Closure of Third mainland bridge: Police promise safety

 

The Lagos State Police Command has assured motorists of adequate security, along the designated diversions, as the third mainland bridge is closed from 12 midnight to 7 p.m on Saturday.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the assurance in a statement he issued on Friday.

Adejobi said that the closure was sequel to the on-going repairs at the Oworonsoki end that would warrant movement of heavy equipment, materials and signboards on the bridge.

He also said that the command had deployed additional men to the sites and diversions, to work with other security agencies, for traffic management and adequate protection of lives and property.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, appeals to the general public, especially motorists, to be patient during the maintenance of the bridge.

“Odumosu also urged the public to cooperate with security operatives, who will be on duty at various points, while the repairs last,” Adejobi said.

-PM NEWS

Hovercraft introduced in Lagos as govt partners UK to ease traffic congestion

 

As part of efforts to reduce congestion on Lagos roads, the state has partnered with the UK government to enhance waterways transportation.

In a statement on Friday, the British deputy high commission office in Nigeria said a hovercraft has been introduced in the state, which will contribute to reducing road traffic congestion.

According to the statement, Griffon Hoverwork, a UK hovercraft design and manufacturing company, carried out a demonstration of the hovercraft on Friday, in Lagos.

“Recognising the urgency to tackle climate change, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, and the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, have witnessed the sea trial of a hovercraft today,” the statement reads.

“The hovercraft is an amphibious boat-like vehicle that travels over water, sand and grass.

The hovercraft

“It will reduce travel time, improving connectivity between communities and hence provide access to critical services such as healthcare, education and employment.”

Ben Llewellyn-Jones, the British deputy high commissioner, said the system would also reduce carbon emissions and support economic growth in the water transport sector.

“The UK government is keen to assist the Lagos state government in the area of water transportation and urban development,” he said.

“Lagos is Africa’s largest city with lots of capacity, but relies excessively on road vehicles for transport, leading to long and expensive commutes and traffic delays.

“Through our Future Cities Nigeria programme, we are working with LASWA to develop water transport routes that reduce road traffic congestion, provide safer, cleaner, reduced cost transport and reduce CO2 emissions.

“It is great to see these plans start to become reality through this trial of a hovercraft on the Lagos waterways.

“This demonstrates the range of opportunities and potential for UK and other international businesses in this sector to benefit from the new transport routes.”

In his remarks, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, general manager of LASWA, said the state would continue to work with the UK government to improve the water transportation sector.

- THECABLE

Divide Nigeria now before it’s too late – Pastor Giwa tells political leaders

 Senior Pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa, has called on political leaders to start preparing towards the disintegration of Nigerian, saying it is the only option left with a view to solving the challenges facing Nigeria.

Giwa specifically described ‘One Nigeria’ slogan as a big scam having been tried for 60 years.

In a statement signed and forwarded to DAILY POST on Saturday, the cleric said Nigerians had lost patience with the way politicians run the country since 1999 when Nigeria transitioned from military to civilian rule.

He said,”It’s been rough and tough for Nigerians since 1999. No stable electricity, employment and security. Yet, they keep preaching One Nigeria to the citizens.

“Why can’t they just have conscience and feel people’s pain? We have tried ONE NIGERIA for 60 years but failed us. Now, let’s try division if it could solve our problems.

“Don’t forget that I warned the president in 2019 and his vice to vacate Aso rock because God can never be mocked.

“They ignored warnings and keep holding on to power. The APC government never had good plans for Nigerians from time immemorial.

“All they wanted to grab was power to be in control and to further turn Nigeria to Tajikistan where the strong citizens beg for food.

“It’s time all the political leaders come together and start planing toward disintegration of Nigeria. The earlier they do so, the better for citizens”

- DAILY POST

Zidane clashes with journalists ahead of Huesca game

Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has clashed with reporters ahead of their LaLiga game at Huesca, demanding for respect.

On Friday, Zidane said journalists should “tell me to my face that you want me to go”.

The Frenchman had missed Real’s last two games while recovering from COVID-19.

