News
Gunmen Attack Jos Communities, Kill Seven …As Tanker Fire Razes Seven Vehicles In Lagos
No fewer than seven people, including a student, have been reported killed in some communities in Jos, Plateau State, in a renewed onslaught on residents by hoodlums in the town.
The hoodlums, who also attacked the students’ Village Hostel, University of Jos, were reportedly repelled by the students who fought back.
Security operatives were reported to have intervened in the crisis, during which a 300-level Law student, Kums Shadrach, was shot dead.
Two other undergraduates of the institution, who reportedly sustained injuries, were said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
The Public Relations Officer of the Students Union Government, Kelvin Kwalmi, said soldiers killed Shadrach.
He said, “The whole thing started, last Friday, when some hoodlums tried to invade Village Hostel. The students mobilised and repelled them.
“Yesterday (Sunday), they tried to come in again and the students tried to protect themselves. The soldiers later came and opened fire. Stray bullets hit our students. The soldiers came in a Hilux truck and threw tear gas canisters at us before opening fire. We had to run back. A student, who was hit in the head, died on the spot. “
He noted that there had been attacks on some residents on Rukuba Road, with many people killed.
Kwalmi said the killings later escalated to Gadaji, Dutse Ukwu, Inner Junction, Angwan Rukuba areas, adding that it was the fight that spilled into the students’ hostel.
The UNIJOS Alumni Public Relations Officer, Mr Adoration Dashit, noted that the university was surrounded by a Muslim community.
He said, “The town has been polarised; there are areas dominated by Christians and there are areas dominated by Muslims. Even the university community is surrounded by a Muslim community. The Village Hostel, which is one of our hostels, is close to Fariganda Market, which is surrounded by three hotspots. So, you can understand how it got to the hostel.
“The students claimed that the miscreants shot at them and attempted to break into the hostel and it was in the process that one person was killed. Those who fired the shots were said to be in military uniform, but it is possible for the hoodlums to also wear military uniforms.”
The UNIJOS Principal Assistant Registrar, Information and Publications, Abdullahi Abdullahi, in a statement on Monday, said situation on the campus was still tense, urging members of the university community to exercise caution.
He noted that while one person had been confirmed dead and two injured, one student was still missing.
He said, “The school management wishes to clarify that after a rigorous search was carried out, one student is still missing, while one student was confirmed dead and two others were reported injured.
“The corpse of the deceased student has since been deposited in a mortuary. The injured student is receiving treatment in a hospital, while the other one has been discharged. Out of respect for the families of the affected students, the university authorities have decided not to disclose the identities of the dead and the injured, but would do so in due course.
“It should, however, be noted that following the breakdown of peace in the metropolis, management has been working round the clock in close collaboration with the security agencies and the Plateau State Government to ensure that the lives and property of members of the university community, especially students, are adequately protected.”
The state Commissioner of Police, Undie Udie, who confirmed the attack, said no fewer than seven people were killed.
He said, “No fewer than seven were killed. There is still tension in the area, so it is when the situation is calm that we will be able to go round to check (the number of casualties).
“I don’t think it is correct to say a soldier killed the student. Some hoodlums wanted to gain access into the students’ hostel. They usually do that to either rape the girls or rob them. So, both military task force and the police moved in and dislodged them.
“It was not only the students that were attacked. You have residents of Dutse Ukwu, Rikkos, Tina junction; it is a stretch of road. The communities along the road were affected. We positioned our men and armoured personnel carriers in the troubled spots.”
The Plateau Law Students Association, University of Jos, in a statement by its Secretary General, Sunday Timothy, lamented that the government was not doing enough to address the security situation in the state.
“We have been shouting that we want peace for 17 years now; maybe we should try something else, because clearly, peace is not working.
“We have not finished suffering from the afflictions of this government or the economic downturns and our naira purchasing power, parity fluctuations. And we’re being ravaged by murderers and blood suckers even in the hostel?”
Meanwhile, the last Facebook post of the deceased student has generated reactions as many thought he had a premonition of his death.
In the post, the 23-year-old Plateau State indigene called for “balance of terror.”
He said, “If we are still praying for peace to help us, then I am sorry to disappoint you, peace won’t help us anymore. Do you know what we need? Balance of terror will. Call me an extremist and a radical, well, that is how things get done. For the peace, development and greatness of a place to be cemented, it has to be ravaged by destruction. If I die in the struggle, then so be it. Plateau has seen so much of nonsense.”
Meanwhile, no fewer than seven vehicles were burnt, yesterday, when a tanker spilled it’s Petrol Motor Spirit, PMS contents on Lagos-Badagry Expressway between Barracks and Onireke in Ojo Local Government.
It was gathered that the vehicles exhaust ignited the inferno that occurred few minutes after the tanker had left the scene.
It was also learned that the fire started at about 5.00 a. m, destroying the contents of a truck conveying crates of drinks from a breweries firm.
Other vehicles gutted were Peugeot car, a Space bus, a Toyota Hummer jeep, a Mazda bus, a container conveying food products and an empty truck.
Eyewitness narrated that aside the first vehicle that ignited the fire, six others would have escaped the inferno.
They added that the drivers of the burnt vehicles would have avoided the spillage but none availability of streetlights to provide illumination caused many to get trapped in it.
According to them, no life was lost but the vehicles burnt worth millions of Naira.
Residents stressed that the inferno should serve as reasons the state government should respond with deployment of Lagos Public Works to repair the road.
They lamented that the state of the road had caused untold hardship to residents within the axis.
Speaking to newsmen, a resident, Adewale Adesanya said: “From the Army Cantonment junction, there is no access road and this is the situation from the beginning within this axis. This fire outbreak started around 5.00 a. m when that tanker spilled its content on the road and left through another route.”
Confirming the explosion, General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Adeshina Tiamiyu, said that six vehicles were razed.
Tiamiyu added that no life was lost during the inferno that started at about 5am.
In another development, an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, yesterday, ordered the remand of a 35-year-old driver, Chika Obilor, in Kirikiri Prison for allegedly snatching N290,000 valuables from a reverend father at gunpoint.
News
Don’t Panic, We’ll Protect Rivers Interest -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has told the people of the State not to panic and be rest assured of the determination of his administration to protect lives and property of residents while improving the collective aspirations of the people.
Fubara gave the assurance when he addressed members of the Family Support Group, who were on solidarity visit to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday to declare their unalloyed support to his administration.
Family Support Group is an assemblage of well-meaning Rivers youths, men and women drawn from the three Senatorial Districts and 23 local government areas, with the core aim of protecting, promoting and defending the interests of Rivers State.
The governor, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, said that the government is for the youths, women, men and every well-meaning Nigerian who wish the State well.
He assured that his administration would not disappoint their expectations, but would deliver good governance and quality services across all sectors.
Fubara said it was gratifying to see ebullient youths showing undying interest in government, and were also willing to defend their votes, and see him completing his tenure without interruption.
The governor explained that so many development projects had been completed and opened for public use with many others like the Port Harcourt Ring Road still actively ongoing.
He specifically noted the readiness of the administration to flag off construction of phase two of the real Trans-Kalabari Road from Port Harcourt through Tombia to other communities; and the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
“The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly, and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this Administration.
“Just about within weeks of assuming office, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, flagged-off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project that will transverse six local governments. It will be completed within 36 months, but I think it will be completed before the time, because the progress of work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking.
“The Trans-Kalabari Road, very soon, the official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start, and will begin from Port Harcourt. That road, a lot of plans have been done, very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened.
“Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the Governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The Government has already awarded the contract”, he said.
Fubara emphasised that his administration is pro-youth and pro-human beings, and determined to maintain that level of empathy and inclusivity that offers succour to the people.
“I, therefore, want to thank you for the promise you have made, and I want you to remain unshakable. Keep your word of defending him at all times.
“When you hear anything outside, be bold, defend the Governor, and tell the people the things you know about him. Tell them what you know he has done to develop the State and the people”, he stated.
In his address, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr Henry Abraham, recalled that during the 2023 elections, they were encouraged to vote and defend their votes because the process was violence-free and credible.
“When we defend our votes, we will also defend the man we voted for. We are Family Support Group, Rivers State belongs to all of us. Rivers State is not a personal estate of one man, it’s for all Rivers people.
“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stand firm. Family Support Group is with you. All the wards’ coordinators are with you. All the wards’ executives are with you. All the LGA coordinators are with you. All the officers of the National Executive Committee are with you. All our leaders are with you, and the PDP is with you,” he assured.
News
11 GDI Coordinators Declare Support For Fubara
The support base for the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, swelled up on Wednesday when 11 Ward Coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the State pledged unalloyed support and loyalty to his administration.
Ahoada East, which is the local government area of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, has a total of 13 electoral wards.
The 11 GDI Coordinators, who were in Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday on solidarity visit, said that they have now realised that they had been deceived and misled in the past few months, and decided to retrace their steps, and join the mass of Rivers people to defend and protect their votes and mandate freely given to Governor Fubara.
The coordinators, who were received by the Chief of Staff, Dr Edison Ehie, pledged to mobilise all their supporters and associates to give the State Government the necessary support and encouragement to deliver good governance and sustainable development to Rivers people.
They said that having watched the actions and policy direction of the governor, they have come to the realisation that sitting on the fence while detractors undermine the government was not in the best interest of the State.
The coordinators, who were accompanied by the former LGA Coordinator of GDI, Hon. Christian Abu, and Ahoada East LGA Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Handsome Ekelechi Agile, said that they were resolute in their decision to join millions of well-meaning Rivers people who had solidified their membership of the SIMplified Movement to protect and defend the governor in the face of unwarranted attacks and campaign of calumny.
They said that with their movement to the SIMplified Family, the GDI structure in Ahoada East has completely collapsed.
They warned that anybody fighting the governor and the Chief of Staff would incur the wrath of the land.
In his remarks, Hon. Ehie assured the coordinators of the State government’s commitment to the wellbeing of all Rivers people and the consolidation of the gains of the infrastructure revolution of the administration.
He said that the Fubara-led government was operating an open door policy and running an inclusive administration, assuring that every Rivers man and woman will be touched positively by the actions, policies, and programmes of the government.
The GDI Coordinators included Chinwe Okorji representing Ward 1; Henry Uhor for Ward 2; Hon. Muzan Otuza of Ward 3; Hon. Elvis Ishikaku representing Ward 4; and Hon. Johnson Monday of Ward 5.
Others are Mr. Evidence Adi for Ward 6; Emmanuel Ochu of Ward 7; Hon. Fidelis Ikebuluwa representing Ward 8; Martins Odoi of Ward 9; Hon. Mackson Ekpeye representing Ward 10; Hon. Ambrose Ile for Ward 12.
With this development, the leadership of GDI at the Ward and LG levels have now dumped the group to join the Governor in efforts to transform the State.
News
Fubara Recommits To Human Capacity Building In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed the determination of his administration to build and strengthen the capacity of workers in the State’s Civil Service.
The governor said this during a meeting held behind closed doors in Government House, Port Harcourt, with the national leadership of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, yesterday.
After the meeting, leader of the delegation and National President of NIM, Dr. Christiana Atako, told newsmen that Governor Fubara, a fellow of the Institute and astute manager, excited them with his plans on human capital development and other development initiatives.
Dr. Atako, who is also the Chairman of Council of NIM said, “In fact, he was talking so much about the civil service. I have told you that one of our strengths is to develop capacity of the workforce, and we told him that we are interested in the civil service of this State.
“We are interested in building capacity of the workforce because we believe that if you have the right workforce, you’ll be able to have successful system. And if you have a successful system, leadership will be very easy.”
She emphasised that, “And when we told him, he bought the idea. He said he was happy about that. He wants a situation where, apart from the infrastructure that he was putting in place, he also wants to build the capacity of the people.”
Atako stated that as an Institute, they were impressed with the giant strides of the leadership of the governor, the many infrastructural projects, both ongoing and completed, including the welfare packages for civil servants, particularly the Christmas bonus of N100, 000.00.
She pointed out the distinguishing attributes of a great and good leader, which include exhibiting empathy and motivating the workers to become more productive, which she said, were evident in the leadership shown by Governor Fubara.
Atako said they also informed the governor of their forthcoming annual national conference slated to hold in Port Harcourt, which is always used to discuss issues that are of interest to the growth and development of the country.
Those in the delegation were Registrar/Chief Executive of NIM, Mrs Taiwo Olusesi; former National Vice President, Dame Christie Toby; Council Members, Engr. Beniah Ojum; Prof. Sylva Opuala-Charles; Zonal Chairman and Chairman LOC NIM ANMC, Pastor Eyo Okpo-Ene; former National Treasurer, Chief Grant Orugbani; and Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, His Imperial Majesty, Kelvin N. Anugwo.
Others are former Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly and Member LOC NIM ANMC, Rt. Hon. Marshall Stanley-Uwom; AGM, Hotel Presidential, Mr. Rex Yakpogoro; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Engr. Eze Egwurugwu; Sir Mike Elechi; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Dr. Kelechi Belinda Udeogu; Secretary, South South Zone and Secretary LOC NIM ANMC, Mr. Christian U. Abu; Emeritus Professor Simeon Chituru Achinehu.
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