The Harbingerngr News

The Police Command in Cross River State have arrested the third member of a kidnapping gang that has been terrorising the state capital, Calabar. It would be recalled that the command, through its Anti Cultism and Kidnapping Squad (ACKS) led by SP Chukwuma Ogini, on Tuesday arrested two members of the four-man gang. The third member identified as Gabriel James, who operates a laundry service at Edibe Edibe Street in Calabar South Local Government Area, was apprehended on Tuesday night. The gang was said to be responsible for the recent abduction of the wife of a popular vehicle dealer in Calabar simply identified as Mrs Aliu. The command spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspect has made a confessional statement on his role in the abduction of Mrs Aliu. Ugbo said that the suspect tried to escape when the ACKS men swooped in on him. “He has confessed that he participated in the kidnap of several abductions including Mrs Aliu. He also confessed to having rec

 Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has rewarded 77 customers with cash prizes in the first quarterly and third monthly draws of its Reward4Saving 3.0 promo. Both draws took place at the Bank’s head office at Walter Carrington Crescent, Lagos where 70 customers won N100,000 each, while seven other customers received N1,000,000 each. The winners emerged from across the bank’s seven business regions in Nigeria which are Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Southwest, Southeast, South-South, Northwest and North Central. During the presentation of the cheques, Layo Ilori-Olaogun, Head, Middle Market and Youth Segment, Stanbic IBTC Bank, noted that the Reward4saving promo is just one way to express gratitude to our customers for choosing the Bank as their preferred financial services partner. In her words, “This initiative aligns with our commitment to fostering a savings culture and helping customers to achieve their financial aspirations.” The Reward4saving 3.0 promo start

•But output still falters Barely a few days to the commencement of the 2024 fiscal year, hope appears rekindled in the revenue horizon as the price of Nigeria’s Bonny Light, rose to $81.11 per barrel, from $78 per barrel it closed last week, indicating an excess of $3.15 per barrel against the 2024 budget reference price of $77.96 per barrel. The nation’s N26 trillion 2024 budget, benchmarked on $77.96 per barrel and 1.78 million barrels per day, bpd was threatened in the past two weeks when the oil price became unstable trending down to the budget benchmark price. Price of Bonny Light rose to $81.11 per barrel on the Red Sea attacks that culminated in shipping disruptions, thus fuelling the speculation in favour of high prices. However, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, indicated that oil output fell by 7.4 percent to 1.25 million barrels per day in the month of November 2023, compared to 1.35bpd in September 2023. This means the pressure point has shifted

•Want Admiralty road gate removed Concerned residents in Lagos have applauded the Lagos State Government's efforts to remove all illegal inner street gates hindering the flow of traffic in Lagos, beginning with Lekki Phase One. Fielding questions from newsmen, the concerned property owners in Lekki, led by Prince Ayoola Ojeikere, said yesterday that the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration had taken the right step long overdue. According to Ojeikere, a group of 'powerful individuals' have formed the habit of erecting gates and barricades on various streets for flimsy reasons. "We are very happy with this latest move by the Lagos State Government to remove all illegal street gates in Lekki. "We wonder why the state government will build roads and some people will indiscriminately mount gates. I think the government has slept for so long. "Blockage of Admiralty Road and demand for access codes is another area the government must look into. This should

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has called for more collaborative efforts between the federal, local governments and traditional rulers in spreading developments across the country. Tinubu stated this at a reception in his honour by the government and people of Lagos State, yesterday, in Lagos. He said the reach of the local government and the powers of traditional rulers in the society would be harmonised to provide the needed infrastructure and socio-economic development to people at the grassroots. According to Tinubu, the local governments can complement the various efforts at ending poverty and terrorism through the provision of education, increasing enrollment through the school feeding programme as well as making quality primary healthcare accessible to the people. The president pledged to work with the National Assembly to ensure that constitutional roles were given to the traditional rulers and also independence for the local governments. Tinubu said the Federal Government would continu

*148 in Bokkos,19 in Mangu, 27 in Barkin Ladi killed *1,290 houses in Bokkos, one in Mangu burnt, Barkin Ladi yet to be ascertained *PDP slams APC FG for ‘emboldening’ terrorists *Condemns needless death of over 5,000 Nigerians since May *Sultan blows hot, tasks government to end insecurity *Tinubu deeply shaken by killings in Plateau - Shettima *Approves immediate humanitarian support for victims *We’ll collaborate to end the cycle of violence - Mutfwang THE Management Committee Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State,  yesterday, said 148 people were killed in the Christmas eve attack in the council. This came as the death toll in the massacre in three local government areas of the state rose to  195. Of the number, 148 were killed in Bokkos Local Government Area, 19 in Mangu Local Government Area, and 27 in Barkin Ladi. 1,290 houses were burnt down in Bokkos council, one house was razed in Mangu LGA and that of Barkin Ladi was yet to be ascertained at press time. T

