News

Man arrested for sodomising underage boy in Rivers

A suspected homosexual, Chigozie Okpara, has been arrested for allegedly having carnal knowledge of an underage boy in Okujagu community in Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The suspect was apprehended by members of a local vigilante group on Sunday night, March 31, 2024, for allegedly having carnal knowledge of an underage boy.

It was gathered that the man, who is in his 40s, worked with a security company in Port Harcourt and usually lured his unsuspecting victims with food and snacks into his house before defiling them.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said during interrogation by the vigilante, the man confessed that he is a homosexual and that he had been perpetrating the act while he was living in Lagos State before relocating to Port Harcourt two years ago

It was gathered that luck ran out on him when he was making out with one of his victims who was screaming in his room, and the noise attracted residents of the area who alerted the vigilante group.

“He lured the boy into his house and was doing the thing and the boy was screaming,” the source said.

“So that was how they called our (vigilante) attention, and we went there and broke into the house and saw them (the man and his victim)

“That night, we took him and handed him over to the police. He is in police custody now.”

The spokesperson of the state police command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said the suspect, who is already in custody, would be prosecuted.

“Yes, I can confirm the incident. The suspect has been arrested and is presently in our custody. Investigation is ongoing.

“The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal and Intelligence Department. We will ensure that the suspect is prosecuted,” the PPRO said.

News

Tinubu condoles with NNPCL boss over daughter’s death

President Bola Tinubu has condoled the death of his daughter with the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Kolo Mele Kyari.

Kyari’s daughter, Fatima died Friday at the age of 25 after protracted illness.

The President sympathised with Kyari and the rest of the family on the irreparable and painful loss.

He prayed for the repose of the soul of Fatima and urged the Kyari family to stay strong at these trying times

News

Lagos sacks six LASTMA officials over misconduct

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has dismissed six of its officials based on the directive from the Lagos State Civil Service Commission (CSC).

This follows the recommendations of the Personnel Management Board, which flagged the officers for serious misconduct and inefficiency.

The disciplinary actions were officially communicated to the affected officials at LASTMA’s headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos.

In a statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed that the Civil Service Commission had approved the board’s recommendations.

He emphasised that the disciplinary measures were in strict accordance with the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

Bakare-Oki reassured the public that LASTMA is committed to improving its operations and urged Lagos residents to report both commendable acts and cases of misconduct by LASTMA officials, providing necessary evidence.

“This exercise is part of our ongoing efforts to rid the agency of errant officers. Another Personnel Management Board meeting will soon be held to review additional cases,” he said.

He also called on road users in Lagos to adhere to traffic laws, reminding them that violations would lead to penalties, including fines imposed by the Lagos Mobile Courts.

Highlighting the importance of compliance, Bakare-Oki noted that following traffic regulations is key to achieving Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s “Greater Lagos” vision, with traffic management being a core pillar of the THEMES Plus Development Agenda.

Mmebers of the public were encouraged to report complaints through LASTMA’s toll-free hotline (080000527862) or the Walk-In Complaint Centre at their Oshodi headquarters.

Bakare-Oki reassured citizens that LASTMA is committed to addressing all complaints impartially while protecting the civil rights of motorists across the state.

News

Zulum opens houses for teachers in Buratai Secondary School in Tum

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday night, commissioned two projects constructed by his administration in Biu Local Government Area in the southern part of the state.

The projects include a housing estate for teachers in Buratai town and a new secondary school in Tum village.

The Buratai housing estate comprises 10 units of two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows aimed at addressing the problem of housing deficit particularly as it affects teachers in Borno State.

Tum Day Secondary School, one of the 102 constructed by the Zulum administration is a co-educational senior secondary school attached with junior secondary and primary schools.

Performing the brief opening ceremony, Zulum assured that his administration is committed to improving the quality of healthcare service delivery and education in Borno State.

He said, “I want to assure you that this administration is committed to providing affordable quality health care delivery systems and, most importantly, education, which is the bedrock for any meaningful development. Without education, there will be no meaningful development.”

As a mark of appreciation for the numerous projects by the Zulum administration, Buratai community presented a plaque to the governor commending his integrity in governance.