metro
Senior student forces JSS 1 scholar to take poisonous soaked Garri in Ebonyi school
It was indeed a case of attempted murder at Government Secondary School, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, when a Junior Secondary School, JSS 1 student, Master Fruitful Onwe, was allegedly forced to drink Garri socked with hypo detergent by one Iroh Chidiebere Bright, an SS2 student of the same school.
It was gathered that the ugly episode was hidden from the school management and parents of the victims, until the bubble busted.
It was gathered that the victim who was rushed to Afikpo Medical Centre after three days, confessed that Iroh Chidiebere Bright, a senior student of SS 2 and House Captain forced him to take the poisonous substance, adding that “he warned me not to reveal to any one either in the School or to his parents at home.”
Narrating his ordeal, the father of the victim and Public Relations Officer, PRO, Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr. Emmanuel Onwe, said the entire episode was painful to him.
“On Friday 20th May, 2022, I received a phone call from the principal telling me that my son was admitted in the hospital. Furiously, I asked him what happened, and he told me that a senior student administered poisonous garri on my son and he became sick.
“I immediately took a trip to Afikpo and met the principal in his office from where he delegated a male teacher who took me to Afikpo Medical Centre where my son was receiving treatment. There I met the vice principal and another woman. The three of them led me to where my son was.
“My heart was so grieved by the sight of my child lying critical ill on the hospital bed but I managed to control myself. The child who administered the poisonous Garri was also there.
“When I asked my son what happened, he narrated before the teachers. He said on Wednesday 18th June, 2022 while he was alone outside the hostel doing manual labour, the senior student who was also the hostel Captain came to him and asked him whether he will drink garri, and he replied him no. But the senior student told him to shut up and take what he has given him and drink immediately.
“My son again summoned courage and told him (the senior student) that he was afraid because he has never given him anything in the past. The senior student then insisted that he must drink the poisoned Garri and warned my son not to repeat the statement. Out of fear, he succumbed to the intimidation and began to drink.
“When my son noticed that the taste was bad, he told the senior student that it had the taste of hypo-jik, but he told him to shut up. At that point my son refused to take more of the poisoned Garri against the senior student’s persuasion. He then took it from him and entered the hostel.
“After about 30 minutes, my son began to have stomach upset and pain in the throat. He quickly went to the senior student and told him his experience. The senior student then gave him palm oil to drink and warned him not to mention what happened to anybody.
“Unfortunately, the problem persisted until Thursday night when my son became very weak and could no longer breathe well. The senior student made arrangement to smuggle him out of the school and send him home. He warned my son not to mention what happened to anyone including me and my wife if he gets home.
“Early in the morning while the senior student with the help of other two senior students were carrying my son on the back to sneak him out of the school, some teachers took notice of what was going on and intercepted them. The senior student and his friends maintained that nothing was wrong with my son but the evidence was already there as my son could not stand on his feet and was as well afraid to open up.
“They maintained their position until out of stiff interrogation of the teachers, another student who had the knowledge of what transpired came and revealed it to the teachers who then rushed my son to the hospital. The issue now is that some people are bent on reversing the culprit’s expulsion from the school since my child didn’t die.”
In a telephone chat, the principal of the school, Mr Ogbonnia Nwachi, stated that the “status of the case as at today, 2nd September, 2022, is that the Secondary Education Board, SEB, Abakaliki, and the Ministry of Education, MOE, have ruled that the boy or culprit remains expelled.
“Nobody is putting pressure on him to be returned. The two institutions have resolved that the boy remains expelled. We are proactive. As I always advise them because I hold regular meetings with them; be kind with one another as no one knows tomorrow.
“The person you are maltreating today because you are his senior could be the person that will help you tomorrow. So, if you are in the habit of maltreating him, and he becomes an eminent person tomorrow, you will not know how to meet him. You will be hiding.
“The best thing is for them to see themselves as brothers instead of this act that I want to show that am a senior. It doesn’t mean anything. Nobody has ever been given an award for being a bully or wicked. I will continue to advise them because for those of us on the field, to manage over 1,000 students from different homes and with different idiosyncrasies are not easy,” he said.
