Metro

Naira Scarcity: Tragedy Averted As UNIBEN Students, Military Personnel Clash

Published

1 year ago

February 3, 2023

Editor

Some military personnel attached to the S&T barracks Ugbowo who allegedly caused disruption and assaulted students of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, at one of the school’s Operated Automated Machines, ATM, on Thursday narrowly escaped lynching after an intervention from members of the public.

The Military men, according to eyewitnesses, who spoke to our correspondent, were said to have had an altercation with the student over whose turn to withdraw from the automated machines, ATM, owned by one of the Banks at the University premises.

Trouble, according to the source, broke when the students who had cued for the withdrawal resisted the military personnel from jumping the queue to withdraw at the expense of the students who had stayed for hours to get paid.

It was said that the military personnel had on Wednesday, approached the ATM in the same oppressive manner and wanted to repeat the same on Thursday when the students asked them to cue up if they are to withdraw from the Point Of Sale Machines.

The source added, “on Wednesday they came here and harassed the students. They even asked the students who challenged them to cue up to lie on the ground”

Continuing, the eyewitnesses who don’t want their names on print, Said, “But today when they came again and wanted to do the same thing, the student resisted them”.

While the heated arguments lasted between the students and the military officers, the Chief Security Officer, CSO, of the institution was said to have moved to the scene to intervene when he got assaulted by the soldiers who they said offered a hot slap.

The development, according to the source heightened the already tense atmosphere as students in their numbers pounced on the soldiers with one of them reportedly sustaining injury.

The aggrieved students barricaded and halted vehicular movements for several hours as all routes leading to and fro the UNIBEN main gate stalled in protest against the military action while demanding an apology as well as an end to the oppression

It took the intervention of some spirited Nigerians and the Deputy Police Officer, DPO, Ugbowo division to appease the irate students to allow movement around the axis.

When contacted, the Police spokesman, SP Chidi Nwabuzor said he was in Abuja and could not give details but directed our correspondent to speak with his 2i/c, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, who confirmed the incident.

ASP Iwegbu said peace was restored after several appeals to the student but claimed that the students want a phone belonging to one of the unnamed students that were smashed on the ground fixed to end the gruel.

Metro

Woman Sets Stepchildren’s Hands On Fire For Allegedly Eating Rice Prepared For Husband

Published

8 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

A woman identified as Rachel Geoffrey, 23, has been arrested by the Adamawa State Police Command for setting the hands of her two stepchildren on fire.

The suspect who resides in Federal Housing Estate, Girei Local Government Area was arrested for setting fire to the hands of her stepchildren, Genesis Geoffrey, 7, and Idadai, 3.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, who confirmed the incident, said Geoffrey intentionally inflicted severe physical injuries on the 7 and 3-year-old children on May 7.

He said the victims faced several calculated acts of cruelty and Human Rights Violations from their stepmother after the separation of their mother from their father.

According to him, Genesis and Ijadai got their stepmother angry after eating the plate of rice she had cooked and kept for her husband, because they were hungry.

Reacting, she tied their hands with handkerchiefs and set fire to their hands, resulting in the severe injuries they sustained.

The Commissioner of Police CP Dankombo Morris, expressed worries as he advised members of the public particularly parents to live up to expectations by providing the basic needs of their wards. He also vowed to diligently make sure that the suspect is persecuted.

Metro

Tragedy Struck In Osun As Three siblings, Mother Die In Auto Crash

Published

21 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

Three siblings and their mother, identified as Cecilia were reported dead in a ghastly auto accident in Osun State on Saturday.

It was gathered that a car heading to Ibadan from Osogbo had a head-on collision with a motorcycle carrying a woman and four of her children back home from a vigil at Odeomu in Ayedaade local government area.

According to an eye witness Usman Ademola, the motorcyclist carried two of the children in front, another one in the middle while a toddler was wrapped behind the woman.

According to VANGUARD, the two children died on the spot in the incident that occurred between Odeomu and Oogi where the motorcycle was headed.

Also, the woman and the motorcyclist identified as Abraham died while the child behind the woman seems to have survived the incident.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that a mob that gathered at the scene set the car ablaze along with two of the occupants after the driver had escaped from the scene.

Osun police command spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola added that the two occupants were rescued from the car by police operatives and were rushed to a hospital in the state capital.

She added that policemen were deployed to the area to maintain peace and order.

Metro

Soldiers, Traders Clash In Abuja Market

Published

21 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Editor

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed its operatives to Banex – an electronics and telecommunications gadgets market, in Abuja, after a fight broke out between soldiers and some traders on Saturday.

Some civilians were seen in a viral video overpowering some soldiers in a fight at the popular market, while some scampered for safety over the fear of reprisals.

The Defence Headquarters, and the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu could not be reached for comments as of press time.

A source present at the scene of the pandemonium said the fight occurred over the sale of a mobile phone.

“There’s a problem at Banex now. Some soldiers came to complain about a phone, and during an argument with the traders, a fight ensued,” the witness said.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Benett Igweh has deployed officers of the FCT Intelligence Response Team to the scene of the incident.