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Distribution of CNG buses tears NANS leaders apart

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2025

Distribution of CNG buses tears NANS leaders apart

The leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, is currently grappling with a crisis over the distribution formula of Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, buses to higher institutions nationwide.

The faction has also passed a vote of no confidence on the two leaders.

The accusation was contained in a petition jointly signed by the Deputy Senate President, Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, Kano State; Comrade Huzaifa Sabo Usman, National ex-officio; Comrade Anderson Chimezie Uwakwe of the Federal College of Land and Resources Technology Owerri, Imo State, Vice President Special Duties; Egbo Johnpaul Nnamchi, Enugu State College of Education; Comrade Gundu Mimidoo Joy, Public Relations Officer, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Abdulkaman Muhammad; Comrade Muhd Muazu; Mamuna Bello; Paul Edoh Gabriel; Kabiru Saminu; and Okafor Ernest Obinna made available to newsmen Monday in Awka.

In the statement, a copy of which was also sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Director-General, Department of State Services, DSS Headquarters, Abuja; Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Force Headquarters, Abuja; EFCC; ICPC; SSA to the President on Students Affairs; Minister of Transportation; NANS Zonal Coordinators; NANS JCC Chairmen; as well as all SUG Presidents, asking particularly President Tinubu to urgently intervene to avoid a breakdown of law and order and to save his political integrity in the country.

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The petition read in part: His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dear Sir, Petition against unequal distribution of CNG buses by the President, National Association of Nigerian Students, and a vote of no confidence on Lucky Emonefe and Babatunde Akinteye Afeez. On behalf of the Nigerian Students, we write to express our utmost indignation and disappointment at the egregious unequal distribution of the CNG buses recently donated to the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS.

“This decision, made by the President of NANS, Comr. Lucky Emonofe, in collaboration with the Senate President, Comr. Babatunde Akinteye Afeez is a flagrant disregard for the principles of equity, justice, and transparency.”

“The buses meant to benefit all Nigerian students have been selectively distributed, leaving many students without access to this vital resource. This unequal distribution will inevitably lead to a shortage of transportation options within our campuses, causing undue hardship and economic challenges for Nigerian students.”

“The economic implications of this unequal distribution cannot be overstated. Many students rely on affordable transportation to commute from campuses, and the shortage of these buses will only exacerbate the economic challenges facing Nigerian students. This will lead to increased costs for alternative transportation, which will further burden students who are already struggling to cope with the situation”.

*Mr. President, we urge you to take immediate action by addressing this issue, as it will inevitably have far-reaching consequences on your political integrity. The unequal distribution of the buses will not only tarnish the image of NANS but also undermine the trust and confidence of students in your leadership, particularly during these economically challenging times across the country”.

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Prison officer sentenced for engaging in sexual activity with inmate

Published

4 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Trends Admin

Prison officer sentenced for engaging in sexual activity with inmate

A 31-year-old prison officer, Linda De Sousa Abreu, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for engaging in sexual activity with an inmate at HMP Wandsworth in London.

The incident, which took place on June 25, 2024, was recorded by another prisoner and later circulated widely on social media.

The footage, lasting nearly five minutes, led to De Sousa Abreu’s identification and subsequent investigation.

Authorities arrested De Sousa Abreu at Heathrow Airport on June 28, 2024, as she attempted to flee to Madrid. She had informed the prison of her resignation, stating she would not return to work.

De Sousa Abreu pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office on July 29 last year. At her sentencing at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, Judge Martin Edmunds KC described her actions as “immensely serious,” stating, “You engaged in sexual activity with a prisoner. That compromised your role as an officer and was misconduct which undermines discipline within the prison, putting fellow officers at increased risk.”

The court heard that De Sousa Abreu had a history of poor mental health and trauma. On the day of the incident, she had consented to the sexual activity and agreed to the presence of another inmate, who filmed the act while appearing to smoke cannabis. The video was later shared online without her consent, causing significant repercussions.

