Kaduna shuts two schools over alleged rape, impregnating of minors

December 31, 2021 | anaben

The Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQA) on Friday, has closed two Islamiyah schools indefinitely over alleged rape of a six-year-old girl and impregnating of another.

One of the schools, Madrasatul Ulumul Deeniya wa Tahfizul Qur’an, located in Rigasa, was shut down after a six-year-old girl was allegedly raped in the school premises.

The other Islamiyah school, located at Tsohon Masallacin Juma’a in Kachia, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State was closed after a 12-year-old girl was allegedly impregnated by a 50-year-old teacher at the school.

The school in Rigasa was shut down by the Overseer of the KSSQA, Mr Idris Aliyu. He revealed that the six-year-old girl was raped in the school and the school authority covered it up and claimed ignorance of the incident.

According to Aliyu, the victim’s grandmother complained about the incident to the school authority but ended up being beaten by the students and teachers of the Islamiyah.

He also said that Governor Nasir El-Rufai had given orders for the Islamiyah to be shut down indefinitely until investigation is concluded and the culprit arrested.

“The headmaster of the school would be held responsible for the act until all persons in the school were profiled and the perpetrator identified by the survivor and prosecuted,” he said.

“The individuals responsible for the violence against the grandmother, especially the headmaster, will also be prosecuted.”

“This is in line with the state government’s responsibility in protecting the vulnerable population in the state,” he said.

However, on his part, the head-teacher of the school, Malam Kabir Abdullahi, has denied the allegation, saying “it is not a rape. What we gathered is that an unidentified boy injured the girl in her private part with a stick.”

Abdullahi said that the case was currently under investigation by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Rigasa, ASP Abubakar Bauranya.

The DPO confirmed receiving the case the way it was narrated by the headteacher of the Islamiyah school.

But the grandmother of the girl, Hajiya Batul Gambo insisted that her grandchild was violated and had been confirmed by Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital Tudun Wada, Kaduna.

A medical report signed by Dr A Raji also backed Gambo’s claim that the six-year-old was raped.

According to Raji’s report, she was bleeding due to “virginal bruising of the labia minora, bilaterally periurethral bruising, heamatoma of the clitoris and laceration of the hymen.”

Concerning the rape and impregnation of the 12-year-old girl in Kachia, Aliyu said that the she was six months pregnant.
The school was shut down as well, as the safety of the pupils cannot be guaranteed.

He explained that the Commissioner of Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Hafsat Baba and the Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Halima Lawal would work closely with the police to investigate and ensure justice is done.

“Meanwhile, the two schools will remain closed until investigations are concluded and the culprit prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said.

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Super Eagles invite four new players for AFCON

December 31, 2021 | anaben

Due to the health conditions and injuries of some players, Super Eagles have invited four new players for AFCON.

Recall that the Nigeria Football Federation had, on Friday, announced that Victor Osimhen is out of the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations.

The NFF’s spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, disclosed this on Friday, adding that only the goalkeeping department has not been changed.

Players newly added to the AFCON squad are right back Tyrone Ebuehi, England–based Oluwasemilogo, Greece-based Henry Onyekuru, and Czech Republic-based forward Peter Olayinka.

Olajire said, “Lively forward Victor Osimhen’s positive test to the coronavirus pandemic a couple of days ago and injury to the versatile Abdullahi Shehu have constrained changes to Nigeria’s final 28-man list for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations starting in Cameroon next weekend.

“The goalkeeping department is untouched, but the forced exclusion of Cyprus –based Shehu, who can slot easily into sections of the defence and midfield, has made way for hard-as-nails right back Tyrone Ebuehi, now with Venezia in the Italian Serie A, and England –based Oluwasemilogo Ajayi returns to the group for Africa’s flagship football championship following injury to centre-back Leon Balogun. Ajayi can also play as a midfielder.

“Osimhen’s absence paves way for Greece-based Henry Onyekuru who was also at the last finals in Egypt. In-form rapid raider Emmanuel Dennis, whose English Premiership club is baring fangs, has been excused to provide room for Czech Republic-based forward Peter Olayinka.”

AFCON 2021: Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis out of Super Eagles squad

December 31, 2021 | anaben

Four players, including Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis will not be at the Africa Cup of Nations next year despite their inclusion in the intial final list submitted by Super Eagles coach, Austin Eguavoen. The others include defenders, Shehu Abdullahi and Leon Balogun.

Recall that Osimhen had reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus. He had asked to be excused. Emmanuel Denis, on the other hand, did not have his invitation sent on time.

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Woman tries to settle dispute, stabs bartender to death

December 31, 2021 | anaben

A 32-year-old female fashion designer, Omowumi Oyapitan, has been arrested by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command, for allegedly killing a bartender, Muhammed Ahmed, 30.

