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Brothers burnt alive in Onitsha for touting
A video making its rounds on social media showed bystanders watching the movie like scene, screaming: “These are touts collecting illegal taxes in around Bida area of Onitsha. They were being set ablaze for touting. They are children of somebody. This is the return of Bakassi Boys.”
The alleged touts were however seen in the viral video struggling to escape from bonfire to no avail.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, in his reaction condemned the jungle justice style, even as he described the suspects as notorious armed robbers.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has condemned the act and reiterated his call for members of the public to always take criminal offenders to the nearest police station for necessary policing actions,, particularly the conduct of appreciate investigations.
“The CP has therefore ordered a thorough investigation of the incident.
“Meanwhile preliminary information reveals that the two suspects who were later identified as Omaume and Monday, are members of a notorious armed robbery gang led by one Ikanda, (male) already in the Correctional Service Centre.
“This gang is alleged to be responsible for several acts of attack and the dispossession of traders and unsuspecting victims of their personal belongings at the main market Onitsha.”
Recall that the Governor, Soludo had last week launched the Anambra Special Anti-Touting Squad in his efforts to get rid of touts in the state.
In the course of the launch held at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, the governor pointed out that in an environment where lawlessness had become a norm, bringing back law and order will be difficult, hence the purpose of the exercise.
He hailed members of the squad who had been found worthy and offered to serve, urging them to serve with commitment, passion and diligence.
His words: “Members of the anti-touting squad shall collaborate with the Nigerian Armed Forces, who have the primary responsibility to keep the state safe.
“The launch of the squad is an acceleration of the key promise we made to the people living in the greater Onitsha area, which consists of Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Ogbaru, and Idemili, to restore Anambra State known for law and order, back to its full glory as the Light of the nation.
“When we assumed office, eight local government area were taken over. Thanks to the combined efforts of our security agencies and the vigilante service with their superb support, those local government areas have been liberated and normalcy restored. “
The governor further enjoined citizens to always remember, “if you see something, say something and to put it into practice”.
According to him, mobile phone numbers shall be made available to citizens to inform the government of any touting activities they noticed in the area.
He further warned that any market were touts are found operating, the chairman shall be removed from office.
To the market chairman, he said: “Take responsibility.
“We have told the youths to come out from their hideouts from the bush. We shall help to rehabilitate and integrate them into society to be useful to their families, communities, states and nations.
“While dealing with hoodlums on a larger scale, we will be dealing with touts in Onitsha, greater area of Anambra State as a whole.
“We are fighting a war to bring back the soul of our society governed by law and order, not a society where anyone does what he or she likes arbitrarily without recourse to law and order.
“Touts disturb customers who come from every nook and cranny of the country. But, this journey is to rescue Onitsha as a commercial hub and Anambra State in general.”
The Kano State Police Command has arrested and detained popular TikTok personality, Fati Cele, following the death of her boyfriend, Isma’il Makaye, at her residence in Kano.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the development to The PUNCH via a WhatsApp message on Saturday.
Haruna, however, declined to provide further details, saying investigations were ongoing.
“Yes, it’s true, the TikToker is currently being detained over the death of her boyfriend, Isma’il Makaye,” he said.
Fati Cele, a native of Borno State, lives in a rented apartment in the Danbare area of Kano and has more than 32,000 followers on TikTok.
A source close to the deceased, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the TikTok personality raised an alarm from her residence, claiming there was a fire.
The source added that Makaye was rushed to Nassarawa Hospital for treatment but later died.
CALABAR — A young man and his girlfriend have reportedly died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Calabar, Cross River State capital, after inhaling fumes from a generator used overnight.
The incident occurred on Friday night at Poultry Farm Road in Calabar South Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the deceased had recently moved into a new apartment and brought in his girlfriend to stay with him. Due to power outage, he reportedly switched on a generator and kept it inside the room before going to bed.
A source in the area, identified as Akong, said the generator ran throughout the night, leading to the tragic deaths of the occupants.
“He packed into the house newly and on Friday night due to unavailability of power supply, he turned on his generator and placed it inside the room throughout the night. By this morning, he and his girlfriend could not wake up,” she said.
The source also said a newly purchased puppy in the apartment died from the same fumes.
According to her, the bodies of the deceased were later evacuated to the mortuary, while the dog was buried by neighbours in the compound.
Residents described the incident as tragic, lamenting that what was meant to be a peaceful night turned fatal.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report. (Vanguard)
Former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Audu Sule-Katagum, is dead. He was 69.
His death was announced on Saturday by Shamsuddeen Lukman Abubakar, who served as his digital and creative media aide.
Katagum passed away in the early hours of Saturday. His death has drawn condolences from political leaders and traditional institutions across Bauchi State.
He served as deputy governor between 2018 and 2019 under former Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. Before that, he was Chief of Staff at the Bauchi State Government House.
“Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Arch. Audu Sule Katagum, Wazirin Katagum and former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State,” Lukman said in a statement.
“The deceased passed away in the early hours of today after a life of dedicated service to his community, Bauchi State and the nation,” he added.
Lukman said funeral arrangements would be announced by the family. He also prayed for the late deputy governor.
“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and give his family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear this great loss. Ameen,” the statement read.
Beyond politics, Katagum held the revered traditional title of Wazirin Katagum, a position that gave him strong influence within the Katagum Emirate.
He was the son of the late Alhaji Sule Katagum, Nigeria’s first Chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission, who also once held the Waziri title.
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