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Work begins at collapsed Enugu Bridge as Gov. Mbah, Umahi inspect site

Published

3 years ago

November 9, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

• Works Minister, Engr Dave Umahi and Enugu Gov Peter Mbah while inspecting the bridge in Enugu on Thursday

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…As Umahi commends Mbah over planned dualization of Enugu-Abakaliki road

The Federal Government has finalised plans to commence the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge at New Artisan, along the Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway, beginning with palliative works on the standing bridge on one lane, Friday, to ensure it is ready for use within the next 10 days.

This was made known by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, and the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, during a pre-reconstruction visit to the site on Wednesday.

Speaking to newsmen, Governor Mbah appreciated the Minister and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their prompt response to alleviate the hardship the collapsed bridge had caused road users.

“First of all, let me start by thanking Mr. President and the Honourable Minister of Works for the interest and the speed at which they have attended to this challenge that is before us.

• Works Minister, Engr Dave Umahi and Enugu Gov Peter Mbah while inspecting the bridge in Enugu on Thursday

“As we know, the Minister was also here with us to inspect and to identify areas of quick intervention the last time we came here; and I am happy now to announce to you that the Minister has come here to inform us again that work is going to commence here tomorrow (Friday).

“So, there is going to be the repair of the existing lane, and hopefully, within the next 10 days, our people should be able to use one of the lanes. Then effectively around the middle of next month, the full work on the bridges on both lanes would commence”, he said.

Also, fielding questions from newsmen, the Minister of Works, described Mbah as a productive leader who had remained focused and applied pressure to ensure that the challenge was addressed immediately.

Umahi said: “Let me thank the governor of Enugu State, a very productive man, and to congratulate him for success over the numerous distractions, even though he has refused to be distracted.

“So, because of his strength and his commitment to the people that he is leading, we have to follow. It is good leadership, and we have promised him that this week, we are going to do palliative work on this existing or standing bridge. We will also start reconstruction of the collapsed bridge courtesy of Mr. President.

“Also, graciously, Mr. President has, through the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act, released some money that we can use to start the rebuilding of these two bridges and the other bridge by the Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC) deport at Emene as well as a flyover by that location.

“I know the governor is very eager to build that federal road, being the Enugu-Abakaliki Road. He has concluded the design and is going to start in earnest. But, while he is doing that, we will be doing the flyover at the depot (Eke Emene) to complement it. Therefore, it is a partnership, and it is a healthy one”.

He commended the governor for placing service to the people above partisan politics and for refusing to be distracted by the opposition in the state.

“He has been on me over this road, insisting I must come to ensure that work commences as promised. It shows that leadership is commitment to the people of Enugu State and the entire Nigeria. So, the chain is as strong as its weakest link.

“I also want to thank the governor because he is not doing party; a party is just a vehicle to get to where we are going, and we have all gotten to where we are going. So, it is now time for leadership and time to work for the people. That is why Mr. President said we must come, and in the next 10 days, I am sure that we will reinforce the standing bridge on one lane, and we will start to use it”, the Minister concluded.

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Police parade Doctors, others over alleged Organ Trafficking in Nasarawa

Published

10 hours ago

August 28, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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The Nigeria Police Force has paraded four suspects, including two nephrologists, over an alleged organ-harvesting syndicate in Nasarawa State.

According to the police briefing reported by Channels Television, the suspects allegedly targeted vulnerable young men, luring them into kidney donations and paying them far less than the alleged value of the organs.

Police said one victim was allegedly paid about $1,250, while another reportedly received N7 million after his kidney was removed.

Investigators also alleged that forged documents, including birth certificates, affidavits, consent letters and identification documents, were used to facilitate the procedures and conceal the identities of some victims.

One alleged victim recounted during the briefing how he was deceived into donating his kidney.

A representative of Wellington Clinic, where some of the procedures allegedly took place, also addressed the media, claiming that the hospital only provided the platform for the surgeries and was unaware of the alleged illegal activities involving changes to donors’ identities.

The police said investigations are ongoing as they work to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged syndicate.

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How doctors unlawfully removed kidneys of over 10 youths — VDM’s Lawyer reveals

Published

10 hours ago

August 28, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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The lawyer to social media influencer VeryDarkMan, Marshall Abubakar, has alleged that vulnerable young Nigerians are being lured into illegal kidney harvesting schemes by medical practitioners and their agents under the guise of medical procedures.

According to Abubakar, more than 10 young Nigerians may have fallen victim to an alleged illegal kidney harvesting network involving medical practitioners and their agents.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Friday, Abubakar said the case came to light after a young man approached the Martin Luther King Centre, headed by VeryDarkMan, with a medical report indicating that his left kidney was missing.

He said the centre independently verified the report at two hospitals in Abuja, including a government medical facility in Jabi, where the absence of the young man’s left kidney was reportedly confirmed.

He said the young man was allegedly given about $1,300 after the procedure, while his identity was changed and an affidavit obtained in another name in an attempt to conceal the circumstances surrounding the operation.

Abubakar further alleged that other youths had been similarly targeted around Masaka, Nyanya and Mararaba, with some allegedly recruited through agents.

He claimed that kidneys harvested from some victims were subsequently sold for between ₦50 million and ₦70 million, while the donors received only a fraction of the proceeds.

Abubakar described the alleged practice as a criminal enterprise, stressing that lawful organ donation requires informed consent and must not involve financial inducement.

He also alleged that the families of the affected youths were not informed before the procedures and only became aware after the cases emerged. (Channels)

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Gunmen kill APC chairman in Kogi, abduct another

Published

16 hours ago

August 28, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Kogi govt stops salaries of 231 civil servants

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Gunmen have killed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, and abducted another occupant of his vehicle.

The incident occurred on Thursday along the Itobe-Ochadamu Expressway, around Ojuwo Olijo in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Saliu, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja on Friday.

Saliu said the attack occurred at about 5pm when armed assailants emerged from the surrounding bush and opened fire on motorists.

She said a blue Toyota Corolla, with registration number GWA 636 CH, was subsequently found abandoned along the highway.

“The driver, identified as Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, was found dead in the vehicle, while another occupant was taken into the bush by the assailants,” the statement said.

The police spokesperson said the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, had intensified operations in the area, with personnel combing the surrounding forest to locate and rescue the abducted victim and apprehend the assailants.

She said the deceased had been evacuated to Grimard Hospital, Anyigba, for autopsy, while the command was pursuing all available leads in connection with the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, directed sustained security operations along the affected corridor and ordered efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The command urged motorists and residents along the route to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to the police or other security agencies.