Connect with us

celebrity radar - gossips

2-Year-Old Boy Drowns In Water Drum In Lagos, Police Arrest Grandma, Father

Published

on

child

A two-year-old boy, Eniola Ajakaye, has drowned inside a drum of water while holidaying with his grandmother in Aboru, in the Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the police arrested the victim’s father, Sunday Ajakaye, a mechanic, and Sunday’s 65-year-old mother, after the boy’s mother, Mary, accused them of complicity in the death.

They were reportedly detained at the Oke Odo Police Division for alleged murder.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Eniola drowned around 2pm on Foursquare Street, Ago 40 Estate, where his grandma lived.

He said, “The woman had gone out for a church programme, leaving him with some other children who had come to holiday with her.

“She was called on the telephone that the boy was missing. People searched for him for hours without any success.

“When it was evening, a woman said she saw something inside a water drum in the house.

“When they checked the drum, they found Eniola there.”

The boy was reportedly taken to a private hospital in the area where he was confirmed dead.

Another resident, Jide Thompson, said the family took the dead child back to the house and invited some pastors to bring him back to life, adding that all the effort was in vain.

It was learnt that Mary’s family did not believe the account of the grandmother as they insisted that there was more to the death than meet the eye, adding that the Ajakaye family had a case to answer.

The police subsequently arrested the grandma, Sunday and another relative who reportedly raised the alarm when the boy went missing.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that there had been bad blood between the two families since Mary became pregnant with Eniola.

Our correspondent learnt from a source that Sunday had rejected Eniola’s pregnancy.

He said, “The man is a mechanic and can barely fend for himself. When Mary, his lover, became pregnant, he rejected the pregnancy.

“When Eniola was born, Sunday’s mother took the responsibility for his upkeep and was always sending money to Mary’s family.”

The source explained that the grandma later took custody of the child after a major disagreement, adding that Mary returned some weeks later to take back the child.

“However, Mary called the woman one day, saying she was returning Eniola to the grandma.

“The girl took the child to the woman’s church and dropped him there. The grandma picked the child from the church and handed over to the police station,” he added.

The police allegedly called the two families and gave custody of the child to the father.
It was learnt that the grandma handed over the child to her first child, who became his guardian.

PUNCH Metro was told that the guardian had brought him back to the grandma, along with some other children of the family, for holiday when tragedy struck.

A relative told our correspondent that the grandma was devastated when the boy was found in the drum.

“She invited pastors to pray for the child, but nothing happened. When it was getting late, around 10pm, we reported the matter to the police and after making statements, the corpse was deposited in a morgue,” he added.

He explained that after much persuasion Mary’s mother dropped the case against the family.

He, however, expressed surprise that the police were taking up the matter again.

A police source said the police had closed the case file when Mary’s mother demanded that the matter be revived.

The source said, “The primary issue is that the two families are at loggerheads. After asking that the case be withdrawn, Mary’s mother said her family went to take the boy’s clothes and was told that they had been burnt and there was nothing left of the boy’s property. She said the man’s family knew about the death for being in haste to forget the victim.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the boy’s corpse was in the mortuary pending the release of the autopsy report.

She said, “It is a case of sudden and unnatural death. The two-year-old allegedly drowned inside a drum of water.

“Our operatives visited and photographed the scene. The corpse has been deposited at the Mainland Hospital’s morgue in Yaba for autopsy. The case is under investigation.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

celebrity radar - gossips

Video: Helen Paul Receives Georgia Citizen Award

Published

on

Video: Helen Paul Receives Georgia Citizen Award

 

 

Popular entertainer and educationist, Prof Helen Paul has climbed another ladder of achievement as she received the prestigious Honorary Georgia Citizen Award in the United States of America.

The award certificate issued by Brad Raffensperger, Secretary of State of the State of Georgia, reads: “May this outstanding citizen be offered every courtesy as a Goodwill Ambassador from Georgia in her travels to other states, to nations beyond the borders of the United States of America, or wherever she may hereafter travel or reside. Thank you for your service to our state.”

A female Senator representing Georgia, who presented the award, described Helen Paul who just finished training as a Substitute Teacher an asset to the people of Georgia. She said “Everybody is touched by a professor or someone who creates an atmosphere for learning. Thank you so much for being a public servant to a point that you pour out so much to educate people.”

Prof Helen, an ambassador of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) received the award shortly after joining the Nigerian delegation to observe the US presidential election won by Donald Trump. Prince Ero, the CEO of Waterlight Initiative was also part of the team.

Continue Reading

society

Tears as Lagbaja buried in Abuja

Published

on

Tears as Lagbaja buried in Abuja

Tears as Lagbaja buried in Abuja

 

Emotions ran high as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, was laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, on Friday.

The ceremony brought together family, colleagues, and dignitaries to bid a final farewell to the late army chief.

The grief-stricken family members and colleagues struggled to contain their tears.

Even the nose mask worn by his widow, Mariya, couldn’t conceal the steady stream of tears that dropped from her eyes.

