metro

Family seeks justice for man beaten to death by masquerade

Published

2 years ago

February 17, 2024

Shadrach Okoye

Family seeks justice for man beaten to death by masquerade

Members of the Okoye family in the Umuawulu community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State are seeking justice for the alleged killing of their father, Shadrach Okoye, by a popular masquerade.

Okoye was said to have been punched to death by the said masquerade after he refused to give it money.

Speaking in Awka, on Friday, the first son of the deceased, Chidubem, said the incident happened on December 26, 2023, while his father was accompanying a friend who visited him on the said day.

Chidubem lamented that the corpse of the deceased had been dumped in the mortuary since his murder following hindrances the family encountered in the search for justice and the burial of their father.

He said, “My father, Chief Okoye, left his house alive to accompany his friend and resident of the community who visited to fete with him in the spirit of the Christmas season on that fateful day, only to be brought back as a corpse moments later.

“My father and his friend met about four masquerades on the road as they were going, one of whom refused to allow him to pass, even after the other three masquerades had moved on.

“The unyielding masquerade requested money from my father and insisted that he must give him money before he would pass.

“My father told him that he didn’t have any money on him, and explained to him that he just came out empty-handed to see off his friend. But the masquerade insisted, calling him a cunning person, and vowing that he would never allow him to pass if he didn’t give him money. The masquerade said my dad’s friend was free to pass, even if he didn’t give him money.

“They initially thought it was a joke until they noticed that the masquerade was mean. So, my father’s friend dipped his hand into his pocket, brought out N500, and gave it to the masquerade, to save the situation and bail out my father whom the masquerade was even pushing and threatening with a cane as he was talking.”

He explained that the masquerade, after collecting the money from his father’s friend, still insisted that the deceased must give him his own money, hence, pushing him and threatening to deal with him.

READ ALSO:

He added, “As the masquerade was threatening my father to give him money, he uncovered his face, probably for him and the people around to see that he was not smiling; and he then gave him (Okoye) a close-range heavy punch on the chest, pushed him one more time, left him there and went away.

“When he punched him, my father bent down and started gasping for breath, complaining of his chest, before the masquerade now pushed him down, left him there, and went away, still raining abuse on my father for having wasted his time.

“When the masquerade was leaving, the people around and my father’s friend called him, but he ignored them, telling them to abandon my father there, that he was just pretending and faking everything he was doing then, and would still stand up after a short while.

“As this was happening, my father started stifling, and when people noticed that he was no longer himself before they could get a tricycle to rush him to the hospital, he gave up the ghost there and then. He died in pain.”

He revealed that his late father, a petty trader, whose wife died in 2003, had a serious heart problem before he met his death in the hands of the masquerade.

Chidubem said the people around the scene of the incident identified the masquerade as a 19-year-old indigene of the community.

He added that the culprit had fled the community since the incident.

According to him, while the matter has been reported to the Central Police Station in Awka and the traditional ruler of Umuawulu, nothing much has been dones as the police said they would also not do anything on the matter until the suspect is arrested.

When contacted for inquiry and clarification on the matter, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Egwuonwu, said the matter is was being handled by a committee.

He added that he would not comment until the committee finishes its task and gives him the report.

However, the state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed that the incident was reported at the CPS Division in Awka, said the matter was still under investigation

“The matter is still being investigated please,” Ikenga said.

Family seeks justice for man beaten to death by masquerade

(PUNCH)

metro

FG Disburses ₦9.9bn Cash Transfer to Vulnerable Households in Ondo

Published

4 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mr Bernard Doro

FG Disburses ₦9.9bn Cash Transfer to Vulnerable Households in Ondo

The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has disbursed about ₦9.9 billion in direct cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households in Ondo State as part of its expanded social protection and poverty reduction programme.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mr Bernard Doro, disclosed this during a working visit to Akure, where he met with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as part of a nationwide assessment of the Renewed Hope social intervention initiatives.

According to the minister, the cash transfer programme is implemented under the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to provide direct financial support to the poorest households and strengthen social welfare systems across Nigeria.

He explained that beneficiaries under the Household Prosperity and Cash Transfer Programme receive ₦75,000 in three tranches, with more than nine million households benefiting nationwide since the rollout began.

Doro stated that Ondo State alone has received “about ₦9.9 billion across successive payment cycles,” covering initial, second, and ongoing phases of the national disbursement programme.

READ ALSO:

He added that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to poverty alleviation in Nigeria, social inclusion, and targeted welfare delivery aimed at reducing economic hardship among vulnerable citizens.

However, the minister raised concerns about low awareness among some beneficiaries, stressing the need for improved grassroots sensitisation to ensure eligible citizens fully understand and access the programme.

He noted that the federal government is currently conducting verification exercises across states, including Ondo, to confirm beneficiaries, validate data, and strengthen transparency in the distribution process.

Doro further explained that the ongoing engagement also serves as a data validation exercise, aimed at improving accountability, enhancing targeting, and reducing inclusion errors in future welfare programmes.

In his remarks, Governor Aiyedatiwa disclosed that Ondo State has recorded about 396,671 beneficiary households across the different payment cycles, describing the programme as one of the largest social intervention efforts in the state.

