Author: Samson Adeyanju Uwala
The unnamed woman had just given birth to a baby five days before. Her body was still wet as Yoruba say of mothers who newly underwent the pangs of labour and delivery. Pains must still be ricocheting round her navel. Ex-Queen of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, and an Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat, had promised her and her baby free food. This was done in a blast of publicity inviting her kid and 4999 other children to a funfair. The event was slated for Islamic High School, Bashorun, a suburb of Ibadan. The organizers said it would be…
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has warned the public against unorganized funfair events, distribution of palliatives and relief items in the country during this festive period. Adding, that this warning is as a result of tragic incidents which has lead to loss of lives, which is worrisome and calls for urgent concerns to save the lives of citizens of this country, especially the vulnerable youths and the elderly. In a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on behalf of the Police Boss, stated that this warning follows a series of tragic incidents that highlight…
Another tragic stampede during a Christmas rice sharing event has claimed the lives of over 20 women in Okija Community of Anambra State, on Saturday. According to eyewitnesses at the event, stated that the chaotic scene was as a result of large crowd gathered to receive free bags of rice distributed by Obi Jackson Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation in the community. However, while the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, witnesses described the incident as heartbreaking. A resident, Arinzechukwu Nwanonenyi, who posted a video of the incident on Facebook, lamented the tragedy, said, “It’s a pity. Poverty is terrible. Assuming…
Not fewer than 10 persons, including children, reportedly to have lost their lives, with others sustaining injuries during a stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday. Reports gathered revealed that the unfortunate incident occurred as thousand of residents scrambled to collect palliatives distributed by the church. Eyewitnesses recounted that the crowd, comprising residents from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other surrounding communities, began arriving at the venue as early as 4:00 AM to secure relief materials. However, the situation spiraled out of control between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM when the eager beneficiaries surged forward, resulting in the…
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has reacted to several news reports about the shutting down of the Port Harcourt Refinery in the last week. Reports had it that the Port Harcourt Refinery has finally commenced full operations in the last two months after spending $1.5bn for its rehabilitation. However, the Spokesperson for the Petroleum Corporation, Olufemi Soneye in a statement issued on Saturday, said that all the media reports about the shutting down of the Port Harcourt are false and not true. According to him, “The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has been…
Three policemen and a suspect were reported to have been killed in a fatal road accident that reportedly occurred on the Benin-Ore-Ijebu Ode Expressway in Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. According to reports, the deceased officers were part of the monitoring units of the state police command that left Akure to arrest the suspects when the incident occurred. A source explained that the crash happened when a truck lost control while descending the Ore bridge and rammed into the police vehicle, killing the victims inside their vehicle. The source also said, “The deceased policemen…
Embattled and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, on Friday was granted N30 million bail by a magistrates’ court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. During the hearing of the bail application, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ruled in favour of Farotimi’s bail request. The magistrate stipulated that the bail conditions included two responsible sureties and required Farotimi to surrender his international passport to the court. Additionally, he was instructed not to grant media interviews while the case was ongoing. Meanwhile, reports had it that the Ekiti Police Command had arraigned Farotimi following a petition from an elder statesman and Senior Advocate…
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has condemned the act of raining curses on individuals online as a criminal offence, which constitutes cyberbulling and is a punishable under the law. Adejobi, in a post on X.com on Friday, stated that the act of targeting someone with harsh and abusive language online goes beyond the realm of freedom of expression or criticism. He wrote, “Raining direct curses on someone online is cyberbullying, not expression of freedom or criticism. “And cyberbullying, which is even different from defamation, is a criminal offence and punishable. Be guided.” Questioning…
The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation, and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) has called on stakeholders across the state to enhance security awareness and education within their communities during the festive period and New Year celebrations. In a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Corps, Moruf Yusuf on behalf of the State Commander, Dr. Soji Ganzallo, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in fostering a secure environment. While also urging landlords, landladies, community leaders, and religious leaders to prioritize the promotion of security consciousness among their constituents. The State Commander in the quest to also…
A devastating fire engulfed a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday night, reportedly trapping several worshippers inside. The incident occurred at about 9:30 pm at Wisdom Estate, Road 1G, Olohunda Road, in the Lagelu Local Government Area, sources confirmed to PUNCH Online on Saturday morning. Eyewitness accounts revealed that the church was hosting a Friday vigil when the fire broke out. One source recounted, “The incident happened in the night around 9:30pm. I think they were having Friday vigil. Some worshippers had already slept off, to have some rest before they start vigil…