Headline

Nigerian Allegedly Beaten To Death In South Africa

Published

1 month ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

A 43-year-old Nigerian national, Prince Muoka Ebuka, was allegedly beaten to death by police officers in South Africa.

Muoka, from Obosi, Anambra State, died on Friday morning, May 17, 2024, in Danielskuil, Northern Cape.

It was gathered that police officers raided the deceased’s residence on the allegation that he was a drug dealer

The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) condemned the killing in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Habib Miller on Saturday, May 18.

“This incident highlights a disturbing trend of police abuse targeting Nigerians in the Northern Cape,’ the statement read.

“Since March, there have been similar cases in Kimberley involving drug accusations and police violence. Another Nigerian, Chika Anuino, was killed by police in Springs, Johannesburg, on April 25,” NUSA revealed.

According to the statement, reports from Ebuka’s wife, Joyce, indicated that law enforcement officers stormed their home, forcing her to evacuate to protect their young child from the violence.

Ebuka was then allegedly assaulted and pressured to produce drugs allegedly in his possession. When nothing was found, the officers reportedly took him to a waste dump, accusing him of hiding illegal substances there.

Eyewitnesses alleged serious misconduct, noting that the officers requested pepper spray after exiting Ebuka’s residence.

However, despite using drug detection methods, no drugs were discovered.

The intense interrogation reportedly led to Ebuka’s death, and concerns about the investigation’s integrity have arisen due to the improper preservation of the crime scene

“Reports from Ebuka’s wife, Joyce, paint a harrowing picture of law enforcement officers storming their residence, compelling her to evacuate to shield their young child from witnessing the violence,” NUSA stated.

“Ebuka was then subjected to assault and coerced to produce drugs allegedly in his possession. When their search proved fruitless, they forcibly escorted him to a waste dump, alleging he had concealed illegal substances there.

“Eyewitnesses further allege egregious misconduct, with officers resorting to coercive tactics, including requesting pepper spray after emerging from Mr Ebuka’s residence.

“Despite employing drug detection methods, no evidence was found, yet the relentless interrogation tragically led to his demise. Moreover, the lack of proper crime scene preservation raises grave doubts about the integrity of the investigation.”

Miller noted that further distress was caused by the police’s refusal to issue a statement or allow the family to open a case docket.

He added that Joyce Ebuka faced intimidation when she tried to report her husband’s death.

NUSA further demanded a thorough, impartial investigation into Prince Ebuka’s killing and the broader issue of police abuse in the Northern Cape.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government says it will into the killing.

The spokesperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, who condemned the death of Ebuka, said it was death was too many.

Balogun called for a thorough investigation into the incident and emphasised that anyone found responsible should be held accountable.

“Condemnable and sad. One death too many. We are calling for an investigation, and anyone found culpable should face the music,” he told the punch.

Headline

Bullied To Death: How Blaise Felix, Was Electrocuted By SS3 Students

Published

8 hours ago

June 24, 2024

Editor

At four years, Blaise Felix was already an orphan. That was in 2013 when he and his twin brothers lost their parents.

Since then, they had been in the care of their aunts and uncles who took up the responsibility of sending the young Felix to the Air Force Comprehensive School in Kaduna.

The super intelligent lad who had kicked against bullying was himself a victim as he was bullied and electrocuted by two students who were just a year ahead of him. Felix was in Senior Secondary Two SS2.

His story was told by ace broadcaster, Inya Ode on her Facebook page. She said; “So, some days ago, I told you guys I would share something about Air Force Comprehensive School, Kaduna. Well, here is the story… And it’s a very sad one.

“The last few days have been very difficult and so painful for our church family (Lux Terra Chaplaincy, Abuja). We lost one of our church sons on Wednesday, June 19.

“Blaize (Blaise) Felix was a super intelligent and brave 15 year-old SS2 student of Air Force Comprehensive School in Kaduna. He was the Assistant Head Boy.

“He was orphaned when he was 4 years-old in 2013 and he and his twin brothers have been in their Aunt and Uncle’s care since then.

“One would think he had crossed the stage of bullying but no… This son of ours was electrocuted to death by two SS3 boys for no just cause. These young men, who were already on their way out of school, snuffed the life out of Blaize for reasons best known to them.

“See eh… BULLYING IS REAL!!!
And this happened to us.

