metro
Panic grips Zamfara communities as gunmen demand over N1m levy
The banditry in Zamfara State has taken a more dangerous dimension as bandits have demanded over N1 million as levies from different communities in Zurmi, Kaura Namoda and Birnin-Magaji local government areas of the state.
Communities affected by this include Birnin Tsaba, Gabaken Mesa, Gabaken Dan-Maliki, Turawa, Askawa and Yanbuki.
Residents of these communities are said to now be at the mercy of the bandits who have virtually set up their own government in the affected areas.
A resident of one of the communities who preferred anonymity, said the people of Askawa had paid N5 million for 18 abducted persons and to also prevent further attacks on their community.
While noting that some communities were yet to raise the money before the December 11 deadline given by the gunmen, he said the situation had caused panic in the affected areas.
“Gabaken Mesa has paid N1 million, Gabaken Dan-Maliki, N1 million and Birnin Tsaba N1 million, just to mention but few,” the distraught resident said.
He explained that the Yanbuki community was told to pay N19 million but noted that after negotiation, it was reduced to N10 million.
On whether the community has informed security agencies, he said: “No one is going to police to report, knowing full well that nothing will be done but to tell them to pay the money.
“I personally went to the military on Friday evening in Kaura Namoda to report the incident; I almost ended up fighting with one of the soldiers. I can categorically tell you nothing has been done, till now.”
On his part, the Commissioner for Information in the state, Ibrahim Dosara, confirmed the development to Channels Television.
He said the state government was aware of the levy imposed on these communities but assured that the government was working with the security agencies to ensure the communities were secured.
“The government is working with the security agencies to make sure these communities are secured,” the commissioner said.
He did not, however, say how soon the communities would be rescued from the claws of the bandits, especially with regards to the bandits’ demands for N1 million levy.
VANGUARD
metro
BREAKING: EFCC freezes 300 illegal forex accounts
BREAKING: EFCC freezes 300 illegal forex accounts
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has frozen 300 illegal forex accounts trading on a peer-to-peer platform.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, revealed that the accounts were suspended on Monday following a court order.
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Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Olukoyede explained that over $15bn passed through one of the forex platforms in the last one year, outside the financial regulations.
He said the EFCC action was taken to ensure the safety of the foreign exchange market and protect the economy
BREAKING: EFCC freezes 300 illegal forex accounts
metro
Policeman shot dead corps member at LAUTECH convocation party
Policeman shot dead corps member at LAUTECH convocation party
A trigger-happy policeman well known as Saheed SARS allegedly shot a NYSC corps member identified as Iyanda Damilola to death in Ogbomoso Local Government Area of Oyo State on Tuesday.
According to a news report, Saheed is an operative of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Oyo State Police Command.
Saheed is well-known among Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso students, for assaults, particularly against “Yahoo boys“.
In 2020, he was heavily chastised on social media after allegedly posing with a white Mercedes-Benz car he claimed to have purchased.
The deceased’s brother, Iyanda Oluwafemi, who graduated from LAUTECH on Monday, claimed he was wounded by bullets fired by Saheed.
Speaking with our correspondent, Oluwafemi, a graduate of Accounting and Management Sciences from the institution, said the deceased was his brother and that he had attended his convocation, after which they headed for an after-party the same day where he was shot dead by the trigger-happy cop.
He further revealed that the late Damilola was serving in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
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He said, “Yesterday was our convocation, and we were at a lounge (name withheld) for a convocation party around 2 a.m. when we heard that some people were fighting outside. When we discovered that the place was getting rowdy, we stepped out only to see policemen dispersing the crowd and shooting directly at the people.
“I sustained bullet wounds, but my brother, who came for my convocation, was shot in the head. He was confirmed dead at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and was taken to the mortuary this morning.
“As I speak with you, I am at the clinic for my treatment. The wounds are deep, and I cannot but seek justice for my innocent brother.”
When asked if he recognized the police officers who arrived for the operation, Oluwafemi said he was certain of Saheed SARS because he led them to the location to disperse the gathering.
“I saw him handling the gun; he was shooting with one hand until he shot my brother,” he added.
When contacted, SP Adewale Osifeso, the state police public relations officer, stated that an investigation was ongoing and that updates would be supplied as they became available.
“Investigation is ongoing. Updates will be provided accordingly, please,” he wrote in a text message.
Policeman shot dead corps member at LAUTECH convocation party
Education
Abuja British school shut over student bullying viral video
Abuja British school shut over student bullying viral video
Abuja-based Lead British International School has been shut down for three days after a viral video showing an incident of bullying in the school.
This was announced on Tuesday during a press briefing attended by concerned parents on the school premises.
The viral video, which captured a female student being subjected to physical and emotional abuse by her peers, had sparked public outrage.
The footage depicted the victim being repeatedly slapped by another female student in an interrogation session.
The incident prompted widespread condemnation and calls for swift action to address the issue.
Head of Lead British International School, Abraham Ogunkambi, issued a statement on Tuesday, in response to the incident.
He stressed the school’s disapproval of the incident, adding that an investigation into the matter had commenced.
“The school management is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness,” Ogunkambi said.
He added that the school had already been in contact with the victim and her parents, offering support and counselling services to help them manage the emotional and psychological effects of the incident.
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