Metro

Bayelsa Poll: Women Besiege Police Hqtrs, Demand CP’s Removal, Non-violence Election

Published

2 years ago

November 9, 2023

Hundreds of protesters, on Tuesday, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, besiege the police command, demanding the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Tolani Alausa.

The protesters mainly women, clad in black attires also call on President Bola Tinubu and? the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure a peaceful poll in the state.

They were armed with placards of some which read, “IG- The Police must be neutral, Change CP Alausa for a violent free poll”, ” We say No to CP Alausa, Give us new CP, we don’t want Tolani Alausa”.

One of the protesters, Madam Alice Daniels, said “All we are asking for is a violent free election in the state.

“Is that a big thing to ask from those who are supposed to be responsible for protecting us? Why can’t the police be neutral in this election?

“Can’t we just vote for our preferred candidate in peace? We want a non-violence exercise. The police should protect the people and allow us to vote who we want. This should not be like other elections where people manipulate election with the assistance of the police.”

Also speaking, Mrs Timitimi Ebipador, a human rights activist, appealed to the state’s command for proper supervision of the election process, noting that the best approach to a non-violent exercise is when the police are neutral.

“We are appealing to you for the conduct of a peaceful election, we want an exercise devoid of violence, you are responsible for the provision of security of our lives and that should be your duty, and not interfere in the election itself.

“No blood of any Bayelsan is worth the blood of any politician. Do all it takes for a non-violent election.

“We beg you to protect us. I call for a peaceful election. We want our husbands, children and even brothers safe after the exercise.

“We have experienced it on several occasions, in 2019, and 2015 it was marred by violence and till this moment nobody was prosecuted and jailed for violence.”

Addressing the protesters, DIG, South-South, Daniel Sokari Pedro, assured them of peaceful conduct of the election come Saturday, noting that all measures for smooth conduct and professionalism by officers and men of the police force will be adhered to.

He promised them that the election would be different from others marred by violence like in 2015 and 2019.

“We have heard your agitations, and we will ensure peaceful conduct of the exercise before and after.

“I have just addressed stakeholders of the various parties and other state actors that the election will be peaceful.

“2023 is not 2019 and 2015, we have put all measures in place for a peaceful process. All security architecture is in place. Also, pass the information to your people in various communities to let peace reign.

‘Without peace, there will be no development in our communities. We have to avoid unnecessary confrontations with people during the election season.”

Metro

Petrol Tanker Explodes In Ibadan

Published

11 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Editor

File Image

A petroleum tanker carrying 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, on Thursday, exploded in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

According to The PUNCH, the incident occurred at Celica junction, on the new Ife Expressway in Ibadan.

Eyewitnesses explained that the fire incident was as a result of break failure, which made the vehicle lose control.

One of the witnesses said, “The tanker hit a Prado jeep and another car. And in the process, the tanker fell and exploded.

“Although no casualty was recorded, the fire affected the car and the Prado jeep.”

Confirming the incident in a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, the state Fire Service Chairman, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the development to our correspondent, adding that no casualty was recorded.

He said, “The incident was reported at exactly 18.27hrs on Thursday.

“The firemen swiftly swung into action by applying chemical foam compound and restricted the fire from spreading to the nearby Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation petrol station and surrounding properties. The fire was jointly extinguished with officers from the Federal Fire Service.

“The fire incident was as a result of failure of breaking in system of the truck whist on motion which made the vehicle lose control, hit a Prado jeep and a car, then fell and caught fire.

“No casualty was recorded but the fire affected the trailer tanker and a car, while a Jeep was hit by the trailer into the nearby gutter,” he explained.

Metro

Alleged $9.6bn P&ID Fraud: Fleeing Briton’s Surety Arrested, Produced In Court

Published

17 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Editor

Chief George Kadiri, who stood surety for Mr. James Nolan, a British national, at the centre of an ongoing $9.6 billion Process and Industrial Development (P$ID) scam trial, has been arrested.

