Ignore research centre's thunderstorm alert, NiMet tells Nigerians – Newstrends
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Ignore research centre’s thunderstorm alert, NiMet tells Nigerians

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NiMet, research centre clash over weather forecast 

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has accused the Nigerian Lightning Safety and Research Center (NLSRC) of usurping the agency’s authority by issuing a thunderstorm alert without its permission.

It therefore asked Nigerian to disregard the weather forecast given by the research centre on April 15.

The NLSRC, a non-governmental organisation registered in the USA, on April 15 issued a warning that 2.9 million lightening strikes are expected in Nigeria in May.

The centre named states with high risk of the lightening as Taraba, Ebonyi, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Abia, among others, urging Nigerians to stay indoors should they hear any thunder.

But NiMet in a statement issued by its General Manager in charge of Public Relations, Muntari Ibrahim, on Sunday discredited the forecast, adding “that at no time did it authorise NLSRC to issue any such weather forecast to the public, as this is the statutory function of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.”

NLSRC is liable

It also stated, “NiMet is statutorily mandated under Sections 7 (1) (a) and (i) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Establishment Act, 2022 (NiMet Act), to advise the Federal Government on ALL aspects of meteorology and to collect, process and disseminate all meteorological data and information within and outside Nigeria.

“NiMet is also the sole authority to prescribe and issue the meteorological data and information required for all sectoral activities in Nigeria (Section 7(2)).

“Further to the above-stated provisions, any person who collects, uses or disseminates weather forecast or any other meteorological information obtained from any other source outside the approval, licence or authority of the agency for commercial or public purpose, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment or both (Section 30 (2) of the NiMet Act).”

The agency said the public should disregard the information issued by the NLSRC.

No competition with NiMet – NLSRC

In response, the centre told NiMet that it had no intention of competing with the agency on its statutory functions.

It said the alert information was solely for the education and awareness of Nigerians.

It stated, “We acknowledge that NLSRC may not have received the necessary approval or authorisation from NiMet before issuing the weather forecast to the Nigerian public.

“However, we would like to assure you that our intention is to raise awareness about lightning safety and protection of lives, properties, and public infrastructures in Nigeria.

“We do not intend to compete with NiMet or any other government agency responsible for weather forecasting and dissemination of meteorological data and information.”

Ignore research centre’s thunderstorm alert, NiMet tells Nigerians

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Suspected killers of Enugu market leader arrested

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Suspected killers of Enugu market leader arrested

The Enugu State Police Command, on Friday, paraded two members of a daredevil robbery gang behind the killing of the Chairman of the Ogbete Main Market Traders Association, OMMATA, Enugu, Chief Stephen Aniagu on 14th September 2024.

The suspects, Chukwudi Aboshi, a 28-year-old native of Anike in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Ani Innocent Ebuka (a.k.a. Excellent), a driver and native of Isigwe-Ugbawka in Nkanu East Local Government Area, who also confessed to the crime in their interaction with journalists, were paraded at a press briefing by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Daniel Ndukw.

This was even as the criminal suspects said that that Aniagu and one other were shot for “proving stubborn.”

However, six members of the gang are still at large as police intensify manhunt for them.

Briefing newsmen at Enugu Police Command’ headquarters, the police spokesman said, “You will also recall that the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, swiftly directed the state security forces to intensify efforts and ensure that all those involved in this crime are apprehended and held accountable.

“Consequently, through diligent intelligence work and coordinated efforts between Police Detectives of the Anti-Robbery Section (D9) of the State CID and Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad of the Command, the police arrested two male suspects involved in the crime on November 8 and 9, 2024.

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“During interrogation, both suspects confessed to their active involvement in the crime. They provided detailed accounts of how they attacked Mr. Aniagu, snatched his vehicle, and similarly shot another male driver severally at the same location on the night of the murder, snatching his Toyota Corolla as well. Fortunately, he is stable and undergoing treatment.

“Furthermore, the suspects confessed to having committed several other crimes, stating that their criminal camp was in a forest at Mmaku in Awgu LGA.

“They also mentioned the following names at large as members of their criminal gang and who were actively involved in the perpetration of the crimes: Obinna Nnamani (male), of Ndiagu Ogbo-Ezinne, Akpugo in Nkanu West LGA; Miracle (male, other names unknown, but has the nickname ‘C-C’ or ‘White’) of Mmaku community in Awgu LGA; Okoro Chisom (male) of Ihe community in Awgu LGA; Israel (male, other names and nativity unknown), Pius Anoja (male, a.k.a ‘Ezeobo’ and the chief priest of criminal group), Mosquito (male, real names unknown), and Anunti (male, real names unknown) all from Mmaku community in Awgu LGA and Inyiagboku (male, real names unknown), who hails from Akegbe-Ugwu in Nkanu West LGA.”

Suspected killers of Enugu market leader arrested

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Borno nurse escapes captivity six years after abduction

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Borno nurse escapes captivity six years after abduction

Alice Loksha, a 42-year-old nurse abducted by Boko Haram in March 2018 while working at a UNICEF office in Rann, Borno State, has escaped after six years in captivity.

Major General Wahdi Shuaibu, Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, North-East, made the announcement during a press briefing at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri on Friday.

Major General Shuaibu also announced the release of another abducted woman, Fayina Ali, who was kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents on October 19, 2020, while travelling from Kaduna to collect her late brother’s death benefits.

She spent approximately four years in captivity.

According to Major General Shuaibu, both Alice and Feyina were forced into marriage with the insurgents while under Boko Haram captivity.

Both women have undergone traumatic experiences and have shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.

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Representing the Theatre Commander, Deputy Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Chigbu, narrated Alice’s experience: “She was forced to marry Abu Umar, with whom she had a son, Mohammed.

“After Abu Umar’s death, she was forced into another marriage to ISWAP Commander Abu Simak. She later escaped from Dogon Chuku camp on October 24, 2024, and arrived at HQ TC on October 29, 2024, where she received medical attention.

“Fayina was initially held at Kangaruwa enclave for nine months, then transferred to Tumbunma for three years, and returned to Kangaruwa for another year before escaping.

“Alice, a 42-year-old nurse from Hawul LGA, Borno, was received on behalf of the Borno government by the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo.”

Gambo commended the Nigerian army for restoring peace in the North-East region and Borno state in particular. She assured the military that the two women would receive extensive care from Borno state.

“The women will undergo psychosocial support and rehabilitation before being handed over to their families for integration,” Gambo said.

 

Borno nurse escapes captivity six years after abduction

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Truck kills mother, two daughters in Oyo

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Truck kills mother, two daughters in Oyo

Three family members have died in a fatal road mishap in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.

The deceased, a middle-aged woman and two of her daughters, were crushed to death by a truck on Wednesday night.

The incident occurred at Apake area of Ogbomosho when the victims were returning from their shop at Takie area around 11 p.m.

They were going back to their residence at Nana River/Atenda area on a commercial motorcycle when the accident occurred.

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It is gathered that remains of the victims — the mother, identified as Kudirat, and her two daughters, Mariam (13 years) and Azeezat (10 years) — have been deposited at morgue.

A local, who spoke in confidence with newsmen, explained that the motorcyclist and the driver of the trailer escaped unhurt.

“The three were crushed brutally. However, the motorcyclist escaped unhurt while the trailer driver also sped off; he was pursued but made his escape.”

All efforts made by DAILY POST to get a reaction from the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Rosemary Alo, proved abortive at the time of filing this report on Friday

 

Truck kills mother, two daughters in Oyo

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