Teenager locked inside cage for visiting female classmate

A 17-year-old boy Samuel Onyeme was on Sunday allegedly beaten and locked inside a dog cage for visiting a female classmate, Miss Anastasia Celestine.

It was reportedly gathered that the incident happened when Onyeme visited his female classmate in her residence around 6:pm

The victim’s mother, Mrs Onyeme, told our correspondent on Monday that it was a better experience she received at Mr Celestine’s house.

She said, “My son, Samuel, a 17-year-old Senior Secondary student of Redeemers International High School, Asaba, Delta State, on Sunday, visited his classmate, Anastasia Celestine, at her residence after she invited him.

“My son said they were having a discussion outside the house of Mr Celestine when he was brutally assaulted by her father and his two sons.

“They attacked him on the street, dragged him into their compound, and inflicted severe physical injuries on him. You see his head, he said they used wooden planks and locked him inside a dog cage.

“During the assault, they confiscated his mobile phone and called me (mother) deceiving me into coming to the scene. Upon my arrival, I was deprived of seeing him for two hours.”

She said her daughter, Jessica, who was outside attempting to seek help, was also subjected to assault by members of the Celestine family when she tried to re-enter the compound.

“The situation escalated when Ben, the other of my sons, who is the elder brother to Samuel, contacted a family friend, who then reached out to a human rights organisation before they mobilised police, officers were mobilised to rescue Samuel from the dog cage around 10:00 pm that night.”

Speaking further, a human rights activist, Mr Victor Ojei, who reported the incident to the Delta State Police Command, on Tuesday said he mobilised the police before Samuel was rescued from the dog cage, and described the act as barbaric and inhumane.

Ojei, in a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, demanded the immediate investigation and prosecution of Mr Celestine and his sons for kidnapping, unlawful detention, assault, and attempted murder in line with the provisions of Nigerian Criminal Law and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Laws.

The petition, copied the Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Delta State and the State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, Asaba, Delta State, called for justice.

“One Onyeme Ben contacted a family friend, who then reached out to our organisation. Following our report to the Delta State Police, officers were mobilised, and Master Onyeme Samuel was rescued from the dog cage around 10:00 pm that night.

“Based on the above facts, Mr Celestine and his sons have committed criminal offences which include unlawful detention of Mrs. Onyeme Onome for two hours against her will, and the forcible confinement of Master Onyeme Samuel in a dog cage from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.which contravenes Section 364 of the Criminal Code Act.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Bright Edafe, said he hadn’t received the report of the incident as of the time of filling this report.

Oil thieves angry with me, says Tompolo

The founder of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, says he is constantly facing threat to his life by the powerful people behind oil theft in the country.

According to him, the oil thieves are powerful people outside of the Niger Delta.

Tompolo, speaking at Oporoza, the headquarters of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, on Monday, alleged that some naval personnel, a few days ago, forcefully attacked operatives of the private outfit during the arrest of some suspected oil thieves along the Port-Harcourt creeks.

Speaking during a working visit of the Nigerian Bar Association national executive, led by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), to the oil-bearing community, Tompolo called for synergy between the Navy and other security outfits.

Tompolo noted that in the course of the surveillance operations to round up crude oil barons, Tantita had stepped on toes and had become the target of revenge missions.

He said, “While doing this work, we have stepped on a lot of toes of people over there in Lagos and Abuja. We have stepped on a lot of toes. As I am here, after my court cases, I cannot travel anywhere because of me and the key people (barons) fighting this battle.

“If I want to travel to Abuja to visit you, I must go with security. Even with two or three security personnel, none of them are happy with me, and they are now collaborating with top players involved in oil theft.

“Most times, you see that Tantita Security now has confrontations with the Navy and every well-meaning Nigerian knows the function of the Nigerian Navy and Tantita, but nobody wants to come out to face the truth.

“If we happen to arrest anybody now, we would get a lawyer from Abuja, Lagos or Ibadan to do the case very well.”

Tompolo expressed worry that efforts to checkmate crude oil theft were being sabotaged in some quarters.

“Some few days back, our people intercepted a vessel in Port Harcourt, where the Nigerian Navy was shooting at Tantita Security, with police, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“We want to implore and beg you (NBA). You must play in this present situation, because if we are not careful in this country, maybe we will not have money to do any reasonable thing.

“All of us here know that Nigeria is facing hardship. A bag of rice is over N100,000.

“We are going to do our part locally. But you (NBA) are there at the top. If we make arrest today, lawyers would stand on the other side and this side.

“Can somebody come to load a vessel of 500 metric tonnes in this community? Nobody has that capacity; the person comes from Lagos, Abuja, or neighbouring countries.

“The man here would be a water boy for the people in charge. That is the one we would arrest,” he said.

Efforts by our correspondent to reach the Nigerian Navy spokesman, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, for comments on the issue, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

A female official in the Naval Public Relations Office who picked up telephone calls from our reporter simply said she “had been transferred to Lagos,” just as she maintained that “Commodore Adams-Aliu is in the best position to react to the issue.”

