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Customs officials beat Ogun NNPC station attendants over N100

Published

5 days ago

July 2, 2024

Customs officials beat Ogun NNPC station attendants over N100

Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) assaulted staff members of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) filling station at the Honda Bus Stop in Ota, Ogun State, on Friday, FIJ has gathered.

FIJ learned that the customs officers took umbrage and threatened to shoot after a staff member of the filling station asked for N100 charges for their transaction on the point-of-sale machine.

An eyewitness said that the angry Nigerian customs officers beat up the NNPC’s station supervisor and injured a customer.

She said that the point-of-sale merchant at the station had told the customs officers, who wanted to fill up their tank with fuel worth N30,000, that if they paid with an ATM card all at once, they would have to add N100 for bank charges.

According to the eyewitness, the attendant explained that if the officers were willing to allow her to withdraw N15,000 twice, they would incur no charges, as only transactions of N20,000 and above attracted such.

“As the officers were arguing with the lady, the male attendant trying to sell the fuel to the officers chimed in to explain that the filling station was not benefiting from the charges, as it belongs to Moniepoint, the filling station’s bank, but that made their hackles rise,” the eyewitness said.

“They got so angry that one of them hit the male attendant with a gun. In an attempt to parry the gun, he sustained an injury to his arm. In fear, the attendant ran away.”

She said the customs officers asked the PoS merchant, who was now afraid, not to leave. At that point, she said, the officers then began pointing the gun at other filling station attendants, saying, “You’re all thieves. Is that what Nigeria asked you to do?”

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The officers began to cock their guns and charge at everyone at the filling station, so both customers and staffers fled the premises, except a customer who had a flat tyre.

“They beat the customer and broke his phone. They said he was recording them, but he was only calling someone to bring some tyres to him. He had to beg them, rolling on the floor, before they let him go,” she said.

“And while doing this, they kept asking for the manager of the filling station. At this time, she didn’t face them but ran to a nearby police station to report the matter. In place of the manager, they beat the supervisor, thinking he was the general manager.

“They started saying they came here and asked the attendants to sell inside kegs but they refused and now wanted to collect money for charges. They called the attendants thieves.”

She said that the filling station’s general manager returned from the Obasanjo Onipanu police station with four policemen.

The team leader of the police spoke with the commander of the customs officers.

“After their discussion, the police officer told her to forgive the erring officers. She immediately said the action of the customs officers was unfair because her staffers did nothing wrong,” the eyewitness said.

“They then asked her why she didn’t show up when they were asking for the manager of the filling station. She told them it was impossible to confront them at the time as the manager because they were armed, which was why she reported to the police instead.

“One of the customs officers said, ‘As you have reported, what do you now want to happen? We cocked our guns, so what do you want to do?’ While they were shouting, people took her away from their midst and back to the station. When they were ready to buy, the attendants refused to sell to them, so they just had to leave the compound.”

Based on the eyewitness’ discussions with the attendants, she believed that the customs officers acted irresponsibly because, on the previous Monday and Tuesday, they refused to sell fuel to them in jerrycans.

When FIJ called the Nigeria Customs Service via the phone number displayed on its Facebook page, they said they had yet to hear of this matter. They asked this reporter to go to the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service for information.

Customs officials beat Ogun NNPC station attendants over N100

metro

Army kill 11 ISWAP terrorists in Sambisa forest

Published

12 hours ago

July 6, 2024

Trends Admin

Army kill 11 ISWAP terrorists in Sambisa forest

Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for a special clearance operation in Sambisa Forest, have eliminated 11 Islamic States of West Africa Province terrorists.

The Nigerian Army, in a statement on its official X Handle, disclosed this on Saturday.

It said the feat was achieved in coordinated special clearance operations with a hybrid force on terrorists’ enclave in Jongo Village within the notorious Sambisa Forest.

It said that the troops targeted the enclave, and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, killing some while others fled in disarray.

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The army said its troops further conducted exploitation ahead of the enclave, leading to the capture of some arms.

According to the post, the arms include 99 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm on the metal link, 19 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 3 AK-47 rifle magazines, two 36-hand grenades, and two locally made guns.

