Uncategorized
Gun Shots Threaten PDP’s Governorship Primary in Bayelsa
As predicted by some observers, the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State for the November 16, governorship election has begun amidst high tension, shooting and many uncertainties.
There are 21 aspirants vying to become the flag bearer of the party, with Senator Douye Diri, representing Bayelsa Central in the senate emerging as the preferred choice of the out- going governor, Seriake Dickson.
On Tuesday morning there was uncertainty as to where the primary election would hold as party officials declined to disclose the venue, citing security reasons, even as many roads were blocked by stern – looking security operatives.
Journalists also had a hard time to secure accreditation tags as the State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Barr. Osom Macbere who came to the NUJ press center to distribute the tags complained of insufficient number of tags provided by the Commissioner for Information, Daniel Iworiso Markson.
It was alleged that the insufficient tags was a deliberate ploy by the state government to tactically reduce the number of journalists who would have access to the venue of the primary election ostensibly to minimize the spread of the ugly scenes that were allegedly programmed to happen at the venue.
At Ijaw House along the Sani Abacha Way in the state capital, where the accreditation of delegates was later taken to, the atmosphere there looked like a garrison as the combined presence of police, both regular and mobile force, including men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps literally out- numbered the crowd outside the gigantic edifice.
A Deputy Commissioner of police, and Commander of the State anti crime squad, code named Operation Doo Akpo, DCP Asufie was having hectic time controlling the movement in and out of the venue as some youths were patrolling along the Sani Abacha road chanting war songs.
As the tensed situation around the venue was getting more charged, sporadic gun shots were heard from a distance, and this prompted a riot of clicking sounds as the security men readied their riffles for any eventuality.
Some journalists who already found their way inside the premises rushed out to escape for dear lives, while others yet to be checked in by the police voted with their legs.
The Returning Officer for the primary election, and governor of Taraba State, Mr. Ishaku Dairus had earlier hurriedly left the venue in his convoy.
It was learnt that the desperation by the outgoing governor of the state, Seriake Dickson to foist a successor on the state and the determination by other aspirants not in the governor’s political family, Restoration Caucus to resist the imposition heightened the tension.
Several commercial transport operators in Ilorin on Thursday stormed some major streets in the metropolis to protest the new hike in petrol pump price.
During the protest, they expressed their displeasure with the sudden price hike, with the action leading to untold hardship for thousands of commuters.
The protests which commenced on Thursday morning significantly disrupted the movement of commercial vehicles across the city.
This forced passengers to resolve to trekking to their destinations.
The protest was spearheaded by some operators of commercial tricycles and commercial motorcycle riders who blocked several major roads in the city.
The road blocks occurred at Taiwo Isale, Coca-Cola road Junction, Maraba, Gambari Road and Offa Garage, bringing traffic to a standstill for several hours.
Consequently, commuters faced severe delays as the protesters restricted vehicular movements, demanding immediate action to address the situation.
Jimoh Abubakar, a commercial tricycle operator who spoke with newsmen at Maraba, revealed that the protest was because of the sudden hike in fuel pump price.
Abubakar said the increase was unfair, adding that transporters hardly made profit due to money spent on fuel.
“In fact, when we were charging N50 per drop, it was more profitable than now. The hardship is too much, the government should help us,” he said.
Another tricycle rider, Yusuf Issa, also called on government to reduce fuel pump price, saying tricycle riders now spend all their income on fuel.
“They (government) should reduce it totally. It is becoming very difficult to make any profit, not to talk of taking care of the family from what we do for a living,” he said.
The focal points of the protest, such as Maraba and Murtala Mohammed Way Junction, witnessed aggrieved transporters chanting “(We say) ‘No’ to consistent price hike”.
Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigerian Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were deployed to key areas in the metropolis to ease the tension and ensure orderliness.
The presence of security agents helped to prevent any escalation into violence and ensured that the protest remained largely peaceful in spite of the significant disruptions to daily activities.