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Judge Edmunds acknowledged that De Sousa Abreu participated in the encounter with “evident enthusiasm” and had also engaged in sexual activity with the same inmate earlier that day, as well as on a prior occasion. He added: “Whether you intended it or not, the fact is that the video went viral and caused great harm.”

The fallout from the incident extended beyond De Sousa Abreu’s actions. Female officers at HMP Wandsworth reported increased abuse, harassment, and sexual advances from prisoners after the video’s release. Some officers’ children were also teased at school about their parents’ professions. Judge Edmunds remarked, “It is inevitable that the damage for which you were responsible at Wandsworth has spread, to some degree, through the prison estate.”

De Sousa Abreu’s 15-month sentence will see her serve half the time in custody, with the remainder on licence. She also received a 95-day reduction due to wearing an electronic tag for 190 days.

A spokesperson for the Prison Service condemned the incident, emphasising that such behaviour undermined the integrity of the system.

“While the overwhelming majority of Prison Service staff are hardworking and honest, we’re catching more of the small minority who break the rules by bolstering our Counter Corruption Unit and strengthening our vetting processes. As today’s sentencing demonstrates, where officers do fall below our high standards, we won’t hesitate to take robust action.”

Tetteh Turkson of the Crown Prosecution Service described De Sousa Abreu’s conduct as “a shocking breach of the public’s trust,” adding, “She was clearly an enthusiastic participant who wrongly thought she would avoid responsibility.”

Prison officer sentenced for engaging in sexual activity with inmate

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Container falls on tricycle in Ogbomoso, three die

Published

5 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Trends Admin

Container falls on tricycle in Ogbomoso, three die

Tragedy struck in the Takie area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State when a container-laden truck lost control and fell on a commercial tricycle, crushing three people to d3ath.

The accident which occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Takie Junction, trapped two female passengers and the tricycle rider under the fallen container.

According to eyewitness accounts, the truck lost control while navigating a bend, causing the container to topple and crush the tricycle beneath it.

Rescue officials later confirmed that all three victims had died.

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Efforts are ongoing to remove the container from the road to prevent further accidents and restore normal traffic flow in the area.

This accident just happen at Takie junction, Ogbomoso pic.twitter.com/z0iERXpMiW

— Star Potter (@Starpotternews) January 7, 2025

Container falls on tricycle in Ogbomoso, three die

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Police arrest ex-convict, two others plotting to burgle Minna shop

Published

5 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Trends Admin

Police arrest ex-convict, two others plotting to burgle Minna shop

Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have arrested three notorious armed robbers including an ex-convict planning to burgle a provision store in Minna.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, January 6, 2025, said the suspects were arrested in a hotel room based on credible intelligence.

According to the PPRO, the ex-convict, Jibrin Ndako, 19, was recently released from prison for motorcycle theft.

“In a continuous effort of the Niger State Police Command to stem the tide of crime and criminality in the State, the following arrests were made; on 4/01/2025 at about 6pm, based on a credible intelligence received, police operatives attached to Tudun-Wada Div arrested three suspected notorious armed robbers and burglars who are; Jibrin Ndako 19yrs of Barikin-Sale, Haruna Abubakar 20yrs of Angwan-Kamfani and Aliyu Abdullahi 18yrs of Kpakungu, Minna,” the statement read.

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“The suspects were arrested in a hotel along Eastern Bye-Pass, Minna where they lodged in a room and they were found with dangerous weapons of three cutlasses and one industrial iron cutter.

“During interrogation, Jibrin Ndako who had just returned from a jail term for the offence of theft of motorcycles, narrated that he met his accomplices from Agaie and brought them to Minna to join him in breaking a targeted provision store located at Barikin-Sale Minna before their arrest by the Police.

“The suspects have been transferred to State Police Headquarters, Minna for further investigation and diligent prosecution.

“The suspects are still undergoing preliminary investigations at the Div and they will soon be transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation and diligent prosecution.”