The Chairman of SEB, David Egbu, who explained that the matter was not before his board, called on the two families to make peace.
Meanwhile, the father of culprit, Mr Tony Iroh, advised students to focus on the reason their parents sent them to school and avoid playing with everything.
“I will encourage students to focus on why they were sent to school and not play with everything. If he is recalled, I will feel happy because he has been in the school for a very long time.”
Investigations revealed that some highly placed individuals within the education sector in the state were putting modalities in place to ensure the return of the culprit to the school.
The implication is that if they succeed, the life of the victim will unarguably be in perpetual danger.
This development is presently agitating the minds of students of the school as well as the parent of the victim.
It was also gathered that a woman lawyer (names withheld) in Ebonyi, who claimed that the culprit was a minor, argued that since the victim didn’t die, the culprit should be allowed to return to the school.
-Vanguard
metro
Nigeria Security: FG Knows Every Terrorist by Name, Location — Sheikh Gumi
Nigeria Security: FG Knows Every Terrorist by Name, Location — Sheikh Gumi
Kaduna‑based Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi has alleged that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) possesses detailed intelligence on terrorists and armed bandits, including their names and locations, underscoring the government’s awareness of insurgent activities across the country. The statement was made during a recent interview with DRTV, which quickly trended on social media, sparking national discussion about Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis.
Gumi was responding to claims that he personally maintains contact with terrorist and bandit leaders responsible for attacks and kidnappings in northern Nigeria. He clarified that his engagements with armed groups are never conducted alone, but always in coordination with security agencies, including the police and military.
“The government knows every terrorist by name and by location,” Gumi said. “I don’t go alone to negotiate — I go with the police and other security agencies.” He also revealed that some negotiation efforts involved visits to traditional rulers and trips into forested areas believed to be hideouts for armed groups. “I would go to the Emirs. In fact, when we went to one forest, I even went with women into the bush,” he added.
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Gumi’s Role in Dialogue and Negotiation
Gumi, a former army captain and respected Islamic cleric, has participated in several dialogue initiatives with armed groups, including Boko Haram factions and bandit networks, advocating for negotiation as a means to reduce violence and encourage fighters to lay down their arms. He emphasized that peaceful engagement remains a vital component of Nigeria’s security strategy, particularly in areas where military operations alone have struggled to restore stability.
The cleric’s comments have reignited debate over the effectiveness of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategies. While some analysts say Gumi’s claims highlight the wealth of intelligence available to the government, critics question why insurgent activity continues despite this knowledge. Many Nigerians on social media expressed concerns over the implementation of intelligence and the apparent inability to fully neutralize armed groups.
Public Reactions and Security Implications
Reactions to Gumi’s statements were mixed. Supporters argue that his involvement is crucial for mediating conflict and reducing bloodshed, while critics worry that such negotiations could legitimize criminals and undermine military efforts. Similar assertions by regional leaders in the past have also prompted debate about how intelligence and security operations are coordinated across Nigeria’s troubled regions.
As of now, the Federal Government and security agencies have not officially confirmed or refuted Gumi’s claims, leaving the interview as a focal point in ongoing discussions about national security, counter-insurgency strategy, and intelligence deployment.
Nigeria Security: FG Knows Every Terrorist by Name, Location — Sheikh Gumi
metro
Family of Teacher Killed in Student Prank Tragedy Wants Charges Against Teens Dropped
Family of Teacher Killed in Student Prank Tragedy Wants Charges Against Teens Dropped
The family of Jason Hughes, a Georgia high school teacher who died after a student prank went wrong, has called on authorities to drop the criminal charges filed against the teenagers involved.
Hughes, 40, a mathematics teacher at North Hall High School in Hall County, Georgia, died on Friday, March 6, after he was accidentally run over during a prank outside his home.
According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, a group of students had gone to the teacher’s residence to carry out a prank commonly known as “toilet papering” or “rolling”, where trees and yards are covered with toilet paper.
Investigators said the students attempted to leave the area in two vehicles when Hughes came outside after noticing the prank.
Because it had been raining, Hughes reportedly slipped while moving toward the students and fell into the road.
