Metro

AAU: NANS Protests Over 300 Per Cent School Fee Increment, Demands VC, SIT Sack

Published

2 years ago

June 23, 2023

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Friday protested an over 300 percent school fees increment at the Edo State-owned Ambrose Alli University, (AAU) Ekpoma.

The students’ national body, while at the premises of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Edo State council demanded the reversal of the over three hundred percent increment, the sack of the Special Intervention Team(SIT), which tenure is said to have expired on the 24th of June,2023.

They also demanded the sack of the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Sonnie Adagbonyin

Speaking, NANS Vice President, Intercampus Affairs, Comrade Vanessa Egheahie, said should the Edo State Government refused to revert to the old fees paid by the students before the new increment, NANS would move its headquarters to AAU to enforce the reversal, lamentng tha students from poor parents cannot afford to go to school with the new charges.

She said the new school fees makes AAU the most expensive public university in Nigeria, as law students are expected to cough out 741,5000, as against 185,000, while Medical Science students are to pay 638,000 as against 216 for new students.

“We are angry because the Edo State Government and the AAU Special Intervention Team (SIT) have increased the school fees for AAU students with over three hundred and sixty percent. Those who have right to increase fee are those who have worked to improve the infrastructure in the school.

“It is quite unfortunate that the state government has increased these fees making it impossible for poor people to go to school. What the management of the school is telling us is that before a salary earner in Edo State with just a child who wants his child to study law, he would have to work for 23 months before he can pay one level school fees for his child.

“It is not possible, remember that Edo is 78 percent civil service state. How can children of traders, civil servants and other low income earners pay this kind of school fees. With this, Edo State Government is telling us that it has low education policy and it cares not if we end on the street.”

She also maintained that the SIT, whose tenure is to end on the 24th of June, 2023 has failed in its responsibility of managing and helping the institution to sort for fund, hence it should be dissolved by the Edo State Government.

“The Special Intervention Team (SIT) has failed in its responsibility, and we also have the Acting Vice Chancellor that is threatening students that if they cannot pay, they should look for universities that are cheap.

“We keep bragging that we are EdoBEST, this is Edo Nonsense. I want to beg our parents not to pay any charges or dues come Monday. We demand the sack of the SIT and the Acting Vice Chancellor,” she said

Also speaking, the Secretary General, NANS Zone B, Comrade Isaac Ogieva, said when the fee was increased, they went to the school management and pleaded that they should consider the poor ones in school, who are the ones sponsoring their education.

“When this fee was increased, we went to them and pleaded that they should consider the poor ones, as many students are the ones sponsoring their education and cannot afford these exorbitant fees.

“Where do you expect a poor parent to bring 700,000 or 600,000 at the case maybe to pay school fees,” He said.

Metro

Human Trafficking: Police Rescue 40 Ghanaians, Arrest Three In Ondo

Published

6 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

The Ondo State Police Command says it has successfully rescued one David Angerinya, and 39 other Ghanaian nationals allegedly trafficked into Nigeria under false pretences.

This is contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Akure by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Olushola Ayanlade.

Ayanlade said that the victims were rescued through the operatives of Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS), Akure, while three suspects were arrested.

He said the operation followed a formal petition forwarded through the Interpol Liaison Office, Force Headquarters Abuja, requesting urgent police intervention over a case of transnational human trafficking involving a Ghanaian citizen.

The spokesperson explained that the victim, David Angerinya, was allegedly lured to Nigeria in 2024 with the promise of employment by an unidentified associate.

“Acting swiftly on the report, detectives from the TIRS, led by DSP Lekan Alabi, commenced a targeted investigation

“Subsequently, three principal suspects identified as Hayford Nyamekye, Awine Alex and Kojo Felix were apprehended, while the victim was successfully rescued during the operation.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are part of a larger transnational trafficking syndicate that specialise in deceiving unsuspecting individuals, particularly from neighboring West African countries.

“The victims travelled to Nigeria with false assurances of lucrative job opportunities and visa arrangements to Canada and other Western nations,” he said.

Ayanlade also explained that “39 other Ghanaian nationals were discovered to have fallen victim to the same network.”

