COVER
Tragic Weekend: Many Killed in Clash, Stampede
From Joseph Hans Apuu, Lafia, Attah Ede, Makurdi
Nine persons were killed, several homes razed, barns destroyed and cattle rustled following a violent clash between youths in Ponglong area of Lalin district, Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau state.
The communal clash between Montol and Taroh ethnic groups in Ponglong community happened on Saturday night.
The Transition Chairman of the council, Mr Daniel Kungmi said the clash which started between two persons led to youths taking up arms.
Trouble started around 6pm on Saturday following a farmland dispute.
Though security operatives had calmed down the situation, colossal damage had already been done.
The chairman of the local council said, “Within a short while, the situation degenerated leading to burning down of houses and barns.
“Several criminal elements took advantage of the unfortunate situation and rustled cattle.
“Immediately we got the news of the clash, we called on security operatives who moved swiftly to the affected community to restore law and order.
“I just returned from the community and the situation is under control, but we cannot ascertain the number of persons killed in the clash.
“I call on the people to be more tolerable and cautious of undesirable elements that might want to take advantage of the unfortunate situation to inflict harm on innocent persons.”
Stampede Nasarawa, Bauchi
It was equally a sad weekend for the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) where two students lost their lives and 17 others injured in a stampede during palliative distribution by the Nasarawa State government.
Dr Ahmed Kana, the Head of Clinical Medical Services, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi confirmed the death to newsmen.
According to Kana, two students were confirmed dead, both females while out of the 17 injured students brought to the medical centre, only one was a male.
“For now most of them are stable and we are resuscitating others and by God’s grace some of them will go home very soon.
“What is important for us now is to treat the emergency cases and ensure there is no more fatality,” he said.
It would be recalled that Governor Abdullahi Sule, during a visit to the Federal University Lafia; College of Education, Akwanga; College of Agriculture, Lafia; among others and donated 7.5 kg packs of rice and N5,000 cash to students to cushion the economic hardship experienced across the country.
The governor was scheduled to extend similar gesture to the students of NSUK on Friday but even before his arrival, students had thronged the location of the palliative distribution, the university convocation square and looted the food resulting in stampede.
The Vice Chancellor of NSUK, Prof. Suleiman Bala expressed shock over the tragic incident.
Addressing the press, Bala lamented the loss of lives, describing the day as a sombre one in the annals of NSUK’s history.
He said that the state government had provided palliatives consisting two bags of rice accompanied by monetary assistance to over 4,000 students.
He said the distribution process was marred by impatience, resulting in the stampede and subsequent casualties.
The governor in a press statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Adra expressed profound shock and sadness over the stampede.
The governor directed the authorities of the university and security agencies to commence immediate investigation into the unfortunate occurrence with a view to unveiling those behind it.
The statement reads, “Governor Sule deeply regrets the tragic death of two students of the institution in this needless stampede motivated by crime.
“Such distribution was a huge success and peacefully carried out at Federal University, Lafia, Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, the School of Nursing, Lafia as well as the College of Education, Akwanga.
“I pray their souls rest in peace. Our thoughts and condolences go to their families and friends at this moment of grief.
“These young people’s lives cut short in their prime under such circumstance is painful.”
Similarly, four persons were confirmed dead in a stampede during the distribution of alms by a philanthropist in Bauchi, Bauchi State.
The spokesperson of the Bauchi State Police Command, Mr Ahmed Wakil said the incident occured on Sunday at the AYM Shafa Holdings Office, when hundreds of people gathered to collect alms from a philanthropist, Alhaji Yakubu Maishanu.
He said the command received a distress call from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), about the victims being rushed to the facility for medical attention.
“The Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa directed for urgent action and mobilised personnel to the scene.
“The police operative joined the rescue operation, cordoned off the area to prevent further casualties while the exercise was stopped,” he said.
Wakil said that four females had been confirmed dead by a medical doctor while others were receiving treatment at the hospital.
The spokesman urged individuals and organisations engaged in philanthropist and humanitarian services to report to the police and make adequate arrangements in their distribution exercises to forestall future occurrences.
Gunmen Kidnaps 10 passengers in Benue
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers reportedly kidnapped 10 passengers at Jootar community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Jootar is located between Taraba/Benue States borders.
A local who spoke on condition of anonymity told journalists on phone that the driver of the affected vehicle who escaped being kidnapped narrated the attack.
