Brave Rivers driver, 18 passengers escape kidnappers’ attack – Newstrends
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Brave Rivers driver, 18 passengers escape kidnappers’ attack

Published

3 years ago

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Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike

A commercial driver simply identified as Godwin has narrated how he escaped with 18 passengers from gun-wielding kidnappers along the Abonema-Degema-Emuoha Road in Rivers State.

Godwin said the gunmen wanted to hijack his fully loaded bus travelling from Abali Park in Port Harcourt to Abonema, a kalabari-speaking area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

While speaking to a popular Radio station in Port Harcourt, Nigeria Info, monitored by our correspondent, he disclosed that the miscreants emerged from a nearby bush and tried to stop him, but sensing danger, he accelerated and continued his journey.

Godwin further said before he knew, they started shooting in his direction, but he managed to escape with all the occupants of the vehicle through a bad spot at a popular junction called Israel-Ama.

“Their target was to kill me qnd destabilise my movement so that they can get the bus and my passengers. But God gave me wisdom, I was able to jump through the gallop and save everybody,” he explained.

The commercial bus driver who sustained gunshot injuries, however, expressed dismay that none of the passengers he risked his life for showed concern when they got to safety.

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“I was the only person that sustained injury. But as soon as I reached there (destination), all of them dropped and went their way. They were only telling me sorry.

“The gunshot, pains, everything. It was only my union that was able to take me somewhere that they removed the bullet,” he added.

Godwin called on the police officers that mount checkpoints along the Abonema-Degema-Emuoha routes to extend their services to the bad spots on the road to prevent repeated attacks by the gunmen, saying the operatives are aware of the repeated attacks there.

He said, “The police are fully aware, but they don’t stand in the more dangerous areas at night. They can stand close to that place during the day time.

“But in the night hours we need them because that road is lonely. They don’t usually stand there.

“They (operatives) will pack themselves to one side. As soon as you drive past them, the distance between that place and Kalabari is still far. Because of the gallop, vehicles cannot speed.

“Our Kalabari people don’t seem to see the importance of doing this road. But this is the only access road to three local governments. And time and again, we have been suffering from kidnapping and armed robbery.”

He also spoke on why commercial drivers continue to use the route at night despite these attacks.

“The transport system is like markets. And the system in our parks, the local government vehicle must load first. Our union exco vehicle too. If it is the day that the vehicles did not move fast, by the time they load and the turn gets to the floor member, it is towards the evening.

“It is not every day that we get that fast flow. Other local government areas, they travel anytime. Our passengers don’t understand that it is when the people come that we carry them,” he stated.

The route has witnessed several hijacking of buses and kidnapping of passengers by gunmen in the last three months.

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Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds

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3 hours ago

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March 23, 2025

By

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai

Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds

Former Secretary of the Association of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON), Kaduna State chapter, Alhaji Kabiru Jarimi, has refuted ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s claim that he never interfered with Area Councils’ funds during his tenure.

Jarimi, who served under El-Rufai’s administration, described the claim as misleading, stating that funds were routinely deducted from councils’ allocations under various guises by the previous government.

The ex-ALGON State Secretary, who is also the former Chairman of Kaduna South local government, disclosed this in an interview over the weekend.

“I was shocked by El Rufai’s comment because local government funds were deducted without our approval. Most of the deductions targeted Southern Kaduna LGAs.

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“We never got our full allocations under El-Rufai. His government kept introducing policies to deduct funds unnecessarily. I even considered resigning. At times, we had no funds for overhead costs after paying salaries,” he recalled.

Jarimi, who said that El-Rufai justified the deductions as necessary to settle workers’ salaries, further noted that the state government also employed various means to withdraw additional funds.

The former Council Chairman cited the creation of the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority, Zaria Metropolitan Authority and Kafanchan Municipal Authority as a means of shortchanging local governments.

“Salaries were shared 60–40 between the capital territories and LGs around them. In Kaduna South, deductions were made in the name of sanitation, forcing us to remit funds to the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority (KCTA) every month,” he stated.

The former Chairman further alleged that the funds of local governments outside the capital territories were also deducted without explanation, citing deductions for security and ‘riot damage.’

Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds

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Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

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4 hours ago

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March 23, 2025

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Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona of St. Patrick Church, Ichida, has been reportedly abducted by gunmen in Anambra State.

According to a report by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday when four armed men, operating in a white Lexus 330 SUV with an unknown registration number, intercepted the cleric and whisked him away along with his Toyota Highlander SUV.

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A joint team of security operatives and local vigilantes (AVG) were said to have responded swiftly to the attack, pursuing the assailants and engaging them in a gun duel at a road intersection between Oraeri and Akwaeze villages.

Though the criminals managed to escape, their Lexus SUV sustained significant damage, including a shattered rear windshield.

The Anambra Police Command is yet to release a statement on the abduction of the priest.

 

Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

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Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN

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4 hours ago

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March 23, 2025

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Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Branch, Ede, Osun State, has described as “fake news” a statement credited to MURIC which alleged the suspension of a Muslim student of the university over Friday prayers.

The association, in a statement signed by its Ameer, Imran Adigun AbdulHakeem, on Sunday, said MURIC’s reports circulated on social media were a misrepresentation of happenings within the university, saying “our faith is respected by the management.”

In another letter, the association apologised to the director and facilitator of the university, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Adeleke-Sanni, whom the association credited with providing a conducive atmosphere for Muslim students to practise their faith.

The letter reads: “On behalf of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Chapter, [I] write to address the ongoing misinformation circulating on social media and other platforms regarding the suspension of Muslim Students for praying on Campus.

“On the 14th of March, 2025, we were temporarily suspended from observing our Night Ramadan Prayers (Taraweeh) and Jummat prayers on campus on the orders of the Director of Security Service (DSS).

“However, on the 18th of March, we met with Dr. Mrs. Modupe Adeleke regarding these challenges.

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“She provided us with a place where we could observe Ramadan, Jummat prayers, and the five daily prayers which we accepted. As a result, the suspension has been lifted, and we have resumed prayers at the new location provided by the university on the orders of Dr Modupe Adeleke.

“At no time have Muslim Students been forced to change their beliefs. While challenges may arise in any diverse academic institution, the university management has always been open to dialogue, and we have continued to receive support in practicing our faith.

“Adeleke University has provided a peaceful and respectful environment for all faiths, and we continue to practice our religion freely.

“We urge the public to disregard the misinformation that may have been spread regarding this matter as they do not reflect the reality of our experiences,” the letter to the university management noted.

The letter of apology to Chief (Mrs) Dupe Adeleke-Sanni reads: “As-salamu alaykum (peace be upon you). On behalf of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Chapter, I apologize for any distress caused by the false social media reports.

“We assure you that we had no hand in spreading the misinformation. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support, guidance, and kindness towards us.

“Your commitment to our well-being and academic success is invaluable, and we appreciate everything you’ve done for us. May Allah (SWT) reward you abundantly for your good deeds. Jazakumullah khairan (may Allah reward you with goodness).

“Thank you for being an exceptional Mother and mentor. We are blessed to have you,” the letter added.

 

Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN

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