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.
Uncategorized
NSCDC Begins Psychological Assessment of Personnel in Osun
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun Command, has begun psychological assessment for its arms-bearing personnel and new recruits.
The command’s spokesperson Atanda Olabisi made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Osogbo.
Olabisi said that the assessment, which started on Tuesday, was to ascertain the mental, emotional and psychological status of the personnel.
The spokesperson said that the evaluation was being conducted in batches to give a greater opportunity for one-on-one interactions between the personnel and healthcare experts.
The spokesperson said that the command had cautioned its personnel on handling of weapons, saying that it would not accept any excuse of accidental discharge.
“There is nothing called accidental discharge, as the process of firing a bullet entails certain fundamental principles.
“The exercise is to forestall any unprofessional act of misuse of firearms that may emanate from any uncontrolled emotional outburst.
“This assessment will also be used to determine where our new recruits will be placed professionally,” she said.
Olabisi said that the state Commandant, Emmanuel Ocheja urged the personnel to commit themselves to the exercise, adding that Ocheja lauded the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr Ahmed Audi, for repositioning the corps for excellence.
According to Olabisi, Dr Stephen Oyebode, Head of Forensic and Psychological Services Unit, NSCDC, Osun Command, had given the assurance that the unit would offer psychotherapy and psycho-social interventions to personnel who might need assistance after the evaluation. (NAN)
Uncategorized
NECO Commences 2022 SSCE Internal June 27th
By Evelyn Terseer, Abuja
The 2022 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for school based candidates conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) will commence on Monday, 27th June, 2022.
In a press statement by the head information and public relations division of NECO, Azeez Sani, the Council enjoined ministries of Education, Principals, Commandants and all stakeholders to disregard any speculation on the alleged postponement of the examination.
He said thw Council has put all necessary measures in place to ensure a seamless conduct of the 2022 Senior School Certificate Examination.
“The 2022 NECO Senior School Certificate Examination will end on Friday, 12th August, 2022.
Candidates are to be examined in 76 Subjects during the examination.”
Uncategorized
Police Confirms Kidnap of Seven Persons in Kogi

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the kidnap of seven travelers along Itobe-Ajaokuta road in the State.
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had abducted seven people, including a Doctor and Lawyer at about 2pm on Tuesday and carried them to the bush.
The State Police command confirmed the incident on Wednesday evening in Lokoja.
According to an eye witness, the gunmen laid siege on the said road for hours, shooting sporadically and in the process many passengers were abducted, with many also receiving various degrees of injuries from the smoking fire power of the Kidnappers.
This source posited further that among those abducted to unknown destination were Mr Joe Abba, his wife and Barrister Abba Aduojo who were returning from a burial in a village near Alloma in Ofu local government Area of the state.
Also abducted is a yet to be identified Doctor said to be on his way back to Lokoja from an official assignment to the Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital,
Anyigba.
“They were kidnapped on gun point around 2pm, my friend’s wife was shot in the leg and is presently recuperating at Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja”, said a Relative of one of the victims.
According to the State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, William Ovye Aya, the command got winds of the attack of the hoodlums and drafted the men of the Rapid Response Squad operating in the area to their rescue.
“Seven persons were abducted to the bush; six people were rescued with bullets wounds and six vehicles were recovered at the scene of the incident”, he said.
He added that a combined manhunt against the hoodlums, including the sister security agencies and vigilante have been mobilised to comb the areas in order to rescue the seven abducted persons in their custody.