A 2-1 defeat to Levante last weekend saw Los Blancos fall 10 points behind leaders, Atletico Madrid in the title race.

They were also eliminated from both the Spanish Supercopa and Copa del Rey last month.

“Are you serious? Every day, I’m out, and you know it,” Zidane said when asked if he was being defensive of his position and his team.

“Last year we won the league. We did. Real Madrid.

“Next year they will have to do things, make changes maybe. But this year we have the right to fight. Let us fight.

“We won the league last year, not 10 years ago. Show a bit of respect for that. You [journalists] say a lot of things. But you have to take responsibility. Tell me to my face: I want you to go. We want you to go. But you have to say it, not behind my back.”

- PM NEWS

Six killed as bandits open fire on commuters in Kaduna

 

The Kaduna state government says suspected bandits have killed six commuters along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road.

Samuel Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs, in a statement on Friday, said the bandits opened fire on the commuters while running away from “aggressive patrols” by security agencies in the area.

According to the statement, the bandits took to the highway around Ungwan Dangedda while shooting at several vehicles as they retreated.

The driver of a commercial vehicle was said to have been hit in the process, forcing him to lose control of the vehicle.

The vehicle was said to have somersaulted several times before coming to a stop, after which the bandits reportedly fled the scene.

The six persons that died on the spot from the crash were identified as Abdurrashid Ya’u, Sa’idu Ya’u, Suwaiba Ali’ Sulaiman Ustaz, Ramatu Ya’u, and an unidentified infant.

Six other persons — Ubale Yahuza, Rabiu Ibrahim, Umar Musa, Saude Yusuf, Mohammed Aminu, and Kadima Mercy — sustained injuries.

The state government had in September 2020 strengthened security around the airport and Birnin Gwari road, known to be a flashpoint of kidnapping, by deploying troops of the Nigerian army there.

- THECABLE

Fear as kidnappers, bandits, ‘one-chance’ others ‘find feet’ in Abuja

 

As security challenges continue to confront the entire nation, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is not left out as the city has been made uncomfortable for some residents by kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements surrounding the territory.

More Worrisome is the Abuja-Kaduna Road which is believed to have become a hideout for criminals.

DAILY POST gathered that most times, kidnappers on that axis capitalize on the porousness of security and invade the nation’s capital to launch mayhem on Abuja residents.

Recall that on Dec 29, Nigerian troops killed nine suspected bandits along the dreaded Abuja-Kaduna road as announced by the Kaduna State Government.

Communities close to this axis have suffered unrest many times over kidnapping and other criminal activities.

A resident of Nyanya, Mrs Onyinye Peter told DAILY POST correspondent that criminals in the area specialize in attacking people in their houses and snatching their gadgets and other valuables.

“You cannot even go to the market with your phone, we keep our good phones at home when going to some places,” she added.

Recall also that in the early 2020, an ATM user at Zenith Bank in Dutse Alhaji was kidnapped after he noticed money was being withdrawn from his account. On getting to the Zenith Bank at Dutse Alhaji, the criminals whisked him away. Till date, nothing has been heard of him and no update has been provided by the security operatives under which jurisdiction the incident happened.

It could be recalled that an angry mob burnt three suspected kidnappers to death along Dutse-under bridge late 2019 as they abducted a young girl and made to escape the area. Similarly, on the Kubwa expressway, about 5 suspected fraudsters, otherwise known as ‘one-chance’ were nabbed by some angry mob as they attempted to whisk their victims away.

Meanwhile, The issue of car theft is relatively becoming a normal activity in Abuja with cases being recorded in many parts of the city.

On December 2, 2020, the FCT Police Command arrested a seven-man car theft syndicate at Sabon-Gari along Bwari axis during stop and search operation and recovered firearms from the members.

Those arrested by the Police Detectives from Bwari Division were: Abbas Ibrahim, 32; John Aefa, 36; John Ofo, 35; Jerry Bulus, 32; Uzochukwu Michael, 34; Abdulrahman Suleiman, 42; and Stanley Okeke, 34, all male.

Last week also, the FCT Police Command said about seven suspects were arrested along Kabusa, Bwari, Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji axis for armed robbery, cultism and kidnapping.

