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RESIDENTS URGE IGP TO INVESTIGATE POLICE OFFICER OVER INVASION OF ENUGU COMMUNITY WITH THUGS

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RESIDENTS URGE IGP TO INVESTIGATE POLICE OFFICER OVER INVASION OF ENUGU COMMUNITY WITH THUGS.

 

By Our Reporter
For allegedly Invading his own community with thugs, brutalizing and inflicting grievous injuries to his cousin and a widow, over his desire to grab a coconut tree, Residents of Achi Agu community in the Oji River area of Enugu State,  have appealed to the Inspector – General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, to investigate and prosecute the erring  Sargent Daniel Ikechukwu Mgbejiofor.
 In what was described by their community leaders,  as a case of  ” Brothers Against Brother “, Police in Enugu, it was learned, has declared a manhunt for the Serving  Police Seargent in Abuja, Daniel Mgbejiofor, with Force Numbers F/512231, who allegedly inflicted grievous bodily harm on his half brother and willfully destroyed properties of his relative, after he was said to have invaded his village with some thugs, over a coconut tree dispute with a widow.
Seargent Mgbejiofor, who was later found to be a Specialist Police Officer attached to the  Logistics and Supplies (works Department) Abuja, Under  Commissioner of Police,  CP Shuaibu, was said to have evaded arrest and escaped from  Enugu State, back to  Abuja,  when the Oji River Police  Division, despatched an invitation letter requesting his presence over the case of  ” Conspiracy /Assault ” preferred against him.
According to the Investigation  Police Officer, IPO,  Corporal Kingsley  Nnaji, ” Seargent Daniel Mgbejiofor and his group are yet to be apprehended, after the incident that happened in Enugu – Agu Achi, Oji River Local government Area.”
 ” We gave his community chairman and the community security an invitation that if they see them, that they should bring them down to the station, they should invite them. We learned that they are not stable, they are not staying at home, they came back and after the issue, they went back again. we would have rooted his invitation through his office in Abuja, but we don’t have his force numbers, without which, we can not do much. what I extracted from the crime diary is Assault occasioning harm, wounding and malicious damages “, Nnaji said.
One of the victims of the alleged invasion, Mr. Chukwuebuka  Mgbejiofor, who was said to have been brutalized by Daniel,  stated  that  ”  Seargent Daniel had invaded my house on Good Friday, April 2nd, 2021 at about 6pm, in the company of his two  biological brothers, Godwin, Chinedu and three other  unidentifiable hefty men, demanding for an apology from me, over what he claimed was my role in the coconut tree dispute between his father Mr. Ephraim Mgbejiofor and  my widowed mother, Mrs. Philomena Mgbejiofor , I refused to follow them to apologize to his father because I told him that I never insulted or assaulted his father and that I didn’t do any wrong by saving the poor widow Philomena, who was being beaten up by his father Ephraim “
Narrating further his ordeal in the hands of the Seargent and his group, Chukwuebuka recalled that March ending, he was slapped severally by the Sergeants father,  Ephraim, for daring to separate him from beating up his widowed mother, over the right to plucking from a coconut tree belonging to another late uncle named  Ebenezer  Mgbejiofor.
  ” I pushed my mother away from him and he got angry asking if I was trying to challenge him, my uncle Ephraim went home and lied to his children that I challenged him and his children called me and threatened to deal with me whenever they come home. So, on Good Friday,  immediately I came back from work and was sweeping our compound, I heard sounds of motorcycles, suddenly Sargent’s Daniel entered our backyard with his group and they started beating me, broke our chairs and used the  broken pieces to injure me, just because I refused to follow them to go and apologize and beg their father for the offense I didn’t commit.”
“As if the earlier beatings and injuries were not enough, they came again on April 7th,2021, to my place of work and continued their beating, because they said that I refused to apologize to their father, after one week grace they gave to me. They attacked me, wounded me, and continued the beating until I fainted and they left me there in the pool of my blood until a good Samaritan from our community named killer Joe Uzo despatched a car that brought me to his house and after taking photographs of my injuries with his phone, he called the DPO  of Oji River Police Division, informing him that I was coming to make a formal report”.
“At Oji River Police Division, they took my photographs and statements and asked me to go and take care of myself as the people that committed the crimes had fled. They now gave me police invitation letters for the Sargent and brothers, which I sent through the chief security Officer of our community.”
According to the 26years old Tiller, Despite the trauma, intimidation, injuries inflicted on him and his mother by the Ephraim Mgbejiofors family, Ephraim has unlawfully through malicious prosecution, gone to a customary, and Magistrate court to secure an improper eviction order aimed at quitting them from his late father’s brother, Ebenezer’s house, where they are residing since his father’s death, Claiming that as the oldest surviving son of late Mgbejiofor,  he owns everything in the family.
He appealed to the Governor of Enugu State, His Local Government Chairman and the Inspector – General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, to call for proper and independent investigations, with a view to protecting their lives and granting him and his widowed mother justice.
“I have been on medical treatment since then and the suspects have refused to surface in our village again, rather his father is making life unbearable for us in our own house “, Chukwuebuka said.
In an interview with the village head, Nze Cyril Obitulata, he frowned at the move by Ephraim to evict the widow, Philomena, and his son from  Late Dr. Ebenezer Mgbejiofors house.
Collaborating the allegation of unlawful eviction against the widow,  Nze  Obitulata, declared that the house in dispute does not belong to Sergeant Daniel’s father, Ephraim Mgbejiofor .
” I have spoken to Ephraim informing him that he has no  ‘ locus stand’ to evict the widow,  because, he is not the rightful owner of the house. For the fact that the deceased Philomena’s husband is late, they had children who are alive. I have told Ephraim to leave the property alone but he is still pursuing it and I don’t know why”, he lamented.
 “It is the property of late Dr. Ebenezer Mgbejiofor , who had his own children, who are supposed to inherit the house or any other person from his lineage, has more claims over the house than any other person from any other group,” Nze said.
Lamenting further over Ephraims contest on the property, the Village Leader, who is also an Engineer, said thus:  ” I don’t know why Ephraim is contesting with the widow,  Philomena, over that property,I have told him severally to leave the house alone.
For the coconut tree,  I don’t know much, I heard that they planted it for one of Ebenezer’s sons and if so, it means that Ebenezers son owns it by our tradition, just as the compound belongs to them. “
Speaking on earlier attempts to reconcile the disputing families, he confirmed that he had tried in the past to bring the two families together so that peace will reign in the community.
 ” I didn’t go to the village during the  Easter holiday, I was in Enugu. I heard of the matter concerning fighting,  though nobody reported it officially to me. I don’t know much about the case, but I was told that there was a fight “.
” In our tradition, when a man marries two wives, after his demise, the first son of the first wife is the real owner of the house. I have told Ephraim that he has no right to evict Philomena from that house because she has the consent of Ebenezers late wife and children to stay there,  he Concluded.
 When our Correspondent contacted Sargent  Daniel, he denied all the allegations against him, claiming that he was not aware of any invitation from the police.
” All these things are just mere allegations. Chukwuebuka is my cousin, actually, we have problems in the family, which I traveled down to the village as a peacemaker during the Easter celebration. Though we scheduled a family meeting I was disappointed that only a few people came. I was surprised to see these allegations. My father has no issues with Philomena and it’s on record that Philomena’s husband divorced her. before his death “, he said.
The police officer also said that there was no fighting between him and the victim. ” I can’t fight Chukwuebuka because I am about 20 years older than him. I only visited him with my brothers for discussion, after I had called him over on phone to my house, but he didn’t come. He even came to apologize to my father and we made peace, there was no beating and I don’t know how he got bruises”, he stated.

