Tag: General News

A major fire disaster was on Saturday night averted at Ogba, in the Ikeja area of Lagos State, when a petrol laden tanker fell and spilled its content around residential buildings.

The incident happened at Ajayi Junction along Oke-Ira Road by Excellence Hotel, Ogba.

It took the intervention of the operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency responders to prevent what could have been a major fire disaster.

“After arriving at the scene, our personnel immediately secured the environment against area boys including other members of the public who had already wanted to be scooping spilling fuel from the tanker,” the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, said while confirming the incident in a statement.

According to Adebayo, policemen from Oke-Ira Area ‘G’ Police Division provided security backup at the scene, while the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service did the needful.

Following the incident, motorists coming from Haruna or Ojodu Berger end were diverted through Excellence Hotel to go through Muyibi Street and link Oke-Ira to continue their journey.

Meanwhile, the petroleum product has since been trans-loaded to another tanker, which the owner of the product brought to the scene.

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A German citizen, Ms Petra Goschenhofer has narrated to the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, how a suspected ‘yahoo boy’ Wilson Daphey (a.ka.a Jefrey Guiseppe) defrauded her through an online love affair.

Daphey allegedly manipulated and obtained the sum of £130,000 from her with the assistance of his accomplices: Evans Nnamdi Aguh, Christopher Chinedu Ajufo, Ifeanyi Enuma and Ojinanaka Kingsley Chukwuma who are at large.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had arrested Daphey and arraigned him on nine-count charges bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and money laundering.

However, when the matter came up on Friday for continued trial, the victim, Goschenhofer told the court that her love story with the suspect started in 2008 when he contacted her on Instagram, identifying himself as Jeffrey Guiseppe, a bitcoin trader and offered to be her business partner, a proposition she reportedly declined.

She explained that despite that, they continued having conversations regarding his career and family.

Daphey claimed to be a building engineer based in the United States of America, U.S.A but his roots are in Rome, Italy.

He claimed that he grew up in America where he studied and had a certificate in building engineering and “his building projects spread all over the world including Dubai,” she said.

He further claimed to be a single dad with two kids. “Before long, our conversation gradually shifted from business to talks about families.

“After a while, he told me he was in love with me and I told him I was married with kids, that a relationship was not possible between us but after a while, I noticed he was very nice to me and at that time, I was in a bad situation, my marriage was in crisis and I was depressed, and my son was in a bad condition.

“I gradually fell in love with him, and before long, he started asking me for money.

“He claimed his building equipment was held in Dubai and he needed money to clear it.

“He actually promised to pay me back in a matter of time and sent me pictures, fake passports and work permits which bore a photograph of an American named Jeffery Guiseppe, and with date of birth 10/11/197.

“We later entered into a written agreement that he sent. I made payments through Western Union which he promised he will refund in a couple of days.

“After some time, I asked for my money, but he said he had not been able to clear the equipment because his bank account was frozen, and pleaded with me to help him pay the next fee and I paid, with all payments made totaling £13000,” the victim narrated.

She also noted that in another instance, he told her that he was ill and in a coma in the hospital.

“I was at this time speaking with one Mr Bah who called me on WhatsApp. He told me Guiseppe may die, that he needed to undergo a surgery and I financed it.

“After a while, I decided to investigate his identity because I didn’t believe him anymore, especially as he had refused to pay me the money I loaned him.

“I eventually told my husband who handed the matter to the police for investigations and the police found out that the phone number he gave me was on a server in Singapore and the address and passport were all fake.

“The police further said it would be very difficult to investigate the case as the German law restricts investigations outside Europe,” she noted

Goschenhofer further narrated that in order to seek help, she joined some women on Instagram who have similar stories and they decided to find ways to help one another.

She said during the Covid-19 era, she had an opportunity to video call Guiseppe and realised he was not an American and at this point he apologised and claimed he is from Kenya.

She said she further called and sent videos of their conversations and other documents to an officer in the German embassy in Kenya to find out who Guiseppe was and was told that his dialect showed that he is a Nigerian.

According to her, she conducted further checks and found out his real identity on Facebook and Instagram. She also found out in one of their video chats that Guiseppe was driving a car with a Nigerian number plate.

She said, “So, I decided to print and send all the evidence of pictures and documents to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.”

All evidence of pictures, passports, work permits and receipts were tendered and admitted in evidence as Justice Olajuwon adjourned the matter to Tuesday, 10 October, 2023 for cross examination.

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The diplomatic channels of both Israel and Palestine have announced death tolls resulting from the ongoing conflict between the Israel Defense Force (IDF) and Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

On Saturday evening, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted that “at least 100 Israelis (have been) murdered and more than 900 wounded in terror attacks by Hamas terrorists” since morning.