Speaking earlier during a courtesy call on the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom, Oboro-Gbaraun II, in his palace, the NBA President expressed delight over the recent announcement from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited that oil production had risen to 1.8 million barrels per day, with a promise to increase it up to 2 million bpd by the end of this year.

“If the oil production keeps going up, it will benefit all of us and the government will be able to provide for the needs of the people,” he stated.

Consequently, the NBA president maintained that “there is a need to stem the theft of our commonwealth.

*Over 252,000 jobs created under housing programmes
*10,000 houses under construction
*President Tinubu’s vision for housing & urban development commendable
*Our goal is to build at least one Renewed Hope City in each geopolitical zone

With over 252,000 jobs created and 10,000 houses undergoing construction, HM Housing, Arc Dangiwa Highlights Progress in Housing and Urban Development at State House Meet The Press Programme

18 November 2024, Abuja – The Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, delivered a compelling presentation today at the State House Press Gallery, outlining the Ministry’s achievements under the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Minister detailed a comprehensive range of initiatives aimed at reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit, driving economic growth, and improving the lives of millions of citizens, reflecting a clear commitment to an inclusive vision for the nation’s housing sector.

Opening his presentation, Minister Dangiwa underscored the leadership role of President Tinubu, whose vision and support have empowered the Ministry to focus exclusively on housing and urban development. “Everything starts with good leadership. When the vision is clear and there is an unwavering commitment to serve, great things happen,” he stated. “Under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have been entrusted with the monumental task of implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda, a mission to provide accessible and affordable housing for every Nigerian while catalyzing economic growth.”

A cornerstone of the Ministry’s efforts is the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, which spans 14 active construction sites across Nigeria. This initiative is delivering over 10,000 housing units in various locations, ensuring an equitable distribution of projects across the six geo-political zones. The Renewed Hope Estates comprise twelve estates, each with 250 housing units, while larger urban projects, branded as Renewed Hope Cities, are underway in the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, and Lagos, with further expansion planned for other states. “Our goal is clear: to build at least one Renewed Hope City in each geo-political zone, bringing homes closer to those who need them most,” the Minister added.

Minister Dangiwa also highlighted the economic impact of the housing programme, emphasizing job creation as a critical outcome. “At an average of 25 jobs per housing unit, we have directly and indirectly created over 252,800 jobs across the country,” he explained. “From architects, engineers, and surveyors to masons, carpenters, plumbers, and general labourers, the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme is revitalizing communities and providing meaningful employment opportunities.” He noted that daily wages for workers average ₦5,000, enabling many to earn monthly incomes well above the national minimum wage, which contributes to economic stability and reduces crime.

Central to the Ministry’s strategy is the development of innovative homeownership options designed to make housing accessible for all Nigerians. Through the National Housing Fund (NHF), administered by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), citizens can access loans of up to ₦50 million at a highly competitive 6% interest rate, with a repayment period of up to 30 years. This initiative offers a lower equity requirement compared to commercial banks, making homeownership more attainable. The Ministry has also introduced a Rent-to-Own scheme, enabling contributors to move into homes while gradually paying for ownership over three decades without an initial equity contribution. Minister Dangiwa stressed the importance of affordability and accessibility, describing these initiatives as “life-changing pathways to homeownership.”

To ensure a transparent and streamlined process, the Ministry has launched the Renewed Hope Online Housing Delivery Portal. This platform allows citizens to explore, apply for, and secure housing units conveniently. “It is a one-stop shop for homeownership,” said the Minister. “With over 47,605 registered users and more than 1,000 applications completed, this platform revolutionizes housing accessibility, removing the need for lobbying or backdoor negotiations.”

Acknowledging the financial challenges inherent in housing development, Minister Dangiwa outlined a multi-faceted funding strategy. Budgetary allocations have been complemented by public-private partnerships (PPPs) and international collaborations. The Renewed Hope Estates are being funded with a ₦50 billion allocation from the 2023 supplementary budget, with an additional ₦27.2 billion earmarked for 2024. Meanwhile, PPPs have attracted over ₦40 billion in financing for projects such as the Karsana Renewed Hope City, backed by a ₦100 billion Bankable Offtaker Guarantee from the FMBN.

However, the Minister recognized that the scale of Nigeria’s housing deficit, estimated at 550,000 units per year, necessitates increased budgetary support. “Our advocacy for a minimum annual housing budget of ₦500 billion starting in 2025 has gained the support of the National Assembly,” he revealed. This increased funding would enable the Ministry to expand housing projects and increase unit counts in various states, furthering the Renewed Hope Agenda’s reach.

Beyond housing construction, the Ministry has made strides in land administration reforms, slum upgrading, and the establishment of building materials manufacturing hubs to reduce construction costs and boost local economies. The hubs, designed under a build-operate-transfer arrangement, will attract private investment and create jobs while lowering the cost of building materials.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are not just building houses; we are building hope, jobs, and economic opportunity,” Minister Dangiwa concluded. “We are creating a Nigeria where every citizen, regardless of income, can aspire to a decent home and a thriving urban environment. This is our commitment to the people, and we will continue to serve with dedication and passion.”

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development remains steadfast in delivering sustainable and inclusive housing solutions for all Nigerians, transforming lives and contributing to a stronger, more prosperous nation.