Lagos predicts 261 days of rain, moves against disasters – Newstrends
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Lagos predicts 261 days of rain, moves against disasters

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By Dada Jackson

Lagos residents will experience normal rainfall of between 238 days and 261 days this year, the state government has said.

It also stated that adequate measures had been put in place to protect lives and property during the rainy season.

The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, who stated this during a press briefing on the 2021 Seasonal Climate Predictions at Alausa, Ikeja, disclosed that the maximum annual rainfall for this 2021 was predicted to be 1,747mm.

Bello maintained that the state government was set to ensure a flood-free and hygienic environment during the season.

The commissioner threatened to shut markets that continued to flout sanitation laws put in place to ensure that refuse was not indiscriminately dumped into the drains.

He said the state was collaborating with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) not only in the areas of annual seasonal climate prediction but also in averting devastating effects of unfavourable climate.

The commissioner added that the state had concluded preparation to have its own network of weather stations to closely monitor the climate as well as increase the preparedness for weather related issues.

Bello said the seasonal climate prediction for Lagos State indicated onset dates that ranged between March 17 and April 6, while the season ending was predicted to be between November 30 and December 5, 2021.

According to him, Ikeja is expected to experience about 261 days of rainfall with a total amount of 1,392mm and the rainfall onset date of March 17 as it already witnessed while the cessation date was expected to be 3rd of December, 2021.

“Lagos Island has had a rainfall onset date of 6th April, while its cessation date is expected to be 30th of November. It is also expected that Lagos Island would have about 238 days of rainfall and about 1627mm of rainfall this year.

“It is also expected that the increasing frequency of extreme weather events indicate that year 2021 would likely experience days with extremely high rainfall amounts which may result in flooding,” he said.

Bello restated that the Emergency Flood Abatement Gangs (EFAG) of the ministry had been consistently de-silting and working on various linkages to the secondary and primary channels to enable them discharge efficiently and act as retention basins.

He said in order to forestall the incidence of collapse of telecommunication masts, occasioned by high velocity of the wind, expected during the onset and cessation of every rainfall, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) had been put on alert to ensure advertising and communication agencies comply with regulations on safety of billboards and telecommunication masts.

He added that all emergency agencies, traffic management agencies and other emergency related outfits had been put on the alert to assist in reducing the negative impact of thunder storm associated with rainfall across the state.

Bello disclosed further that government was determined to maintain the long-established synergy and partnership with Ogun-Oshun River Basin Authority which had ensured control and monitoring of the steady and systemic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream reaches.

He emphasized that the government would ramp up their enlightenment and advocacy efforts to sensitize and advise communities in coastal and low-lying wetland areas of the State, to move  upland when the need arises so as to avert needless loss of lives and property.

He enjoined journalists to partner government in sensitizing Lagosians residing along flood plains of major rivers and drainage channels such as Owode, Iwaya, Makoko, Badia, Ijora, Isaalu, Pota and Shibiri to always be on the alert and ready to move to higher grounds when the need arose, adding that they would be duly notified at the appropriate time.

Disclosing that it was natural to have flashfloods, which would percolate or drain off quickly, as was the case in different parts of the world, the commissioner said only when flood remains on the roads for several hours and days that flooding could be reported.

Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Drainage Services and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe, who was also part of the briefing informed of government’s plans to dredge about 221 collector drains, 32 primary channels measuring about 72km spread across the 20 local government areas of the state to check flooding.

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Anambra vigilantes torture man to death over water tank theft

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8 hours ago

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April 25, 2024

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Anambra vigilantes torture man to death over water tank theft

A 60-year-old resident of Nza Ozubulu in the Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, identified only as Mr. Kenneth, was reportedly tortured to death by operatives of local vigilantes hired by his younger brother.

Activist Harrison Gwamnishu shared a video on X, showing the sexagenarian with his hands tied behind him, being repeatedly beaten with cutlasses and sticks by his assailants.

Mr. Kenneth had sold a water tank in his family house to address family issues, which his younger brother disagreed with. Consequently, the brother called for the local vigilante group, who arrested and tortured Mr. Kenneth until he succumbed to his injuries.

In the video of his torture posted by Gwamnishu, Mr. Kenneth could be heard shouting “They have killed me. It is death. I am dying! What did I do?”

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As his torturers took turns to beat him, voices could be heard in the background saying in Igbo language, “You stole. It is a general property,” amongst other unclear words.

Meanwhile, Gwamnishu noted that “Currently his wife and children are subjected to fear and intimidation as they have vowed to deal with them if they continue to seek justice for the death of Mr. Kenneth.”

Demanding justice for the deceased, the activist said, “Ndi Nza Ozubulu, Anambra State, stop shying away from this case and protect the deceased wife and children.”

When SaharaReporters contacted the Anambra State Police Command for confirmation of the incident and reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Toochukwu Ikenga, said he was not aware of the incident.

The police spokesperson who asked the family of the deceased to reach out to him said, “There is no report like that before me, please. Can the victim’s relatives see me please.”

Anambra vigilantes torture man to death over water tank theft

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Niger: Residents flee community as troops withdraw after deadly ambush

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8 hours ago

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April 25, 2024

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Niger: Residents flee community as troops withdraw after deadly ambush

The Nigerian military has dismantled their tents and withdrawn their services from communities in Niger State following deadly attacks by bandits and terrorists.

Two officers and four soldiers lost their lives last Friday in the Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state during an ambush by the bandits which left over eight persons dead.

