News
Scavengers, Enugu Taskforce clash at Abakpa, Taskforce vehicle burnt
• Enugu residents count losses, hail govt
The Enugu State taskforce enforcing government’s ban on the activities of plastic and iron scavengers, Tuesday, clashed with scavengers, as team members were trying to prevent the loading of suspected stolen and vandalised items into trailers to their illicit buyers.
The incident occurred at the scavengers’ dumpsite located at Abakpa Nike, Enugu, where a vehicle belonging to the taskforce was also torched by the scavengers.
This was even as residents, who recounted their losses over the activities of the scavengers, commended the effort of the Peter Mbah Administration to enforce the provisions of the Enugu State Environmental Law, which prohibits the activities of scavengers and also prescribes a two-year prison term for violators.
The taskforce had taken the scavengers unawares as they were loading the items into a trailer. However, an attempt to stop them resulted in a violent attack on the taskforce members with dangerous items like iron and broken bottles.
Not even the reinforcement of the team with a detachment of police personnel could deter the scavengers, as they became more violent, hauling various missiles at the police and the taskforce.
It was gathered that the scavengers burnt a car belonging to the taskforce as the confrontation intensified, while one of the scavengers, who sustained serious injury, as he reportedly fell on a sharp iron, was rushed to the hospital.
A shopkeeper in the area, Ukamaka Udeh, said, “Look at what they did here today. Just imagine. You are doing something illegal. You are vandalising street lights, water galleries, and stealing things up and down. And you were caught red-handed, loading these items into a lorry. Instead of running away or pleading for mercy, you mobilise yourselves to fight the taskforce and fight the police. What more evidence do you need before you know that these are hardened criminals? They smoke weeds and take ‘Mkpuru Mmiri’ around this area as if there is no tomorrow.
“It is those of us who do business here that will tell you what we pass through. Everyday, shop vandalisation. I mean everyday.
“It is the same type of people that vandalise iron components of the newly constructed Second Niger Bridge as we saw in a trending video today. So, it is good that the government is now doing something about it. But the government must prepare for full war because these people are not easy nuts to crack,” she said.
A resident of Achara Layout, Enugu, who simply identified herself as Chidimma, described the scavengers as security and economic risks, saying, “They have finished us in this area.”
“They are vandalisers and security risks. They break into people’s shops at night in this neighbourhood and steal all they can. If you leave any valuable item outside, they will quickly steal them. They steal generators and generator parts. The same goes for electrical wirings in people’s homes. They remove the wires and burn them to extract the copers for sale. They even make the whole environment very, very dirty. We don’t want them here.
Another resident, who lives at Independence Layout, lamented that since the government banned them, they dropped the carts in the area and now carry sacks.
“We are not comfortable with them. Inside their bags are people’s valuables. These people have finished us here,” she stated.
It was further revealed that the Chief Security Officer of Ogbete Main Market caught the same scavengers with 15 bags of rice concealed in their carts.
From Monkey Roundabout at Independence Layout to Kenyatta, Gariki area, Coal Camp, and Emene, among others, the complaints are the same against the scavengers in virtually every part of the state capital and across the state: vandalism, theft, dirt, drug, and other forms of criminality.
Meanwhile, security sources said police stations across the state record 28 reports each on the average on the activities of scavengers.
He said, “Their activities have reached dangerous proportions. So, we are now targeting the big men behind them, the off-takers, who sponsor them or buy these things from them. Enough is enough.”
It is recalled that the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, had at a meeting with leaders and representatives of Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa/Fulani communities in January restated the government’s ban on the operations of scavengers, warning that defaulters would be prosecuted.
He said the ban followed numerous petitions by members of the public against the activities of the illegal waste merchants, revealing that enforcement of the ban, arrest and prosecution of violators would commence on Monday, 29 January, 2024, as some scavengers were associated with house breaking and stealing.
“The government will no longer condone the activities of scavengers in the state. We have to rid the state of every vestige of crimes by restoring sanity. We want to assure all residents in the state who are into genuine business that we will continue to work towards making the environment safer for them.
“You will recall that sometime in November 2023, after reports from residents complaining about harassment and theft from scavengers and illegal waste pickers, the government set up a committee to assess the extent of the threats scavengers posed to the wellbeing of our law-abiding citizens.
“It was established that criminals are now roaming the streets posing as scavengers. Following this establishment, the government activated Section 20 of the Enugu State Environmental Law, that provides against scavenging activities by outlawing these illegal operators,” Onyia stated.
Gunmen, suspected to be bandits, reportedly attacked Jumai Kefas, the mother of Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, along with her daughter, Atsi Kefas.
The attacks which occurred on Thursday, reportedly took place along Kente Road in Wukari Local Government Council of the state.