Authorities said Jayden Ryan Wallace, 18, was driving one of the vehicles when Hughes fell into the roadway and was struck as the car drove away.
The teenagers stopped immediately and attempted to help the teacher before emergency responders arrived. Hughes was rushed to a hospital but later died from his injuries.
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Following the incident, Wallace was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, criminal trespass and littering, while the four other teenagers involved were charged with criminal trespass and littering.
Despite the charges, Hughes’ family has publicly appealed for leniency, describing the incident as a tragic accident rather than a deliberate act.
In a statement to NBC News, the family revealed that Hughes had actually been aware that students planned to prank him and had been looking forward to catching them in the act.
They explained that the teacher slipped on the wet ground and fell into the street moments before the vehicle passed.
According to the family, Hughes had a deep connection with his students and dedicated much of his life to supporting them.
“He loved these kids, and they loved him too,” the family said, adding that they support dropping the charges against all the students involved.
“Our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring by ruining the lives of these students. That would go against Jason’s lifelong dedication to investing in the lives of young people,” the statement read.
The family also asked the public to pray for both their family and the students involved.
“We ask that you continue to pray for our family and also for the students involved in the accident along with their families,” they said.
Hughes’ brother, Richard Hughes, described him as an exceptional person and mentor.
“He was my mentor and someone I looked up to. It’s just tragic and sad all around,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lee Darragh said the case is still under investigation and it is too early to determine whether the charges will proceed.
“It is much too early in this process. I’ll not be commenting until the closure of the case,” Darragh said.
Authorities say the Hall County Sheriff’s Office investigation is ongoing as they continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
The tragedy has sparked wider conversations about student pranks, school safety, and how seemingly harmless acts can quickly lead to devastating consequences.
Family of Teacher Killed in Student Prank Tragedy Wants Charges Against Teens Dropped
metro
Pregnant Woman Begs Authorities to Free Husband Jailed for Domestic Violence
Pregnant Woman Begs Authorities to Free Husband Jailed for Domestic Violence
A pregnant Ghanaian woman, 22-year-old Priscilla Sackey, has appealed to authorities to release her husband, Richard Adjei, who is currently serving a six-year prison sentence for domestic violence.
Priscilla made the emotional appeal during an interview with the Crime Check Foundation, explaining that she never intended for the situation to lead to such a lengthy jail term. According to her, she initially reported her husband to the police only to warn and deter him from further abuse, not to have him imprisoned.
Priscilla recounted that the incident occurred after her husband allegedly assaulted her during a domestic dispute. She said she reported the matter to the police after the attack. However, when officers came to their home to arrest him, he was not around.
When Richard later returned and discovered she had reported him to the police, he allegedly became angry and assaulted her again.
“On the day my husband was arrested, he assaulted me, and I went to report him to the police. When the police came to arrest him, he was not home. When he came back, he beat me again for reporting him,” she said.
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According to Priscilla, her aunt, who was angered by the renewed violence, reported the matter to the police again, which eventually led to Richard’s arrest and prosecution. The court later found him guilty and sentenced him to six years imprisonment for domestic assault.
Despite the conviction, Priscilla says she now regrets how events unfolded and wants her husband released. The pregnant woman explained that she currently has no family support, as both her family and her husband’s relatives have allegedly turned their backs on her.
She added that she needs her husband’s help to take care of their unborn child and support the household financially.
“At least if Richard were here, he would have worked to take care of us. Please help me get him released,” she pleaded.
Priscilla also stressed that she never expected the police report to result in a prison sentence.
Priscilla and Richard have been married for two years, and the case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by victims of domestic violence in Ghana, where economic dependence and family pressures often complicate such cases.
Legal experts say once a domestic violence case is prosecuted in court, it becomes a criminal matter handled by the state, meaning the victim cannot automatically withdraw the case even if reconciliation is later sought.
Advocates say the situation highlights the need for stronger support systems for domestic violence victims, including financial assistance, counselling, and shelters.
It remains unclear whether Richard’s sentence could be reviewed, as any release would likely depend on legal processes such as an appeal, presidential pardon, or court review.
Pregnant Woman Begs Authorities to Free Husband Jailed for Domestic Violence
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