Metro

1,000 UNIZIK Staff Protest Alleged Misappropriation Of N1bn For Salary

Published

8 months ago

February 1, 2025

Over 1,000 staff members of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, employed between 2019 and 2020, staged a protest over the non-payment of their salaries, alleging that N1 billion allocated for personnel costs was misappropriated by the institution’s management.

The workers expressed outrage that despite the allocation, they had gone unpaid for five years. They claimed that several colleagues had died due to financial hardship caused by the prolonged salary delay.

“We are shocked and disappointed that such a huge sum meant for our salaries was mismanaged. Several of our members have died due to this non-payment,” some protesters lamented.

Management Denies Misappropriation Claims.

In response, the university management dismissed allegations of misappropriation. The University Bursar, Mr. Gozie Egwuatu, clarified that only 120 staff members employed within the period were fully captured in the payroll system.

Egwuatu explained that employment processes in 2019 and 2020 occurred before the federal government’s introduction of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

“Those employment processes were conducted at the university level, and capturing was incomplete. The federal government directed that the process be finalized through the Head of Service, but that has yet to happen,” Egwuatu said.

He added that despite several applications by the university, it wasn’t until late 2023 that approval was granted for only 120 staff members, comprising 100 academic and 20 non-academic staff.

Egwuatu further explained that the N1 billion personnel cost was misconstrued by staff as a provision for their salaries.

Metro

Gunmen Assassinate APC Chieftain In Front Of His Family In Otukpo, Benue

Published

3 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Otukpo, Benue State, Hon. Ejeh Udeh, has been shot dead at his residence by unknown gunmen.

DAILY POST gathered that the gunmen stormed his Ugboju residence around 12:00 a.m. on Monday and opened fire on him in front of his family.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the assailants, who arrived on a motorcycle, laid in wait for him.

As soon as he entered his house, they surrounded him and opened fire.

His body has since been deposited at the Otukpo General Hospital morgue.

More to come..

Metro

NDLEA Arrests Lady Smuggling Drugs Inside Butt Pads, Phone Chargers

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported two new methods of drug concealment as part of its ongoing efforts to combat trafficking ahead of the festive season, dubbed “Detty December.”

In a post on his X handle on Sunday morning, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi announced the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of their drug consignments.

He shared two videos illustrating the sophisticated concealment methods used by the suspects.

According to Babafemi, one of the videos shows a lady who was caught with drugs hidden inside her butt pad underwear.

The second video reveals a separate seizure where a suspect attempted to smuggle drugs concealed within phone chargers.

“With the spate of ongoing arrests and seizures by @ndlea_nigeria at some major entry points, it’s obvious the race and desperation for Detty December are already in overdrive,” Babafemi wrote.

He urged law-abiding citizens to “stay vigilant and careful.”

Metro

Two Dead, Four Injured In DICON Factory Explosion

Published

2 days ago

September 20, 2025

Editor

Two people, including a military officer, were killed and four others critically injured on Saturday following an explosion at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) factory in the Kurmin Gwari area of Kaduna.

The blast, reportedly from gunpowder used in arms production, occurred during a weekend shift, shaking nearby buildings and sending residents into panic.

Eyewitnesses said the explosion killed the officer and a civilian worker instantly, while four other workers sustained severe injuries.

The injured were first taken to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, before being evacuated by military ambulance to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital for further treatment.

Sympathizers and relatives of the victims thronged the hospital, with many weeping.

DICON management has yet to release an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.