“This successful operation showcases the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian army in combating terrorism and securing in the region.

“The neutralisation of ISWAP terrorists and the confiscation of their weapons will undoubtedly contribute to enhancing security and stability in the area.

“This further demonstrated the commitment of the Nigerian military to eradicating terrorism and protecting the citizens,” it said.

Army kill 11 ISWAP terrorists in Sambisa forest

NAN

metro

Rivers: Church youth leader arrested during thanksgiving for killing mother of 3

Published

12 hours ago

July 6, 2024

Trends Admin

Rivers: Church youth leader arrested during thanksgiving for killing mother of 3

A youth leader of a Protestant church in Rumukalagbor area of Rivers State, Tuouamene, has been arrested by the police, leaving worshippers aghast and stupefied.

He was arrested in the church after he gave a powerful testimony which left some of the congregation enveloped by emotion.

Tuouamene was apprehended in connection with the death of a mother of three in a hotel in May this year.

The deceased was said to be a former lover of the youth leader.

They reportedly checked into a hotel in Rumuigbon area of the state, only for the woman’s lifeless body to be found later, in the room.

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Police sources hinted that “a married woman has died under mysterious circumstances in a hotel room, and the prime suspect, her former acquaintance, has been arrested after trying to cover up his involvement by giving false testimony in church.

“The incident occurred at the hotel in Rivers State. Investigations reveal that the woman, who was a married mother of three, had reconnected with a former classmate, Tuamene, while he was planning his wedding on April 27, 2024.

“The two had met and struck up a relationship back in 2010 when they were studying Educational Management at the Rivers State College of Education (now Ignatius Ajuru University of Education).

“After graduating in 2012, they lost contact. But the chance meeting at Tuamene’s wedding led to them arranging a rendezvous on May 14, 2024.”

Rivers: Church youth leader arrested during thanksgiving for killing mother of 3

metro

Police warn about planned secret cult initiations in schools, others

Published

14 hours ago

July 6, 2024

Trends Admin

Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko

Police warn about planned secret cult initiations in schools, others

The Police Command in Rivers has cautioned the public regarding potential cult-related activities across the country on June 7.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson of the command, disclosed in a statement in Port Harcourt on Saturday that a large number of Black Axe cultists were preparing to mark their Founder’s Day.

According to her, intelligence reports indicate that the confraternity intends to initiate innocent victims into their group and potentially engage in clashes with rival cults on the same day.

“We have received information about the Neo-Black Movement (NBM), also known as Aiye or Black Axe, which plans to hold a nationwide commemoration in honour of their Founder’s Day.

“The event, code-named Aiye Day or 7/7, is scheduled to be observed in all states of the federation, especially in institutions of higher learning.

“The command is aware of the antecedents of the confraternity, notorious for killings on campuses, inter-cult clashes, and other criminal activities of a violent nature.’’

Iringe-Koko said that intelligence reports suggested the group was plotting to disrupt public peace from their strongholds and on tertiary campuses across the country.

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“The ceremony could possibly lead to counter-cult activities, inter-cult violence and other associated violent crimes in and around tertiary institutions in Rivers.

“It might provide ample opportunity for the forced initiation of innocent victims, as well as crimes such as rape and armed robbery.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olatunji Disu, has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and tactical team commanders to conduct pre-emptive and responsive raids.’’

The police image maker emphasised that the pre-emptive measures would target cult hideouts, high-risk areas and hotels that could serve as meeting points for cult leaders.

She mentioned that police operatives had been instructed to prevent the planned event, arrest suspected cultists and bring them to justice.

“Police area commanders, DPOs and tactical team commanders are to emplace visible and effective patrol strategies, closely monitoring all tertiary institution campuses and public places to intercept cult members.

“Parents and guardians should keep a close eye on their children and wards during this period and watch for warning signs in their interactions with friends.

“Similarly, community leaders and security outfits are encouraged to report any unusual gatherings in their area, while religious leaders should preach to their congregants on the evil of secret cults,” Iringe-Koko appealed.