The governor commended the Tinubu administration for prioritising direct cash support to vulnerable citizens, noting that the initiative has helped cushion the effects of economic challenges at the grassroots level.

He also urged relevant agencies to address challenges linked to National Identification Number (NIN) registration, which he said has affected seamless access to some federal support schemes.

Earlier, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ibule, Ifedore Local Government Area, the minister said the Federal Government is working on a redesigned national social protection framework to improve efficiency and impact.

He emphasised that stronger community engagement is essential for future interventions to reflect real needs, adding that stakeholder participation remains key to improving delivery of federal cash transfer programmes in Nigeria.

FG Disburses ₦9.9bn Cash Transfer to Vulnerable Households in Ondo

metro

Court Orders Forfeiture of ₦33.6bn Opioids Seized by NDLEA at Onne Port

Published

4 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Court Orders Forfeiture of ₦33.6bn Opioids Seized by NDLEA at Onne Port

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has granted an interim forfeiture order on 17 containers of illicit opioids worth ₦33.6 billion, seized by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in one of the largest pharmaceutical drug interceptions in Nigeria’s recent anti-narcotics operations.

The containers were intercepted at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, between April and September 2025, during multiple coordinated inspections targeting suspicious cargo linked to drug trafficking in Nigeria.

Court Orders Forfeiture of ₦33.6bn Opioids Seized by NDLEA at Onne Port According to court filings and NDLEA statements, the shipments contained a massive haul of controlled substances, including 19.6 million pills of Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol, and Carisoprodol, as well as 2,496,400 bottles of Codeine syrup, with a combined estimated street value of ₦33,691,200,000.

The forfeiture order was issued by Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, following a motion ex parte filed by the NDLEA on February 10, 2026, in suit number FHC/PH/MISC/25/2026.

READ ALSO:

In his ruling, the judge ordered that the 17 shipping containers, along with their contents weighing about 365,657 kilograms of psychotropic substances, be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria pending final determination of the case.

He further directed that custody and possession of the seized containers be handed over to the applicant agency until the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Reacting to the ruling, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the development as a significant blow to drug cartels operating in Nigeria, stating that the forfeiture effectively dismantles the financial structure behind the illicit trade.

He said the seizure was not only a disruption of supply but a direct hit on the economic backbone of criminal syndicates that profit from the distribution of dangerous opioids, particularly among young people.

Marwa commended the Nigerian judiciary for what he described as swift and firm intervention, noting that judicial cooperation remains critical in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse in Nigeria.

He also praised NDLEA operatives attached to the Onne Port Command for their vigilance and professionalism, which led to the detection of the concealed shipments. He acknowledged the support of sister agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service and other port stakeholders, whose collaboration ensured the success of the operation.

The NDLEA boss further highlighted the role of international intelligence partners in strengthening Nigeria’s anti-narcotics efforts, adding that global cooperation continues to play a key role in intercepting transnational drug shipments.

Authorities say the latest forfeiture reinforces Nigeria’s ongoing crackdown on opioid trafficking networks, which have been identified as a major contributor to drug abuse and public health concerns across the country.

Court Orders Forfeiture of ₦33.6bn Opioids Seized by NDLEA at Onne Port

metro

Yobe Deputy Governor Explains Why He Built 50 Mosques, Married Off 10 Orphan Girls

Published

5 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Idi Barde Gubana

Yobe Deputy Governor Explains Why He Built 50 Mosques, Married Off 10 Orphan Girls

The Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Idi Barde Gubana, has commissioned 50 mosques and facilitated the marriages of 10 female orphans under his care in Fune Local Government Area, as part of a broader humanitarian and faith-based intervention.

The initiative was carried out through his foundation, the Gorbo Foundation, which focuses on supporting orphans, vulnerable women, and disadvantaged groups through education, welfare, and community development programmes.

Speaking to journalists during the commissioning of one of the mosques built within the Emir of Fune’s palace, Gubana said the projects were designed to strengthen religious values and community welfare, while also providing long-term support for vulnerable children.

He explained that the marriages of the 10 female orphans were conducted after they had been raised and educated under the foundation’s care, adding that the beneficiaries were joined to partners of their choice.

According to him, the gesture is part of his personal commitment to charity (sadaqah) and gratitude to God for elevating him from a humble background to public office.

READ ALSO:

“We currently have over 1,400 orphans under our care. We train them from primary to secondary school, and some are now in tertiary institutions. Some have graduated and found partners, which is why we supported their marriages,” he said.

Gubana added that his administration and foundation remain committed to expanding support for orphan welfare programmes in Yobe State, including education sponsorship and community empowerment initiatives.

He also called on wealthy individuals, political leaders, and organisations to invest more in orphans’ welfare, mosque development, and social support systems that improve both spiritual and economic well-being in society.

Commending the initiative, the Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, Ibrahim Maqari, praised the deputy governor’s efforts in supporting vulnerable groups and promoting Islamic welfare values.

However, he advised that more support should be extended to the married beneficiaries, particularly through startup capital and small business empowerment, to help them become financially independent in their new homes.

The development highlights ongoing efforts by political and religious leaders in northern Nigeria to combine social welfare programmes, Islamic charity, and community development initiatives aimed at addressing poverty and vulnerability among orphans and women.