News

15-yr-old Girl Dies In Akwa Ibom School

Published

2 years ago

May 25, 2023

Editor

The parents of late Miss Edima Umoh, an SSS3 student of Full Life Academy, on Airport Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, who died in the school hostel have asked the school authority to furnish them with full detail of events that led to their daughter’s untimely death.

The 15-year-old student of the school, who was writing her West African Examinations Council, reportedly died last Friday in her hostel at 4 p.m., after complaining of a headache.

But the parents in a letter through their lawyer, Edikan Lawrence, regretted that the school authority was yet to furnish them with a detailed account of what led to their daughter’s death.

The letter addressed to Proprietor, Full Life Academy, and copied the state Commissioner for Education and Commissioner of Police, read: “The saddest part of the entire story is that up to this moment, the school has not been able to give a full and detailed account of what transpired within your school campus that culminated into such a regrettable, untimely painful and unfortunate loss of an exceptionally bright, lively and intelligent girl of 15 years old in your custody and care, who died of ‘unnatural causes’.

“Predicated on the foregoing, we have our client’s instruction and indeed that of the entire Richard Umoh family, to demand a full disclosure and formal statement of all events, including the minutest details, leading to the death of Miss Edima Umoh, addressed to the family through our office within 48 hours of the service of this letter.

“Take notice that where you fail or refuse to act in terms of this demand within the time stated above, we have our client’s instruction to resort to other legal measures to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done in this case and this will be without further recourse to you.”

But while addressing newsmen, yesterday, on the matter, the management of Full Life Academy, through the Principal of the academy, Aniefonteabasi Victor-Williams, said: “We are fully aware of the demise of our student, Edima Umoh. She was in SS3, currently writing her final exams. She has been in this school from creche and was the only pioneer student remaining to graduate before the sad event took place.

“Everything happened quickly because by the time that I was called, I was already ministering in my husband’s church as I’m also a pastor. Shortly before we left school, she was healthy. We even sent her to call us another student from the hostel.

“We were told that she earlier complained of a headache and the nurse gave her paracetamol, during lunchtime, 2:30 p.m., and she was fine. She went to eat and even requested more because we run a very homely facility here. If a child is not satisfied, she has the right to get more meals.

“At the time I and the day-students left the school, the matron said Edima complained again that she was having a headache, the nurse wanted to initiate a malaria treatment, ‘Coaterm,’ so that the headache does not result in fever, but she rejected, saying she preferred her mother to come to the school with ‘Amatem’ drug.

“She asked the matron to call her mother, which she did immediately. She spoke with her mother and asked the mother to come to the school with Amatem and pepper soup.

“She also asked that the mother should pray for her three times but the mother felt like the daughter was over-panicking and kept responding that she should calm down, and that she would bring everything she mentioned.

“Shortly after speaking with her mother, she became calm, and asked the hostel parents and hostel prefect, who were there to allow her rest, and they felt it was proper to let her rest. The hostel parents assigned the school senior prefect, who is her classmate to stay with her.

“When we asked the head girl, she responded that Edima was calm and had slept, so she left her room to also sleep upstairs. Not long after, she started snoring, being that they knew her not to be snoring while sleeping.

“Another classmate came to ask who was snoring, and when her name was mentioned, she allowed her to rest because of her health.

“The hostel parents came back to check those on Prep if they were reading. That was when they saw a white substance mixed with blood coming out from Edima’s nose.

“That was when they raised the alarm and there was panic everywhere. By the time they carried her out of the bed, she had messed herself up, they cleaned her up and the nurse tried resuscitating her until the doctor arrived, we affiliate with Premier Clinic.

“My boss and other school leaders were called and they all ran down to the school immediately. I met them at the Premier Clinic, where the girl was on oxygen and we prayed, hoping she will respond. We also reached out to Jeconiah Specialist Hospital, the consultant said we should bring her, it was when we got there that she was confirmed dead.”

