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Channels TV anchor’s father dies in kidnappers den

Published

7 months ago

November 3, 2023

Channels TV anchor’s father dies in kidnappers den

The father of Charles Erukaa, a popular television presenter and on-air-personality with Channels TV, has reportedly died in the den of kidnappers in Benue State, reports thegazellenews.com.

He was aged 80.

Charles’ father, Washima Erukaa was also the former Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

He was kidnapped on Saturday, 23 September, 2023 in Zaki Biam, headquarters of the local government but died after over one month with his abductors. What made the death so painful was that the Erukaa family had paid ransom for his release four times to the kidnappers.

According to the Sun News, Erukaa was kidnapped on 23 September, 2023, a day before his kinsman and the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mathew Abo, was kidnapped. They were both kidnapped at Zaki Biam, in Ukum LGA. But while the Commissioner, Abo, was rescued 10 days later, Erukaa was not.

After the ex-Chairman was abducted, a family member identified as BenJones Erukaa was also lured to the kidnappers den on the pretext of negotiating with the family for payment of a ransom. He was also abducted and kept into custody with the former Chairman. It was learnt that BenJones was freed on October 20, but Pa Erukaa was still kept in custody by the kidnappers for reasons best known to them.

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When contacted on the news of his death yesterday morning, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State, SP Catherine Anene, said she did not have the information yet. However, a member of the Erukaa family, who didn’t want to be named, said the deceased’s lifeless body was found somewhere within Zaki-Biam town, the headquarters of Ukum LGA, on Sunday.

Washima Erukaa was the father of a renowned broadcaster with Channels TV, Charles Erukaa.

The source, who debunked reports that the kidnappers may have killed the former council chairman, said from what the family gathered, Erukaa died in his sleep. It was said that when his abductors found out that the former council boss had died, they dropped his lifeless body in a vicinity where he would easily be found.

The source said: “That’s how it ended; the kidnap saga. And I think probably that’s the kind of death that God reserved for him. So that’s how it ended. For some of us, after the third week we lost hope, but we were still praying because we knew that there is nothing God cannot do.

“We believe the conditions that he was kept in captivity were conditions that would not make for his survival. Based on what we learnt from hearsay, he slept and didn’t wake up. They (abductors) had no reason to kill him. It’s not as if they made demands that we didn’t meet up with. We paid them ransom like four times,” the source said.

Channels TV anchor’s father dies in kidnappers den

Credit: Sun News

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Fire guts new NNPCL tank farm in Lagos

Published

5 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Fire guts new NNPCL tank farm in Lagos

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL Tank Farm at Kayode Street, Marine Beach, in the Apapa area of Lagos was on Friday was gutted by fire.

According to an eyewitness, Mr Tunde Are, the raging fire starter at about 11:00 am.

He said people ran helter-skelter to contain the fire before a rescue team arrived.

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The rescue team, led by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, were still battling to put off the raging fire as of the time of filing this report.

The inferno, it was gathered, resulted from a spillage of petroleum products within the perimeter of the terminal

Confirming the incident, the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said concerted effort with various emergency responders within the oil and gas industry was on to contain the situation.

Fire guts new NNPCL tank farm in Lagos

metro

BREAKING: Cosmetic surgeon convicted over failed plastic surgery

Published

5 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Dr. Anuoluwapo Adepoju

BREAKING: Cosmetic surgeon convicted over failed plastic surgery

The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted Dr. Anuoluwapo Adepoju, founder of MedContour Services Ltd., for her role in a botched plastic surgery resulting in the death of Nneka Onwuzuligbo in 2020, FIJ has reported.

Former Director-General of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukera, announced the conviction via Twitter, expressing pride in prosecuting the case.

He emphasized the importance of accountability and the justice system’s role in societal growth.

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In his tweet, Irukera, tweeting as #TundeIrukera, wrote, “Today is a day of pride for me that I personally prosecuted Anu Adepoju and her medical practice. Though I’ve left, the case has ended in a conviction strengthening the accountability framework for all in society, professionals or otherwise. This is how society should work and grow.

“Dr. Anu Adepoju and her medical practice convicted in all 5 counts charged by FCCPC. The wheel of justice may grind slowly, but we must see it through. What we need are enforced with audacity and the will to prosecute competently and diligently. Good day for consumers of professional services.”

BREAKING: Cosmetic surgeon convicted over failed plastic surgery

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Two notorious kidnappers arrested in Taraba

Published

5 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Notorious kidnappers

Two notorious kidnappers arrested in Taraba

Troops of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) of the Nigerian Army have arrested two alleged kidnappers identified as Nali Umaru and Abubakar Umaru in Pamanga village of Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The two suspects arrested said to be involved in incidents of kidnappings in the area were arrested on 16 May 2024 by troops from the 20 Model Battalion Sub-Sector 3A OPWS during a patrol to Pamanga Village.

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According to a statement by the Nigerian Army, Nali Umaru (26) from Jauromani and Abubakar Umaru (25) from Jauro Damji, both of Sunkani Local Government Area of Taraba State, confessed to being part of a notorious kidnapping gang operating in the general area.

The statement indicated that two locally made pistols, 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one round of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and two cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

“The arrest of these two suspected kidnappers underscores the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army in eradicating all forms of criminal activities and instilling confidence in the residents in the state. The public is therefore encouraged to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely information on any suspicious activities in their communities,” the statement indicated.