Metro

Security Guard Stabs Man To Death In Anambra Church

Published

1 month ago

May 22, 2024

Editor

A security guard, identified as David Isaac, attached to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Nkpor Uno in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has allegedly stabbed a yet-to-be-identified teenager and member of the church to death.

It was gathered that the incident happened inside the church premises at about 8 pm last Tuesday.

This was corroborated in a viral video that is currently circulating on social media, where a voice narrated how the incident happened and also blaming the church for employing the security guard.

Our correspondent, who visited the church on Tuesday, observed palpable silence on the premises as few parishioners were seen moving from one place to another.

A source in the church who craved anonymity told The PUNCH that the security guard under the employ of a private security company, pierced a dagger through the neck of the victim during a scuffle and he was confirmed dead when he was rushed to a nearby hospital.

The source said, “Trouble started when the security guard was patrolling around the church premises, which is their routine exercise. In the process, he saw the victim with another girl inside the church’s chapel staying in a compromised situation.

“Although we were in the church auditorium when we started hearing some noise from the chapel corner, when we got there, we saw the boy in a pool of blood. When interrogated, the security guard said he caught the victim having sex with a girl inside the church chapel at about 8 pm on that fateful day.

“The guard said he queried the boy as to why he was allegedly having intercourse inside a holy place like the Chapel, the victim denied having sex with the girl but insisted that he was only praying with the girl.

“When the guard insisted that he saw them having sex, the victim flayed up and engaged in a hot argument which headed to a fisticuff between the duo. It was at this point that the guard applied his dagger on the victim.”

Another resident, who also did not want her name on the print, said the victim bled to death while he was being rushed to the hospital.

She said, “This is such a sad incident because we did not expect such a thing to happen. I don’t know if the boy was a member of the church or not, but the girl is a member of the church and she has insisted they were praying in the chapel and not having sex.”

The Parish Priest of St Alphonsus Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Peter Okoli, could not be reached when our correspondent visited, but a top official of the parish who pleaded anonymity because he was permitted to officially speak on the matter, confirmed that the suspect had been handed over to the police at the Ogidi Division for further investigations.

He added that the church had beefed up security within the premises since the incident occurred because friends and relations of the victim were threatening to burn down the chapel in protest.

Contacted, the Divisional Police Officer, at Ogidi Police Division, Frank Amobi, simply confirmed the incident and explained that the suspect was in their custody. He declined further details and referred our correspondent to the state police spokesman.

When also contacted, the state police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, told our correspondent over the telephone that he had yet to get the detailed report of the incident, even as he promised to make the report available as soon as it was ready.

Metro

Edo Intensifies Sensitization Against Drug Abuse

Published

10 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Editor

The Edo State Government has urged youths in the State to shun drug abuse as the menace has a negative impact on their livelihoods.

Commissioner for Youths and Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Zubairu Abubakar, made the appeal during a rally to sensitize youths on the dangers of drug abuse.

The Commissioner who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mrs. Aiyebeni Balogun, said the menace of drug abuse is pathetic as it has affected youths negatively.

He said the rally was held as part of activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse by the State Government, noting that the awareness was to demonstrate the commitment of the Edo State Government in checking the menace of drug abuse and called for more concerted efforts to curb the menace.

The rally kicked off from the Edo State Secretariat along Sapele Road, Benin City.

The commissioner urged youths in the state to “Maintain their sanity. Say no to cultism. Maintain discipline. Life is good; life is short. Say no to drugs, say no to crime, say no to drug abuse.”

According to him, “We are doing this awareness because of the Government’s concern for youths in Edo State and the nation in general. You see our youths on the street; some are running mad, some are being killed as a result of cultism and some are involved in cybercrime and some are also involved in drug abuse.

“The Ministry of Youths and Humanitarian Affairs is also concerned about the welfare and the lives of our youths and that is why we are carrying out this sensitization to mark International Day against Drug Abuse.”

The International Day Against Drug Abuse is a day set aside by the United Nations to create awareness to the teeming population on the inherent dangers of Drug Abuse.

Metro

Bauchi Govt Organizes Fabric Competition For Students

Published

12 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Editor

The Bauchi state Ministry of Education has on Tuesday, organized a state level fabric competition for students of both public and private schools in the state.

Speaking during the commencement of the competition, Dr Jamila Dahiru, the state’s Commissioner for Education, said the move was imperative to the call of the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu.

According to her, the First Lady launched a project called unity in diversity which is a competition held among youth especially, school children aged 14 to 24.

She said these students were to participate in a fabric competition where they could use their talents to showcase unity in diversity in Nigeria.

“This event is not just a celebration of creativity and craftsmanship but also a testament to the rich cultural heritage and innovative spirit that our community embodies.

“We gather to appreciate the intricate artistry and boundless imagination of our talented students, all unified by this inspiring theme: “Unity in Diversity.

“This theme resonates deeply with our community emphasizing how our diverse backgrounds, traditions, and perspectives can come together to create something truly extraordinary.

“Unity in Diversity reflects the very essence of our fabric competition. It symbolizes how different patterns, colors, and textures, much like our varied cultures and traditions, can blend harmoniously to produce stunning works of art.

“This theme encourages us to celebrate our differences while recognizing the strength and beauty that come from our collective efforts,” said the Commissioner.

Also speaking, Hajiya Fatima Garba, Director, School Services, Bauchi State Ministry of Education, said that the competition would not only bring to the fore some talented students, but it would also equip them to be self-reliant in the near future.

“Why we organized this fabric competition is because we have talented students that are creative and we want these students to be self-reliant so that they can manufacture things by themselves.

“They should not depend on white collar jobs and this competition will surely help us to bring up the best, dedicated and hard working students and the best of them will be representing Bauchi state in the finals in Abuja,” she said.

The fabric competition was categorized into four parts which included; Embroidery, Cap Design, women’s wrapper design and men’s dress design.

In the Embroidery, the Government Day Secondary School, Bauchi took the first position, Government Day Technical College took second position while Government Technical College, Tafawa Balewa took third position.

Also, in Cap Design, Government Day Technical College came first, Government Girls College, Bauchi came second and Government Science Secondary School, Misau came third.

In Men Dress Design, Hally BEES took the first position and Special Education Centre (SEC), Bauchi, took the second position while Government Day Technical College, Tafawa Balewa took first in Women Wrapper Design, Government Girls College College (GGC), Bauchi came second while Hally BEES Secondary School came third.

Metro

Rivers: Bonny Youths Protest , Shut Down Oil Companies Over Alleged Neglect

Published

13 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Editor

Finima Youths in the Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday shut down two major oil service companies: Saipem Construction Nigeria Limited and Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited, protesting against perceived neglect and marginalisation.

These companies are key contractors in the ongoing Train Seven Project of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG). Braving heavy rain, the youths barricaded the gates, halting the entry and exit of staff.

The protesters demanded the enforcement of the Local Content Development Act of 2017 which mandates the inclusion of host communities in significant projects.

They claim their community has been sidelined in the Train Seven Project, a major venture aimed at boosting the nation’s gas production and economic growth.

Reacting to these accusations, the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Acting General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development Charles Epelle emphasized that the matter is between the workers and the contractors and not directly with the firm.

He disclosed that engagements to resolve the issue amicably are underway. Epelle added that NLNG prioritises inclusiveness and calls for a peaceful resolution to expressed grievances.