Confirming the attacks, the council chairman of Wukari, Dauda Samaila Agbu, expressed sadness over the incident.
Describing it as “deeply troubling,” he disclosed that Atsi Kefas sustained a gunshot wound during the attack and was initially treated at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Wukari, before rushing her to Abuja for further treatment.
“Her condition was stabilised before she was airlifted to Abuja for further medical attention,” he added.
The council chairman called on residents to remain calm and assured them that efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The Taraba State Police Command also confirmed the incident, through its Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdullahi.
He stated that the attack was reported as an armed robbery.
He, however, did not confirm if the victims were related to the governor.
According to the police spokesperson, one of the occupants of the vehicle sustained gunshot injuries.
Paul Okugbowa, the proprietor of Calvary Crown Academy in Benin City, has been sentenced to six months in prison for publicly calling the mother of one of his pupils a prostitute.
Chief Magistrate Caroline Oghuma delivered the verdict and also sentenced three teachers from the school to varying prison terms for negligence.
The four defendants were arraigned on charges under Sections 167(2), 412, 270, 412, and 267 of the Criminal Laws of Edo 2022.
In her ruling, Magistrate Oghuma offered Okugbowa the option of paying a fine of N100,000 as an alternative to imprisonment.
The three teachers—Blessing Osarodion, Egharevba Esosa, and Isioma Nimen—were found guilty of negligence for abandoning two pupils in their care.
Osarodion and Esosa were sentenced to one year in prison or a N100,000 fine for two counts of negligence, which resulted in the injury of a 6-year-old pupil, Salma Aigbudu.
Nimen was sentenced to three months in prison or a fine of N50,000 for unlawfully abandoning another pupil, Zuri Aigbudu.
The incident that led to Okugbowa’s conviction took place on September 8, 2023, at the AIG Zone 5 headquarters in Benin City.
Okugbowa was accused of publicly calling Mrs. Blessing Aigbudu, the mother of the two pupils, a prostitute in front of her husband and onlookers, causing a disturbance.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has tasked media practitioners in the South-East on responsible and balanced reporting on operations and activities of the Nigerian Army.
Oluyede gave the task in Enugu on Thursday in an address at the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Quarterly Media Chat for the Fourth Quarter of 2024, with the theme: “Military and Media Relationship: A Panacea for Enhanced National Security and Development”.
The COAS, represented by Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, noted the need to strengthen collaboration and create opportunities for open dialogue between the Nigerian Army and the media.
According to him, these open dialogues are essential requirements for robust and mutually beneficial relationship.
He said that establishing regular communication channels would enable transparent reporting on military operations, timely dissemination of information, and help counter misinformation effectively.
He said, “I urge media practitioners to prioritise accuracy and fairness in reporting on Nigerian Army activities and balancing the public’s right to information with national security considerations.
“It is also crucial to avoid spreading misinformation or content that could jeopardise national unity and security. Through collaboration, we can enhance, public understanding, build trust and contribute to the greater good of our nation.
“This partnership should extend beyond conflict reporting to include national development and community engagement. Ok
“By highlighting initiatives that improve the lives of citizens, we can promote a united front against violent armed groups and distractions from nation-building.”
The COAS revealed that Nigerian Army had been intensifying operations across various regions to address the complex security challenges the nation currently faces.
“I am pleased to report significant successes, including the neutralisation of terrorists, the rescue of abducted citizens and restoring socio-economic activities in affected communities.
“As we continue these operations, I call on all Nigerians to support the Army and urge the media to maintain responsible and balanced reporting.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to fostering a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the media, essential for safeguarding our territorial integrity and advancing national development,” he said.
Speaking, the Chief of Civil-Military Cooperation, Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo, appreciated the COAS and the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu, for supporting and funding the media chat to build a robust understand between the Nigerian Army and media.
Ugbo also thanked the media practitioners and executives for taking out time to relate with the Nigerian Army and proffering solutions to localised security challenges.
The Special Guest of Honour to the event, Chief Executive Officer of Guardian Newspaper, Mr Toke Ibru, noted that the media chat and its theme were apt to create accessibility of the public especially media to get correct information and drive away misinformation.
“The event will also enable the Nigerian Army understand how the media functions, including its challenges and pressures; and through this means better the relationship,” Ibru said.
Maj,-Gen. Godwin Umelo (retired), in a lecture titled: “Enhancing National Security through Whole of Society Approach: Effective Information Management in Perspective”, said that the people must get involved in the security of their neighbourhoods and communities.
“Security is everybody’s business in the society and we needed to give security agencies especially the Nigerian Army all the support in terms of actionable information to respond to security threats on time,” Umelo said.
Gunmen attack mother, sister of Taraba Gov
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