Category: Metro

  • Prospective NYSC member dies in accident en route Ebonyi orientation camp

    Prospective NYSC member dies in accident en route Ebonyi orientation camp

    ABAKALIKI—An accident claimed the life of a female prospective corps member who was going to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp at Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    The deceased was among a group of 12 prospective corps members in a 14-seater bus involved in the accident.

    The female corps member, whose name could not be ascertained at the time of filling this report, was said to have died from injuries sustained while her colleagues and other passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.

    Source said the corps members boarded the bus in Enugu heading to the NYSC orientation camp located in Afikpo town for their three weeks oriental course when the bus lost control and rammed into a parked truck in the road.

    They are believed to be prospective members of the 2024 Batch C Stream II set of corps members.

    They were rescued by residents and security agencies from the mangled bus and rushed to the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) for treatment.

    Ebonyi state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Igwe Henry, confirmed the accident.

    He, however, said he has no details of casualties as the victims were rescued before his officers got to the scene.

    He said: ” At the time our men from Amasiri Unit Command got the information and got to the scene, the victims had been rescued.

    “However, the crash occurred at about 14.00 hours. The route was Amasiri-Okiigwe which they call Amenu village in Okposi.

    “Two vehicles were involved, one was a Toyota commercial bus, grey colour and the other was a Mercedes-Benz tipper (truck), a commercial Mercedes-Benz tipper, the regular Tipper that you see around,” he stated.

    Ebonyi State Coordinator of NYSC, Foluke Oladeinde, said she was in a state of shock.

    “I am not in the right frame of mind to talk now. I am in the hospital now. Yes the accident occurred but I can’t talk right now,” she said.

  • 10 Bayelsa cult leaders sign undertaking as Police secures ‘ceasefire’

    10 Bayelsa cult leaders sign undertaking as Police secures ‘ceasefire’

    Following the ongoing cult-related killings in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, authorities of the State Command of the Nigeria Police Force have reportedly initiated a conflict resolution mechanism to enforce ‘ceasefire’ from warring cult group leaders in the State.

    The Command warned that further conflict and killings would lead to automatic arrest and prosecution of the identified leaders.

    Cult-related clashes had resulted in the killings of seven persons in the last week along the Igbogene, Amarata, Swali and Ekeki suburbs of the state capital. Three youths of the same parents were shot dead in the bloodshed.

    Cause of bloodshed

    The cause of the crisis is the struggle for control of the share of revenue from the newly established State Transport Terminal located at Igbogene.

    It was also gathered that the Igbogene axis, where the Bus terminal is located is under the control of the Greenlanders Cult group, but other cult groups such as Icelanders, Vikings, Bobos and Dee-bams were struggling to have a share of the expected revenues.

    It was learnt that the State Commissioner of Police, who is angry with the rising cases of killings, ordered the tactical team of Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo to invite all the leaders of the cult groups for a meeting to resolve the matter.

    It was also gathered that the leaders of the cult groups, after declining an earlier invitation out of fear of the tactical team, approached the top echelon of the police to meet with the State Commissioner of Police over the issue.

    At the meeting, which started on Monday and ended on Tuesday, it was gathered that about ten heads of cult groups in the state agreed that “forthwith, all cases of violence and killings must stop”.

    They also agreed to send messages to all their foot soldiers on the agreement.

    They further submitted that the police should hold any leader of any cult group identified in any further violence responsible

    A reliable security source said the undertaking was signed to bring a halt to the killings and bloodshed but that investigation into individuals responsible for the killings is ongoing and they will be brought to book.

  • Trump to world business leaders: Make your products in America or pay tariffs

    Trump to world business leaders: Make your products in America or pay tariffs

    US President Donald Trump told world business leaders Thursday to manufacture in the United States or face tariffs, in his first major speech to global leaders since returning to the White House this week.

    Since his inauguration on Monday, Trump has said that Washington could impose steep tariffs on major trading partners Canada, Mexico and China as soon as February 1.