“Well, the Air Force say they are investigating so we await the reports of this. But we all know that if this was a private school, it would have been shut down the day it happened.

“The picture below was from the last time Blaize was home, during the Easter Break. He answered a question on Good Shepherd Sunday (April 21, 2024) about Leadership.

“As the Assistant Head Boy, that day he made a commitment to never bully his juniors. Hmmmmmmmmmm! Yet, the same thing he fought against took his life.

“Well, God knows best and, difficult as it is, we COMPLETELY SURRENDER to His perfect will.

“May his Amazingly Phenomenal soul rest in God’s perfect peace, and may all left behind to mourn him find strength and comfort in the HOPE of the Resurrection, we ask through Christ our Lord, Amen.

“All will be well… Through the Love of God our Saviour ALL WILL BE WELL.”
PUNCH

Headline

[PHOTOS] Mohbad: Protesters Storm Nigeria High Commission In London, Demand Thorough Probe

Published

8 hours ago

June 24, 2024

Editor

Some Nigerians on Monday stormed the Nigeria House, London to protest over the circumstances leading to the death of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba aka Mohbad.

The protesters who displayed different placards and banners demanded justice for the deceased.

They also called on the government to carry out a thorough investigation into the cause of his death.

In a video seen by our correspondent, the protesters decried the delay and eventual outcome of the autopsy result.

They also called on the police authorities to investigate those who were with the late singer at the time he passed away.

However, their demand was conveyed in a letter presented to an official of the High Commission.

Mohbad, a former record label signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, died on September 12 at the age of 27, with the circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversy on social media.

The Lagos State Police Command however inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the death on September 18, 2023.

His death also led to the arrest of Naira Marley and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, amongst others.

His corpse was exhumed on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy to unravel the cause of his death.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, tweeted in September 2023 that an autopsy had been concluded and the police were “awaiting results.”

In April, The PUNCH reported that the toxicology test carried out to determine the cause of the music star’s death had been concluded.

The result was sent to the pathologist who carried out the autopsy to analyse and interpret it.

The PUNCH reported that the US-based lab refuted the claim by the Lagos State Government that the toxicology test was conducted at its facility.

The revelation was in response to inquiries made by our correspondent, who embarked on a fact-finding mission to ascertain the musician’s cause of death.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, while responding to inquiries via a live telephone call with Ahmad Isah, the anchor of an Abuja-based online programme, Brekete Family, sometime in February 2024, had said the toxicology test was being conducted at the NMS Labs in Pennsylvania, USA.

However, a pathologist while testifying before the Coroner’s Court on May 15, revealed that an autopsy couldn’t determine Mohbad’s cause of death due to the decomposition of his body.

Responding to PUNCH Metro’s inquiry on May 17, the Client Services Associate, Forensics Division, NMS Labs, Esther Dede, stated, “Unfortunately, we do not have a case for that patient.”

Headline

PAP To Pay Attention To Impacted Communities, Victims Of Military Bombardment, Others, Says Otuaro

Published

11 hours ago

June 24, 2024

Editor

The Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr. Dennis Otuaro says the programme under his watch would pay special attention to impacted communities, victims of military bombardment, families of fallen heroes, among other victims.

INFO DAILY reports that the Presidential Amnesty Programme was created as an interventionist programme to the intense agitation by Ijaw and Niger Delta youths.

The PAP boss spoke on Monday at the ongoing stakeholders meeting in Warri with the theme: ‘Fostering, Consolidating, and Collaborating for the Peace, Security, Stability, and Development of the Niger Delta.’

Otuaro, who stressed the need for cooperation and support by the ex-agitators to succeed in his administration, said: “The Amnesty programme is an opportunity for ex-agitators to benefit their family, children and other critical stakeholders in the region.”

He continued: “I’m not a stranger in the business. Some of our comrades died in the struggle and we need to carry their families left behind along.”

He added: “Some people have been trained but no empowerment after training while others have not gone for training at all.

“This programme can raise funds to support our wives who are into small scale businesses in the villages.

“We all are victims of the struggle, many of our people were not captured in the time of dropping arms due to fear. I will try my best to incorporate those people that have not benefited from the programme since 2009.”

The PAP boss, while reaffirming his commitment to repositioning the programme in order to accommodate more critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta, stressed: “My vision is to see that our people in the villages benefit from the programme. I’m going to do better, so that the Amnesty Programme would be judiciously managed for the interest of our people.”