TodayPrice

Author: Val Kosi

  • Police recover stolen vehicles, detain suspects, kidnapper in Kaduna

    Police recover stolen vehicles, detain suspects, kidnapper in Kaduna

    The Police Command in Kaduna State has announced the recovery of two stolen vehicles and the detention of six suspects, as well as a suspected kidnapper.

    ASP Mansir Hassan, the Command’s Spokesperson, confirmed the developments in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna.

    He said on October 25, at approximately 20:00 hours, a patrol team from the Rigachikun division spotted a suspiciously parked black Kia Rio behind NDC Quarters.

    He said the lone occupant fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle.

    “A search revealed a Tecno KL4 handset, an iPad, and vehicle documentation photocopies. Preliminary investigations identified the owner as a resident of Sardauna Close in Badarawa, Kaduna.

    “The vehicle was stolen earlier that day at 14:00 hours from Yahaya Road Jumaat Mosque in Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna.”

    He said on October 27, officers from the Kakuri Police Division intercepted a Toyota LE vehicle with four occupants displaying suspicious behaviour along Kachia Road.

    “The suspects confessed to receiving the vehicle from two others, who instructed them to sell it.

    “Police subsequently apprehended the additional two suspects. All six suspects are in custody, with ongoing investigations.”

    He also said on October 29, officers from the Katari Division arrested Abdullahi Saleh, 42, for aiding banditry and attempted extortion.

    He said that Saleh allegedly approached a female shop owner at Katari Main Market, claiming a group of bandits planned to kidnap her.

    He demanded N200,000, later reduced to N60,000. Upon arrest, Saleh admitted to the act and remained in custody.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, assured the public of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

  • CSOs, concerned Lagosians oppose move to scrap LCDAs

    CSOs, concerned Lagosians oppose move to scrap LCDAs

    The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), alongside a group of concerned Lagosians, has denounced a proposed bill by the Lagos State House of Assembly to replace the state’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) with Area Administrative Councils. Led by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, the bill proposes that the LCDAs, established in 2003 by then-Governor Bola Tinubu, be absorbed by Local Government Areas, a shift critics argue would stifle local governance and hinder grassroots development.

    Speaking at a press conference, Comrade Sina Loremikan, representing the Lagos State Civil Society Coalition, condemned the move, calling it a “disruption” to the established governance structure that has served communities across Lagos for two decades. He noted that the LCDAs were created to decentralise power and bring governance closer to the people, thereby boosting representation and ensuring tailored services to underserved areas.

    “LCDAs have enabled Lagos communities to access services and infrastructure suited to local needs, which often go overlooked by broader local government councils,” Loremikan said. He emphasised that the Supreme Court affirmed the LCDAs’ legitimacy in 2004, making their proposed abolition both a legal and political misstep. “This bill appears to prioritise centralisation over the welfare of Lagosians, who have benefited immensely from these councils.”

    The bill, if passed, would reportedly eliminate the structures that have driven local projects, provided employment, and bolstered Lagos’s economic development at a grassroots level. Loremikan warned that this step would reverse gains made in community-focused governance, diminish citizen participation, and strain essential services in underserved areas.

    CSOs and concerned citizens argue that dismantling the LCDAs undermines former Governor Bola Tinubu’s legacy, which focused on decentralised governance to address Lagos’s rapid growth. “The creation of LCDAs was a critical response to Lagos’s expanding needs, fostering economic and social development across every community,” said Loremikan. “This is a dangerous precedent, undermining local representation and the community empowerment that has characterised Tinubu’s legacy.”

    In a call to action, the coalition urged the Assembly to withdraw the bill, appealing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to stand by his predecessors’ legacies. They argued that the abolition would disrupt the socio-economic balance in Lagos, particularly for remote communities reliant on LCDAs for health services, education, and infrastructure.

    “We call on Governor Sanwo-Olu to reject this bill and reaffirm his commitment to decentralised governance,” Loremikan urged. He also appealed to Lagosians, traditional leaders, and civil society groups to rally in defence of LCDAs, which he called “the lifeblood of our communities.”