The Palestine Mission to the United Nations (UN) equally shared a post on its X page stating “the death toll of the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has risen to 198, with 1,610 others injured, since early today morning.”

The Israel Foreign Ministry further disclosed that fighting in southern Israel was still ongoing.

The ministry added that security forces were securing areas which are under attack by Hamas who infiltrated Israeli communities and have taken civilians captive since morning, confirming that dozens of armed Hamas militants crossed from Gaza into Israel.

Meanwhile, the Palestine Government in a statement on Saturday, warned that the crisis will continue to escalate in Israel as long as it occupies Jerusalem, which it claimed belonged to the Palestinians.

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) announced Saturday that in response to the “barrage of rockets” fired at Israel by Hamas (mercenaries) from Gaza in Palestine, it is currently striking its targets in Gaza.

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu also disclosed that the attack by Hamas came as a “surprise” but vowed to retaliate in an “unprecedented manner”.

While the attacks are ongoing, Israeli allies like the United States, France, India, United Kingdom have all backed Israel’s response to the development while tagging Hamas as “terrorists”.

Russia failed to take sides in the Israeli-Palestine conflict, calling for an “immediate cease-fire” on both sides.

Hamas military commander, Muhammad Al-Deif, tagged the operation “Al-Aqsa Storm,” saying it “targeted the enemy positions, airports and military positions with 5,000 rockets”.

Hamas maintained it was a retaliation for the “desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem and the ongoing siege of Gaza.”

The crisis between Israel and Hamas is age-long due to the dispute over who owns the territory of Jerusalem.

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…28 Killed, 48,168 Persons Displaced From Flooding This Year

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has disclosed that 13 States might be affected following rapid release of waters from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon.

This is as the Agency has also disclosed that over 28 persons have been killed, 48,168 individuals displaced and 159,157 persons affected from flooding in the country this year.

The Director-General, NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed made this known at the National Emergency Coordination Forum Meeting, in Abuja on Saturday.

Ahmed stated that there has been an upsurge of water along the flood plains of River Benue, which he said will greatly affect states like, Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Nasarawa and Bayelsa.

He added that there has been “sudden increased inundation of riparian communities and farmlands along the banks of River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states in the past 48 hours.

“The sudden situation is attributed to the rapid release of waters from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon and has resulted in the displacement of several inhabitants of the affected communities. Furthermore, croplands and valuable infrastructure are at risk of getting washed away by the flood waters. “

Ahmed also stated that the Agency has directed the activation of all emergency response units to be ready for any emergencies as the flooding will be increasing as the days go by.

“As a result of the unfolding situation, I want to use this opportunity to alert authorities of State and Local Governments along rivers Niger and Benue basin areas to immediately activate their emergency response plans to avert potential damage and losses that will arise due to inundation of communities by flood waters.

“Furthermore, we are expecting to receive updates from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) NIMET, NEMA Operations Office in Yola Adamawa state and from State Emergency Agencies of the frontline states to keep on updating you on the situation as it unfolds,” he said.

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Scott McTominay came from the bench to spare Manchester United blushes with a dramatic 2:1 win at Old Trafford.

Brentford took a shocking lead after 26 minutes through Mathias Jensen despite Manchester United’s dominance in the early exchanges.

Brentford held on in what looked like another scalp at Old Trafford until three minutes in added time when McTominay directed the ball into the net after it ricocheted in the box.

United had had a goal ruled out shortly before then for offside after confirmation by the video assistant referee.

For all their enterprises, McTominay lost his marker again in the dying seconds of added time when he headed the ball into the net.

Brentford would be hard done by the defeat, which stretched to five in five and winless in six in all competitions.

The Reds escaped with all three points on another memorable day at Old Trafford after two successive defeats in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Speaking shortly after the game, the match-winner said, “That might be one of my favourite moments on a football pitch. Two goals at the death was incredible, but I am just happy to be able to contribute and show people that I can do it.”

United have been ravaged by injury with five regular starters on the treatment table, and Erik Ten Hag had to recall former captain Harry Maguire to pair Jonny Evans in the defence.

The shaky defence occasioned by a lack of permanent partnership has leaked 12 goals in eight games in the Premier League alone.

With low morale as the team struggles to score but conceding more, McTominay said, the win is “massive. Everyone knows we are in a difficult period at the minute, but we have fighters in the group who want to keep going right until the end.

“It could have been anyone on that pitch scoring the two goals. Really pleased, and hopefully, we can build on that from here.

“Sometimes we feel like we are in our own bubble with people outside only saying negative things, but we just have to block that out and be better after the international break.”

Brentford coach Thomas Frank said after the match that, “Football is brutal in moments like this. I think we did so many things right, coming here to Old Trafford: almost perfect first half, pressed high, good on the counter and well deserved lead.

