The Yobe State Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, has ordered an immediate investigation into a homicide incident involving Inspector Mohammed Bulama, attached to the Police Mobile Force, 41 Division, Damaturu, the state capital.

We learnt in a press release, on Tuesday, by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Yobe Police Command, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, that on September 29, 2024, at approximately 18:20 hours, Inspector Mohammed Bulama, 38, was involved in a heated argument with Abdulmalik Dauda (aka Baksha), 39, of Pompomari Ward, Damaturu, over an unresolved transaction at the Zango Area.

The dispute escalated into a physical altercation, during which Bulama allegedly stabbed Dauda in the chest leading to his sustaining head injuries during the confrontation, the statement added.

Bulama was promptly arrested at the ‘C’ Divisional Police Headquarters, where he had sought refuge. The state Criminal Investigation Department has commenced an investigation, and Bulama is currently in custody pending internal disciplinary action and prosecution.

Ahmed condemned Bulama’s actions and expressed condolences to Dauda’s family, assuring the public of a thorough and swift investigation to ensure justice would be served.

“The Nigeria Police Force will not tolerate any misconduct from its personnel. We will ensure that justice is served and the perpetrator is held accountable,” Ahmed stated.

Ten people lost their lives on Tuesday night when a Toyota Sienna bus ran into a stationary truck at Abule Osun, inward Iyana Iba, along the Lagos-Badagry expressway.

In a statement on the accident, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, permanent secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said “in response to distress calls received via the 767/112 Toll-Free Lines at 2307hrs, LASEMA activated its Dolphin Response Team from Igando Base”.

“On arrival at the scene of the road traffic accident at Abule Osun, inward Iyana Iba, along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, it was discovered that a Toyota Sienna bus, registration number BDG 342 FS, laden to capacity with passengers from the Eastern part of the country was involved in a road accident with a parked SHACMAN truck, registration number unknown,” the statement reads.

“Further investigations revealed that the truck, which was laden with granite, was parked on the road, shutting down about half of the carriage way, while the Toyota Sienna on top speed, unknowingly crashed into the parked truck from behind.

“Ten people lost their lives to the unfortunate incident, while three were criticalIy injured.”

Among the dead are three male adults, four female adults, two female children and one male child.

One female adult and two children were taken to a nearby hospital by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

“The accidental Toyota Sienna was recovered with the aid of the agency’s lite tow truck and towed to the FRSC station,” the statement added.

“The remaining female adult, and the 2 rescued children (a male and female) fortunately, survived the incident after receiving immediate medical attention from LASAMBUS at the incident scene when they were returned there, before being taken to LASUTH for further treatment.”

The number 1 in Eiye Confraternity in Ijoko, Ogun State, Adejumo Wasiu a.k.a Bombler, has given reason for the order he gave his second in command and other members to kill a rival cultist, Segun, a.k.a Adisa, saying that it was to avenge his father’s death in the hands of the Number 1 Black Axe cultist and his members.

The Police Public Relations Officer of Ogun State Police Command, SP OmololaOdutola, when contacted by the Nigerian Tribune, said that Wasiu was among the cultists recently arrested by the Anti-Cultism Squad led by the Commander, CSP Sunday Daramola, after several killings by rival cult groups in different parts of the state.

The PPRO stated that investigation revealed that in May this year, Wasiu was the one who ordered the killing of an Aye cultist, Adisa, after which he jumped bail on a case of cultism he was being tried on in a court when he learnt that he was going to be picked for murder.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that he went to hide in Igboora in Oyo State where he was eventually found, arrested and taken back to Eleweran for interrogation.

In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Wasiu, aged 37, opened up: “I’m from Abeokuta. I was selling used clothes and shoes. I lived in Ifo before relocating to Igboora in Oyo State when I knew I was wanted by the police for the murder of Adisa.

“I belong to Eiye Confraternity. I am the Number 1 in Ijoko. I was in Ifo when this incident happened. In March this year, I was on a motorcycle on my way to Sango when I was stopped by the police. Truly, my dressing looked like that of a Yahoo boy and I believed that was what they would ask me.