He disclosed that the driver of the Sharon vehicle explained that he picked up 10 passengers at Takum Junction in Wukari, Taraba State heading to Gboko in Benue State when the incident happened.
“The driver told me he was to drop them [passengers] in Gboko where they would get another vehicle to Akure in Ondo State.
“They took his phone. He had to use somebody’s phone to call me as soon as the incident happened. He is somebody I know very well.
“The incident happened around noon on Friday. That is what he told me. He picked them up from Takum, and the incident happened just 2kilomrtres to Jootar, Ukum LGA,” the source explained.
The driver was said to have reported the case at the Jootar police station.
When contacted, the lawmaker who represents Ukum State Constituency in the State Assembly, Ezra Nyiyongo said he received such a report.
He said, “I was told that a vehicle was intercepted. According to what I heard since I am not the one who spoke with the driver, he said he picked those people from Wukari, Taraba State, conveying them to Gboko.
“From Gboko, according to him, they were going to Akure for menial jobs. I am not quite sure. I am just reporting from the driver’s words. They were intercepted in Jootar in Ukum LGA.”
“This guy [driver] called me that his vehicle was stopped by heavily armed gunmen.
“They took his bus, abandoned him and drove into the bush with 10 persons who looked like artisans whom he was supposed to drop off in Gboko.”
The chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, Victor Iorzaa said he could not confirm the incident, stating that both the Divisional Police Officer and the Chief Security Officer of the local government area said they did not have such report.
Also, the state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina said the command was not aware of the incident.
Crash Claims Mother, Injures Three Children
Another tragic event was a crash that resulted in the death of mother and injury of three of her children in Ikorodu area of Lagos.
Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos State, Benjamin Hundeyin said the Ikorodu Police Division received information of the accident on Friday at about 9:41pm.
According to him, the information received revealed that on same Friday, at about 9:35 pm, in front of Ikorodu Radio Solebo along Igbogbo Road Ikorodu, the accident occurred.
He said, “There occurred a fatal motor/pedestrian accident involving a Mercedes Benz C350 car driven by a 22-year-old man (name withheld) and pedestrians.
”he victims: one Ngozi, 40, her three children ages 16, 14 and 13. The driver was said to have lost control of his car while coming from Igbogbo, heading towards Ebute and hit the said Ngozi and her three children.
“They were said to be selling groundnut at the scene of incident. As a result of the accident, the victims sustained different degrees of injuries.
“They were all rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital by the police, where the mother was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty while her three children were admitted for medical treatment.”
Hundeyin said that the corpse of the mother had been deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
He said that the driver was in police custody for investigation.
By David Torough, Abuja
The 22 All Progressives Congress (APC) governors yesterday adopted President Bola Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate of the party for the 2027 general elections.This was even as the leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives expressed their full support for Tinubu’s second term, stating that the country is currently on a path of growth and progress.
The Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF’s) Chairman and governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, spoke on behalf of all the governors at the National Summit of APC at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.The governors also passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu.The Vice Chairman of the PGF and Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, joined Governor Uzodimma on the podium to second the motion for the adoption of the President as APC presidential candidate for 2027 poll.Thereafter, Uzodimma put the motion to vote before the participants at the National Summit.Those present were Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; members of the National Assembly; serving and former governors, and APC members from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.They, through voice vote and standing ovation, adopted President Tinubu for a second term in office come 2027.Uzodimma said the governors were united in their support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.He said: “That for Nigeria to get to her destination faster in prosperity, that the president should be used and adopted as our flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election, for a second term in office.“That the governors produced by our All Progressives Congress are hereby charged to take responsibility to market our federal government policies, occupy the political space in their domains, and take responsibility for winning all elections in their states come 2027.“It is therefore my humble pleasure, with total humility, to Almighty God to move that this August assembly adopt and concur the position of progressive governors that Mr President carries our flag 2027 and governors take responsibility for delivering this mandate. I’m so move as a motion.”Governor Sani seconded the motion: “I rise to second the motion as ably moved by the chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, the governor of Imo state, His Excellency, Hope Uzodimma, that this August gathering pass a vote of confidence on our able and amiable president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a sole candidate of APC come 2027 general election.NASS Leadership Endorses Tinubu for 2027 ElectionThe leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives have expressed their full support for President Bola Tinubu’s second term, stating that the country is currently on a path of growth and progress.Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who moved the motion on Thursday during the APC National Summit at the State House banquet hall in Abuja, acknowledged that the 2023 election posed significant challenges for President Tinubu.Joined by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, among others, Akpabio expressed optimism about the future.He predicted that Tinubu would secure even more states in the 2027 elections, stating that he sees a clear shift in momentum in the President’s favour.Akpabio remarked that despite the challenges, President Tinubu is actively working to reposition Nigeria.The Senate President stated that with opposition parties, particularly the PDP, in disarray, President Tinubu should be re-elected in 2027 as the sole candidate.Akpabio’s position was fully supported by other National Assembly leaders, with no dissenting voices.APC Endorses Tinubu for 2027 Presidential RaceThe All Progressives Congress has endorsed President Bola Tinubu as its flag bearer in the 2027 presidential elections.The Party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, announced this yesterday, on behalf of its National Working Committee, at its National Summit held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.The endorsement came hours after APC governors and lawmakers cast a vote of confidence on the president and endorsed him for a second term.‘Sweep them Clean,’ Bring More Opposition Members – TinubuPresident Bola Tinubu has welcomed the gale of defections in the ruling All Progressives Congress, saying he expects more opposition party members to join his party.The President said this at the APC National Summit on Thursday in Abuja.In his speech, the President said he is happy about the wave of defections into the APC and urged the ruling party’s leadership to bring in more opposition members.President Tinubu also slammed critics who accused his government of installing a one-party state due to the recent gale of defections. He said those defecting to the APC should not be blamed because they were in a sinking ship.The President said, “You don’t blame people bailing out of a seeking ship, when they have no life jacket. I am glad of what we have and I’m expecting more to come. That’s the game. We are in a constitutional democracy; don’t forget the freedom of movement and freedom association is not criminally punishable. Welcome to the progressives, sweep them clean.”Earlier, the APC National Working Committee members led by the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, endorsed President Tinubu for a second term.The endorsement followed the National Assembly’s declaration of support for the President as their sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.Sen. Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, moved the endorsement, which was seconded by Hon. Tajudeen Abass, the Speaker of the House of Representatives.Defect with Me to APC or Resign, Gov Eno Tells Commissioners, OthersAkwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has directed all commissioners and political appointees in his cabinet to either defect with him to the All Progressives Congress, APC, or resign from their positions.The directive was reportedly issued during an ongoing State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting on Thursday, where the governor openly confirmed his decision to leave the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for the APC.Sources present at the meeting disclosed that Governor Eno made it clear that his defection should come as no surprise to any of his appointees, stating:“Anybody who claims he is not aware of my intention to leave the PDP is still living in the 18th century,” he said.He explained that his decision to align with the APC was driven by his admiration for the leadership style of President Bola Tinubu, adding that he wants to work more closely with the Federal Government.The governor issued a stern warning to his appointees, saying he has “nothing to negotiate” with anyone unwilling to follow his political direction.“Apart from elected officials like House of Assembly members and Local Government Chairmen, I have nothing to negotiate with you,” Eno declared.“Let me tell you, anybody who believes that when I leave the PDP he will use the party structure to fight me is lying, because I will still control the PDP structure.”As of the time of filing this report, the State Executive Council meeting was still in session, with further developments expected in the coming hours.Nigerian Voters, not Govs ‘ll Decide Tinubu’s Fate in 2027 – WabaraOn the contrary, former Senate President and the Chairman Board of Trustees, BoT, of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has said that the Nigerian electorate, and not a few governors, will decide the fate of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.Senator Wabara was reacting to the adoption of Tinubu by APC governors as their sole candidate for the 2027 presidential race.However, he commended the governors for giving the President the right of first refusal, which he acknowledged “is a global practice and tradition”. But he added that being the flag bearer of the ruling party does not translate to automatic victory at the pool.Senator Wabara recalled that in 2015, PDP’s presidential flag bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, was a sitting President but lost to the then opposition APC’s candidate.The former Senate President told the APC governors to allow President Tinubu’s work to speak for him.He said that the Nigerian masses “Who on a daily basis, feel the impact of the APC-led Federal Government, are the only ones to decide the President’s fate in 2027”.The PDP BoT Chairman argued that “it’s too early to overheat the polity with 2027 elections when INEC has not lifted the ban on campaigns.He “advised APC governors to rather concentrate on how to make life affordable for Nigerians, who are battling to survive the hardship inflicted on them by APC’s maladministration”.The former Senate President accused the APC of foisting one party system on Nigeria. He warned of the grave danger such drifting poses to the country’s democracy.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen have reportedly killed four persons, including two soldiers in a renewed attack on a community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.The latest attack had led the residents to flee to Ugbokpo headquarters of Apa LGA where they are taking refuge.