    Emphasising the coalition’s stance, Loremikan vowed continued resistance to what they see as an erosion of Lagos’s democratic principles, stating, “The fight for our LCDAs is a fight for the future of Lagos.”

  • NMA to Lagos: Allocate 15% of Budget 2025 to healthcare

    NMA to Lagos: Allocate 15% of Budget 2025 to healthcare

    Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Lagos Chapter, on Tuesday, urged the Lagos State government to allocate 15 per cent of its 2025 Budget to healthcare, and said it is in line with the Abuja Declaration of 2001.

    The association of doctors, which faulted the healthcare system, lamented that it was overstretched, infrastructure was dilapidated and medical practitioners were overworked.

    They spoke at the NMA Lagos State Physicians’ Week 2024, with the theme: ‘Ensuring Applicability on Remuneration: A Panacea to Talent Retention in the Healthcare Industry.’

    Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Occasion, Dr Adebayo Aderiye, in his remarks, also argued that the  Civil Service Commission, CSC, should not determine the salary structure of healthcare workers, saying they were underpaid.

    Aderiye said: “We all know about the Abuja Declaration in 2001. African countries gathered here and made a decision that in order to improve the healthcare in Africa, all countries must make sure that their health budget is no less than 15 per cent of their national budget. But years later, I think it is only Mauritius that has done that.

    “Some countries and states have reduced their health budgets. Some increased theirs, but only a few countries were able to make that much of an increase. Now, in Nigeria, where the declaration was made, nothing much has been done. This year, it was 4.6 or so. Last year, it was 4.7. That is not so much. Until we do that, we will be having problems with health.

    “I want to appeal to the representative of the First Lady, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, to help us tell her that in Lagos, we want to achieve 15 per cent health budget. In Abia, it was 15 per cent. In Bauchi, it was over 15 per cent. In Yobe, they allocated more than 15 per cent. It is also the same in Kaduna. I remember that some years back, we went as far as 8 or 9 per cent and even promised to hit the figure, although we know that there are competing priorities, health must be number one.”

    On his part, National President of NMA, Prof Bala Audu, represented by Chairman of NMA Lagos, Dr Babajide Saheed, in his remarks, lamented the rate at which experienced and skilled healthcare professionals, were leaving Nigeria for opportunities abroad.

    Audu said: “This mass exodus, known as brain drain, is merely a symptom of individual decisions. It is a consequence of a system that fails to offer fair compensation for career fulfillment. Fair remuneration is more than just a salary figure, it is a recognition of our value, a moivator for excellence and a safeguard against burnout. In any industry, but particularly in healthcare, adequate compensation reflects the time, emotional energy and personal commitment healthcare professionals invest. When a healthcare worker is remunerated fairly and equitably, they feel valued and respected. This respect, in turn, fuels dedication, strengthens their commitment to patient care and fortifies the larger health ecosystem.”

  • Nigerian pastor honoured in Morocco for returning overpaid funds

    Nigerian pastor honoured in Morocco for returning overpaid funds

    A Nigerian pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Olusegun Oluleye, was honoured at a capacity-building workshop in Morocco for returning an overpayment of 430 Moroccan Dirhams.

    Oluleye, an employee of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), attended the event in Morocco with his team and colleagues, organised by the North East Consultancy Limited.

    In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Oluleye recounted the incident, which occurred when he and his colleagues exchanged dollars for Moroccan Dirhams.

    During the transaction, the shop owner inadvertently overpaid him by 430 Dirhams.

    Upon realising the mistake, Oluleye promptly informed Alhaji Ahmed Gombe, CEO, North-East Consultancy Limited, who verified the overpayment and arranged for the money to be returned to the shop owner.

    “I am always content with what I have and believe in returning what doesn’t belong to me,” Oluleye said.

    He encouraged Nigerians to uphold honesty and act as ambassadors for their country wherever they go.

    The Moroccan Tourism Agency and local police commended Oluleye’s integrity, describing him as a ‘true ambassador’ of Nigeria.