Recall the story of Chizoba Ede who hawks snacks around Lugbe, Abuja who unknowingly boarded a vehicle belonging to hoodlums popular known as ‘one chance’ along Wuse Area.

According to her: “They collected the N100, 000 cash I realized from my sales that day. They also collected my ATM card and asked for my pin which I gave them. They brought out a POS and inserted the card into it, but the network didn’t come up to carry out transactions.

“They thought I gave them a wrong pin and beat me up. After a while, the network came up and they transferred all the N360, 000 from my account”.

Only a few days ago, about three relatives of the Bwari area council Chairman were kidnapped. Some of the suspects, DAILY POST gathered, have been arrested.

Our correspondent visited Shakpatu, Zone C Community in Ushafa, Bwaria Area Council where about 3 persons were recently kidnapped.

Chairman of the community, Bashiru Azimi told DAILY POST correspondent that the community has been faced with several security challenges in recent time.

The Chairman lamented that the environment itself is a threat to the community’s safety, “Unfortunately, Ushafa is surrounded by thick bushes and rocks especially the Dam area that has been serving as an escape route and hideouts for these men.

“Ushafa witnessed its first horrible encounter when on a faithful evening, a man (was kidnapped from his house), a woman and her nephew were kidnapped. The kidnappers came with well armed AK47 and for over 45 mins they carried out this operation.

“We are all living with one eye closed and the other widely opened. How I wish, the security agents will come to our aid. May God bless Nigeria”, Azimi added.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Tuesday said the current state of security in the FCT is better than what the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration inherited in 2015.

While speaking on Radio Nigeria Programme, “Politics Nationwide”, the Minister said: “In 2015, Abuja was not safe for Nigerians as insurgents bombed the UN building, a motor park in Nyanya and some media houses.

However, when DAILY POST contacted the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Mariam Yusuf for comments, she assured residents that the command was putting up strategies to ensure Abuja is safe for residents.

“We have deployed overt and covert strategies to ensure the protection of lives and property of FCT residents,” she stated.

- DAILY POST

Fani-Kayode backs Ortom: ‘Buhari must disarm Fulani herdsmen quickly’

 

Critic, Femi Fani-Kayode has backed Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State’s criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari’s lethargy and failure to call Fulani herdsmen terrorising Nigerians to order.

Fani-Kayode said Buhari must disarm these herdsmen quickly before things got out of hand.

He said Ortom had spoken the minds of 90 percent of Nigerians, lamenting that people were hungry and fed up.

Fani-Kayode stated that the tension in the land was real, saying that since 2015, he had warned this would happen but that few listened.

“Gov. Ortom has spoken the minds of 90% of Nigerians. People are angry & fed up & the tension is real. Since 2015 I warned this would happen but few listened.

“Buhari must disarm these herdsmen quickly before things get out of hand & the people rise up to defend themselves,” he said.

On Thursday, Ortom had said Buhari is the President of Nigeria, not the President of the Fulani tribe where he hails from.

Ortom also noted that Buhari pledged to be the President of everybody and nobody in 2015 and therefore should serve the interest of all Nigerians.

He said, “When I talk, I was being castigated, I was being vilified, nothing bad that was not said against me, I am this and that but the reality is here and it is not just happening in Benue State today, it is happening in the entire country.

“Why is the Federal Government being silent about these Fulani herdsmen? When will Federal Government come out and criticise and arrest herdsmen carrying AK-47? When are they going to do that? Are we second (-class) citizens in this country? Why (is) the Fulani men superior to a Tiv man? I am not their slave, a Benue man is not slave to any Fulani man in this country.

“We stand for justice, equity and fairness. Whatever is happening to a Fulani man should also happen to a Tiv man. That was why I called the Federal Government to licence me and many others to have guns, to have AK-47 too. Because if I have my AK-47 and a Fulani man is coming there, he knows that I have and he has, then we can fight each other.

“But you can’t disarm me and arm a Fulani man. This is not right, the Federal Government is biased, it is unfair. The failure in security is caused by Federal Government.”

- PM NEWS