The protest caused widespread disruption as residents who relied on public transport as they were stranded and could not go for their daily activities.
Many of them later resolved to trekking to their various destinations.
Report says that most independent petroleum marketers in Kwara now sell at different prices ranging from N950 to N1200 per litre.(NAN)
Police in Edo have detained a 19-year-old native doctor, Timothy Dauda, for allegedly shooting his client, Alex Ezekiel, to death during an “anti-bullet” charm trial.The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident to Newsmen on Monday.Yamu said that the incident happened on August 20 in Onumu Community, near Igara, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state.
He said that the suspect was arrested by operatives from Igarra Divisional Police Station in Akoko-Edo. The suspect allegedly claimed to specialise in preparing charms against gunshots and machete cuts.A source further told NAN that the deceased had visited the native doctor’s home to obtain the charm.It said that “in a shocking turn of events”, Dauda attempted to test the efficacy of the charm by shooting the client with a gun.The charm was said to have failed as he sustained fatal injuries.“When he was rushed to a hospital in Igarra, he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor,” the source further said.Meanwhile, the police spokesman said that the suspect would face prosecution as soon as investigations were concluded(NAN
The Police Command in Lagos State says it has arrested two men for allegedly robbing three commercial sex workers.
The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to newsmen on Saturday.
Hundeyin said that the three sex workers reported the case to the police on Wednesday at about 2.
20a.m.He disclosed that the victims reported that they sighted two robbery suspects at an undisclosed place, who allegedly robbed them of their valuables on Aug.
23, at about 4.30a.m.“They stated they were picked up being commercial sex workers at Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Bode Thomas, Surulere by the two suspects.
“They were taken to where they claimed the (suspects) lodged.
Suddenly, the suspects parked and ordered them to surrender their valuables.“In the process, two Iphone valued at N1.05 million, one REDMI Note 12 valued at N140,000, Iphone SR valued at N240,000 were collected from them.
“The suspects also compelled the victims to transfer ₦25,OOO to an Opay Account and N8, 000 to same account,” he said.
The police spokesperson said that during investigation, the suspects confessed to the crime.
He disclosed that the suspects operational vehicle, a Toyota Camry with Reg. No. APP335 JA, two other blank number plates they were using for their operation were recovered.
Hundeyin said that one of the victim’s cell phone, REDMI NOTE 12, was also recovered from the suspects, while investigation was ongoing. (NAN)
Ajuri, Tinubu’s Spokesperson Takes Exit, Cites Mesical Reaaona
ShareSpecial Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a...
Fuel Crisis: 1000 CSOs Fault Tinubu’s Economic Team, Want Immediate Reconstitution
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs),...
Tension in Makurdi Community as NAF Personnel Demolishes Houses, Destroys Rice Farm
ShareThere is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses...
NELFUND Receives Another N2m Refund from Former Beneficiary
ShareThe Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the receipt of two million Naira, through a bank draft, given by...
Flood kills 20, displaces 2,000 in Yobe
ShareTwenty persons have died as a result of devastating floods that ravaged Bade Local Government Area of Yobe since early...
Fuel Crisis: BAVCCA Demands Answers from President Tinubu’s Economic Team
Share…Demands Investigation into NNPCL’s $6 Billion Debt By David Torough, Abuja The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association of Nigeria...
PDP Crisis: Party Chieftain Faults Kogi State Congress, Seeks Redress in Court
ShareFrom Joseph Amedu, Lokoja The Kogi State Congress of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) held last Saturday August 31, in...
Hunger: Cleric Advocates Establishment of More Agriculture Universities
ShareFrom Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu The founder of the Revival City International Christian Retreat and Conference Center, Enugu, Bishop Deborah Macfoy...
FCT Fadama CARES Disburses Grants to 9,170 Beneficiaries
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud on Thursday revealed that the current...
NAFDAC Destroys Fake, Adulterated Products worth N2.6b in S/East
ShareFrom Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed fake, adulterated and...