12 police killed as gunmen attack Rivers, A/Ibom checkpoints, police stations – Newstrends
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12 police killed as gunmen attack Rivers, A/Ibom checkpoints, police stations

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4 years ago

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Twelve police including officers have been killed in separate gunmen attacks on police checkpoints, police stations and headquarters in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

Rivers police command spokesman, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed on Saturday that seven police officers were killed.

He said the attack occurred on Friday night at two police stations and a checkpoint, adding that vehicles belonging to the Rivers command were also set ablaze.

Two of the attackers were also said to have been shot dead.

“The incident which led to the death of seven policemen occurred last night at about 2030hrs, where unknown gunmen driven in two branded Hilux vans, attacked the special checkpoint at Choba Bridge, where in a surprise attack, killed two policemen on duty and set ablaze a private car belonging to one of the Policemen,” Omoni said in a statement.

He also said, “A similar attack was launched at Rumuji Police Station by the same hoodlums who killed two Policemen on duty and burnt a Police patrol vehicle.

“However, a stiff resistance by the Police prevented the hoodlums from gaining access into the police station. In the course of exchange of fire, two of the attackers were fatally wounded and died on the spot.

“The third attack at Elimgbu Police Station was equally resisted by the Police, though three officers were killed in that attack, but the serious fire engagement made them to abandon their bullet riddled Hilux van, while they escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds with a snatched Sienna bus.

“The continued engagement by the police also forced them to abandon the Sienna car they were using to escape at the Refinery Junction, while their remnants again escaped with bullet wounds.”

The police spokesman added that the corpses of the deceased officers had been deposited in the mortuary, and calm restored to the area.

He also noted that Rivers police commissioner, Eboka Friday, had launched an investigation into the incident, while a police team is currently on the trail of the attackers.

This happened despite a curfew imposed in Rivers days after nine security operatives of the army, police and the Nigerian Customs Service were killed at various checkpoints around the state.

In Akwa Ibom State, five policemen and one woman were killed during a Saturday dawn attack at the divisional police headquarters, Odoro Ikpe in the Ini Local Government Area.

Chairman of the council, Mr Israel Adaisin, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, blamed members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) for the attack.

According to him, the gunmen invaded the divisional police station around 2.45am and killed five police officers.

He said they also killed one woman, burnt several vehicles and destroyed other facilities.

He said eyewitnesses told him the gunmen, numbering more than 40, arrived at the council headquarters in two buses and a Sienna car.

The chairman said, “They arrived at Ini Local Government Area with sophisticated weapons, broke into the police facility at precisely 2.45am, killing five policemen on duty, burning of vehicles while inflicting injuries on others.”

He added some police officers who attempted to repel the gunmen were overrun.

Adaisin, who visited the scene of the attack with member representing Ini Constituency in Akwa Ibom Assembly, Emmanuel Bassey, appealed for calm while condoling with the victims.

He said, “I can confirm that gunmen arrived at the Ini Local Government Area with two buses and one Sienna car on Saturday at 2.45 am numbering more than 40 men, killed 5 policemen on duty and one woman at Odoro Ikpe Police Station while burning several vehicles during the attack.

“I want to also extend my heartfelt condolences to the fallen heroes families and the Nigeria Police Force who died in the line of duty.

“I want to also thank the youths of the Ini Local Government Area who were proactive in raising alarm which was the needed force that helped to reduce the level of casualties which would have been recorded as a result of the attack.

“I urge the good people of the Ini LGA to stay calm as we are working with relevant security agencies and the government of Akwa Ibom State to ensure that the situation is contained and necessary modalities are being put in place to forestall a reoccurrence.

“There is no cause for fear as the culprits will be brought to book in no distant time.”

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We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

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9 mins ago

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November 15, 2024

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Governor Ahmed Aliyu and Hamdiyya Sidi

We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

The Sokoto Police Command has refuted claims circulated by an online platform alleging that Hamdiyya Sidi was arrested and detained for criticizing Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

Labeling the reports as baseless, police officials clarified that Sidi was detained following a complaint lodged against her for allegedly inciting public unrest.

In a statement issued by the Sokoto State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufai, the police detailed that Sidi allegedly admitted to inciting residents to violence during questioning.

According to the statement, Sidi allegedly presented herself as a humanitarian seeking to assist local residents with donations, but later used the platform to incite them, prompting law enforcement action.

The statement read: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force, Sokoto Command, has been drawn to the ongoing falsehood and misinformation circulated by social media handles on the purported story that the Nigeria Police, Sokoto Command, secretly arrested and arraigned a woman who lamented on the recent rise in killings in Sokoto for embarrassing Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto. This is false and misleading.”

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The statement continued to clarify the situation, explaining: “On the 3rd of November 2024 at 1700hrs, Marafa Yakubu, the village head of Sabon Birnin Daji village in Wurno Local Government Area, reported to the police that a woman, later identified as Hamdiyya Sidi from Munki village in the same local government, had visited the area, claiming to represent a charity aimed at assisting women and youth. She reportedly requested to address women in the community, intending to distribute aid to those in need.

“However, instead of distributing relief items as promised, she began encouraging the women to forcibly seize government properties in Wammako Local Government Area, claiming ownership rights over them.”

Yakubu observed the rising tension among community members and alerted local guards, who detained Sidi and subsequently handed her over to the police. “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the offence and was charged to court within 24 hours for the offence of inciting disturbance,” the statement added.

The Sokoto Police emphasized, “One of our constitutional responsibilities is to investigate crimes, both minor and major, and the case of Hamdiyya is no exception.”

The Commissioner of Police advised residents to carefully consider the information they share publicly, warning against the spread of misinformation that could disrupt the state’s peace.

“Sokoto State Police Command remains committed to protecting fundamental human rights while carrying out its duties,” the statement concluded.

We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

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Four varsity lecturers dismissed for sexual misconduct

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23 mins ago

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November 15, 2024

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Four varsity lecturers dismissed for sexual misconduct

In a significant development, the Governing Council of Federal University Lokoja has approved the dismissal of four lecturers over allegations of examination malpractices and sexual misconduct.

According to reports, the decision was made during the council’s Second Meeting on Thursday, following a thorough investigation into the accusations that surfaced last year.

Led by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the council commended the university’s management for adhering to due process in investigating the claims of examination misconduct and sexual harassment against the lecturers involved.

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Ndoma-Egba stated, “The council will not tolerate any unethical conduct in the university” and called for prompt resolution of other pending misconduct cases, particularly one within the Faculty of Science that has gained media attention.

In a caution to staff and lecturers, the council emphasized its commitment to addressing any form of student molestation and urged students to report incidents of misconduct without fear.

 

Four varsity lecturers dismissed for sexual misconduct

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BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

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15 hours ago

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November 14, 2024

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BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

The federal government has unveiled a proposed budget of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

Bagudu revealed that the council had approved the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2025-2027.

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According to the minister, the government has pegged the crude oil benchmark at $75 per barrel, with an oil production target of 2.06 million barrels per day (bpd).

The budget also sets the exchange rate at N1,400 per dollar and aims for a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 6.4%.

 

BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

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