Kadiri, a retired civil servant living in Gwagwalada, Abuja, was on Thursday produced before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court at the resumed hearing in the matter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the surety, a traditional chief in Gwagwalada, had, on Nov. 4, 2022, sought more time within which to appear in court to show cause why his bail bond should not be forfeited.

He made the plea in a motion on notice marked FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020 filed by his lawyer, O.J. Aboge, before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, before he was elevated to the Court of Appeal.

Justice Mohammed had, on Sept. 28, 2022, revoked the N100 million bail granted to Nolan, a director in P&ID, following his refusal to appear for his trial.

The judge, in the ruling, issued a bench warrant against Nolan and ordered that he should be arrested by security agencies, including Interpol, anywhere he is sighted within or outside Nigeria and be produced in court to stand his trial.

The judge also directed the surety to appear in court to show cause why his bail bond should not be forfeited.

The order followed the application made by EFCC’s lawyer, Bala Sanga, that Nolan had jumped bail.

However, after the case was reassigned to Justice Lifu, Kadiri had not been coming to court, and an order for his arrest was granted.

When the case was called, Sanga said the commission had brought Kadiri to court in obedience to a court order.

“This charge here is different. I humbly apply for the bail bond to be forfeited,” he said.

Aboge, who appeared for Kadiri, sought a date to address the court on the issue of forfeiting the bail bond of N100 million.

“The cases before Justice Egwuatu and the one here are the same.

“I want to produce arguments on the various points raised before the court,” he said.

The lawyer then prayed the court for the surety to be released to him on bail.

Defendant’ lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN, agreed to take Kadiri on bail.

“Chief Kadiri, the surety, is a traditional chief in Gwagwalada.

“He will not run away. I stood surety for him at EFCC.

“This is my first time taking someone on bail,” Erokoro begged.

The anti-graft agency’s lawyer neither opposed the submission made on bail nor objected to the request for an adjournment.

I have no objection to an adjournment.

Justice Lifu consequently adjourned the matter until Nov. 5 for further proceedings and a hearing on the issue of forfeiture of the bail bond entered by Kadiri.

“Meanwhile, the surety, Chief Kadiri, is herein released to Chief Paul Erokoro, SAN, on bail to be produced in court until this issue of forfeiture of bail bond is resolved or determined by the court; I so ruled.”

NAN reports that the anti-graft agency had, on Aug. 18, 2020, arraigned Nolan before Justice Mohammed in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020.

While Lurgi Consult Limited is the 1st defendant, Nolan is the 2nd defendant in the matter.

Nolan, alleged to be at large, is also standing trial in about eight other cases for his involvement in the controversial 9.6 billion dollarcontract awarded to P&ID.
(NAN)

Metro

FCT Police Arrest Man Over Death Of 3-year-old Boy Who Drowned In Uncovered Septic Tank

Published

17 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Editor

Police operatives from the Durumi Divisional Headquarters under the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command have arrested a man, identified as Philip Jallo, following the tragic death of a 3-year-old boy who drowned in an uncovered septic tank in Durumi 2, Abuja.

The heartbreaking incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, July 16, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., when the toddler, reportedly playing within the residential compound, accidentally slipped and fell into the exposed soakaway filled with human waste.

In a statement released by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the suspect was accused of gross negligence, having allegedly ignored repeated warnings and pleas from neighbors to secure the hazardous septic tank.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the uncovered soakaway had long posed a danger to residents in the area,” Adeh said. “Several warnings and pleas were reportedly made by concerned neighbours to the suspect, who failed to take the necessary action.”

The child was eventually pulled out of the tank and rushed to the hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead.

Jallo is currently in police custody as investigations continue. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, has expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

The Commissioner also used the opportunity to issue a strong advisory to residents, urging them to prioritize environmental safety and ensure potential hazards in their surroundings are properly managed.

“Parents and guardians must be vigilant and ensure their wards are properly monitored at all times to prevent such needless loss of life,” he stated.

The FCT Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability in matters that endanger public safety.