CRIME
Anambra Women Protest Against Harmful Widowhood Practices
Women in Anambra on Thursday in Awka staged a peaceful protest against what they termed “`barbaric widowhood practices’’.
They demanded the stoppage of the ritual where widows were forced to drink from the water with which their spouses were bathed preparatory to burial.
The protesters were led by Ms Hope Okoye, chairperson of the agency on Violence against Persons Prohibition Act in Anambra.
They gathered at the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Awka to register the protest and support a plaintiff whose relevant case was being heard.
A brother-in-law of the plaintiff had forced the widow to drink from the water with which her spouse was bathed before burial.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Allow our widows some peace’’; “Stop All obnoxious laws and harmful widowhood practices in Anambra’’.
Okoye told newsmen that it was time Anambra government paid attention to the practice and end it so as to protect the girl child and women from harmful practices.
She called on community leaders, particularly at Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra to end all forms of harmful practices against women and widows.
“We demand that government ensures that justice is served on perpetrators of unpleasant widowhood practices against the girl child, women and widows, irrespective of their social status.
“The practice is not limited to Ogbaru communities as it has been observed that other parts of Anambra still perform the ritual,’’ she said.
In her remarks, one of the women leaders, Mrs Eucharia Anaekwe, said she once led sensitisation campaigns to various communities in Anambra to end the practice.
“I am so shocked that Atani community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra still engages in the practice,’’ she said.
Another leader of the protesters, Mrs Ugochi Freeman called on youths in Anambra to lend their voices to the call for the abolition of the practice in their various communities.
Freeman stressed that efforts to abolish traditional harmful practices should be accentuated by youths as future leaders who would become mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, spouses and in-laws of other people. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno
The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.
10 while riding a tricycle.He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.
He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.
“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.
“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)
CRIME
Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
CRIME
Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.