The deceased, Ahmed, had reportedly made away with his boss’ N600,000 and went into hiding in a hotel with his friends.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement on Thursday, said the police discovered that the deceased used part of the stolen money to lodge some of his friends in the hotel. He later accused one of them of stealing part of the money.

The police spokesperson said the accusation led to a hot exchange of words between them.

The fashion designer tried to separate the fighting friends but instead got a fist blow from Ahmed.

This annoyed her, so that she broke a bottle and stabbed Ahmed in the neck, leading to his death.

The PPRO said the suspect was arrested following a distress call received by the police at the Onipanu divisional headquarters from the Managing Director of Splendour Guest Inn, Stephen Udo.

Oyeyemi said, “Following the distress call, the DPO, Onipanu division, CSP Bamidele Job, quickly mobilised his men and moved to the scene, where the victim was met in a pool of blood.

“The suspect was promptly arrested, while the victim was rushed to the state hospital, Ota, where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, who had been in the hotel since Monday, December 27, 2021, was hiding there after stealing the sum of N600,000 from his boss at Hayorlak Hotel, where he was working as a bartender.

“It was further gathered that he used part of the stolen money to lodge some of his friends. He had an altercation with one of those he lodged in the hotel because he accused him of stealing part of his money; the accusation led to a hot exchange of words between them.

“The suspect, who claimed to know the other boy in their street, intervened and the deceased, who was not pleased with her intervention, gave her a fist blow in the mouth. In retaliation, she broke a bottle and used it to stab the deceased in his neck.”

Oyeyemi, however, said the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, had ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.

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Police kill 38 bandits, lose 5 officers

December 31, 2021 | anaben

The Katsina State Police Command has announced that it has lost five of its officers in different operations across the state, while 38 bandits have been killed in the state.

Speaking at a press conference ,the Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba who was represented by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Gambo Isah, said even in the face of challenges of the period, the Command has recorded tremendous successes against banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of crime in the state.

He said in the year 2021, crime rate in the state reduced as compared with the previous years.

“In the course of this campaign, thirty-eight (38) bandits were neutralized in various gun battles while five (5) police officers paid the supreme price.

“The Command arrested 999 suspects in connection with 608 reported cases. While a total number of 874 arrested suspects are undergoing prosecution in various competent Courts of Law in the State,” he said.

“A total number of 157 suspected Armed Robbers were arrested and 145 of them were charged to court while 12 are under investigation.

“Sixty-five suspected kidnappers were also arrested and 63 have been charged to court while two are under investigation,” he said.

He also said that the police had succeeded in arresting 244 suspected cattle rustlers, of which 230 suspects have been charged to court while 14 are still under investigation.

He also boasted that 1,243 domestic animals were recovered which consist of 867 cows, 352 sheep, 24 goats and one donkey were recovered from the hoodlums.

“246 suspects were arrested in 195 reported cases of rape and unnatural offence adding that 63 victims were rescued in four reported cases of Human Trafficking which were transferred to NAPTIP office in Kano State.”

“215 kidnapped victims were also rescued from suspected bandits/kidnappers during the period under review.

“Some of the items recovered during the year include 20 suspected stolen motor vehicles; 18 stolen/bandits’ motorcycles; 4 General Purpose Machine Guns; 44 AK 47 riffles; 1 LAR riffle; 1 G3 Rifle; 20 Locally made guns; 689 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition of AK 47 rifle and 109 Anti Air-Craft ammunition (AA).”

In appreciation, the Commissioner thanked the Inspector General of Police, IGP Alkali Usman Baba, “for his undaunted support to the Command, without which these quantum of successes would not have been achieved. I wish to also extend my sincere appreciation to him for my elevation to the next rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG). It is no doubt that to whom much is given, much is expected. I will surely reciprocate with continues hard work and dedication to duty”.

Similarly; the Commissioner thanked members of the press for immensely cooperating and partnering with the command.

“You have sincerely and passionately displayed fraternity and collaboration towards strengthening the relative peace and security in the state through your fair and balanced reportage of the Command activities,” he said

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South-East has right to produce next presidency — Ikpeazu

December 30, 2021 | anaben

The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has said the South-East has the right to produce Nigeria’s next president because it understands the country better.

Ikpeara was addressing State House correspondents after a visit to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in Abuja on Thursday when he let this out.

“I think that the southeasterners have a right to take a shot at the presidency of Nigeria and I dare say that our qualification starts from the fact that we understand and know Nigeria better than the other states of Nigeria.

“I dare say, this is my opinion. We go everywhere, we are everywhere, we invest everywhere, we are Pan-Nigerian people,” he said.

“Today, a lot of people are afraid of Sambisa, but for an Igbo man, Sambisa is a business opportunity,” he added.

Ikpeazu added that the next president of Nigerian must possess a Pan-Nigerian mentality with understanding of all the contending interests and influences in the country.