    He has also signed a flurry of executive orders, pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate Accords and the World Health Organisation.

    “Come make your product in America and we will give you among the lowest taxes of any nation on earth,” Trump said on Thursday, speaking remotely to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

    “But if you don’t make your product in America, which is your prerogative, then very simply you will have to pay a tariff,” he added.

    In his speech, he added that he believed lower oil prices would help end war in Ukraine instantly.

    “I’m also going to ask Saudi Arabia and OPEC to bring down the cost of oil,” referring to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

    “If the price came down, the Russia-Ukraine war would end immediately,” he said.

    “Right now, the price is high enough that that war will continue,” he added.

  • Toddlers burnt alive in locked room

    Toddlers burnt alive in locked room

    …Father collapsed, hospitalized on hearing of children’s death

    Akure— Two siblings have been roasted to death in a fire incident that gutted their home at Oluwatuyi quarters, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    The toddlers aged three and five, were said to have been locked inside a room by their mother and went to the market.

    The two siblings were burnt beyond recognition in the fire incident.

    According to sources, on hearing of the children’s death, their father collapsed and was rushed to the hospital by neighbours.

    Vanguard learned that the fire incident started at about 3:30pm on Wednesday and burnt the children alive before help could come their way.

    One of the neighbours said the fire had engulfed a large part of the apartment before they knew what was happening.

    Another neighbour said they mistook the children’s cries, saying “We heard the children crying, but we did not know they were in distress. We thought it was their mother that was beating them.

    “When the cries were getting too frequent, we decided to check only to see the house engulfed in fire. Efforts to extinguish the fire and rescue the children were unsuccessful due to the intensity of the flames.

    “Their mother might have mistakenly left the gas on before leaving the house. We tried as much as we could, but we couldn’t get inside. We then called the Fire Service to come to the rescue, but all efforts proved abortive.”

    The charred bodies of the siblings were found at the entrance of the apartment after the fire was put out and evacuated by policemen to the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, UNIMED, morgue in Akure.

  • Anambra: Man sets wife ablaze over allegations of infidelity

    Anambra: Man sets wife ablaze over allegations of infidelity

    A middle-aged man (name withheld), from Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State has allegedly set his wife ablaze over alleged family dispute.

    Vanguard gathered that the incident happened on Tuesday at Eziezekwe village in Abagana.

    However, the victim, who was identified as Chioma Nwana, died on Wednesday at a nearby hospital, where she was rushed to, as a result of the burns she sustained during the incident.

    A source revealed that the husband of the deceased who after the incident went to the Abagana Divisional Police Station to report the incident and present himself to the Police, has been detained at the police facility.

    Vanguard further gathered that the suspect accused his wife of alleged infidelity, which led to both of them engaging in altercations and in the process, the man reached out for petrol, poured it on the victim and set her ablaze.

    Another source who pleaded anonymity said, “the woman had returned home on Tuesday evening after the day’s outing with her supposed ‘secret lover’ when the angry husband confronted her.

    “An altercation ensued during the confrontation and the man reached out for petrol and poured on his deceased wife and set her on fire.

    “The victim had six children and living with the husband at Eziezekwe village. When the incident happened she was rushed to the hospital but she succumbed to death this (Wednesday) morning.

    “The husband who ignited her with fire, reported himself to the police station stating that the wife was prostituting with men in the same village and they were using it to abuse him in his home that they are using his wife.”

    The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ikenga Tochukwu when contacted on Wednesday, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the suspect is in Police custody.

    “The suspect is in Police custody. However, the unfortunate thing is that the victim died this morning, Wednesday. And the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, has directed that the case be transferred to the Homicide Unit for a comprehensive look.”

  • Suswam’s nephew, 16 others allegedly killed by herdsmen, Benue govt relocates IDPs

    Suswam’s nephew, 16 others allegedly killed by herdsmen, Benue govt relocates IDPs

    Seventeen bodies have been recovered following a bloody attack on Anyiin, the council headquarters of Logo Local Council in Benue State.