 

The procession began at precisely 3:00 p.m. when Lagbaja’s remains arrived at the cemetery.

President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, each took turns laying wreaths at the grave.

Speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, Musa, assured Nigerians that Lagbaja’s death would inspire the military to defeat the nation’s enemies wherever they may be.

 

Musa stated that the military took solace in the fact that the late army chief lived a purposeful life, urging the troops to honour his memory by committing themselves to the ideals he stood for.

Musa said, “We will not leave you alone. We know your loss is immeasurable, but please take solace in knowing that he lived a life of purpose and left behind a legacy that will never fade. To my fellow officers and men, let us use this moment to recommit ourselves to the ideas for which General Labaja stood for.

“Let us ensure that his sacrifice and service continue to guide our steps as we defend this great nation. We are going to use his passing away to resolve further to defeat all enemies of the state, wherever they are, whether within or outside. As we lower him today into the embrace of the earth, let us raise our voices in prayer and gratitude for a life well lived. “

Reflecting on Lagbaja’s tenure, Musa noted that he took bold and decisive actions against terrorists, bandits, and other threats.

He said, “His tenure was marked by decisive actions against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to our nation’s peace. His efforts significantly enhanced the operational readiness and the morale of the Nigerian Army. But beyond his professional achievement, General Labaja was a man of profound faith, kindness, and humility.

 

“His commitment to safeguarding our nation’s sovereignty and ensuring the security of our citizens was unwavering. From his early days as a young officer to his ascension to the esteemed office of the Chief of Army Staff, General Lagbaja consistently demonstrated a rare blend of intellect, bravery, and humanity. He understood the complexities of modern warfare and the need for innovation in our strategies.

“Yet, he never lost sight of the human element, the men and women who serve under the flag and the citizens whose freedom they defend.

 

In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, said Lagbaja embodied the core values of soldiering and served Nigeria without reservation for over 30 years.

Badaru said the late army chief was not only courageous but also an inspiring leader who lived from the front, exemplifying his tedious dedication to the service of the nation.

At the event, Tinubu conferred a posthumous national honour, Commander of the Federal Republic, on Lagbaja.

Tinubu said the conferment was to appreciate Lagbaja’s service to the nation.

The President described Lagbaja as one of his best appointees.

He said, “Lagabaja was a true soldier, a general and officer who symbolised the best of his profession and whose commitment to the nation he loved was singular and undiluted.

“He was more than I could have hoped for. He was one of my best appointments. Lieutenant General Lagbaja embodied the finest ideas of a patriot and a soldier. He had an abiding faith in the capability and readiness of our armed forces to save and keep us”.

Tinubu described Lagbaja as a trusted advisor, adding that he was a man of prudent action who cared about the nation and the men who served under him.

“He displayed uncommon valor in the charge of his duty and the administration of the rank and file for he cared about their welfare and that of their families.

“For me, he was a trusted advisor whose formidable intellect and breadth of knowledge served this nation well,” he added.

Continue Reading

celebrity radar - gossips

How My South African Partner Duped Me Of $3.5 Million— Murray-Bruce

Published

on

How my South African Partner Duped Me Of $3.5 Million — Murray-Bruce

How My South African Partner Duped Me Of $3.5 Million— Murray-Bruce

 

The founder of the Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce, has narrated how his South African partner defrauded him of $3.5 million on the purchase of a cinema complex in Kenya.

Though he did not mention his partner’s name, he recalled that by making a bank transfer of the said sum, the South African registered the business in his name.

The former Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District stated this during the fourth edition of the Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference, held in Victoria Island, Lagos State, on Thursday.

He said, “I was called to buy a cinema complex in Kenya for $3.5 million. I transferred the money and my South African partner registered it in his name. That was how I lost that huge investment.

“I have a studio in Los Angeles and I am battling with litigation with one of the most prominent actors in Hollywood.”

The media business mogul expressed his interest in movie production, adding that while he’s currently working on a movie script, the movie would address fundamental issues in society.

He stressed the significance of promoting creativity as he recalled that some time ago, while he went to the Ajegunle part of Lagos, he saw some kids fighting.

Murray-Bruce noted that the kids — “future leaders” were “learning how to be tough. But some people see them as crooks. Leaders of entertainment in the US today were born in their Ajegunle.

“The entertainment industry is a very successful one. In all the things I have done, I have never made one move about movie making but now, I will. I am working on a script and I know we will get it right. We will deal with fundamental issues.”

The death of Anyiam-Osigwe, a prominent Nigerian filmmaker and founder of the African Movie Academy Awards, was announced on January 10, 2023.

The former lawmaker also paid tribute to the late Anyiam-Osigwe, recalling how she used to visit him in his house on her bicycle.

“Peace came to my house one day and asked me why I abandoned entertainment and became a politician. I have known her since she was six years old. She used to come to our house on her bicycle. Her brothers also used to come riding theirs,” he said.

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending