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Be careful with hampers this Christmas – Police warn Nigerians

Nigerians have been warned to be careful with hampers this Christmas season.The security alert was issued by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, on Monday,cautioning Nigerians to be extra alert while receiving gifts during the Yuletide season so as to avoid receiving explosive-laden hampers as gifts.

In a statement signed by the Force Spokesperson, Acting, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, Arase warned against the use of fireworks such as “bangers” and other explosives as they could further heighten the fear of insecurity during the festive season.

The statement said, 

“The IGP also enjoined citizens to shun all forms of violence and unlawful acts, eschew bitterness, hatred and rancour and go about their legitimate duties without fear of intimidation from any quarter during and after the season.”

INEC Confirms Yahaya Bello's Nomination By APC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received the request by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to replace the late Abubakar Audu’s name with that of Yahaya Bello for the December 5 supplementary governorship election in Kogi State.

Mr Nick Dazang, INEC Deputy Director, Publicity, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja. Dazang, however, did not disclose when the commission received the request. "They have sent the name of their replacement candidate, the second runner-up in their primaries, that is Yahaya Bello, to the commission," Dazang said. The deputy director also told NAN that the commission was much ready to conduct both Kogi supplementary and Bayelsa State elections scheduled for Saturday, December 5. "The commission is committed to conducting the two elections. That is why in respect of Kogi, in spite of what happened, we came out with public notice which invites the APC to submit its replacement candidate for the election," he said.

Dazang said that as part of the commission’s preparation for the Bayelsa poll, INEC would be holding stakeholders’ forum in the state on Tuesday.

The deputy director added that INEC had concluded the distribution of non-sensitive materials for the Bayelsa poll. He also said that the commission would be going to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to collect sensitive materials for onward distribution for the Bayelsa election on Wednesday. "After the stakeholders’ forum, the commission will immediately on Wednesday commence the distribution of sensitive materials in the state.

"We are inviting the representatives of political parties, their agents, observers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the media to witness the distribution of sensitive materials," he said. 

Factory Worker Rapes 4-year-old Girl

The Police at Amukoko Divisional headquarters, Lagos, have arrested one Emmanuel Umanah, 21, for allegedly raping a four-old-girl (names withheld). The suspect allegedly committed the crime in his one-room apartment on Opeoluwa Street, Mosafejo-Amukoko area of Ajegunle. It was learned that the police arrested Umanah following a report from the girl’s grandmother that the factory worker who was her neighbour, allegedly lured and raped her granddaughter in his apartment.

According to her: “After preparing food, I did not see my grandchild who I was calling to come and eat. I was still searching for her when a little girl about her age told me she was in Umanah’s apartment watching a film. I knocked but nobody answered. So, I pushed the door open and behold my grandchild was Unclad and her body covered up with Fluid. I raised an alarm immediately and with the help of other neighbours, my daughter was taken to the hospital.” Vanguard learned that medical test conducted in a nearby hospital (names withheld) confirmed that the victim was raped as she had bruises and Fluid in her private part.

Suspect’s account

The suspect, a native of Akwa-Ibom State, told Vanguard;“I live at No 6, Opeoluwa Street, Mosafejo -Amukoko area of Ajegunle. I am 21-years old. I work at a factory located around Mile 2. I live alone because I am not married. I was inside my room watching a film when two little girls came into my apartment. Later, one of them left. I did not know she had gone to tell the victim’s grandmother that I was touching her. It was the grandmother of the victim that caught me while calling her to come and eat when they found her inside my room. That was the first time I was doing such and I was caught. I only released on her laps but the test carried out by the hospital said the victim had bruises and Fluid in her virginal.” Police sources said the case was presently being investigated by Amukoko Divisional headquarters as the parents of the victim wanted the case to be properly investigated and charged to court.

HID Awolowo set for burial today, Her 100th birthday if she were alive

The burial of Mrs HID Awolowo, the wife of late Obafemi Awolowo will hold in Ikenne Ogun state today November 25th. Mrs Awolowo died on September 19th at the age of 99. President Buhari and many governors are expected to be at her funeral. Mrs Awolowo would have been 100 years old today.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, turns 69 today

Former VP Atiku Abubakar is 69 years old today. He was born November 25th 1946. Happy birthday to him.

Kogi Governor Wada Removes 15 LG Chairmen For Defecting To APC

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi on Tuesday removed 15 chairmen of local governments from office for defecting to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC). This is contained in a statement issued in Lokoja and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr James Adedoyin in Lokoja. The statement cited section 20 sub section (1) and section 36 sub section 1 (d) of Kogi State Local Government Law 2000 as amended to back the action.

It explained that the sacked chairmen can no longer remain in office having decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that sponsored them. Some of the affected council chairmen include that of Lokoja, Ogori-Magongo, Idah, Adavi, Ankpa, Okehi, Bassa, Yagba East, Yagba West and Okene among others.