*Decries indiscriminate establishment of tertiary institutions *Rejects calls on FG to fund private varsities through TETFUND THE poor working conditions of workers in the private educational sector in Nigeria have become worrisome that it can no longer be ignored. It is no surprise that the issue was a major discourse during the 8th Quadrennial National Delegates’ Conference of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, members of the union blamed the harsh conditions of workers in the private educational sector to the absence of unions and among others, called on the government to stamp its regulatory in the institutions. The communiqué signed by NASU’s President and General Secretary, Dr Makolo Hassan and Prince Peters Adeyemi, respectively, contended that the Nigerian Constitution, and International Labour Organisation ILO, Convention, guarante

Nine people using contaminated materials sourced from waste bins, drains and other places to produce the counterfeit pillows have been arrested in Sokoto State. The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in different  locations in Sokoto metropolis. The commandant of the corps, Mr Bello Alkali, who stated this while parading the suspects, yesterday, in Sokoto, listed the harmful materials to include used sanitary pards, baby diapers, discarded clothes and other wastes. According to him, the suspect will be charged to court on completion of investigations, and enjoined people to be wary of using counterfeit pillows and beddings. In his remark, the Special Adviser to Gov. Ahmad Aliyu on State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA),  Tukur Toro, commended the corps for its efforts toward safeguarding public health. Toro advised manufacturers of bedding materials to prioritise consumer safety through effective adherence to standard qua

Four persons, sustained injuries as fire gutted Fat Noble Filling Station, an independent marketing oil firm along Old Road, opposite Torikoh, Badagry, Lagos. It was gathered that attendants were dispensing petrol inside jerry cans and sacks around 1.00.a.m at the back of the station when the explosion occurred. According to a source, those who sustained injury were quickly rushed to General Hospital in Badagry before the arrival of fire service men. “They are selling fuel which is to be smuggled out of the country immediately when there was an explosion. “The fire destroyed some part of the station before the arrival of the men of the Lagos Fire Service. “Those who suffered fatal injury were taken to the hospital, while those with minor injuries were treated within,” the source said. Meanwhile, Mr Isaac Dossa, the Station Head, Badagry Fire Service, Lagos said they received an emergency call at 1:15 a.m. about the incident and they proceeded to the scene immediately. “We got to the sc

A victim of kidnapping, Mrs Adefunke Ale, has narrated her experience when she was kidnapped at Amurin on Akure/Owo Road in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State on her way to Akure. Ale told journalists in Akure that she was ambushed by eight suspected kidnappers, October 15, on her way to Akure from Owo. According to her, she was with her brother, Mr Yemi Ogunmolasuyi, who was driving the car in which they were travelling in. She explained that the kidnappers, who did not cover their faces, were armed with AK-47 rifles. According to her, the kidnappers said they targeted her to collect a huge ransom from her son, Mr Akeem Olugosi, living in the United States of America (USA). She said: “We were waylaid by four kidnappers at Amurin on the road and another set of four kidnappers were at the back of the car. They shot at our car and we had to park and all the car doors opened. “Four of them guided me to the bush and another set of four guided my elder brother also to the bush.“ She sa

A 25-year-old suspected kidnapper and child trafficker, Tayo Adeleke, has confessed to the Ogun State Police Command about his involvement in a child abduction and trafficking syndicate that operates across the border in Benin Republic. Adeleke is currently in police custody following an attempted child theft at Omu Pempe community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. The incident occurred on Tuesday, when Adeleke and two other accomplices, who are currently at large, attempted to steal children from a Baptist Church in Omu Pempe. It was gathered that the suspects had stormed the church around 2 am with a motorcycle, with a mission to steal children from the church and sell them in Republic of Benin. However, an operative of the So-Safe Corps had got a distress call, which she shared with the Divisional Police Officer in the area. “When the three men were challenged about their mission in the village, they could not give any cogent explanation as they attempted to flee