Asked whether the deceased had underlying health issues, the Principal responded: “The mother never told us. What we observed was that earlier this year, she had a headache that made her abstain from school for two weeks after which she started wearing glasses.

“She was a day student, so, the mother told the school that it was optical issues that led to the migraine headache and that it calmed after she was given the glasses.”

VANGUARD

News

PHOTOS: President Tinubu Receives Queen Mary Of Denmark At State House

Published

5 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, received Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.

The monarch, who paid a courtesy visit to the President, was welcomed at the President’s official residence within the State House.

Queen Elizabeth was accompanied by the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Hansen.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, were present at the reception.

Following the reception, a closed-door meeting occurred, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Denmark.

In a statement he signed and released vis his verified X page, President Tinubu said the conversation between him and the monarch was constructive and forward-thinking.

It was a distinct privilege to receive Her Majesty Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark today at the Aso Villa in Abuja. Together with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, we welcomed Her Majesty on this important visit to our country.

“It was a distinct privilege to receive Her Majesty Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark today at the Aso Villa in Abuja. Together with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, we welcomed Her Majesty on this important visit to our country.

“Our conversation was warm, constructive, and forward-looking, grounded in mutual respect and the enduring ties between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Denmark. Her Majesty’s presence here stands as a mark of goodwill, shared values, and a renewed commitment to deeper cooperation across key areas,” the President said.

President Tinubu expressed his government’s commitment to partnerships that open opportunities for Nigerians.

“As a government, we remain committed to partnerships that uplift our people, open new opportunities for prosperity, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,” he said.

News

53 Suspects Arrested Over Benue, Plateau Wedding Killings — IGP Egbetokun

Published

5 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun on Tuesday announced that 26 persons who actively participated in the killings in Yelwata Community, Benue State, on June 13, 2025, have been arrested.

Egbetokun said 47 people were confirmed to have been massacred during the attack, while 27 others sustained various degrees of injuries.

He said two of the bandits who were part of the attackers had earlier been killed on the ill-fated day by police operatives when they attacked the police station in the community.

The IGP said, “As you will all recall, on June 13, 2025, between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., armed militias invaded Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, killing and maiming any soul on sight.

“The invaders rampaged and pillaged the community, setting several houses ablaze and maliciously destroying other properties and people’s means of livelihood.

“It was a coordinated attack of terror against the community.

“In this senseless and barbaric attack, forty-seven (47) persons were confirmed killed, twenty-seven (27) persons sustained various degrees of injuries, and hundreds of others have been displaced but not dead.

“The police and other security agencies responded with adequate deployment of personnel and resources, including the deployment of tactical units and special forces, to restore confidence in the affected community and neighbouring communities.

“Also immediately deployed were detectives from our Intelligence Response Team (IRT), who swung into action, launching a manhunt for the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

“I am pleased to inform you today that twenty-six (26) persons directly connected to this crime have so far been arrested and their weapons recovered.

“On 19th June, two (2) prime suspects who were masterminds of the attack were apprehended from their hideout.

“This arrest led to the arrest of seven (7) other suspects on the following day, 20/06/2025, who were picked up from various locations where they had fled, hoping to evade justice.

“On 21st June, another key suspect in whose house the initial meetings to plan the attack were held was arrested.

“On 22nd June, a major breakthrough was recorded with the arrest of eighteen (18) other suspects who directly took part in the killings.

“On 23rd June, our detectives recovered two (2) GPMG and eight (8) AK-47 rifles, which were part of the weapons used during the attack.

“All 28 suspects are currently in custody and have voluntarily confessed to their individual and collective roles in the attack.

“As I speak, legal proceedings are being finalised, and they will be charged to court without delay.

“We will go after anyone—planner or executor—who attacks any community in Nigeria. We will leave no stone unturned until every single individual responsible for the killing of innocent Nigerians is arrested and brought to justice.

