Youths lynch motorcycle thieves in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the death of one John Udoh, who was reportedly beaten to death over alleged theft of a motorcycle in Atoyo Okeigbo community, Aruba, in the Sagamu area of the state.

His partner, one Peter Ubong, was said to be critically injured by the mob.

Udoh and Ubong, members of a five-man gang, reportedly invaded the community at about 2: a.m. and attacked one Emeka Ruben, stealing his motorcycle valued at N1.2m.

The spokesperson of the state police command, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Friday.

Odutola said that Ruben, however, alerted the youths of the community who rose to the challenge at midnight and arrested Udoh and Ubong.

The two suspects were said to have been given severe beatings leading to the death of one of them, as confirmed by a doctor at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, while the second suspect, Ubong, who was said to be in critical condition, has been hospitalised.

Three other members of the gang, Adaka, Stepen, and Jeresy, were said to have made away with the stolen motorcycle.

The duo of Udoh and Ubong were also said to have confessed that they were part of a five-member group responsible for the theft of 15 solar streetlights previously stolen from the community, as well as two other motorcycles.

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They equally provided the names of their accomplices involved in the crime in Ajaka, a part of the Sagamu division, and admitted to committing other burglaries in the Sagamu area.

Odutola said, “On October 18, 2024, at about 7:20 hrs, the CDA Chairman of the Atayo Okeigbo community, Aruba Sagamu, Ogun State, reported via phone that a group of thieves invaded the community around 2:00 am. They broke into the home of one Emeka Ruben “M,” stealing his Lifan rubber motorbike valued at 1.2 million naira (#1,200,000.00).

“Upon hearing his cries for help, at midnight, several youths intervened by moving into the victims residence, apprehending one Peter Ubong, a 22-year-old from Cross River, and John Udoh, along with their operational motorcycle (registration number SGM 387 WB).

“Meanwhile, three others, named Adaka, Stepen, and Jerssy, managed to flee with the stolen motorcycle. The arrested duo confessed that they were part of a five-member group responsible for the theft of fifteen solar streetlights previously stolen from the community, as well as two other motorcycles.

“They provided the names of their accomplices involved in the crime in Ajaka, a part of the Sagamu division, and admitted to committing other burglaries in the Sagamu area.

“Both divisions are collaborating to ensure the apprehension of the named suspects. Unfortunately, the suspects were beaten severely by the mob, with one, John Udoh, being declared dead by doctors at OOUTH Sagamu, where his body was subsequently deposited in the hospital morgue.

“Peter Ubong is hospitalised in a critical condition.

“Investigations are ongoing to track down the remaining suspects and recover the stolen motorcycle. For your information, please.”

Youths lynch motorcycle thieves in Ogun

Abuja National Mosque gets first Igbo Imam, Professor of Arabic

The Abuja National Mosque has made a significant move by appointing Prof. Iliyasu Usman as its first Igbo Muslim Imam.

The appointment has been celebrated within the Muslim community, particularly by the South East Muslim Organisation of Nigeria (SEMON).

In a statement, SEMON congratulated Prof. Usman, recognizing his dedication to Islamic scholarship and leadership.

The organization emphasized that this appointment is not just a personal achievement for the new Imam; it also represents a divine responsibility to guide the Muslim community in worship and service to Allah. They further highlighted the inclusivity of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the President-General and Sultan of Sokoto.

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SEMON expressed optimism that Prof. Usman’s new role will strengthen the Igbo Muslim community and foster unity among the broader Nigerian Muslim population. Muslims nationwide are expected to gather at the Abuja National Mosque to witness this momentous event.

Prof. Usman will join existing Imams, Prof. Ibrahim Makari and Prof. Muhammad Kabir, in leading Juma’ah and daily congregational prayers on a rotational basis. Sheikh Ahmad Onilewura, the fourth Imam from Southwest Nigeria, has been on extended sick leave.

The statement concluded, “We the South East Muslim Organisation of Nigeria (SEMON), extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor Ilyasu Usman on your recent appointment as an Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja. This prestigious role is not only a testament to your unwavering dedication and scholarly excellence but also a divine blessing and responsibility to lead the Ummah in worship and service to Allah. We pray that Allah (SWT) grants you the wisdom, strength, and steadfastness to discharge this sacred duty with diligence, integrity, and humility. May your leadership inspire unity, peace, and piety.”

Abuja National Mosque gets first Igbo Imam, Professor of Arabic

Blackout in Kano, Kaduna as vandals destroy TCN towers

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported the vandalism of two towers along its 330kV Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines 1 and 2, resulting in blackout in parts of Kano and Kaduna states.

A report from TCN’s Shiroro Regional Office confirmed the damage, which led to widespread blackouts in the affected areas.

In a statement signed by the General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, TCN disclosed that preparations are underway to deploy a newly acquired “emergency restoration system” to the site while efforts to rebuild the destroyed towers are ongoing.

Although the company did not directly link the attack to banditry, there are suspicions that the recent killing of 13 farmers in the Shiroro area might be connected to the vandalism.

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria announces that two towers along its 330kV Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines 1 and 2 have been vandalised, damaging parts of both transmission lines,” the statement read.

The statement further explained that the first transmission line tripped, followed by the second line, while engineers were still attempting to restore the initial outage. In response, local vigilante groups were mobilized to secure the lines.

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The company identified the damaged structures as towers T133 and T136, with multiple sections of cables severely affected.

An aerial survey was conducted in partnership with security personnel to assess the extent of the damage and monitor potential threats to TCN infrastructure in the area.

“Arrangements are in top gear to deploy the newly procured ‘emergency restoration system’ to the site, pending the reconstruction of the damaged towers,” the statement added.

In the meantime, engineers have implemented temporary measures to supply electricity to Kano and Kaduna through the 330kV Kaduna–Jos transmission line.

The vandalism of the Shiroro–Kaduna lines, which are each capable of transmitting 600MW, poses a significant challenge to power distribution in the region.

“We are, however, committed to re-erecting the towers and restringing the transmission lines to restore bulk power transmission through both 330kV power transmission lines,” the statement concluded.

Blackout in Kano, Kaduna as vandals destroy TCN towers