“When the police questioned me on my source of living, I told them I was into sales of used clothes and shoes. They asked to check my phone, and because I had nothing to hide, I consented. They checked through and didn’t see anything incriminating until they got to the WhatsApp and saw a group chat which I had archived.

“It was an occultic society to which I belonged. I had over 100 messages that I had not gone through. They asked if I belonged to the cult and I confessed to it, but told them I was no longer in the group, which was why I put it in the archive.

“There was court sitting on July 1. On a particular day, someone whom I know among state security agencies (name withheld) called and warned me that I should not go to court as I would be arrested for murder.

“I was afraid because of this, and prior to it, I had been thinking of relocating to Igboora in Oyo State. I had already secured an accommodation but I had yet to furnish it or get household items.

“However, when I heard of what I was likely to experience, I decided to jump bail and went to Igboora. The man who stood as surety for me started calling me, asking me why I didn’t go to court and telling me that he had been summoned by the court. I confided in him what I heard and told him it was the reason I didn’t go to court.

A lawyer, simply identified as Okechukwu, was killed in a tragic road crash that occurred along the Awka area of the Awka-Enugu Expressway in Anambra State on Sunday night.

Our correspondent gathered that the lawyer died after his vehicle hit an abandoned articulated truck on the road and somersaulted into a nearby drainage.

A kinsman of the victim who identified him said the deceased had just deposited the remains of his late mother at the mortuary before the incident happened.

The kinsman, who pleaded anonymity, said, “The incident happened along the expressway along the Awka area. The deceased thought the truck was moving, but when he realised it wasn’t moving, it was too late as he hit it, and his car veered into the gutter.

“The lawyer had recently welcomed a newborn with his wife, whom he married in February. His sudden demise has left his loved ones in shock.

“He had just put his late mother in the mortuary and was preparing for the funeral. Now, he’s joined her in the mortuary. The incident serves as a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability and the importance of cherishing every moment.

“It was an avoidable death caused by allowing abandoned vehicles to stay on the road longer than necessary. The stationary vehicle was at a dangerous position on the road thereby posing a danger to other road users.”

It was gathered that the victim’s remains had been deposited at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, morgue after he was confirmed dead.

Other residents have criticised traffic officials including the Federal Road Safety Corps for allegedly allowing the abandoned truck to remain on the road longer than necessary without taking action to tow it away.

But reacting to the development, the Corps Commander, FRSC, Anambra State Command, Joyce Alexander, commiserated with the family members of the victim, praying God to comfort all of them and take care of the family he left behind.

Alexander said the abandoned truck could not be towed because of the load it was carrying, adding that she had directed the FRSC personnel to cordon off the scene with reflective tape.

She said, “I am aware that he ran into a broken-down stationary truck. Unfortunately, this happened in the night and the FRSC rescue team that went for the rescue operation could not ascertain from any eyewitness what really happened.

“It was not a tyre burst, as no tyre burst was observed. The only likely explanation is excessive speed which might have led to loss of control. We arrived at this conclusion because of the skid marks and yeo marks trailing on the crash scene.

“I have also visited the scene to confirm the marks and the apparent struggle with the steering before the vehicle eventually tumbled. I will like to point out here that the FRSC is not, and cannot be at every place.

“And that’s why we solicit the collaboration and assistance of so many groups and individuals, the media inclusive. That is also why we have the FRSC toll-free emergency number: 122.

We rely on every member of society to alert us on crashes and obstructions.”

He noted that because the truck could not be towed due to the load it was carrying, he had directed his staff to cordon off the scene with reflective tapes to warn oncoming traffic in the night, pending when the truck could be offloaded and towed in the morning.

A courtroom was destroyed in the Kwara State High Court Complex, Ilorin, the state capital after a fire broke out on Sunday night.

An eyewitness account stated that the fire incident occurred shortly after 8 pm on Sunday, completely destroying one courtroom before being brought under control by the State Fire Service.