According to him, many of them were found without valid travel documents, while those who had, presented expired ones.

“All arrested suspects are currently in police custody and are cooperating with ongoing investigations.

“Furthermore, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the owners and caretakers of the buildings where the victims were harboured.

“The building owners and caretakers may have had knowledge of, or directly facilitated the illegal activities of the syndicate.

“The Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Adebowale Lawal, has reiterated the unwavering commitment of the command to combating human trafficking and all forms of transnational organised crime.

“The CP urges members of the public to remain vigilant and report all suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency contact lines,” Ayanlade said.

(NAN)

Metro

Fuel Station Manager, Three Others Arrested For Robbery

Published

6 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

The Lagos Police Command has arrested four suspects, including the manager of a fuel station, for allegedly being part of a gang of armed robbers terrorising some areas in the state.

A police source told The PUNCH that the suspects, identified as Noble Saint Neokoro (44) Batomie Samson (48) Abubakar Ali (47) and Bitrus Ibrahim (42) were apprehended in the Ejigbo area of the state.

The source added that their arrest followed a tip-off and discreet investigation by the police.

“The manager of the filling station is among the arrested suspects, while the owner of the station is said to be unaware of the alleged criminal activities. The suspects have allegedly confessed to being a gang of armed robbers,” the source disclosed.

When contacted, the command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development.

He said, “The operation was carried out by the Tactical Squad Hawk of the command. Four suspects were arrested including a fuel station manager. The owner of the fuel station denied knowledge of their activities. NUPENG also played a vital role in apprehending the manager.”

Hundeyin, however, added that the operation was a follow-up to the arrest of a notorious gang specialised in hijacking fuel and goods trucks in the state.

The command on June 28 confirmed that seven suspects were nabbed while a fuel tanker loaded with stolen Premium Motor Spirit was recovered.

The driver of the hijacked tanker was said to have reported the incident at the Surulere Police Division.

“Swift police response and discreet investigation led to the recovery of the tanker, which was found empty at Orile, and the arrest of the suspects at a filling station in Ejigbo, where the stolen fuel was being offloaded.

“The suspects, identified as Izuchukwu Nwanoruo, Kayode Falodun, Ojo Ayodele, Ayomide Thompson, Ahmed Saliu, Igbalaye Kareem, and Babatunde Ahmed, are currently assisting the police with ongoing investigations. A fuel tanker used to transport the stolen fuel has also been recovered as an exhibit,” a statement by Hundeyin read.

The police image maker added that the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, commended the operatives for their diligence and assured Lagosians of the command’s commitment to ensuring safety of lives and property.

“He encouraged citizens to continue providing timely information to aid police efforts in maintaining security across the state. The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Police Arrest Cleric Over Alleged Defilement Of Underage Girl In Osun

Published

6 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

Osun State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the arrest of an Islamic cleric, identified simply as Kadiri, for allegedly having carnal knowledge of a minor in Ede, Osun State.

The incident that occurred at Babasanya-Araka Ede led to a protest by an angry mob, who had attacked the suspect after he was seized.

The command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, while speaking with The PUNCH, said police operatives were deployed to the scene after the matter was reported.

“The matter was reported, and we deployed operatives to the scene. When our men got to the scene, the Amotekun men who arrested him handed him over to us.

“So, he is in our custody already. But we want the Division to investigate before the matter is transferred to SCID.

“That is all that is available for now,” Ojelabi said.

Amotekun spokesperson, Idowu Yusuf, while giving more information about the incident, said, “The suspect is an Imam of a mosque.

“He also has an Arabic school in the area where he is teaching students Arabic. Further investigation is being done by the police.”

On how the suspect was arrested, a resident of Babasanya-Araka, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, said the victim was discovered bleeding, prompting her mother to inquire from her what had happened as she had gone missing a few hours earlier.

“The victim, about 8 years old, was missing for some hours on Saturday, and her mother was already looking for her.

“When she was found, she was crying and bleeding.

“She was taken to the hospital in Ede, where she was checked,” the resident said.
(PUNCH)