Palace attack: I scaled fence to escape, says Etsu Lokoja – Newstrends
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Palace attack: I scaled fence to escape, says Etsu Lokoja

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Palace attack: I scaled fence to escape, says Etsu Lokoja

The of Etsu Lokoja, Chief Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika Nyamkpa IV, has explained that he jumped the fence to safety when some yet-to-be identified hoodlums attacked his palace in the Kogi State capital early Saturday morning.

The palace, located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, was allegedly attacked by hoodlums at about 1:00 am on Saturday.

Dauda-Shelika said he heard a big bang on his door at around 1 am.

Properties within the premises, including a vehicle were burnt by the hoodlums.

Speaking of how his palace was attacked, Etsu Nupe said,

“I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened.

“Then, I suddenly saw wildfire coming out of my car that was set ablaze by attackers.

“I knew it was an attack on the palace, and therefore I could not come out because of fear of being attacked. So, I managed to come out through the back door and scaled the fence to escape for my lifeo.

“Thereafter, I came out to the road and realised that all my neighbours in the community were on the ground trying hard to quench the fire, but unfortunately the car was burnt as well as other properties inside it.”

The traditional ruler appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the cause of the attack and bring perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.

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He admonished Nupe natives in Lokoja to avoid any reprisal attack but continue to remain peaceful and law abiding and allow the government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation of the attack.

“We are appealing to Gov. Ahmed Ododo and security agencies to please use their good offices to investigate this unfortunate incident and bring to justice whoever is concerned, whether directly or indirectly.

“We also want the government to kindly visit our issues by recognising and grading the stool of Etsu Lokoja, which had been in existence before colonisation,” he said.

He stated that the Lokoja Local Government Area chairman and his security team came for an on-the-spot assessment that Saturday morning, as well as the police and other security outfits.

The attack happened as the Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union were planning to host the 2nd edition of the Nupe Natives end-of-the-year event, tagged “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” on Dec. 21, 2024, before the incident occurred.

The event was, however, aborted due to the unfortunate attack

The National President, Nupe Natives Union Lokoja, Alh. Abubakar Ndashite, said the event scheduled for Saturday was a celebration of Nupe cultural heritage and not any form of coronation as being insinuated from some quarters.

Ndashite, who doubles as the chairman of the planning committee, said the aborted event was to project the Nupe spirit and culture as well as the rich history of the diversely composed Lokoja community and the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among her.

He expressed his displeasure over the aborted cultural event, noting that the union had expended so much on it, and urged the government to bring perpetrators to book.

Palace attack: I scaled fence to escape, says Etsu Lokoja

(NAN)

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Abuja: After pleading guilty, cybercrime suspect begs to change plea

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December 23, 2024

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Abuja: After pleading guilty, cybercrime suspect begs to change plea

There was a mild drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja as a suspect begged to retake his plea after pleading guilty to the two-count charge read to him.

The suspect, Adun Adewale, also known as “Coachbanter,” was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on alleged cybercrime offence against Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the I-G had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/634/2024, sued Adewale as sole defendant.

In the charge filed on Dec. 17 by A.A. Egwu, the defendant was alleged to have, sometime in 2024, intentionally sent video recording by means of computer system and network through his Tiktok username: “@brodabanter_backup_page” and handle “CoachBanter.”

 Adewale was alleged to have said in the said video, “Police IG Egbetokun busted for colluding with notorious cartel moving cash from CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) vault via Abuja, Lagos airport.”

The statement he knew to be false, “for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order.”

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The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

In count two, he was also alleged to have sent a video through his Tiktok username accusing Egbetokun of victimising police officers to shield members of a cartel notorious for hauling suspicious new bank notes from the CBN.

The statement, which was said to be false, was contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Upon resumed hearing, the I-G’s counsel, Victor Okoye, told the court that the matter was slated for the arraignment of the defendant and that he was ready to proceed.

After count one was read to Adewale, he pleaded guilty.

When the registrar read count two, the defendant said: “I pleaded guilty with reason.”

“What is the reason?” Justice Nwite asked.

Adewale explained from the dock that he saw the post somewhere and he forwarded it to his page.

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His lawyer, O.A Olaleye, therefore, prayed the court for a stand down in order to confer with his client.

Although Okoye opposed the application, the judge stood down the matter in the interest of justice.

After the court reconvened, Adewale’s lawyer told the court that he had discussion with his client and Adewale told him that he (defendant) did not understand the charge read to him.

Based on this premise, the lawyer prayed the court for the charge to be read again for his client to take his plea.

But Okoye vehemently opposed the application.

He argued that before Adewale took his plea, he was asked if he understood English Language and he responded in affirmative.

The prosecutor said besides, the defendant was represented by a lawyer.

He said the law is clear that when a defendant understands the charge read to him, it does not behove on the lawyer to persuade the defendant to change his plea.

Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until Dec. 30 for the parties to address the court on the position of law in such instance.

Abuja: After pleading guilty, cybercrime suspect begs to change plea

(NAN)

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Eight dead as truck crashes into passenger vehicle in Abia

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December 23, 2024

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Eight dead as truck crashes into passenger vehicle in Abia

Eight people have been confirmed dead while two others were injured in an accident involving a loaded trailer and Sharon Volkswagen vehicle along the Bende-Ohafia Road of Abia State.

The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the crash involved a trailer carrying chippings which hit and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 persons on board in a statement by the Sector Commander, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoma, on Monday in Umuahia.

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According to FRSC, the crash occurred on Sunday along the Mmuri River axis of the road in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.

“At the time of the crash eight persons had died including a woman standing by the roadside and three were injured.

“The injured victims were taken to the hospital while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue,” she said.

Ezeoma said that preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding.

 

Eight dead as truck crashes into passenger vehicle in Abia

(NAN)

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FG repatriates 403 stranded Nigerian migrants from Niger Republic

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December 23, 2024

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FG repatriates 403 stranded Nigerian migrants from Niger Republic

The federal government has successfully repatriated 403 Nigerian migrants stranded in the Niger Republic, according to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).

The returnees arrived on Saturday, including 165 males, 56 females, and 182 children and infants. Their return was facilitated through a coordinated multi-agency effort involving the Nigerian Mission in Niamey and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

This operation marks the second batch of voluntary returns from the Niger Republic within the week, following the repatriation of 310 individuals on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. In total, 713 Nigerians have been returned to the country in the past week.

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At the reception ceremony, Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, represented by the Kano State Coordinator, Mrs. Lubah Liman, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reintegrating the returnees into various initiatives under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Ahmed praised the seamless collaboration among agencies that ensured the operation’s success.

He highlighted the federal government’s dedication to the safe and dignified return of Nigerians stranded abroad and stressed the importance of multi-agency cooperation in tackling migration challenges.

 

FG repatriates 403 stranded Nigerian migrants from Niger Republic

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