They defected to the APC during the grand finale of its governorship campaign held in Lokoja on Nov. 18. The statement warned the sacked council chairmen to stay away from offices, directing the vice chairmen or the council leaders to take over the affairs of the affected councils as may be appropriate. The governor said the handing and taking over should be completed by Wednesday Nov. 25, the statement said. One of the grounds for their defection was the refusal of Wada to implement a decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Oct 29 that nullified the removal of the elected chairmen from office. They were removed from office based on the order of a Kogi State High Court sitting in Koton Karfe which ruled that the election of May 4, 2013 which brought them into office was faulty.

Relying on the judgment, Kogi State Government asked the chairmen and councillors to vacate office but the affected officials approached the Appeal Court which set aside the ruling and declared that they resume immediately.

Kogi state government refused to give effect to the ruling until Nov. 23.

Kogi State Election Public Notice Coming From INEC

Here is a public notice from INEC regarding the just conducted election in Kogi State, where the APC Gubernitorial Candidate, Abubakar Audu died before the election is concluded and winner declared.... So sad!

ISIS Attack Imminent Through Boko Haram- Experts Warns

A security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, has warned of an imminent terror attack on the country, asking the Federal Government to take proactive measures in the fight against insurgency. He advised that the government should enlist the services of citizens in the war against terror to forestall a case of multiple terror attacks like it happened in Paris, France, recently. Ekhomu, who is the President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria, in a statement on Monday, said recent intelligence intercepts indicated that an ISIS attack on Nigeria was imminent. He said, “ISIS could use its Nigerian affiliate, Boko Haram, to wreak havoc here in order to signal its capability to carry out worldwide terrorist attacks and add to its stocks of fear.

“Having millions of Nigerians on the lookout for terrorists, reporting suspicious activities to the authorities, is better than 400,000 police and military personnel searching for terrorists. “With proper enrolment, citizens can become the arrow-head in the search for terrorists as citizens are everywhere. With trained eyes, they can recognise Terrorist Attack Pre-incident Indicators in order to spot suicide bombers, bomb planters and active-shooters.” He advised the Federal Government to adopt a colour-coded security alert system, adding that the codes could aid mass mobilisation of people to prevent terror attacks. He said the system would also ensure that residents do not suffer “vigilance-fatigue”. He said, “The Federal Government can adopt the color-coded National Security Alert System where green means that attack is not likely and red means imminent attack.”

The chartered security expert stressed the need for the establishment of a national three-digit emergency number, saying the multiplicity of security numbers by various security agencies “shows that we are not serious about security”. He called for the setting up of emergency response centers in all state capitals with voice-logging recorders to enable trained professionals respond to citizens in emergency conditions. “It is the job of government to keep citizens safe from terrorists. Political leaders need to work hard to ensure that people are kept safe from attacks, rather than the fad of visiting victims of bomb blasts and offering to pay hospital bills. The primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of citizens. Security is a primary responsibility of the modern democratic state,” he added. He advised government at all levels to be guided by the pro-active and responsible actions of some developed countries in protecting their citizens from ISIS and other terrorist groups.

Alfred Akawe-Torkula, Tor Of Tiv Is Dead

The paramount ruler of the Tiv tribe in Benue State who is also the Tor Tiv, Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula, has died. Chairman of Benue State Council of Chiefs, Alfred Akawe Torkula, Tor Tiv IV, died yesterday in an Abuja hospital. Vanguard learned that Chief Torkula was rushed to Abuja a week ago for medical attention after taking ill in Gboko and the news came as Northern monarchs expressed regrets over his passage.

Tor Tiv IV, Alfred Akawe Torkula

News of the death of the paramount ruler filtered into town yesterday morning but at the time of filing this report, his rumoured death had not been confirmed by the traditional council. The rumour was further heightened by the summoning of an emergency meeting of the Tiv Traditional Council in Gboko yesterday. It was gathered from an insider that after the meeting in Gboko, a delegation of the Tiv Traditional Council would depart for Makurdi to brief Governor Ortom on the development. “It is after the briefing that the Tiv Traditional Council will announce whether The Tor Tiv, Begha-U-Tiv Orchivirigh Dr Alfred Akawe Torkura,The Tor Tiv IV, has in actual fact joined his ancestors or not,” a source said. Meanwhile, Northern monarchs yesterday regretted the passing away of Tor Tiv, Dr. Alfred Akawu Terkula. Chairman of Northern Traditional Council of Chiefs, the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Abubakar Sa’ad II, announced the demise of Tor Tiv, who was also Chairman, Benue State Traditional Council of Chiefs, during a meeting of the council in Kaduna yesterday. Sa’ad described the late Tor Tiv as a bridge builder who has led his people into prosperity and peace in his chiefdom and the Northern region. He said: “It is with a sad heart we announce the demise of one of our own royal father the Tor Tiv, Dr. Alfred Akawu Tukula who recently passed away. “It is a sad moment to the Council but we take solace that during his reign he contributed immensely to the development of Tiv kingdom and the Northern region. Our only prayer is that whosoever succeeded him will continue with good works he set on ground. “We console the people of Benue State in general and the Tiv in particular. We know that losing someone like the late Tor Tiv is not easy but they should seek solace in the fact that he was a traditional ruler of exception. “An educationist who ensure that his people move from the level of illiteracy to literacy; a businessman who create avenues for incomes for many of his subjects.”