metro

Abducted ex-NBA president finally regains freedom after two weeks in captivity

Published

12 months ago

May 2, 2023

Okey Wali

Abducted ex-NBA president finally regains freedom after two weeks in captivity

Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Mr Okey Wali, SAN, has been released by his abductors and has returned to his family after two weeks in captivity.

The President of the NBA, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Platinumpost reports that Wali was abducted in the early hours of Monday, April 17, along the East–West Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The association had said Wali’s convoy was attacked before his abduction.

Maikyau had visited Rivers State, held a closed-door meeting with the Commissioner of Police while visiting the family of Okey to empathize with them and pray for the release of their son, brother and father.

In his statement on Monday, he thanked members of the association, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and all security operatives for helping out.

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He called on the federal government to get security agencies fully equipped so they can effectively play their constitutional role of providing security.

The statement reads in full,”Distinguished Colleagues, To the glory of God Almighty, I am pleased to announce the release and return of Mr Okey Wali, SAN to his family. I personally spoke with him, and he is in good spirits.

“On behalf of the members of the Nigerian Legal Profession I thank all well-wishers who stood by the Bar and the family of Mr. Okey Wali, SAN, in thoughts, prayers and deeds, throughout this horrific ordeal.

“I appreciate the interventions of the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike; the Inspector General of Police; the Director General of the Department of State Services; the Commissioner of Police and the State Director of Service, Rivers State; together with all their officers and men, who worked tirelessly since the ugly incident took place. I am grateful to all members of both the Bench and Bar, for the display of camaraderie during this period of trial.

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“The support, prayers and goodwill have greatly helped the efforts deployed towards the safe release of our brother and leader. The leadership and members of the Bar in Rivers State have been exceptionally wonderful. We thank God Almighty for answering our prayers and granting us the safe return of Mr Okey Wali, SAN.

“We reiterate our call on the Federal Government to live up to its constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of all Nigerians in all its ramification. Every life is valuable and must be treated with honour and dignity.

“There must be a deliberate and appropriate investment in the improvement of the welfare of all security agencies particularly the Police, and adequately equipping them to function effectively and efficiently. Otherwise, it will be hypocritical, if not fraudulent, to expect any meaningful result from the Nigerian Police in its constitutional duty of protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians. One can only give from the abundance of what he/she has.

“As our past President recovers from the experience of this ordeal, I pray that God will comfort the families of those who were killed in the incident and grant them eternal rest. I also pray for the quick recovery of the police officers who suffered gunshot injuries from the incident.”

Abducted ex-NBA president finally regains freedom after two weeks in captivity

metro

Six terrorists surrender to troops in Lake Chad

Published

7 hours ago

April 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Six terrorists surrender to troops in Lake Chad

At least six Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered to troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, in the Lake Chad region.

A statement by the Chief Military Public Information Officer, Lt-Col. Abdullahi Abubakar, said the terrorists laid down arms between 17 -27 April 2024 following offensives launched by troops of Operation Lake Sanity 2, in the Lake Chad Region panning Cameroon and Nigeria.

Abubakar said a 19-year-old Boko Haram terrorist, Alhaji Ali, surrendered to troops of 403 Amphibious Brigade (Baga) of Sector 3 in Monguno, Nigeria on 17 April 2024.

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According to him, military investigation revealed that the surrendered Boko Haram fighter had three years affiliation with the Buduma faction of the dreaded sect.

He stated that Ali hails from Masarram on Lake Chad Island and resides at Duguri and had operated with the group before growing discontent within the group.

The MNJTF urged other Boko Haram terrorists hiding in the Lake Chad islands and adjoining communities to cease hostilities and embrace peace.

“We reiterate our commitment to restoring lasting peace and stability to the Lake Chad Basin, encouraging terrorists to follow the path of those who have already surrendered.”

Six terrorists surrender to troops in Lake Chad

metro

BREAKING: Suspected herders kill 3 mourners, farmers in Enugu

Published

7 hours ago

April 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu

BREAKING: Suspected herders kill 3 mourners, farmers in Enugu

Suspected herders killed three Ugwuijoro villagers in Nimbo hamlet, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State.

It was discovered that the attack, which occurred on Sunday evening, left many others gravely injured.

According to village sources, the herdsmen attacked mourners and farmers in the Ugwuijoro Nimbo community, leaving them in tears and grief.

Some of those killed were Okeh Simon Ugwu Oruku, Okeh Chukwuebuka, Julius Ogbonna Odiegwu, and Gabriel Ugwor Ezea.

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A viral video sighted seen by our correspondent on Monday morning showed a deserted community.

The voice in the video cried the invaders took the villagers by surprise and shot sporadically at the mourners.

Tables and chairs could be seen scattered in the compound where the mourners gathered with lifeless villagers also seen in the pool of their blood.

Recall that Nimbo was also attacked in 2016, leading to the death of scores of people.

The incident attracted a nationwide outrage then.

Enugu Police Command was yet to respond enquiries on the ncident as of the time of filing this report.

More details to follow…

BREAKING: Suspected herders kill 3 mourners, farmers in Enugu

(Nation)

International

Floods sweep Kenyan cities, 42 dead in dam collapse, 130,000 displaced

Published

8 hours ago

April 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Floods sweep Kenyan cities, 42 dead in dam collapse, 130,000 displaced

About 42 people have died in Kenya and hundreds displaced after a dam burst its banks near a town in the Rift Valley as heavy rains and floods battered the country.

The authorities confirmed this to AFP on Monday,

The dam burst near Mai Mahiu in Nakuru county, washing away houses and cutting off a road, with rescuers digging through debris to find survivors.

“Forty-two dead, it’s a conservative estimate. There are still more in the mud, we are working on recovery,” said Nakuru governor Susan Kihika.

Monday’s dam collapse raises the total death toll over the March-May wet season to 120 as heavier than usual rainfall pounds East Africa, compounded by the El Nino weather pattern.

The Kenya Red Cross said Monday it had retrieved two bodies after a boat carrying “a large number of people” capsized at the weekend in flooded Tana River county in eastern Kenya, adding that 23 others had been rescued.

Video footage shared online and broadcast on television showed the crowded boat sinking, with people screaming as onlookers watched in horror.

On Saturday, officials said 76 people had lost their lives in Kenya since March.

Flash floods have submerged roads and neighbourhoods, leading to the displacement of more than 130,000 people across 24,000 households, many of them in the capital Nairobi, according to government figures released Saturday.

Schools have been forced to remain shut following mid-term holidays, after the education ministry announced Monday that it would postpone their reopening by one week due to “ongoing heavy rains”.

“The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools is so severe that it will be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before water-tight measures are put in place to ensure adequate safety,” Education Minister Ezekiel Machogu said.