suspend till June 1, 2021.”

“To this effect requests for Fresh and/or Reissue shall not be entertained with effect from 18th May 2021-31st May 2021 in all Centres except for locations in the Missions abroad,” Immigration said in a statement.

The commission also stated that notifications for the collection of produced passports are already going out to applicants who indicated functional phone numbers in their applications.

Yerima noted that the new passport application and processing regime shall commence by 1st June 2021.

He stated that the new criteria for processing new passport form June include applicant would have to apply online and applicant who has not booked an online appointment shall be attended to

Yerima also stated that no cash payment to anyone shall be entertained in any Issuing Centre and passport application processing and issuance shall take a period of six weeks after successful enrollment.

He noted that requests for reissue can be submitted six months before expiration.

BREAKING: Thugs Occupy NLC Office In Kaduna

Armed thugs have invaded the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kaduna State.

The armed men numbering about 100 occupied the secretariat, which is the meeting point of the ongoing 5-day warning strike.

The thugs were, however, stopped by a police detachment while 20 of them were arrested.

The police Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammad Jalige, confirmed the arrest, saying security personnel have been deployed to avert break down of law and order.

Daily Trust reports that the protest turned violent on Wednesday when thugs attacked protesters at NEPA roundabout along Ahmadu Bello Way.

The protests continued on Wednesday as the protesters converged on the secretariat, chanting, “No retreat! no surrender!”

BREAKING: Two INEC offices set ablaze in Ebonyi

Two offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Ebonyi State have been set ablaze by unidentified persons.

The offices are located in Ebonyi and Ezza North Local Government Areas of the state.

It was gathered that no casualties were recorded but there were extensive damages to the building and facilities.

The Commission is yet to issue a full statement on the incident.

TrackNews Online reports that the latest attack brings the number of offices of the Commission that have been torched to 23.

This is coming weeks after the commission’s offices in Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo were also razed by unknown hoodlums.

See The Man Who Built His Grave, Writes Will And Celebrates Burial Before Death

This is shocking as a Nigerian man, Clement Usoro, left members of his community in shock after he decided to build his grave and even celebrate his funeral before his demise.

The 73-year-year-old, in an interview with BBC Pidgin, said he made the necessary preparations for his death three years ago when he marked his 70th birthday anniversary.

According to the septuagenarian, he has also written his wills, but he keeps updating it to “keep up with time.”

“I have written my will and will continuously update it to keep up with time. I have built my grave. It is a 9 by 9 feet deep grave. I have also built a mausoleum around it.

“My friend went with me to the coffin site to see the one that I liked. He decided to buy for me. As somebody who is a chief, there are things you have to do before you die or they do after you die” he said.

Chief Usoro further disclosed that he has paid the necessary rites to his co-chiefs by giving “cow” so that his children will know what to worry about after his death.

He said he does not want his family to do a ceremony after his demise, adding that a party to celebrate his death is a “waste of money and time.”

Kaduna Crisis: NUPENG Threatens Nationwide Strike, Warns El-Rufai

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened a nationwide shutdown over the faceoff between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Kaduna State government.

Labour had declared a five-day warning strike over some policies of Governor Nasir El-Rufai, especially the sacking of 4,000 workers.

On Tuesday, the Kaduna government declared Comrade Ayuba Wabba, NLC president, and some labour leaders wanted over the effect of the strike on the economy.

El-Rufai later likened the protesters in his state to bandits and vowed that their action would not make his government reverse its decision.

Some protesters were also attacked by hired thugs.

In a statement, the National President of the NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, said the union which is one of the 46 bodies affiliated with the NLC, is observing the Kaduna situation closely.

He said if the attacks on protesters continue, NUPENG would withdraw its services nationwide.

“The Leadership of the Union is therefore calling on the Federal Government to immediately call on Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to order before his arrogance and power drunk ego further push the situation into horrendous calamity as he has been doing in all issues relating to human lives and wellbeing.

“Consequently, the Union reiterates that no Labour Leaders or workers as the case may be, be harmed, harassed, maimed, humiliated or victimized during this 5-day peaceful protests in the State.

“Our Union is raising this alarm following the very reliable report of the clandestine move of Governor Nasir El-RUfai to hurt and put the lives of NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and other Labour Leaders to danger in his usual blind egotistical style of running government in the State

“NUPENG therefore warns that if any harm is inflicted on any of the members of organized Labour, the Leadership of the Union will not hesitate to call on all our members throughout the nation for a total shut down of all our services in the upstream, mid-stream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.

“In the light of the above, we are therefore putting all NUPENG members nationwide on red alert and may at very short notice of five hours call for a nationwide industrial action if situation arises.

“Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong,” the statement read.