Health and Safety

MACBAN insists on unbiased investigation of Ebonyi couples’ death

Published

4 years ago

October 12, 2020

MACBAN reiterates resolve to live peacefully with host communities in South East

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called for an unbiased investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of a couple, Mr and Mrs Joseph Oko in Ebonyi. Some Nigerians believe that Until proven otherwise, the members may remain suspected of the dastardly act.

The South East Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, made the call on Monday in an interview in Enugu, following the death of a couple, who hailed from Amuzu Nkpogoro Community in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state, who was first allegedly declared missing, after they failed to return home from their farm on Oct.8

Youths in the locality, who organised a search party, later discovered their corpses in the farm the next day.

Siddiki said his call had become inevitable against the backdrop of insinuations in some quarters of the possible cause of their alleged death.

He, however, noted that MACBAN was in full support of a full-scale investigation into the cause of their deaths to forestall the possible escalation of tension in the area.

“Our attention has been drawn to the rumors making round on what could have been the possible cause of the death of the couple.

“While we commiserate with the families of the deceased and the state government, we call on the state government and the police to rein in with a view to unmasking the cause of the death.”

Siddiki reiterated his stance that herders in the state were peaceful and would not undermine members of their host communities.

He said that their members had over the years enjoyed a good relationship with the people of the area.

“Our sole aim of coming here is for business and we will not hesitate to report any herder who causes a breach of public peace to security agencies.

“We are in full support of the directive of Gov. Dave Umahi for an investigation into the death of the couple,” Siddiki said.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ebonyi Command, CSP Loveth Odah appealed to the people of the area to remain calm as the police try to unravel the circumstances of their deaths.

Odah said that it would be misleading to conclude that the couple was killed as there was no form of bodily injuries on their bodies that could have arisen from violence.

She said that when the news of the missing couple broke,” a team of police officers that were among the search party went to their farm.

“They saw the lifeless bodies of the deceased lying peacefully under a shelter or hut that they made on their farm. At first, the officers thought that they were sleeping.

“However, they noticed that blood was gushing out from the ear of the woman who was about four months pregnant.

“There is no evidence to show that they were killed yet,” she said.

Odah said that the circumstances surrounding their death were mysterious, adding that an autopsy would be carried out on the corpses to determine the actual cause.

Related Topics:Alhaji Gidado Siddiki Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN)

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Health and Safety

NDLEA nabs male passenger carrying 4,000 tramadol pills in MMIA

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2024

Maritime First

NDLEA nabs male passenger carrying 4,000 tramadol pills in MMIA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a male passenger carrying 4,000 tramadol pills at the Muhammad Murtala International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos

This is contained in a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that NDLEA officers at the gate ‘C ‘departure hall of the Lagos airport on Friday foiled the suspect’s attempt to export the pills to Malpensa, Italy on an Ethiopian Airline flight.

He said that the psychoactive substance was found concealed in women’s wear and granulated melon packed in the suspect’s backpack and another bag containing food items.

“In his statement, the suspect who is a frequent flyer confessed he was hired for 700 Euros on successful delivery of the consignment in Italy, “ he said.

Meanwhile, In Bayelsa, NDLEA operatives on April 24 arrested a 28-year-old woman in Amarata area of Yenagoa.

Babafemi said that she was arrested for producing and distributing cakes laced with illicit drugs especially cannabis sativa.

According to him, at the time of her arrest, a substantial number of the drugged cakes weighing 1.5kg were recovered from her.

Also, A 20-year-old hair stylist, and a dispatch rider, were arrested on March 10 by NDLEA operatives in Yenagoa for a similar offence.

***Illicit drugs intercepted by the NDLEA operatives***

In the same vein and were arrested with 24,180 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 135.5 kilograms at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna.

Babafemi said that a teenager was also nabbed with 20.700kg of cannabis when his house in Shuware area of Mubi, Adamawa state was raided on April 26.

In another development, No less than 310.7kg of cannabis was recovered on April 25 when NDLEA operatives raided parts of Mushin in Lagos state.

Health and Safety

19 Burnt To Death In Kogi Auto Crash – FRSC

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2024

Maritime First

19 Burnt To Death In Kogi Auto Crash – FRSC

The Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu stated in Abuja that the crash involved a Dangote Cement truck and a Toyota Hiace bus.

He stated that it took operatives of the FRSC, battling through the accompanying inferno, three hours to rescue two surviving victims of the crash.

Agwu added that the Toyota bus was travelling from Kano and was on its lane when the Dangote truck driver travelling from Port Harcourt wrongfully overtook a vehicle and collided head-on with the bus.

“The impact of the collision resulted in an inferno that burnt the victims to death.

“The crash, which was caused by route violation and wrongful overtaking, involved 22 persons, all male.

“Unfortunately, 19 persons out of the 22 victims were killed, while one was injured.

“The two victims who got rescued by FRSC operatives survived without injuries because they complied with traffic regulations on the compulsory use of seatbelts.

“Corpses retrieved from the crash were deposited at Okene General Hospital,’’ Agwu stated.

Agwu assured that the driver of the Dangote truck would be prosecuted following directives earlier issued by the Corps Marshal, Alhaji Dauda Ali-Biu.

Ali-Biu had in the past called on the judiciary, the leadership of transport unions and other relevant stakeholders to join hands with the FRSC to restore sanity to Nigerian roads through speedy and effective prosecution.

Health and Safety

Troops Neutralise 192 Terrorists, Apprehend 341 Others In 1 Week – DHQ

Published

2 weeks ago

April 18, 2024

Maritime First

Troops Neutralise 192 Terrorists, Apprehend 341 Others In 1 Week – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters says troops have in the last one week neutralised 192 terrorists, apprehended 341 others and rescued 62 kidnapped hostages.

It also said a total of 122 ISWAP/JAS terrorists surrendered with their families.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba said this at a news briefing on operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the troops also recovered 211 assorted weapons and 6,288 assorted ammunition within the week.

He said the recovered items comprised 128 AK.47 rifles, 26 Dane guns, 1,301 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3,260 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,325 live cartridges, and 140 rounds of 9mm ammunition among other items.

In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 71 terrorists, arrested 143 suspects and rescued 58 kidnapped hostages during the week.

He added that the air component conducted air strikes on ISWAP/JAS terrorists’ hideouts and logistics hub, including their food processing unit in Kolleram village, along Lake Chad.

According to him, the Battle Damage Assessment revealed that over 30 terrorists, including senior commanders; Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah and Mallam Ari, were neutralised as well as their logistics were destroyed as a result of the strike.

In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 29 insurgents, arrested 53 violent extremists and rescued eight kidnapped hostages.

In the North West, he said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 62 terrorists, arrested 49 terrorists and rescued 36 kidnapped hostages.

He added that troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 14 criminals and recovered cache of arms and ammunition as well as military accoutrements.

According to him, other items recovered are 620 parcels of substances suspected to be marijuana, 10 Yoruba Nation flags, eight mobile phones, and four handheld radios, among other items.

In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe had maintained momentum against activities of crude oil theft and recovered 792,660 litres of stolen crude oil and 117,070 litres of illegally refined AGO.

He added that troops discovered and destroyed 31 illegal refining sites with 99 dugout pits, 11 boats, 29 storage tanks, 192 cooking ovens and nine vehicles.

According to him, troops apprehended 27 suspected oil thieves and other violent extremists, recovering five weapons and 162 assorted ammunition.

In the South-East, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation UDOKA neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 11 violent extremists, rescued 17 kidnapped hostages and recovered weapons.