Plateau

“Similarly, on 22nd June 2025, a heartbreaking incident occurred in Mangu, Plateau State, where a bus conveying passengers from Zaria was stopped and attacked by a mob.

“Tragically, nine (9) of the passengers were murdered, and three (3) sustained injuries before our teams could intervene and rescue the remaining twenty-two (22) victims.

“So far, twenty-two (22) suspects have also been arrested in connection with this gruesome act of mob violence.

“They too will face the full wrath of the law in court.

“Again, yesterday (Monday), 23/06/2025, another ugly incident was recorded in Benue, where two (2) persons travelling in a truck were killed at Agan Area, North Bank, Makurdi.

“Five (5) persons connected to the incident have so far been arrested and will also be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“Let me use this opportunity to issue a stern warning: jungle justice, mob action, and taking the law into your own hands have no place in a civilised society.

“Every Nigerian has the right to life and a fair trial. We will not tolerate any individual or group who attempts to be judge, jury, and executioner.

“Those inciting violence and killing innocent Nigerians are warned to desist forthwith.

“The recent trend of reprisal killings—where innocent citizens are murdered in retaliation for crimes committed by others—is barbaric, senseless, and dangerous.

“It does not bring justice. It only fuels further hatred, inflames tension, and perpetuates the cycle of violence.

“I want to unequivocally condemn the recent spate of violence across our nation.

“This is not who we are. Violence is not the answer. I call on all Nigerians—regardless of religion, ethnicity, or background—to choose peace, embrace dialogue, and work together for the unity and prosperity of our country.

“I call on all communities across Nigeria to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and cooperative.

“The security agents deployed to your communities are there to protect you. Work with them. Share information. Stay calm. Together, we will overcome these dark forces.

“I must acknowledge that the breakthroughs we have recorded—both in Benue and Plateau States—would not have been possible without the strong collaboration and synergy among all security agencies.

“The Nigeria Police Force continues to work hand-in-hand with the military, DSS, NSCDC, and other partners in pursuit of one common goal: to safeguard the lives and property of every Nigerian citizen.

“Our commitment to inter-agency cooperation remains firm and unshaken.

“I wish to thank Mr. President for providing the required support that facilitated the speedy arrest of the perpetrators of the Benue and Plateau massacres.

“I thank the Nigerian people for their continued cooperation. Your support strengthens our resolve. As we move forward, we appeal for even greater collaboration as we work tirelessly to rebuild trust, restore order, and ensure lasting peace across our dear country.”
(VANGUARD)

News

Lagos To Divert Traffic Ahead 110-day Repair Of Ogudu/Ifako Bridge

Published

5 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has released a diversion plan ahead of repair of the Ogudu/Ifako Bridge which will take 110 days.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Osiyemi said that the repair postponed earlier would begin from June 28 and end on Oct. 15.

The commissioner said that the repair was expected to be carried out in eight phases on both lanes.

“The first to fourth phases, covering the stretch of Ogudu/Ifako Bridge inbound Alapere, will commence from Saturday, June 28 and end on Saturday, Aug. 16 (50 days).

“Phases five to eight, covering the stretch of Ogudu/Ifako inbound Oworoshoki, will be fixed between Saturday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Oct. 5 (51 days),” he said.

He advised motorists to use alternative routes during the partial closure of the bridge for the repair.

“Alternative routes for phase one: Motorists from Iyana Oworo will go through Gbagada to connect Anthony to access Ikorodu Road after which they will have free movement to their desired destinations.

“One lane will be used near work area (50m before and after).

“For alternative routes for phase two, motorists from Eko Bridge will go through Funsho Williams Avenue to connect Ikorodu Road,” he said.

Osiyemi gave the assurance that officers of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority would be on ground to minimise inconveniences and manage traffic on the routes.

“Motorists are implored to be patient during the partial closure of the bridge (50m before and after repair site).”

(NAN)