    Anyiin, the hometown of former Benue State Governor and ex-Senator for Benue North East, Gabriel Suswam, was the scene of the assault. Among the victims was Suswam’s nephew, Bobo Suswam.

    Logo Local Council Chairman Clement Kav confirmed the incident, telling The Guardian that two bodies were initially found at Ayilamo and another 10 at Anyiin yesterday morning.

    However, two hours later, a resident of Anyiin, Adegwa, informed The Guardian that five more bodies had been recovered, bringing the death toll to 17.

    Kav also disclosed that he, along with traditional rulers from the area, was summoned to the Government House in Makurdi by the state government to provide a report on the situation.

    Meanwhile, the Benue State Government yesterday relocated Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the Nepa IDP camp to a new mega camp at Tse Dei, Mbayongo, in Guma Local Council.

    The IDPs, victims of previous herdsmen militia attacks, had been left homeless.

    Alexander Tsaga, Permanent Secretary in the Benue State Ministry of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, told reporters at the mega camp that 835 displaced persons were being transferred to the new location.

    When asked if the new camp aligned with the government’s earlier commitment to resettle IDPs, Tsaga declined to comment, directing journalists to the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA).

    He explained that matters regarding the resettlement were under BSEMA’s purview.

    BSEMA Executive Secretary Sir James Iorpuu stated that the camp was designed to include essential social amenities to support a communal lifestyle for the displaced.

    Represented by Benue SEMA Information Officer Ager Tema, Iorpuu noted that the camp provides a market, schools, churches, and recreational facilities.

    He added that three previous IDP camps at Tse Baka, Nepa, and Ichua have already been resettled at the new site.

  • Bridging information gaps in global migration: Lessons from African immigrants in Canada

    Bridging information gaps in global migration: Lessons from African immigrants in Canada

    The global migration conversation is evolving rapidly, and nowhere is this more evident than in North America, where both the United States and Canada continue to experience high levels of immigration. Amid debates over borders, economic opportunities, and social integration, the question of how migrants access information has become increasingly important.

    Information access is not just about connecting to the internet or reading job postings—it’s about understanding the deeper, often invisible challenges that immigrants face when they settle in new countries. For African immigrants in particular, these barriers are magnified by layers of intersectional issues, from race and language to identity and social networks.

    Millicent Mabi, a scholar who obtained her PhD from the University of British Columbia, Canada and completed a Post doctorate at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, USA is at the forefront of this conversation. Her work sheds critical light on how immigrants, particularly African immigrants in Canada, experience what she calls “information inequity.”

    Through her research, Mabi challenges traditional frameworks of information poverty and provides a more nuanced perspective on the hurdles that skilled immigrants encounter in their job searches and settlement processes.

    In her recent paper, “Questioning the Role of Information Poverty in Immigrant Employment Acquisition: Empirical Evidence from African Immigrants in Canada”, Millicent interrogates how information access—or the lack thereof—affects employment outcomes for African immigrants in Metro Vancouver.

    By reframing the issue from one of mere “information poverty” to “information inequity,” Mabi highlights how the intersection of race, immigration status, and identity complicates the immigrant experience in ways that existing frameworks fail to capture.

    But why does this matter beyond Canada? As the world grapples with the increasing movement of people across borders, Millicent’s findings provide invaluable lessons for policymakers, employers, and institutions in North America, the U.S., and beyond. They illuminate the structural challenges African immigrants face, not only in accessing employment but also in navigating the broader social fabric of their new communities.

    The shifting information landscape post-migration

    For many African immigrants, the journey to North America is one filled with optimism and high expectations. Most arrive well-educated, with significant professional experience, and with the hope of better economic opportunities. Yet, as Millicent’s research shows, the reality they encounter is far from straightforward.

