News

Soludo’s Tax Policies Choking – Schools, Traders Protest

Published

3 years ago

November 11, 2022

Editor

The tax policies of the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has come under intense focus again.

Last Friday, there was pandemonium at Kings Planet International School as gun wielding security operatives invaded the school, on the pretext of enforcing tax payment.

Also, foodstuff traders in Awka have protested the high tax imposed on them, threatening to stop operations in Anambra if the practice was not stopped.

The management of Kingsplanet International School, Awka, on Tuesday protested the action of the security operatives, alleging that its staff and pupils were bullied, while others were traumatised.

DAILY POST gathered that the incident happened last Friday, as an enforcement team from the Anambra State Signage Agency (ANSAA) in the company of gun wielding security men invaded the school to enforce the payment of N100,000 for signages belonging to the school.

When DAILY POST visited the school, some members of staff of the school, which runs a creche, nursery and primary arm, confirmed the incident, saying that the school was in session last weekend, when the team arrived.

“Because they were carrying guns, we decided to close the doors of the classrooms, to avoid the children seeing gun-wielding security men barging into the school premises, but the security men forced the classroom rooms open and commanded all the children to leave, saying that they have orders to shut the school.

“All the children were crying and running helter-skelter, including the creche section, which consists of very tender kids, but they showed no mercy at all.

“In the process of the pandemonium in the school, there was power outage, but we tried to put on the generator, so we can use the CCTV in the school to monitor the movement of the children, but the security men refused,” said Modesta Odu, a teaching staff of the school.

The assistant manager of the school, Mr Emmanuel Emeka, lamented the level of trauma experienced by the pupils as a result of the incident.

“We begged them not to go ahead with their action as it will traumatise the kids, but they refused. You needed to be here to see how security men overran this place.

“Most parents who heard of it moved in to withdraw their children. Up till this moment, some of the children still feel bad when we have visitors in the school. We had to reach out to some parents to beg them to bring back their children.

“We are really disappointed if this is how the Soludo government intends to go about tax. The team were in our school earlier to demand payment of N100,000 for four signboards. We told them we didn’t have up to that number of signboards, so they left, saying they will verify and get back, and the next thing we saw was the security men.”

The school management called on the Anambra State Governor to rein in the excesses of some of his aides.

When contacted, the Managing Director of ANSAA, Mr Tony Ujubuonu, insisted that the enforcement was as a result of a court order obtained against the school.

He alleged that the proprietor of the school has been maligning the agency on social media over the enforcement, but insisted that the Anambra State government will not relent in ensuring that the right thing was done.

Meanwhile, foodstuff dealers in Anambra State on Thursday protested heavy taxation imposed on them by the State government. The traders threatened to stop supply of goods to the State if the government continued with the tax regime. They alleged that the State government had been imposing heavy taxes on them for bringing in foodstuff to the State from the north.

The Chairman of Eke Awka Foodstuff Dealers Association, Mr Chukwuemeka Onyemechi, during a peaceful protest on Thursday said some hoodlums allegedly working with government’s agents came to the market and stopped them from off-loading their goods unless they paid N30,000 per truck as against N8,000.

“They also insisted that we pay N20,000 for a truck with six tyres as against N5,000 and the sum of N6,000 for a Datsun truck as against N500 per truck. After the off-loading of goods, smaller trucks were forced to pay N3,000 as against N300 before the goods would be allowed to leave the market,” he lamented.

The traders would not be the first to complain about the tax policies of the State government.

A lawyer, Mr Jude Eze who spoke on the perceived excessive tax said: “I do not think this is the best thing for the governor to do. Nigerians are not so exposed to taxes, so they need to be pampered and not this kind of chastisement we see everyday in the State.

“Soludo must realise that the economy is very hard, so he cannot be billing the people for waste, business premises, and several others, just because he needs money, which he told us he can get from relevant agencies, during his governorship campaigns.”

News

PHOTOS: President Tinubu Receives Queen Mary Of Denmark At State House

Published

6 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, received Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.

The monarch, who paid a courtesy visit to the President, was welcomed at the President’s official residence within the State House.

Queen Elizabeth was accompanied by the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Hansen.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, were present at the reception.

Following the reception, a closed-door meeting occurred, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Denmark.

In a statement he signed and released vis his verified X page, President Tinubu said the conversation between him and the monarch was constructive and forward-thinking.

It was a distinct privilege to receive Her Majesty Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark today at the Aso Villa in Abuja. Together with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, we welcomed Her Majesty on this important visit to our country.

“It was a distinct privilege to receive Her Majesty Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark today at the Aso Villa in Abuja. Together with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, we welcomed Her Majesty on this important visit to our country.

“Our conversation was warm, constructive, and forward-looking, grounded in mutual respect and the enduring ties between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Denmark. Her Majesty’s presence here stands as a mark of goodwill, shared values, and a renewed commitment to deeper cooperation across key areas,” the President said.

President Tinubu expressed his government’s commitment to partnerships that open opportunities for Nigerians.

“As a government, we remain committed to partnerships that uplift our people, open new opportunities for prosperity, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,” he said.

News

53 Suspects Arrested Over Benue, Plateau Wedding Killings — IGP Egbetokun

Published

6 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun on Tuesday announced that 26 persons who actively participated in the killings in Yelwata Community, Benue State, on June 13, 2025, have been arrested.

Egbetokun said 47 people were confirmed to have been massacred during the attack, while 27 others sustained various degrees of injuries.

He said two of the bandits who were part of the attackers had earlier been killed on the ill-fated day by police operatives when they attacked the police station in the community.

