5 prospective NYSC members die in auto crash

FIVE prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, were, yesterday, feared dead when a vehicle conveying them to the northern part of the country for the Batch B 2021 orientation course was involved in an accident in the nation’s capital.

It was gathered that the tragedy occurred around 2:00 am along the Abaji/Kwali axis of the ever-busy Abuja-Lokoja highway, causing a gridlock that lasted for several hours.

Though details of the affected prospective corps members could not be ascertained at press time, the NYSC management has confirmed the incident.

The scheme’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, in a release last night, condoled with the governments and people of Akwa-Ibom and Imo states over the tragic incident.

She said: “It is with a deep sense of sorrow that the Director-General, management and the entire NYSC family commiserate with the families of five prospective corps members that lost their lives in a motor accident at about 2 am today (Wednesday) along Abaji/Kwali Expressway.

“The Director-General and management also condole with the governments and people of Akwa-Ibom and Imo states over the tragic incident that has left the scheme devastated.

“Indeed, it has been a black Wednesday for the NYSC family. May God grant the families and loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. May their souls rest in peace.”

Suspected cultists attack Naval personnel, chop off hand in Lagos

Meanwhile, suspected cultists, Tuesday, reportedly attacked a Naval personnel at Helicopter Dredger machine area of Baiyeku, Ikorodu, Lagos State, chopped off his hand and took his gun.

It was gathered that the personnel was guiding the helicopter machine on the water when his assailants struck.

Some residents claimed the attack could be a reprisal on the personnel as it was rumoured about two years ago that a black market dealer was allegedly arrested and tortured to death by some suspected Naval personnel.

The suspected cultists were said to have accessed Bayeku through the waterways although a joint security effort is doing the needful.

However, the personnel is currently receiving medical attention at a public hospital in Lagos.

Details of the incident could not be ascertained but it was gathered that the personnel was attacked at his duty post.

Suspected cultists behead vigilante leader

...Kill youths president, injure others

Residents of Omudioga community, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State are reportedly living in fear as the commander of Omudioga Security Planning and Advisory Committee, OSPAC, Alex Umezuruike, was beheaded by suspected cultists.

It was gathered that the hoodlums shot Umezurike severally when they invaded his home, but when they discovered the bullets were not penetrating his body he was chased into a bush where he was killed with a knife before cutting off his head from the body.

A source said: “Some cult boys came into our community last night. They killed the Commander of OSPAC in the community.

“They came to his house, shot him severally but the bullets did not penetrate. He later ran into the bush and they went after him. They caught up with him and killed him by cutting off the head. 

“They returned his body to their compound and cut it into pieces. They carried the cut head around the community before fleeing.”

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the development, describing it as tragic.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP. Nnamdi Omoni, said the dismembered body of the victim has been recovered and deposited in the mortuary.

Youths president killed, others injured  in A-Ibom

In a related development, suspected hoodlums, killed one Mr Edet Ibanga, the Youth President of Atai Ibiaku community in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, and injured several others.

It was gathered that the deceased was shot on his chest by the hoodlums around 1 a.m on Tuesday, when he went to settle a quarrel in a neighbouring compound, not knowing that cultists had invaded the place.

The daughter of the deceased, a 200 level student of the Department of Banking/Finance, University of Uyo, UNIUYO, who identified herself as Blessing, could not muster the courage to speak to newsmen as she repeatedly fought back tears.

However, an eyewitness, Mr Imoh Ekim, explained that the hoodlums numbering about 18 had stormed the compound in search of one man, who was having an issue with his girlfriend.

He said: “He has settled several misunderstandings in the compound and being a youth president, he rushed into the compound opposite his to see what was happening there upon hearing the sound of a gunshot and heated arguments involving the people."

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the incident, said: “We receive the report of that incident; it is quite unfortunate and unacceptable."

Car crushes 3 students to death, injures 8

Residents of Suleja town in Niger State are still mourning the death of three students of Day Secondary School, Field Base Suleja, Suleja Local Government Area of the state, crushed by a car driver, Monday.

It was gathered that 11 students were trekking home on the Suleja-Kaduna road after school hours when an over-speeding vehicle lost control, killed three of them on the spot while eight others sustained injuries.

One of the students killed, Sunday Paul, was an only child of the parents. 

Receiving the state Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Hannatu Salihu, who led a delegation from the ministry to visit families of the deceased students in Suleja, yesterday, the school’s principal, Hajiya Aishatu Umar, named the deceased as Abdulhafeez Musa, Kawiyat Sharafadeen, and Sunday Paul.

She added that Esther Oyeyipo, Eze Solomon, Akachuckwe Kingsley, Faliat Musbaudeen and Ugwo Ugohukwu are still in the hospital receiving medical attention, while Amarachi Onyebochi, Balkisu Ibrahim and Racheal Okiyose have recovered and discharged.

Speaking during the visit, the state Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Hannatu Salihu, explained that the visit was to share in the pain of parents of the victims and identify with them over the unfortunate incident that led to the death of the innocent students and those receiving treatment at Suleja General Hospital.

She said: “The incident is so painful and tragic as students who were peacefully returning from school to their parents at home met their death and leading to others hospitalised.

“The state government shares in your pain and will be ready to give you a sense of hope, that the deceased students will not be forgotten. We pray that God will comfort you over the loss.”

The commissioner also disclosed that the state government, through the ministry, would give necessary support to victims’ families and those receiving treatment to enable them get back on their feet.

She further directed that those injured and who needed advanced treatment should be referred to IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna.

Salihu then added that the state government would ensure that speed bumps were constructed on the roads to avoid future recurrence of similar incidents.

A parent, Mr Sunday Abba, who lost his only child in the accident, thanked the commissioner for the visit while praying for the soul of his son and those of others to rest in peace.

Court remands commercial bus driver for killing 2 in Lagos

A 21-year-old commercial bus driver, Azeez Saka, who allegedly killed two persons, was remanded in prison custody by an Igbosere Magistrate's Court sitting in Tinubu, Lagos, yesterday.

Magistrate T. O. Babalola made the order pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP.

Saka, whose residential address was not given, is facing a three-count charge bordering on dangerous driving, neglect of traffic direction and without valid driver’s license, charged against him by the Police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Ajaga Agboko, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on July 22, 2021, at about 10:30 a.m.

He said the incident took place at Carter bridge inward Idumota, Lagos Island.

Agboko said: “Saka, being the driver of one Volkswagen commercial bus, with number plate, LSR 765 XG, drove the same on the public highway in a dangerous manner without attention and consideration for other road users and caused the death of one Peter Agbor, aged 35, and one other person, whose name, age and address is yet unknown.”

The prosecutor also said the defendant drove the vehicle in a direction prohibited by law and neglect of traffic direction and caused the death of the two deceased persons.

“The defendant drove the vehicle on the public highway without valid driver’s license,” Agboko said.

According to the prosecutor, the offence committed is contrary and punishable under Sections 52, 27 schedule 2 and Section 1, schedule 1, road traffic law of Lagos State 2018.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him, but his bail was refused as the court ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody.

Magistrate Babalola, however, adjourned the case to August 30, 2021, pending legal advice from DPP.

Culled from Vanguard