“Of course, in the second half, you know you will be put under pressure here. I actually felt like we defended it very well and didn’t give any big chances away… well until the third minute of injury time.

“Then, of course, to lose the game is even more brutal. At least a draw was probably a fairer reflection.”

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The Indigenous People of Biafra, Saturday, said it is set to enter negotiations with the federal government on peaceful secession of Biafra from Nigeria under a referendum to be supervised by the United Nations.

Emma Powerful, spokesman of IPOB, stated this in a release.

According to him, the agitation for the actualisation of Biafra being championed by IPOB started in 2012 without any violence or criminality, alleging that the federal government had been attacking its members.

IPOB has lost over 5,000 members and property worth over $1bn as a result of the extreme use of force from the Nigeria security forces, Powerful said.

According to him, “We the global family and movement of IPOB wish to reiterate once again that IPOB remains peaceful and open for negotiations and dialogue on peaceful exit of Biafra from Nigeria through a UN supervised Referendum.

“IPOB’s peaceful agitation for Biafra Independence started in 2012. Never has IPOB been associated with violence or criminality in all our years of rallies and protests. Nevertheless, federal government, through its security forces, has levied war against IPOB.

“Our members have been brutally attacked while on peaceful protest by the Nigeria security forces at many locations in Biafra Land.

“As a result of these unwarranted attacks, many IPOB members have been murdered in cold blood, some have been permanently handicapped, some forcefully taking away by the security forces whereas some are still illegally detained in various detention facilities across Nigeria.

“Many IPOB members and sympathisers have had their houses and business burnt by the Nigeria security forces. IPOB has lost over 5,000 members with properties worth over $1bn as a result of the extreme use of force from the Nigeria Security Forces. Irrespective of all the provocations, IPOB has never retaliated nor have we taken up arms against the Nigerian State.

“IPOB stands for peace. We stand for dialogue, and we stand for discussions. The cardinal rule under which IPOB was formed is to lead the way to a peaceful separation of Biafra from Nigeria. Biafra and Nigeria are two different nations.

“The events from 1948 to 2023 have shown that it is practically impossible for Biafra and Nigeria to coexist as one nation. IPOB has been calling on the Nigeria State for discussions on a peaceful referendum date, but the Nigeria State always returns the peaceful call with violent suppression.

“We have always maintained that self-determination is our inalienable right according to the UN laws.”

Powerful maintained that the pro-Biafra group ‘remains committed to pursuing its self-determination peacefully according to international laws and regulations’.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied recent media reports claiming that it had withdrawn its appeal against the judgement of the Kano Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

The reports, which cited a letter dated October 6 and purportedly signed by Suleiman Alkali, the head of the commission’s legal department in Kano, had stated that INEC was retracting its appeal on the grounds of having no reason to contest the tribunal’s decision.

The reports followed the September 20 judgement of a 3-man panel of the Kano tribunal, which invalidated the election victory of Governor Abba Yusuf and declared Nasiru Gawuna, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the March 18 governorship poll in Kano State.

Reacting, however, Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, refuted the claims in the media and affirmed INEC’s commitment to the legal process in the Kano governorship election petition case.

“The attention of the Commission has been drawn to media reports based on a letter written by the Legal Officer of our Kano State office indicating that the Commission had withdrawn from the appeal process in the ongoing Kano Governorship election petition case.

“We wish to state categorically that the letter was not authorised. It has since been withdrawn and the officer reprimanded.

“The public is therefore advised to discountenance the insinuation that the Commission has withdrawn from the case or even worse abandoned the appeal.

“We wish to state categorically that where litigants join INEC in a case, the Commission is under obligation to respond accordingly. We have therefore instructed our lawyers to proceed in line with extant policy of the Commission. The policy has not changed,” a statement by Olumekun read.

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The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu has revealed the reasons behind the suspension of the N-Power program.

The initiative was launched by former President Muhammadu Buhari-led in 2016 and was aimed at addressing the issue of youth unemployment and helping increase social development.

Edu said the program thrives on irregularities within the scheme which must be investigated while noting that some beneficiaries on the payroll should have exited the program in 2022.

Speaking during an interview on TVC News on Saturday, Edu said, “We must go back to look into N-Power and understand what the problems are so we will suspend the program for now until we are done with proper investigation into the utilization of funds into the N-Power program. 

“We want to know how many persons are basically on the program right now, how many persons are owed, the amount they are owed. We are restructuring the N-Power and expanding it. 

“Lots are going on. We met people who were supposed to have exited the program last year and they are still claiming that they are still teaching about 80 per cent of them are not working yet they are claiming salaries.

“Sometimes we contact the school or the places where they are working and they are not there. They are not working yet they keep claiming that they are being owed eight or nine months stipends.”

She added that the new development is to ensure that government support gets to the most vulnerable in the country.

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