    In Canada, African immigrants often find that their pre-existing strategies for seeking information—whether it’s job-related or otherwise—are no longer effective in their new environment. The information landscape post-migration is complex, filled with unfamiliar jargon, hidden job opportunities, and outdated or irrelevant information. A typical job posting, for instance, might appear to require senior-level responsibilities, only for the immigrant to discover later that it offers entry-level pay. This disconnect results in missed opportunities and prolonged periods of underemployment.

    Moreover, as Millicent argues, the problem isn’t just access to technology or information. Many immigrants have access to the internet and mobile devices, but these tools are insufficient without the social networks and cultural understanding necessary to make sense of available information. The U.S. faces similar issues. As the country continues to attract skilled migrants from around the world, it becomes increasingly important to understand how their pre-existing information practices must adapt to a new and often opaque system.

    The role of social capital in employment information

    A key finding in Millicent’s research is the importance of social capital—defined as the connections, networks, and relationships that facilitate information exchange. For African immigrants, especially those who are new to Canada or the U.S., these networks are often weak or nonexistent. Without strong social connections, immigrants struggle to gain access to the most valuable forms of information, such as job referrals or inside knowledge about employment sectors.

    The reliance on formal channels, such as job boards and online listings, does little to fill this gap. In fact, it often exacerbates the problem by overwhelming immigrants with vast amounts of irrelevant or outdated information. As one participant in Millicent’s study noted, navigating Canadian job postings without any local contacts felt like searching for a needle in a haystack.

    This issue is not unique to Canada. In the U.S., African immigrants often face similar barriers, particularly in industries that prioritize networking and referrals over formal applications. The solution, as Millicent suggests, lies in creating more inclusive information ecosystems that recognize the importance of social capital in immigrant integration.

    Intersectionality and Information Access

    One of the most groundbreaking aspects of Millicent’s work is on intersectionality—the idea that multiple aspects of an individual’s identity (such as race, gender, immigration status) intersect to shape their experiences in unique ways. Traditional information poverty frameworks, which assume a one-size-fits-all approach to information access, fail to account for these intersecting factors.

    For African immigrants, the intersection of race and immigration status presents unique challenges. In her research, Millicent found that Black African immigrants often experience discrimination in their job searches, not only because of their foreign qualifications but also due to their racial identity. Participants in her study reported instances where they were denied opportunities or faced skepticism about their skills, simply because of the way they looked or spoke.

    In the U.S., where conversations about race and immigration are more polarized than ever, Millicent’s findings offer a critical lens through which to view these debates. Immigration policies and support systems must account for the fact that not all immigrants experience the same barriers, and that solutions must be tailored to address the specific challenges faced by racial minorities.

    From information poverty to information equity

    Perhaps the most significant contribution of Millicent’s research is her proposal to shift from a focus on “information poverty” to “information equity.” The term “information poverty” implies that immigrants are simply lacking something, whether it be access to technology or the ability to navigate information systems. But as Millicent’s research shows, many African immigrants are not information-poor in the traditional sense. They are well-educated, technologically savvy, and have access to digital resources. The problem lies in the mismatch between the available information and the unique needs of immigrants.

    Millicent’s concept of “information equity” calls for a more nuanced approach that takes into account diverse identities and experiences of immigrants. This approach recognizes that access to information is not just about technology—it’s about ensuring that the information provided is relevant, accessible, and tailored to the specific challenges faced by different immigrant groups.

    Global implications for migration and integration

    Millicent’s work, while focused on African immigrants in Canada, has far-reaching implications for migration and integration efforts across North America and beyond. As the U.S. continues to grapple with immigration reform, her findings offer valuable insights into how to support skilled immigrants who face barriers not because of their qualifications, but because of systemic issues related to information access and social integration.

    Policymakers, employers, and immigrant support services in Canada and the U.S. must recognize that information equity is crucial for the successful integration of immigrants. By addressing the unique challenges faced by African immigrants, we can begin to create more inclusive information systems that empower all immigrants to thrive in their new environments.