The PUNCH learnt that following the withdrawal of the soldiers on Thursday, hundreds of residents, including women, children, and the elderly have started vacating their ancestral homes and, trekking several kilometres to safety.

A resident, who is privy to the development, said that they were shocked to find the soldiers dismantling their tents ahead of withdrawing their services to the communities and called on the Niger State Government to quickly intervene to avert any attack by the bandits.

According to one of the residents who spoke to the media under the condition of anonymity, the withdrawal of the soldiers came two days after a military vehicle stepped on a landmine along the Allawa-Pandogari road, resulting in the casualty of an unspecified number of soldiers.

“We woke up on Thursday morning to find the soldiers dismantling their tents in readiness to leave the community. I don’t know if you are aware that on Tuesday, a military vehicle carrying some personnel on their way to Allawa stepped on an IED. There was a heavy casualty as many soldiers lost their lives while some were injured. The injured are in the hospital. The incident happened on Allawa-pandogari road,” the resident said.

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It would be recalled that Tuesday’s incident occurred less than a week after the two officers, four soldiers, a vigilante, and a hunter lost their lives in an ambush at Roro when bandits ambushed them in Roro, Karaga, Rumace, and other farming communities.

Another resident, who gave his name as Yahuza Allawa, told the media that dozens of residents vacated their communities as early as 4 am trekking several kilometres heading towards Erena, Gwada, Kuta, or Zumba for safety.

“We are leaving our communities now and there are insufficient motorcycles and vehicles to take us out as quickly as possible. We are afraid. We left our belongings behind because we could not carry so many things. So many other people have left already

“We are moving to either Erena, Gwada, Kuta, or Zumba. And from Allawa to Erena which is the only exit road for us and it is at least 42km and we are trekking. We cannot wait to be killed by these heartless bandits and Boko Haram. This is a serious issue, please help us report this issue,” Allawa pleaded.

The residents lamented that with the withdrawal of the military personnel, they were now more vulnerable to attacks by bandits and called for immediate intervention from the state government.

Last year, no fewer than 30 officers and men lost their lives in attacks by the bandits and terrorists in Niger State. In August 2023, 20 soldiers lost their lives while others including vigilantes sustained injuries during an ambush along Zungeru-Tegina road while responding to distress calls in some communities in Wushishi LGA.

Less than 24 hours after that incident, an MI-171 NAF Helicopter was on a casualty evacuation mission when it crashed at about 1.00 pm near Chukuba Village, Shiroro. The crash was confirmed by the Nigeria Air Force authorities. An unconfirmed report, however, said that the helicopter was shot down by suspected bandits. The pilot died in the crash.

The PUNCH learnt from anonymous military sources that the military authorities complained that they could no longer bear the incessant killing of soldiers by bandits in the state.

In his reaction, the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Bello Abdullahi, a retired Brigadier General, confirmed the withdrawal of the soldiers, saying it was part of the arrangements by the military to re-strategise on the best ways to tackle insecurity.

He said, “The whole thing is about administrative arrangements by the military to re-strategise to return in full strength”.

Niger: Residents flee community as troops withdraw after deadly ambush

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Police arrest abductors of Taraba varsity student 

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9 hours ago

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April 25, 2024

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Police arrest abductors of Taraba varsity student 

The Taraba State police command has confirmed the arrest of 28 suspects for various crimes, including the abduction of varsity students in the state.

State Police Commissioner CP. David Iloyanomon disclosed this during a press briefing in Jalingo on Thursday. He also revealed that the command is searching for the former Chairman of Takum Local Government Area, Mr. Shiban Tikari, in connection with the 2017 murder of a member of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Hosea Ibi. Tikari is currently on the run.

Two suspects in Ibi’s murder were sentenced to life imprisonment last month for their involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of the legislator. All suspects confessed that Tikari was the one who ordered the kidnapping and murder, prompting the judge to request his arrest.

Iloyanomon disclosed that the command has also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, as well as a tricycle, charms, 102 cows, a motorcycle, and other items.

He said, “There is no doubt that the Police Command, leveraging the support and cooperation of security agencies in the state and the good people of Taraba State, have worked assiduously to fight head-on all forms of criminality with remarkable achievements. Some of them are presented below.”

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The commissioner then proceeded to detail some of the arrests made, including:

  • Abdulkarim Ibrahim: Arrested in Perogal Tunga village, Sardauna LGA, for terrorizing villages in the local government. He confessed to involvement in several kidnappings.
  • Garba Yahaya and Abdullahi Usman Mohammed: Arrested in Gassol LGA for their involvement in a series of kidnappings and collecting ransom money.
  • Laulo Alhaji Adamu: A notorious kidnapper arrested in Bamanda Village, Lau LGA, for terrorizing Jimlari and Marraraban Kunini villages. He has confessed to several kidnappings.

Other criminal suspects were arrested for various crimes, including culpable homicide, armed robbery, illegal possession of arms, cyber crimes, banditry, criminal conspiracy, theft, and cattle rustling.

Iloyanomon also highlighted an incident where officers of the command turned down a bribe of ₦8,000,000 while on patrol. The Inspector General of Police commended these officers for their professionalism and urged others to emulate them.

The commissioner concluded by thanking the Governor of Taraba State for his commitment to combating crime and supporting security agencies in ensuring peace and security in the state. He reaffirmed the Taraba State Police Command’s commitment to upholding law and order.

Police arrest abductors of Taraba varsity student

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