
News
Lady in critical condition as soldier fires indiscriminately in Rivers

…Victim fears for life, abandoned at UPTH
A lady, Damiete Green, is in critical condition at the University Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers state, writhing in pains of gunshots after a soldier shooting indiscriminately at fleeing transporter of illegally refined products fired at a wrong vehicle conveying her.
The shooter, identified as Sgt Yinka Ayileka, is said to be one of a team of Army guards attached to the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Center on Harbour Road, Township Ares who are known for abandoning their core duty to state illegal road checkpoints where they collect tolls from motorist and illegal fuel carriers in the neighborhood.
Eyewitness said the incident on Tuesday occurred close to popular Rachael Hotel in area where the Army guards watching over the maximum prison had mounted the illegal checkpoints, resulting in the unfortunate shooting of 25 old Green
Sources narrated that the reckless shooting started when a Toyota Camry car suspected to be conveying illegally refined petroleum product, better known as ‘kpofire’ in the locality, refused to pay the usual ‘toll’ to the security team at the illegal checkpoint.
A source stated that, “The soldier pursued the car and jumped on the bonnet. When the driver refused to stop, he opened fire and started shooting indiscriminately. There were several vehicles trapped in the gridlock caused by the checkpoint and the victim was in one of those, a Lexus 330 salon.”
The driver of the Lexus who was helping to give Green and other occupants who reside in the same neighborhood free ride home confirmed that bullets from the reckless shooting soldier’s gun went through the back passenger door, lodging into back of the Green who sat with another passenger.
Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers Command, Grace Eringe-Koko declined comment on the matter referring the reporter to enquire from the Army Public Relations Officer, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Maj Iyke Iweha who said he was not aware of the incident and would need time to check and get back.
Deputy Superintendent of Corrections, Juliet Ofoni, Spokesperson, Nigeria Correctional Service, Rivers Command, also contacted to confirm the incident and the military guards at the custodial center involved in the shooting, equally asked to be given space to check and get back at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the victim, under medicare at crowded Emergency Unit of UPTH, lamented that, “I was scheduled for surgery on Thursday but till now (Friday evening) nothing has happened.
Before the referral to UPTH, some pallets were said to have been extracted from the victim at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (BMH) on the fateful Tuesday the incident happened, leaving most remaining bullets still embedded in her back, and spine area.
Sympathizers and friends suspect attempt by security operatives to sweep an extrajudicial shooting under the carpet, by blaming the incident on stray bullets during alleged cult gangs’ clash in the area.
“It is very painful that the media could be used to spread a blatant lie to hide the evil done by the soldier who was on illegal duty at the post. Nigerians should help us get justice and to ensure that our sister does not die.”, they appealed. (Vanguard)
News
At least 18 injured after plane crashes and flips on landing in Toronto

• Two people in critical condition airlifted to nearby trauma centre and one child taken by ambulance to hospital

A plane carrying 80 people crash landed at Toronto Pearson airport yesterday, flipping upside down and leaving at least 18 people injured.
Video from the scene showed a Delta Air Lines plane belly-up on snow-covered tarmac and people walking away.
Two people in a critical condition were airlifted to a nearby trauma centre and one child was taken by ambulance to a hospital in downtown Toronto. Twelve others sustained minor injuries.
Flight 4819 – operated by the Delta subsidiary Endeavor Air – crashed while landing in Toronto about 2.45pm local time, having flown from Minneapolis in the US state of Minnesota.
The US Federal Aviation Authority said all 80 people onboard had been evacuated.
Video footage posted on Instagram showed passengers being helped by cabin crew to leave the upturned plane, with firefighters hosing the fuselage.
A Facebook user who said he was a passenger on the flight, John Nelson, posted a video showing the crashed plane and wrote: “Our plane crashed. It’s upside down. Most people appear to be OK. We’re all getting off.”
Nelson later told CNN there was no indication of anything unusual before landing. “We hit the ground, and we were sideways, and then we were upside down.
“I was able to just unbuckle and sort of fall and push myself to the ground. And then some people were kind of hanging and needed some help being helped down, and others were able to get down on their own.”
Todd Aitken, the airport’s fire chief, said: “It’s very early on. It’s really important that we do not speculate. What we can say is the runway was dry and there was no crosswind conditions.”
Deborah Flint, Toronto airport authority chief executive, said the crash did not involve any other planes.
The Ontario premier, Doug Ford, said he was “relieved there are no casualties”.
All departures and arrivals at the airport resumed at 5pm local time, having been paused minutes after the crash.
A massive snowstorm hit eastern Canada on Sunday, and strong winds and bone-chilling temperatures could still be felt in Toronto yesterday. Before the crash, dozens of departures and arrivals had been delayed.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) said it was “deploying a team to investigate” the accident, which came weeks after two fatal crashes in the US.
The US National Transportation Safety Board said a team of investigators would assist Canada’s TSB.
News
Family speaks on how newlywed NDLEA operative was lynched by mob