The IGP said, “As you will all recall, on June 13, 2025, between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., armed militias invaded Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, killing and maiming any soul on sight.

“The invaders rampaged and pillaged the community, setting several houses ablaze and maliciously destroying other properties and people’s means of livelihood.

“It was a coordinated attack of terror against the community.

“In this senseless and barbaric attack, forty-seven (47) persons were confirmed killed, twenty-seven (27) persons sustained various degrees of injuries, and hundreds of others have been displaced but not dead.

“The police and other security agencies responded with adequate deployment of personnel and resources, including the deployment of tactical units and special forces, to restore confidence in the affected community and neighbouring communities.

“Also immediately deployed were detectives from our Intelligence Response Team (IRT), who swung into action, launching a manhunt for the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

“I am pleased to inform you today that twenty-six (26) persons directly connected to this crime have so far been arrested and their weapons recovered.

“On 19th June, two (2) prime suspects who were masterminds of the attack were apprehended from their hideout.

“This arrest led to the arrest of seven (7) other suspects on the following day, 20/06/2025, who were picked up from various locations where they had fled, hoping to evade justice.

“On 21st June, another key suspect in whose house the initial meetings to plan the attack were held was arrested.

“On 22nd June, a major breakthrough was recorded with the arrest of eighteen (18) other suspects who directly took part in the killings.

“On 23rd June, our detectives recovered two (2) GPMG and eight (8) AK-47 rifles, which were part of the weapons used during the attack.

“All 28 suspects are currently in custody and have voluntarily confessed to their individual and collective roles in the attack.

“As I speak, legal proceedings are being finalised, and they will be charged to court without delay.

“We will go after anyone—planner or executor—who attacks any community in Nigeria. We will leave no stone unturned until every single individual responsible for the killing of innocent Nigerians is arrested and brought to justice.

Plateau

“Similarly, on 22nd June 2025, a heartbreaking incident occurred in Mangu, Plateau State, where a bus conveying passengers from Zaria was stopped and attacked by a mob.

“Tragically, nine (9) of the passengers were murdered, and three (3) sustained injuries before our teams could intervene and rescue the remaining twenty-two (22) victims.

“So far, twenty-two (22) suspects have also been arrested in connection with this gruesome act of mob violence.

“They too will face the full wrath of the law in court.

“Again, yesterday (Monday), 23/06/2025, another ugly incident was recorded in Benue, where two (2) persons travelling in a truck were killed at Agan Area, North Bank, Makurdi.

“Five (5) persons connected to the incident have so far been arrested and will also be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“Let me use this opportunity to issue a stern warning: jungle justice, mob action, and taking the law into your own hands have no place in a civilised society.

“Every Nigerian has the right to life and a fair trial. We will not tolerate any individual or group who attempts to be judge, jury, and executioner.

“Those inciting violence and killing innocent Nigerians are warned to desist forthwith.

“The recent trend of reprisal killings—where innocent citizens are murdered in retaliation for crimes committed by others—is barbaric, senseless, and dangerous.

“It does not bring justice. It only fuels further hatred, inflames tension, and perpetuates the cycle of violence.

“I want to unequivocally condemn the recent spate of violence across our nation.

“This is not who we are. Violence is not the answer. I call on all Nigerians—regardless of religion, ethnicity, or background—to choose peace, embrace dialogue, and work together for the unity and prosperity of our country.

“I call on all communities across Nigeria to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and cooperative.

“The security agents deployed to your communities are there to protect you. Work with them. Share information. Stay calm. Together, we will overcome these dark forces.

“I must acknowledge that the breakthroughs we have recorded—both in Benue and Plateau States—would not have been possible without the strong collaboration and synergy among all security agencies.

“The Nigeria Police Force continues to work hand-in-hand with the military, DSS, NSCDC, and other partners in pursuit of one common goal: to safeguard the lives and property of every Nigerian citizen.

“Our commitment to inter-agency cooperation remains firm and unshaken.

“I wish to thank Mr. President for providing the required support that facilitated the speedy arrest of the perpetrators of the Benue and Plateau massacres.

“I thank the Nigerian people for their continued cooperation. Your support strengthens our resolve. As we move forward, we appeal for even greater collaboration as we work tirelessly to rebuild trust, restore order, and ensure lasting peace across our dear country.”
(VANGUARD)

News

Lagos To Divert Traffic Ahead 110-day Repair Of Ogudu/Ifako Bridge

Published

6 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has released a diversion plan ahead of repair of the Ogudu/Ifako Bridge which will take 110 days.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Osiyemi said that the repair postponed earlier would begin from June 28 and end on Oct. 15.

The commissioner said that the repair was expected to be carried out in eight phases on both lanes.

“The first to fourth phases, covering the stretch of Ogudu/Ifako Bridge inbound Alapere, will commence from Saturday, June 28 and end on Saturday, Aug. 16 (50 days).

“Phases five to eight, covering the stretch of Ogudu/Ifako inbound Oworoshoki, will be fixed between Saturday, Aug. 16 and Sunday, Oct. 5 (51 days),” he said.

He advised motorists to use alternative routes during the partial closure of the bridge for the repair.

“Alternative routes for phase one: Motorists from Iyana Oworo will go through Gbagada to connect Anthony to access Ikorodu Road after which they will have free movement to their desired destinations.

“One lane will be used near work area (50m before and after).

“For alternative routes for phase two, motorists from Eko Bridge will go through Funsho Williams Avenue to connect Ikorodu Road,” he said.

Osiyemi gave the assurance that officers of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority would be on ground to minimise inconveniences and manage traffic on the routes.

“Motorists are implored to be patient during the partial closure of the bridge (50m before and after repair site).”

(NAN)