“The question of Nigerian president of southeast extraction is a national question that required negotiation, discussion and conversation with all parts of this country and I am least qualified to determine what happens in 2023.

“I also want to spend my time supporting the incumbent president to do his time and do his best while we wait for what will begin to unfold. So, these are my views about the presidency.

“In the first place, anybody who wants to aspire to the highest post of the presidency must have what I regard as Pan-Nigerian mentality. He must be somebody who has an understanding of all the contending interests and influences in this country. He must understand that we are a country of diversity with the different persuasions, traditions, cultures and religions. All of these must be put in a place where you can understand and respect them.

“That individual must also be somebody who is ready to accommodate the youths of this country without necessarily throwing away the experienced ones, he must be able to find a labyrinth of all the interests.

“He must also reflect an extreme women agenda. He must be investor-friendly and an individual who understands the nuances of economics, the relationship between international politics and economy. The person must be strong enough to face up to the issue on the front burner, which is security.

“He must be able to create jobs, he must be able to not deploy the kinetic device all the time, he must able to also listen and negotiate peace.

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Victor Osimhen Tests Positive For Corona Virus For a Second Time

December 30, 2021 | anaben

Nigerian international Victor Osimhen has, for the second time, tested positive for COVID-19.

His Italian club Napoli made this known on Thursday, as preparations towards next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon are ongoing.

“Napoli has announced that Victor Osimhen has tested positive for COVID-19 but is asymptomatic. Dr Tartaro was due to perform a check-up on the player tomorrow.

“Consequently, the local authorities have ordered that Osimhen self-isolate and the check-up will be rescheduled after he has tested negative and his period of isolation ends,” a Tweet by the club read.

Nigeria had picked Osimhen, who had had a serious injury and is still recovering, as part of its 28-man squad for AFCON.

The 22-year-old had said in a statement on social media that he will be available for Afcon, despite being initially ruled out for three months.

Osimhen had on January 1, 2021 also tested positive for the virus.

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Nwosu’s Arrest: You should apologise to Anglican Church, CAN tells Police

December 30, 2021 | anaben

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said the police are the ones who owe the Anglican Church an apology for the gestapo way in which they had arrested the former Chief-of-Staff to Imo Governor, Uche Nwosu, while he was in church for the outing service of his late mother.

CAN admitted that it would never stop the Police or the security agencies from doing their job which include arresting suspected criminals. It would hovever not permit the desecration of worship centres by operatives.

In a statement on Thursday night signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the CAN President, the umbrella Christian body did not support the effort by the Imo State CAN Chairman, Reverend Eches Divine-Eches, who tendered an apology to the Anglican church for the disruption of its service during Nwosu’s arrest last Sunday.

Instead, CAN’s national leadership insisted there was no reason for any of its officials to apologize over the incident because the apex Christian body had no part in the horrendous action.

The statement reads, “The National leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of Mr. Uche Nwosu at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral Umunwokwe village, in the Eziama-Obieri Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State.

“We feel highly embarrassed by this ugly development and feel pained that the Nigeria Police had no respect even for the House of God. We cannot remember whether this act of disrespect for God ever happened before in our country.

“The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has nothing to apologize for what the police did because we were never and would never be party to their horrendous action.

“The Police that did the disgraceful thing should appropriately apologise without giving any excuse. We expect them to be more circumspect in the performance of their duties.

“We are not asking the Police or the security agencies not to do their constitutional duties, but the idea of desecrating the House of God in doing so is totally unacceptable, unfortunate and reprehensible.

“In view of the foregoing, we urge the Inspector General of Police to call his men to order and continue to respect all houses of worship, whether church or mosque. This type of act should never happen again in our country.”

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Abducted Ekiti traditional chief, 2 others freed after N4m ransom

December 30, 2021 | anaben

A traditional Chief in Ijan Ekiti , Gbonyin Local Government area of Ekiti State, Chief Emmanuel Obafemi and two other kidnapped cocoa merchants have been freed after paying the sum of N4 million as ransom.

They were released along Ikere road on Wednesday and have joined their families.

Obafemi, who was kidnapped last Thursday on his farm located along Ado-Ijan road, was taken to an unknown destination.

The two cocoa merchants, who are residents of a farmstead called Ilupeju-Ijan were abducted on Saturday along Ijan-Ise road.

A family source who spoke to journalists in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said, “I can confirm to you that Chief Obafemi paid N2milliom while the two other cocoa merchants paid another N2million making a total of N4m before they were released around 3am today (yesterday)”.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Sunday Abutu, confirmed the release of the abductees, saying they had since rejoined with their families.

According to him, “They were released around 3am this morning. They are now with their families safe and sound. But let me say that the release was as a result of the hardwork put up by the combined forces of police, Amotekun Corps and local hunters, who combed the forest in search of the abductees.

“We assure Ekiti residents of their safety always while urging them to always avail us of useful information that can help in safeguarding the lives and property of our citizens”.

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