The family of a National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operative has refuted media reports alleging that they criticized the agency following the tragic death of their loved one, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics 1, Aliyu Imran.
PRNigeria reports that Imran, who got married in December 2024, was brutally lynched by a mob in the Gadan-Gayan area of Igabi Local Government, Kaduna State, while on duty.
The incident occurred after Imran and his colleagues pursued a suspected drug dealer. In an attempt to evade arrest, the suspect reversed his vehicle, causing an accident that claimed the lives of at least three people on the spot.
When Imran attempted to calm the ensuing chaos, an enraged mob attacked him, stabbing him multiple times.
A police officer managed to transport him to a nearby hospital, but the mob followed, dragged him out, and set him on fire. He succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
Some media outlets reported that the deceased officer’s family accused the NDLEA of failing to issue a statement or offer condolences. However, the family has strongly denied these claims.
In a statement obtained by PRNigeria, the Head of the Family, Alhaji Hassan Idris Funtua, clarified their position:
“We, the family of Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics Aliyu Imran, wish to address the recent media reports regarding the tragic death of our beloved son. These reports falsely claim that we accused the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of neglect. We categorically deny this allegation.
“In reality, the NDLEA has been supportive and proactive in their response to this tragedy. The Chairman/CEO, General Muhammadu Buba Marwa, personally reached out to us within hours of the incident, offering condolences and assurances of his commitment to addressing the issue.
“Furthermore, officials from the NDLEA Kaduna State Command attended Aliyu’s burial and informed us of the suspension of the Commander involved. A delegation from NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja also visited us on Sunday, February 16, 2025, to express their solidarity.
“We urge the general public to disregard the misleading reports, as they lack merit and do not reflect our family’s position. We request that media houses respect our grief and refrain from diverting attention from the main issue – the gruesome murder of Aliyu Imran, a promising young man who was brutally taken from us just 48 days after his wedding.
“Our focus now is on coming to terms with this senseless tragedy and seeking justice. We have faith that the law will take its course, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
The NDLEA has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but sources indicate that an internal investigation is underway. Meanwhile, authorities have vowed to bring those responsible for the mob action to justice.
News
Bandits kill 19 in fresh Benue attack


Suspected armed herders have killed about 19 people in renewed attacks on some communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
In the first attack, which was reported to have happened on Saturday, 16 farmers who were returning to their village were killed along Kashimbila Road and their bodies were thrown into River Katsina-Ala.
According to a resident from Mbanduwa who did not want to be named, “The farmers were returning to their community in Mbanduwa ward when they were ambushed along Kashimbila road and killed.
“Their bodies were dropped in River Katsina-Ala.”
The second attack, which occurred on Monday afternoon at Boaguwa in Kumakua council ward in the same local government, was said to have claimed three lives.
It was gathered that residents of communities within the area have fled to Jato Acka for safety.
The President General of Mzough U Tiv Worldwide and leader of the three socio-cultural groups (Mzough U Tiv, OchiitaK’idoma, and Om’Ngede), Comptroller of Prison, Iorbee Ihagh (retd), confirmed the killings.
He added that all six council wards in Turan within the local government have been deserted.
Ihagh, who was at Jato Acka when he spoke to our correspondent on the phone on Monday evening, said that 16 farmers were killed on Saturday and their bodies thrown into River Katsina-Ala.
He said, “I am right now in Jato Acka. I was told that 16 farmers were killed along Kashimbila Road at the weekend and their bodies thrown into River Katsina-Ala.
“As I am talking to you now, armed herders have attacked Boaguwa in Kumakua council ward, and three dead bodies have been recovered.
“People have fled their communities and taken refuge in Jato Acka. I doubt if this place (Jato Acka) is safe right now.”
Ihagh, who claimed that all the six council wards in Turan in Kwande LGA, have been overrun by suspected armed herders, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to deploy more troops to the local government.
When contacted, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Joseph Har, directed our correspondent to the Director General of Internal Security, Israel Gbawuam, for confirmation.
However, Gbawuam’s telephone number was out of reach when our correspondent tried to call him.
Similarly, efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue Command, Catherine Anene, were not successful as she dropped the call made to her cell phone. (Nigerian Tribune)
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