Bandits invade Benue community, kidnap five from farm – Newstrends
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Bandits invade Benue community, kidnap five from farm

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2 years ago

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Benue Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene

Bandits invade Benue community, kidnap five from farm

No fewer than five people have been abducted on their way from a farm at Ingle Otanufe community in Okpokwu Local Government area of Benue State.

The victims, it was gathered, were picked from different locations on their way from the farms.

National Public Relation Officer, Otanufe National Community Development Association, Clement Ijika, confirmed the incident to our correspondent. He said two people who he gave their names as Simon Okpe and Michael Adah, were abducted from Otanufe while a man and his wife were kidnapped from Efonugu on their way from the farm.

Although he said the abductors were yet to make contact with the relations of the victims, the incident has thrown the entire community into confusion.

He blamed lack of security presence in the entire Edumaoga community as the reason behind the recent invasion by the gunmen, stressing that the men of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guard had not made their impact felt in the community.

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However, it was gathered that when the incident occurred on Wednesday, the people sent distress calls to the army stationed at Okpoga, the headquarters of the local government, when the police said they had no vehicle or motorcycles to move; but there was no response from the military.

“As I speak to you now, there is no attempt to go after these people to rescue the victims. The greatest challenge is that the soldiers and the police are not working in synergy, which is wrong. There is no way they can address the security situation in the area without working together,” the source said.

When contacted, the Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government, Hon. Amina Audu, confirmed the latest incident, but said only three people, two men and a woman were abducted by the gunmen.

She dismissed allegations that there was no response from the security agents in the area, adding that “the security agents told me that they went after the kidnappers immediately the incident was reported, but could not trace them.”

The police also confirmed the incident, but said the figures on social media were exaggerated. According to the report from the DPO, one Fulani and two farmers were killed in the crisis, and police personnel were stationed permanently in the area.

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

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2 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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16 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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