    Millicent Mabi’s work, including her dissertation at the University of British Columbia, available through UBC’s circle digital repository, continues to shed light on these critical issues. As we look to the future of global migration, her research serves as an essential guide for creating more equitable and inclusive societies—one where all individuals, regardless of their background, have the tools they need to succeed.

    Conclusion

    The ongoing global migration crisis requires more than just political solutions. It requires a deep understanding of how migrants access and use information in their new environments. Millicent Mabi’s groundbreaking work on information inequity offers a roadmap for how we can bridge the gap between the promise of migration and the reality of integration. For African immigrants, and indeed all immigrants, the road to success in North America is paved not only with opportunity but also with equitable access to the information they need to navigate their new world.

  • Nigeria yet to announce date for Mpox vaccinations rollout — Africa CDC Mpox

    Nigeria yet to announce date for Mpox vaccinations rollout — Africa CDC Mpox

    The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says Nigeria has yet to announce a date for Mpox vaccinations rollout, even as cases keep surging across Africa.

    The organisation noted that presently, Mpox cases in the continent have risen to more than 500 per cent from last year’s record.

    Dr Ngashi Ngongo, Chief of Staff at Africa CDC, said this during a weekly webinar briefing on the outbreak.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Mpox a global public health emergency in August for the second consecutive year.

    This followed the spread of a new variant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to neighboring countries.

    According to Ngongo, logistical challenges have delayed Nigeria’s vaccination efforts.

    He said “the situation is not yet under control”, stressing the urgent need for political and financial support to check the outbreak and prevent Mpox from evolving into a widespread sexually transmitted pandemic.

    He noted that the outbreak had affected 19 countries, with Mauritius recently becoming the latest.

    He regretted that Nigeria had continued to postpone its planned vaccination campaign.

    “The recent Mpox case in Mauritius was identified in a popular tourist area known for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters”, Ngongo said.

    He further explained that while countries such as the DRC and Rwanda had achieved 100 per cent vaccination rates, access to child-friendly vaccines remained a pressing issue.

    “Since January 2024, confirmed Mpox cases have surged by 500 per cent when compared to 2023.

    “Data indicate that Mpox has become a serious health concern, with over 48,000 suspected cases and 1,048 deaths reported across the 19 African countries.

    “Central Africa has been hardest hit, accounting for nearly 86 per cent of cases”, he said.

    He noted that the new Mpox strain, clade Ib, has spread beyond the DRC to other regions, including Europe.

    “Cases are still increasing in several countries as the continent struggles to contain yet another major outbreak,” he warned.

    He highlighted that the recent crisis follows the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed weaknesses in Africa’s health system.

    He stressed that the continent urgently “needs sustained political and financial mobilisation” to prevent Mpox from becoming a pandemic on a scale “which could be much more severe than COVID-19”.

    NAN recalls that Mpox, a viral disease related to smallpox, causes fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes and a blistering rash. The virus has two primary sub-types; clade 1 and clade 2.

    Meanwhile, the United Kingdom reported its first case of the latest Mpox variant, clade 1b, on Wednesday. This variant has also been detected in Sweden and Germany.

    Central Africa, particularly the DRC, remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for 85.7 per cent of cases and 99.5 per cent of deaths on the continent.

    Most fatalities have occurred in the DRC, which launched a vaccination campaign earlier this month.

  • VeryDarkMan to appear in court for unauthorized use of Police uniform

    VeryDarkMan to appear in court for unauthorized use of Police uniform

    The Nigerian Police Force has revealed that social media personality, Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) will appear in court today for unauthorized use of Police uniforms.

    “In response to recent developments, VDM, whose real name is Mr. Martins Otse, is set to appear in court today following allegations of impersonation related to the unauthorized use of Nigeria Police Force uniforms in a viral social media video,” the NPF wrote on X.

    The FCT Police Command added that it is actively handling the case, underscoring the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to upholding the integrity of its symbols and preventing their misuse.

    The police also encouraged interested persons to follow up on the proceedings as the case unfolds.

     

  • 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.