metro

Gunmen kill village head, 2 policemen, 11 others in Nasarawa

Published

5 months ago

February 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Spokesman, Nasarawa State Police Command, Ramhan Nansel

Gunmen kill village head, 2 policemen, 11 others in Nasarawa

Gunmen wreaking havoc in Nigeria’s middle belt region have struck again in Nasarawa State.

The rampaging armed non-state actors attacked the beleaguered Katakpa village in Toto LGA of Nasarawa State, killing fourteen persons.

Among those killed was the village head of Katakpa, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmadu.

Two police officers and 11 villagers were also gunned down during the deadly attack that locals said happened in the early hours of Monday.

Confirming the latest incident to our reporter through telephone on Monday,

A resident, Ibrahim Shuaibu, confirmed the latest attack to newsmen, disclosing that the gunmen launched the attack at about 2am on Monday.

READ ALSO:

He said the gunmen razed some houses and that while the occupants were trying to escape, they opened fire on them.

He added that the hoodlums earlier attacked the police station in the community and killed two policemen before proceeding to attack the villagers.

The Chairman of Toto LGA, Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Tashas, also confirmed the attack and the killings.

He told newsmen that he was aware of the incident but he’s “yet to get details of civilians killed in the attack as I am at a function right now with the Deputy Governor in Umaisha.”

The spokesman of the Nasarawa State Police Command, Ramhan Nansel, is yet to issue a statement on the matter.

Gunmen had on January 1, 2024, invaded Katakpa, killed eight people and set houses, including the palace of the village head, as well as vehicles, on fire.

Following the January 1, attack, three among the soldiers reportedly sent to the community on January 8, 2024, alongside two vilantes, to wade off the assailants and restore peace to the area were killed in an ambush.

Gunmen kill village head, 2 policemen, 11 others in Nasarawa

metro

Man impregnates 16-year-old sister-in-law in Anambra

Published

4 mins ago

July 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Man impregnates 16-year-old sister-in-law in Anambra

A 41-year-old man, identified as Nwalobi Fredrick, has been arrested for allegedly impregnating his 16-year-old sister-in-law(name withheld) in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Nwalobi, an artisan who hails from Ebonyi State, was arrested by security operatives on Thursday, after the family of the girl reported the incident at the office of the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare in Awka.

The suspect, who was said to be newly remarried in April after the death of his first wife, blamed the devil for his action.

This development was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by Chidinmma Ikeanyionwu, the media aide to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo.

When interrogated, the suspect said he didn’t have money to take care of the girl since he now had his own family.

The statement read, “During interrogation, the 16-year-old girl revealed that the incident started in late January when she was brought to be kept in the custody of her in-law to enable her to finish her secondary education since the demise of her mother.

READ ALSO:

“She explained that it was just a day after settling in his house that Mr. Nwalobi first had carnal knowledge of her and ever since, has been having his way with her body.

metro

DSS recovers 2,000 bags of government-donated rice in Kastina

Published

9 hours ago

July 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Bags Of Rice

DSS recovers 2,000 bags of government-donated rice in Kastina

The Department of State Services (DSS) has recovered 2,000 bags of rice from 20 trucks donated by the Nigerian government, according to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The rice, intended to alleviate economic hardship, was allegedly diverted by officials from the Katsina State government.

DSS operatives, who confirmed the recovery, chose to remain anonymous and provided no further comments.

NAN investigations revealed that the 25kg bags of rice were discovered at Katsina’s Central Market following a tip-off received on Wednesday night.

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Chairman, Abdulrahman Abdullahi, expressed shock and dismay over the diversion, calling for a thorough investigation and accountability.

READ ALSO:

He pledged to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion to ensure justice for the vulnerable affected by the diversion.

Local resident Suleiman Kofar-Durbi described the situation as “unfortunate,” urging the government to hold the perpetrators accountable amid the severe economic conditions.

Alhaji Shehu Usman, Chairman of the Market Traders Association, noted that the rice was brought into the market by a non-trader, urging caution among traders regarding such activities.

Responding to the incident, Aliyu Abdullahi, Principal Private Secretary to Governor Dikko Radda, clarified that the rice was allocated to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, by the Federal Government.

The minister had instructed the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure Development, Alhaji Nasiru Lawal, to store the rice, who opted to keep it in the market for safekeeping, amounting to 1,200 bags.

DSS recovers 2,000 bags of government-donated rice in Kastina

metro

DSS: There are plans to use mass protest for govt change

Published

10 hours ago

July 25, 2024

Trends Admin

DSS: There are plans to use mass protest for govt change

The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has discovered a plot by certain criminal elements to hijack the planned mass protests to cause instability across the nation.

In a statement released on Thursday, July 25, by Peter Afunanya, the DSS spokesperson, the organisation declared the protest’s motivation as political.

It said, “The DSS has followed the discourse on planned protests in parts of the country in the coming weeks by persons and groups yet to identify themselves in public as leaders of the plot.

“While peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, the Service has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land.

“It has also identified the reason behind the protest as political.

“The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments, make them unpopular, and pit them against the masses.

“The long-term objective is to achieve regime change, especially at the centre.

“The Service has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors, and collaborators of the plot.

“However, it does not think that aggression should be the first line of action in handling the emerging scenario.

READ ALSO:

“It has instead, variously applied non-kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement, and other multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to dissuade the planners from actualising their undesirable objective.”

The DSS also cautioned the demonstrators against engaging in anarchy of any kind for the sake of maintaining peace.

It said, “Based on the foregoing, the Service wishes to warn all the protest groups to eschew any form of proposed rage, anarchy, and spoliation.

“While the different levels of government have routinely explained their agenda to ameliorate alleged harsh economic conditions, the Service urges the prospective protesters to listen to the voice of reason and good conscience and patiently engage with the authorities in the interest of peace.

“This has become important given that violence begets the destruction of lives and property as well as serves as a distraction to governance.

“The agitators are encouraged to use ample ways available to them to channel their grievances without resorting to violence.”

“The Service calls on people of goodwill, leaders of thought, captains of industry, labour unions, student associations, youth leaders, civil society, clergy, NGOs, women’s groups, civil servants, and politicians to shun any invitation to participate in any orchestrated violence, deliberately designed to cause disaffection in the country.

“Similarly, parents, guardians, and heads of traditional and academic institutions are urged to advise their children, wards, subjects, and students not to take part in the planned protest. Let us all join hands to build a nation without rancour, bitterness, or stained banners.

“The Service will work with other sister security and law enforcement agencies to maintain peace. It will, where necessary, apply all legitimate methods to achieve this.”