metro
Bayelsa cultists kill three as Rivers death toll now 10
No fewer than three persons have been reportedly shot dead in the Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following a clash involving two rival cult groups.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident happened around the Opu-Nembe community at about 10pm on Wednesday.
Community sources attributed the violence to the supremacy tussle between the two groups.
It was learnt that the victims included a lady, her boyfriend, who is said to be an aide to the community’s Youth President, Ayerite Moses, and one other person.
One of the sources who did not want his name in print for security reasons said some armed youths invaded the community and started shooting sporadically, before hitting their targets and attacking the youth president’s house.
“He (the youth president’s aide) was in the company of his girlfriend and they were both killed. Another person was also shot dead.
“The home of the Opu-Nembe Youth President, Ayerite Moses, was also attacked and vandalised,” the source said.
READ ALSO:
- Alamieyeseigha’s $954,807 looted funds: FG, US sign assets return agreement
- Buhari’s naira redesign policy aimed at truncating Nigeria’s democracy – Ganduje
- El-Rufai overules Buhari, says old, new naira notes remain legal in Kaduna
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro, said the number of casualties could not be ascertained.
“There was a clash between rival groups at Nembe Bassambiri on February 15, 2023, at about 22:00 hours, the casualty figure cannot be ascertained at the moment.
“We have deployed additional men to the community and normalcy has been restored,” he said.
Rivers killing
Meanwhile, the death toll in the Valentine’s Day shooting involving members of a cult gang in Ikata, Upata kingdom, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State has risen from nine to 10.
A native of Ikata community, Caleb Ekpelinwe, told journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday that his 55-year-old uncle who was hit by a stray bullet during the attack died on Wednesday night.
Ekpelinwe said, “The person that died on Wednesday was my uncle. His name is Odozi Okechukwu; he is from Ikata community, 55-year-old.
“He died on Wednesday night, February 15, 2023. Considering the injuries he sustained from that shooting that day, he was rushed to the Ahoada General Hospital but they could not handle his case. So, on their way to Port Harcourt, he died and was brought back for burial.”
While saying the deceased was not a member of any cult group, Ekpelinwe added, “He was hit by a bullet while the cultists were exchanging gunfire, as he was about buying something from a shop.
“With my uncle’s death, added to the nine that died that day, the casualty figure is now 10. The other nine persons have been buried but my uncle is yet to be buried.”
The state PPRO, Grace Iringe-Koko, while confirming the death of the nine persons in the cult clash, had said two persons were arrested in connection with the incident.
When contacted on the latest casualty, Iringe-Koko said, “The Divisional Police Officer has not given me any situation report on that.”
metro
UK hikes visa fees as new rates take effect April 9
UK hikes visa fees as new rates take effect April 9
The United Kingdom Home Office has announced an upward revision of visa application fees across various categories, with the cost of study visas for main applicants and their dependents rising from £490 to £524.
According to an update published on the Home Office website on March 19, the new fees will apply from April 9. The cost of a six-month visit visa will increase from £115 to £127, while a two-year visa will now be issued at £475, up from £432. Additionally, the fee for a 10-year visa has been raised from £963 to £1,059.
Transit visas have also been affected by the changes, with the direct airside transit visa fee increasing from £35 to £39, and the direct landside visit visa rising from £64 to £70.
READ ALSO:
- Ex-Rivers HoS wife cries for help over husband’s safety
- Fubara reacts as Ex-HOS, Nwaeke accuses him of bombing oil pipelines, Rivers Assembly
- Natasha: Emmanuel Uduaghan threatens to sue Senator Nwaebonyi
The UK has long been a preferred destination for Nigerian students looking to further their education, often as a way to escape economic challenges at home. However, the number of Nigerian students applying to study in the UK has dropped significantly in 2024 following a government policy barring most international students from bringing their family members.
The rule, which does not apply to postgraduate research students, has led to a decline in study visa applications from countries such as Nigeria and India. A March 2024 report by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service highlighted the shift, noting that many prospective students are now seeking admission in alternative destinations.
UK hikes visa fees as new rates take effect April 9
metro
Ramadan ends in Nigeria, Sultan announces March 30 as Eid-el-Fitr
Ramadan ends in Nigeria, Sultan announces March 30 as Eid-el-Fitr
Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar Sa’ad, says the crescent moon marking the end of Ramadan fasting has been sighted.
The Sultan, who is president of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSIA), said in a broadcast on Saturday night, “Today marks the end of the Ramadan fasting and Sunday, March 30, is the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.”
metro
Embrace environmental sanitation during Eid-Fitr, LAGESC boss tells Lagosians
Embrace environmental sanitation during Eid-Fitr, LAGESC boss tells Lagosians
By Dada Jackson
The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) has urged Lagosians to embrace proper environmental practices and obey the state’s environmental laws ahead of the Eid-l-Fitr festivities to mark the end of the Ramadan fast by Muslim faithful around the world.
Corps Marshal of the agency, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (retd), sounded the call at the agency’s command headquarters at Bolade-Oshodi.
He said, ‘‘The Ramadan fast is a testament to the willingness of Muslim faithful to adhere to the pillars of their faith and it is enjoined that cleanliness is an important religious practice in all faiths, which is why we admonish Lagosians to imbibe proper waste disposal and keep their environment clean during the celebration.”
Cole also advised Lagosians to make proper use of pedestrian bridges for their safety instead of crossing highways to prevent ‘hit and run’ cases by speeding motorists.
He equally read a riot act to miscreants in the habit of converting pedestrian bridges to sleeping areas which deters Lagosians in transit, pedestrians vowing that anyone caught w be made to face the state Environmental laws as amended
The KAI boss also revealed that the agency had recorded giant strides and would not relent in ridding pedestrian bridges across Lagos of criminal obstructions, traders and hawkers with daily arrests made alongside secured prosecutions by the Courts.
The Corps Marshal also warned Lagosians to desist from street trading, use of Styrofoam pack, hawking in traffic, patronage of cart pushers for refuse disposal, and erection of illegal structures on laybys, setbacks, medians, road verges, kerbs or around public schools in the state.
The KAI head said offenders would be made to face the consequences via prosecution in a competent court of appropriate jurisdiction.
-
Uncategorized1 day agoBreaking: Moon sighted in Saudi, UAE, others, Eid-Fitr holds Sunday
-
metro3 days agoEFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
-
metro1 day agoRamadan ends in Nigeria, Sultan announces March 30 as Eid-el-Fitr
-
metro2 days agoFubara reacts as Ex-HOS, Nwaeke accuses him of bombing oil pipelines, Rivers Assembly
-
metro3 days agoWe welcome Gov Makinde’s U-turn on Shari’ah panel – MURIC
-
Opinion2 days agoBarbaric mass burning of innocents in Edo, by Farooq Kperogi
-
Uncategorized3 days agoObasanjo’s position on Rivers emergency rule hypocritical, says Presidency
-
metro2 days agoEx-Rivers HoS wife cries for help over husband’s safety