Some locals who spoke to DAILY ASSET yesterday identified the attacked communities as Ikobi which is located just a few kilometres away from Ugbokpo, the headquarters of Apa local government area. According to residents, the incident happened on Wednesday at about 3:30AM when the assailants invaded the community in a commando style, ambushing the soldiers who were conducting surveillance in the area and allegedly killing two of them.An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told DAILY ASSET through text message on Thursday that “The herdsmen, yesterday (Wednesday) attacked and killed four persons including two soldiers and made away with the military’s two AK47 and one SMG Gun, at Ijaha Ikobi, in Apa Local Government Area of Benue”.He gave the names of the civilian victims (Natives), who were killed to include; Ocheje Ngbede Sani and Aduba Paul Ogboyi, while names of the two soldiers killed as at the time of filing this report, were yet to be unknown.He lamented that the current security situation in Benue State called for concern of everyone and the entire Nigeria.The source insisted that both military and other paramilitary ought to have taken over the whole surrounding bushes in Apa and Agatu, to clear the insurgents and free the areas for farmers to farm peacefully.”This is a wakeup call to “Mopol 80″ stationed at Odugbo, to rise up to their responsibilities and face the criminal herders headlong and clear the bushes in Apa and Agatu axis and even other parts of zone C. Enough is enough! No one has a monopoly of violence”, he said.”We pray for the souls of the innocent farmers and Gallant Officers who were killed at Ijaha Ikobi in Apa and the souls of others, rest in peace Amen,” he added.Council’s chairman of Apa local government, Adam Ochega Ogwola confirmed the incident to newsmen in Makurdi on Thursday, describing the killing of the soldiers and innocent civilians as quite disturbing.”Yes, I can confirm that two soldiers and two other civilians were killed by herders.”At about 3:30am yesterday I received a call that there was an attack in the Ikobi community and when I called some people, there was no response from them. Later I heard that two soldiers were killed. So this morning, they discovered the bodies of the two civilians.”The attack took place at Ikobi community in Apa. The situation is relatively calm now. Soldiers and police are there to carry out their investigation to ensure that normalcy returns to that community.”Because of the culture of our people, you don’t normally keep accidental dead bodies in the mortuary. We are in the period of hit and run herders. When it happens we may not allow the corpse(s) to stay beyond 24hrs. So, they have been buried while the bodies of the late soldiers have been moved from that community. But I don’t know whether they are in a mortuary in Ugbokpo or in a mortuary in Makurdi”, the chairman stated.Effort to get confirmation from the Benue State Police Command proved abortive as the spokesperson for the command, Catherine Anene could not respond to calls and texts messages as at the time of filing this report.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a fresh cut in the pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) nationwide.The new rates now range from N875 to N905 per litre, depending on location.A breakdown of the revised prices shows, Lagos: N875, South-West N885, North-East: N905, North-West & Central: N895, and South-South & South-East: N905Prices indicate a N15 reduction per litre across all regions and partner retail outlets, applying to all major fuel marketers in partnership with the refinery, including MRS, Ardova, Heyden, Optima Energy, Techno Oil, and Hyde Energy.
Before the new price template, Lagos residents paid N890 per litre, while prices rose to N920 in the North East and South-South regions.Lagos residents will now pay N875, while those in the North East and South South will pay N905 per litre with the new adjustments.“Our quality petrol and diesel are refined for better engine performance and are environmentally friendly,” the company stated in the notice.The development comes after the 650,000 Lekki-based refinery on Monday said the naira-for-crude deal allowed it to reduce the price of petrol at the pumps.In a statement signed by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the company said the decision to maintain price stability reflects its unwavering commitment to supporting the Nigerian economy and alleviating the burden on consumers from the increase in fuel prices by maintaining price stability.The company affirmed that the prices of petrol will remain affordable and stable.
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