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Ibadan Funfair Tragedy: Ooni’s Ex-Queen Hospitalised as IG Leads Probe into Stampede

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December 21, 2024

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Ibadan Funfair Tragedy: Ooni’s Ex-Queen Hospitalised as IG Leads Probe into Stampede

Ibadan Funfair Tragedy: Ooni’s Ex-Queen Hospitalised as IG Leads Probe into Stampede

 

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has taken over investigations into the tragic stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, which claimed the lives of 35 children and left six others injured. The incident occurred when over 7,500 participants, far exceeding the expected 5,000, rushed to gain entry to the event.

The funfair was reportedly organised by Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, in collaboration with Ibadan-based broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat.

Naomi, who was arrested alongside Hamzat, reportedly collapsed on Friday and was rushed to the Police Hospital at Eleyele for medical attention. A senior hospital staff member confirmed the development, stating, “Both of them are currently at the hospital. The police have secured the premises, and no further details can be disclosed.”

Eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident, according to Oyo State Police Command spokesperson Adewale Osifeso. A police source revealed that the Inspector General of Police has now taken charge of the case, stating, “For further details, you’ll need to contact Abuja.”

Victims and Medical Response

The Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council at Adeoyo State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Adeoye Allen-Taylor, confirmed that four children remain on admission. He added that some casualties were brought in dead and that the Oyo State Government is covering all medical expenses.

At the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, five fatalities were reported, though none of the bodies were taken to the hospital’s mortuary. The Public Relations Officer of UCH, Funmi Adetuyibi, confirmed the death toll.