    Gombe also recognised Oluleye as the workshop’s best participant, praising his exemplary conduct.

    Hussaini Magaji, Registrar General of the CAC, commended Oluleye for representing the commission with honour and pledged to issue a recommendation letter in recognition of his ethical conduct.

  • Kogi Assembly lauds Army over support for healthcare delivery in LGA

    Kogi Assembly lauds Army over support for healthcare delivery in LGA

    Kogi State House of Assembly has commended the Nigerian Army for her timely support to the health care delivery system in Oziokutu, Adavi Local Government Area of the state.

    In a motion of urgent public importance moved by the lawmaker representing Adavi State Constituency, Asema Baba Haruna on the floor of the House, said the Nigerian Army through the Special Intervention Civil Military Cooperation Projects authorized its Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans, Major General Usman Otaru to execute a massive project in Kogi State.

    According to him, the Ozi-Okutu Hospital was established in 1982 by the former Governor of Kwara State, Late Adamu Attah to provide and promote quality healthcare delivery services to the people of Oziokutu and its environs got inevitably exposed to dilapidation after decades of operation.

    The lawmaker noted that the Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans of the Nigerian Army who is a patriotic son of the soil, concerned by the negative impact of the dilapidation of the facility considered it necessary to revamp the glory of the Hospital by renovating the structures, building new ones and replacing the obsolete equipment with modern ones.

    Asema appreciated Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his leadership roles at the commissioning of the New Edifice and Renovated structures at Oziokutu Hospital in Adavi Local Government Area.

    The lawmaker also commended the Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans of the Nigerian Army, Major General Usman Otaru for facilitating a new Oziokutu Hospital among other selfless service to the Oziokutu community in Adavi Local Government.

    Seconding the motion, the member representing Dekina Biraidu State Constituency, Usman Ochidi appreciated Major General Usman Otaru for facilitating the Hospital project for the health care delivery system.

    While aligning herself with the motion, the Deputy Speaker and member Representing Ibaji State Constituency, Comfort Unwuchola Egwuaba commended the Nigerian Army for the timely support of the healthcare delivery system and appealed for an extension of the project to Ibaji Local Government.

    In his submission, the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Aliyu Umar Yusuf, thanked Major General Usman Otaru for giving back to society.

  • Fire outbreak at Cement bus stop in Ikeja

    Fire outbreak at Cement bus stop in Ikeja

    A fire outbreak occurred at the Cement bus stop in the Ikeja area of Lagos State on Saturday morning.

    The fire reportedly started at about 04:35 am at a Cement bus stop, opposite AP filling station, Ikeja.

    According to an eyewitness, the fire was due to a high-tension upsurge.

    Our correspondent gathered that firefighters had put out the fire as of the time of filing this report.

    No causality was recorded in the incident.

  • Pre-marital testing as key to HIV prevention – Sokoto Traditional Ruler

    The District Head of Gagi and advocate for family planning in Sokoto State, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, has called on Sokoto State and other legislative assemblies nationwide to pass a law requiring potential couples to undergo mandatory HIV, sickle cell, and genotype testing before marriage.

    The monarch made these remarks in his goodwill message at a one-day media roundtable organized and sponsored by Devcoms/TCI in Sokoto State.

    He emphasized that mandatory testing is the only effective preventive measure and can only be achieved with the support of stakeholders and civil society organizations advocating for legislative action.

    According to Jabbi, community stakeholders play a crucial role in supporting civil society organizations to establish the legal framework for mandatory pre-marital testing. He emphasized the importance of evidence-based advocacy in driving family planning progress, saying, “Civil societies play a central role in realizing this process, as they are the engine of progress.”

    Jabbi further stated that traditional rulers and community leaders would continue their advocacy efforts to encourage the state assembly to enact laws that help reduce the spread of diseases in society. He called for collaboration between religious and traditional leaders to enhance advocacy efforts and facilitate a coordinated approach for effective service delivery.