The Kwara State Fire Service reported that the fire was caused by a power surge in the Government Reserved Area, where the High Court complex is located.

The rubble from the items destroyed in the fire included two air conditioners, a plasma television, a fan, documents, and furniture kept in the courtroom.

The Kwara State Fire Service, which confirmed the incident, said that the fire affected only Courtroom No. 10, and added that the swift response of the fire service personnel prevented it from spreading to other courtrooms and offices.

A statement by the spokesman for the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, Head of Media and Publicity, said the quick response of the fire service personnel prevented further damage to the complex, which houses several courtrooms.

“On Sunday, 29th September 2024, at approximately 08:02 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service responded swiftly to a fire outbreak at the High Court in Ilorin. The fire truck, along with its crew, promptly left the station to mitigate the unfolding incident.

“Upon arrival at the scene, where the court premises house numerous courtrooms and offices, the fire had already engulfed Courtroom No. 10 and was poised to spread to adjacent courtrooms. Undeterred by the escalating situation, the brave firemen immediately sprang into action, successfully containing the fire and saving the Ilorin High Court from significant damage.

“Investigations revealed that the fire originated from a standing air conditioner due to a power surge,” the statement said.

Adekunle mentioned that the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Jiddah, and the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Abiodun Adebara, who were at the scene, praised the prompt intervention of the firefighters.

He added that the Director of the State Fire Service, Falade John, urged the general public to remain safety-conscious at all times to prevent fire outbreaks

The Nigerian Army says its troops have eliminated eight terrorists and rescued 40 abducted individuals in a series of coordinated operations across the country.

The Army, in a post on its official X handle on Monday, said the recent victories had further tightened the noose around the necks of unrepentant terrorists and their collaborators.

The post added that the troops also apprehended a notorious arms courier found with a large cache of ammunition, striking a major blow against arms proliferation by criminal elements.

According to the Army, troops, acting on genuine intelligence on September 28, conducted a strategic stop-and-search operation along the Lafia-Keffi Road in Nasarawa State.

“This resulted in the arrest of a firearms courier and the recovery of 303 live rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition concealed in a bag.

“The suspect and the vehicle were immediately taken into custody, and further investigations are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices.

“In another operation in Kaduna State, troops executed precision strikes in the forests near Danmari and Saulawa villages in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, where one terrorist was eliminated.

“Additional engagements in Ankwa village of Kachia Local Government Area also led to the annihilation of two more terrorists and the recovery of a locally made firearm, 11 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition, and a motorcycle used by the terrorists,” it said.

The post also revealed that troops in an encounter with fleeing terrorists at Faayijiwa Fandanari village in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno, recovered two AK-47 rifles, 61 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO), 51 rounds of 7.62mm (special ) ammunition, hard drugs and various supplies.

It said the terrorists abandoned the firearms and ammunition after succumbing to the troops’ superior firepower.

According to the post, further operations in Gwoza Local Government Area resulted in the neutralization of three terrorists near Ashigashiya village, while vigilant troops responding to credible intelligence, pursued and intercepted a convoy suspected of transporting logistics to terrorists at Gubio.

“Three vehicles loaded with food supplies intended for terrorist camps were seized, and the sum of N2,400 recovered.

“The efforts in Kukawa Local Government Area yielded another victory as troops, acting on intelligence, intercepted terrorists attempting to relocate abducted victims from Cijin village.

“The terrorists fled upon sighting the troops, abandoning 38 hostages, including six men, eight women, and 24 children, who were safely rescued by the troops.

“Meanwhile, in Yobe, troops responding to reports of terrorists extorting civilians staged a successful ambush in Sasawa village in Damaturu Local Government Area.

“The troops neutralized one terrorist and recovered one AK-47 rifle along with a motorcycle.

“The Chief of Army Staff has commended the troops for their bravery and relentless fight for peace. He also expressed gratitude to the citizens whose continuous provision of credible information has been instrumental in these successes.

“The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its mission to obliterate terrorism and safeguard the lives of all Nigerians,” it added.