Late Akeredolu (right) and Aiyedatiwa. . *Sneeks out of political stage at 67  •Aiyedatiwa sworn in as governor, vows to sustain Aketi's legacies •Declares three days mourning •How Akeredolu became fourth Nigerian governor to die in office IN the words of the Ondo State Government, it was indeed a sad day in Ondo, yesterday, as Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, died exactly 190 days after he was first flown out of the state to Germany for medication. He was 67.  In Akeredolu's stead, his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who took over in acting capacity two weeks ago, was sworn-in yesterday as substantive governor in a sombre ceremony.  He described Akeredolu's death as a personal loss having worked with the deceased since 2012 when the governorship journey started, and promised to sustain the legacies of the late governor. Announcing Akeredolu's death earlier, the Ondo State Government, in a statement by the Information and Orientation Commissioner, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju

The Bishop of the Sokoto Dioceses, Most Rev. Mathew Kukah, has advised leaders to remain truthful and fine-tune formidable actions in solving the nation’s challenges. Kukah gave the advice in an interactive session with newsmen as part of Christmas celebrations, yesterday in Sokoto. He said Nigeria as a country was endowed with human and mineral resources but was faced with resources management challenges, lamenting how lack of patriotism was affecting the development of the country. He called on governments at all level to focus on meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens with constructive directions and framework of policy decisions. Kukah decried the lack of clear cut definition of country direction, stressing that citizens needed to be informed and be aware of programmes and policies that affect their lives. He cautioned Nigerians against accumulating illicit funds mostly stashed in foreign banks, stressing that some of the investment in such countries were alarming an

Police in Lagos State have arrested a 31-year-old suspected armed robber in the Kosofe area of the state and recovered his gun. Police spokesman in the state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated in Ikeja, yesterday, that the suspect’s accomplices, however, fled. He said: “Patrol officers from Owode-Onirin Division noticed five young men surrounding a broken-down truck. As the officers stopped to ascertain what was going on, the young men fled. The suspect was apprehended and found with a locally-fabricated firearm.” He stated also that an on-going investigation showed that it was a robbery in progress.

 A man simply identified as Mkpor reportedly hacked his friend to death on Christmas eve over marijuana wrap in Aduma ward, Mkpani, Yakkur Local Government Are of Cross River State. It was gathered that Mkpor bought a wrap of marijuana from his friend, Tunde, and refused to pay leading to a verbal exchange between them. An eyewitness said the assailant went to the “bunk” where Tunde sells marijuana and smoked one wrap of the weed but refused to pay which infuriated Tunde to ban him from going to his bunk. “I understand he was fond of causing trouble in the bunk each time he went there and on this occasion, he ordered a wrap of marijuana and after smoking he refused to pay, prompting Tunde, who operates the place, to give instructions that he should not visit the place again.” The order reportedly irked the young man and he threatened to kill Tunde any time he saw him outside the bunk. “On Wednesday afternoon, Tunde went towards our new market to buy some stuff and Mkpor followed him. A

NO fewer than 30 persons have lost their lives in an explosion at an illegal oil tapping point in Omoku, Ogba/Egebema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The tragedy struck Sunday morning, when the youths allegedly broke a pipeline belonging to one of the multinational oil firms operating in the areas and started using jerrycans and buckets to scoop fuel. While 30 persons are feared dead, many suffered varying degrees of burns and are receiving treatment in different hospitals in the area. A source in the community said: “It is a very terrible incident. Imagine the death of 30 people in such a time. We leant some youths bust a company pipeline. The source said: “If you go to the General Hospital and other private clinics in Omoku, you will see many of the injured people scattered all over the place in both government and private hospitals receiving treatment. “The inferno occurred as a result of attempts by suspected oil thieves to light mosquito coils.  “The leakage was from

Mrs Elizabeth Udo Ekpenyong, wife of the late state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Akwa Ibom and her sister, Ms Ofonime Frank, reportedly lost their lives in a fire that ravaged their Shelter Afrique residence. It was gathered that the sad incident occurred on Christmas. Details of the cause of the fire incident could not be ascertained at press time. Contacted the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Odiko MacDon, while confirming the incident said police have commenced investigation into the fire outbreak. “As we speak, investigation has commenced, but we have not confirmed any cause of the fire yet,” MacDon said. Meanwhile, the Chairman of, the transition committee, Ukanafun Local Government Area, Elder Godwin Ekpe has declared seven days of mourning. A statement by the Secretary, Mr Udeme Idiong, in Uyo, yesterday, read: “Sequel to the tragic fire incident that occurred at the residence of our late state party chairman, Obong Udo Ekpenyong on December 24, 202