    In her remarks, Dr. Larai Aliyu Tambuwal, Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SSPHCDA), commended Devcoms/TCI for organizing the session. She noted that the roundtable would increase awareness of the benefits of family planning in Sokoto communities. Represented by Dr. Tukur Garba Magaji, a Director in the agency, Dr. Tambuwal highlighted the critical role of media in disseminating information on family planning activities.

    Dr. Tambuwal also pointed out that the state government has made significant investments in healthcare, especially in family planning, leading to increased acceptance of such services.

    Alhaji Musa Ubandawaki, the State Media Coordinator for Devcoms/TCI, stated that the meeting’s primary goals were to enhance media engagement in support of family planning initiatives and to share preliminary findings from the 2023/2024 National Demographic and Health Survey.

    The State Manager for Devcoms/TCI, Dr. Bello Muhammad Kilgori, presented an overview of the survey’s preliminary findings, along with successes, challenges, and future strategies for advancing urban health systems and promoting the use of modern family planning strategies.

  • Troops arrest wanted terrorist Habu Dogo, seven IPOB members

    Troops arrest wanted terrorist Habu Dogo, seven IPOB members

    The Defence Headquarters says the Nigerian troops have in the last one week apprehended a notorious terrorist leader, Abubakar Ibrahim (AKA) Habu Dogo in Sokoto and seven IPOB/ESN commanders in South-East.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement on Saturday, said that Habu Dogo was apprehended at Rumji Village in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    According to him, Habu Dogo is a wanted terrorist on the watch list of security agencies both in Nigeria and in the Niger Republic because of the cross border nature of his terrorist activities.

    He said the alleged IPOB/ ESN terror operatives apprehended include; Dr Nnamdi Chukwudoze and Chigozie Ezetoha (AKA Chapet) who were nabbed in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra.

    “Others are , Mrs Ngozi Chukwuka and Mr Oyekachi Ohia who were arrested in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia,”he said.

    He said others are, Mr Ifeanyi Eze , Mr Augustine Udemba and Mr Onyedikachi Udemba were arrested in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia while, Elijah Mmaduipeya Obumneke was arrested in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo.

    “The ongoing counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations has continued to degrade the combat capacity of terrorists across the country,’’ he said.

     

  • Police arraign man over alleged N1.5m land fraud

    Police arraign man over alleged N1.5m land fraud

    The police on Friday arraigned 36-year-old Nurudeen Abdulrasak at Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, over alleged N1.5 million land fraud.

    Abdulrasak, with no fixed address, was charged with conspiracy, obtaining money under false representations, stealing and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that Abdulrasak committed the offences sometimes in 2023 at Oki area, Ibadan.

    She said that the suspect, and others at large, obtained N1.5 million from one Olayinka Ogundare, with the aim of selling half plot of land to him, but failed to do so.

    She said Abdulrasak also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by intimidating Ogundare and converted the money to his personal use.

    She said the offences contravened sections 516, 419, 390(9) and 249(d) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

    However, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the Magistrate, Mrs Adebola Adeola, granted him bail in the sum of N1.5 million

    with two reliable sureties in like sum.

    She thereafter adjourned the case until Dec. 3, for hearing.

  • Comfort Tinubu stabs husband to death in Ibadan

    Comfort Tinubu stabs husband to death in Ibadan

    A 33-year-old woman, Comfort Tinubu, has allegedly stabbed her 39-year-old husband, Olusegun Tinubu to death in Ibadan.

    It was gathered that the couple who got married about three years ago had two children from the marriage.

    The incident according to sources occurred around the Gbeyi community in Adegbayi area of Ibadan on Wednesday around 10.00 p.m.

    It was learnt that the crisis started as a result of an argument about the wife locking the husband out of the bedroom.

    This later resulted in a fight that saw the wife allegedly stab the husband in the back.

    It was learnt that the matter was earlier reported at Gbagi Police station.

    The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, Ibadan, according to a source.

    The Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Adewale Osifeso, said that the case is under investigation.

    He added that updates would be provided accordingly.

    Osifeso in a short statement on Friday said, “The case is under investigation at the Homicide Department of the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Command. Updates would be provided accordingly, please.”