Government and Public Reactions

In response, the Oyo State Government mandated strict safety measures for all public events, especially those involving children and the elderly. Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Dotun Oyelade, warned event organisers of severe penalties for compromising public safety.

Governor Seyi Makinde, describing the tragedy as “painful and preventable,” announced the cancellation of his December 25th birthday celebrations to honor the victims. “There will be no birthday celebration this year. I will remain indoors to reflect,” the governor stated while receiving a condolence delegation from the South-East PDP, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara.

Condolences from PDP and Fayemi

The South-West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed its condolences to the Oyo State Government and families of the victims. PDP Publicity Secretary Chief Sanya Atofarati attributed the tragedy to economic hardships, which he said pushed families to seek free entertainment for their children.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also extended his sympathies, urging authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The investigation continues, as authorities work to uncover the causes of the tragedy and ensure accountability.

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Inferno Ravages Ibadan Spare Parts Market, Millions Lost in Property

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2 hours ago

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December 21, 2024

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Inferno Ravages Ibadan Spare Parts Market, Millions Lost in Property

Inferno Ravages Ibadan Spare Parts Market, Millions Lost in Property

A devastating fire broke out in the early hours of Saturday at the popular Araromi spare parts market, Agodi-Gate, in Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying property worth millions of naira.

The fire, which began around 2 a.m., continues to rage as firefighters struggle to contain the inferno.  The General Manager of Oyo State Fire Services, Akinyemi Akinyinka, confirmed the seriousness of the situation and called for assistance from water tanker owners.

“We are battling with a serious inferno at Agodi-Gate. Help us to call water tanker owners to assist us. We are still here battling with the situation,” Akinyinka stated.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined as investigations are ongoing.

This incident adds to a series of recent tragic fires in Ibadan. On Friday, a fire claimed the lives of a husband, his wife, and their grandson in the Ori-Eru, Idikan area of the city. The blaze, which occurred at 3:46 a.m., gutted a storey building.

Earlier in the week, another fire incident on Sunday morning destroyed three shops in the city, though the quick intervention of the state fire services prevented the flames from spreading to 13 neighboring shops.

Last Friday, a fire engulfed a Christ Apostolic Church parish in Lagelu Local Government Area during a vigil, trapping worshippers inside. The tragedy struck around 9:30 p.m. at Wisdom Estate, Road 1G, Olohunda Road, leaving the community in shock.

These repeated incidents have raised concerns about fire safety in Ibadan, prompting calls for enhanced preventive measures and quicker emergency responses. Investigations into the cause of the Araromi market fire are underway, while efforts to control the blaze continue.

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NAPS Presidential Aspirant Lauds Tinubu’s ₦3.5 Trillion Education Budget, Advocates for Polytechnic Investment

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14 hours ago

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December 20, 2024

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NAPS Presidential Aspirant Lauds Tinubu’s ₦3.5 Trillion Education Budget, Advocates for Polytechnic Investment

 

Comrade Oyewumi Festus, the leading Presidential Aspirant for the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), has praised President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the substantial increase in the education sector allocation in the 2025 budget. The budget, tagged the “Restoration Budget,” was presented to the 10th National Assembly on Wednesday, December 8, 2024, and earmarked ₦3.5 trillion for education.

NAPS Presidential Aspirant Lauds Tinubu’s ₦3.5 Trillion Education Budget, Advocates for Polytechnic Investment

Comrade Festus described the allocation as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to advancing education in Nigeria, which he called a significant step toward securing the nation’s future.

Speaking at Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja during his campaign tour on Friday, December 20, 2024, Festus urged the Federal Ministry of Education to channel a considerable portion of the allocation toward polytechnic education. He emphasized that polytechnics are the backbone of Nigeria’s technological development, highlighting their critical role in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and skilled manpower needed for economic growth.

“Nigeria’s polytechnics have long been the cornerstone of the nation’s technological progress. A strong investment in technical and vocational education will drive sustainable development and innovation,” Festus stated.

During the visit, Comrade Festus commended the Kogi State Government and the management of Kogi State Polytechnic for their strides in infrastructure development, prioritizing staff and student welfare, and ensuring campus security. He also extended his gratitude to Governor Ododo for reappointing Professor Usman Ogbo as the institution’s Rector for a second term.

 

As part of his address, Festus appealed for increased support for the Students Union Government (SUG) and the broader student community, emphasizing the need for effective representation that transcends campus boundaries.

The NAPS aspirant was warmly welcomed by the SUG President, Miss Oluwadamilola Enimokanyi, who acknowledged his advocacy and commitment to the advancement of polytechnic education in Nigeria.

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