Author: Vincent Osuwo

The candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential election, Peter Obi, has described as “tragic” the loss of lives at the palliative distribution centre in Abuja and Anambra state on Saturday. Obi, in a statement on his verified X handle on Twitter, lamented over the widespread hunger and hardship in the country, which he attributes to being the cause of people rushing to collect palliatives, leading to the loss of lives. Obi’s statement comes after Chronicle NG reported that no fewer than 10 people, including children, were killed at a palliative distribution centre in Abuja on Saturday. Chronicle…

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has verified that ten people, including four children, died in a stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday during a food distribution.  According to Police Public Relations Officer SP Josephine Adeh, the incident occurred about 6:30 a.m., when a crowd of over 1,000 people gathered to accept food items intended for the weak and old. Adeh said that the police had effectively evacuated the location and restored calm. The statement partly reads, “This unfortunate event, which took place around 6:30 am, resulted in a stampede that claimed the lives of…

A stampede at the gate of the Obijackson Centre in Okija, in Anambra State’s Ihiala Local Government Area, on Saturday left an undetermined number of people dead and injured.  The stampede occurred during the distribution of palliatives, which included rice, vegetable oil, and money. According to reports, the majority of the dead were women and children gathered at the gate, attempting to get entry amidst a massive and unmanageable mob. Chief Ernest Obiejesi (Obijackson), a community member, gave the palliatives. Eyewitnesses at the event reported that many people fainted and were brought to the hospital, including a badly injured woman.…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reduced its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly referred to as petrol, from N1,020 to N899 per litre. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria confirmed on Saturday that the Dangote Refinery’s price reduction to N899 was based on a regional pricing scheme. The statement was signed by the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Joseph Obele, and cited a document from NNPCL’s Commercial Department. The price indicates that marketers will buy the product. Marketers buying from Warri, Oghara, Port Harcourt, and Calabar will, however, pay N970 per litre…

Renowned journalist and AriseTV anchor, Oseni Rufai, has penned a glowing tribute to human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi. Oseni, in a piece titled ‘Dele Farotimi, a beacon of light,’ eulogised the embattled activist in a poem that has generated applause from social media users. The poem comes amid the ongoing trial of the lawyer over alleged defamation of Aare Afe Babalola (SAN). Chronicle NG reported that the seasoned human rights activist was incarcerated by the police for allegedly defaming Afe Babalola in his recently published book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’ However, after spending weeks in police…

No fewer than 16 soldiers have been killed and several others critically wounded after a brazen overnight attack by Pakistani Taliban on an army outpost near the border with Afghanistan. The attack started after midnight and lasted about two hours as around 30 militants pummelling the mountainous outpost from three sides, one senior intelligence official told AFP on condition of anonymity. “Sixteen soldiers were martyred and five were critically injured in the assault,” he said. “The militants set fire to the wireless communication equipment, documents, and other items present at the checkpoint.” An anonymous intelligence official confirmed the number of…

Less than a month after it appeared to begin manufacturing, the Port Harcourt refinery has ceased operations. Our correspondent, who visited the refinery on Thursday, December 19, 2024, noted that the lifting of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) had ceased. It was gathered that petrol lifting ceased at the refinery last Friday, December 13, because the new Port Harcourt refinery’s 18-arm loading bay was empty. However, around 18 vehicles littered the stretch of busy road going to the refinery, and nine trucks were visible inside the parking lot, but the loading dock was vacant. The refinery, which is often a hive…

A High Court in Benin, Edo State, on Friday reinstated the suspended chairmen and vice chairmen of the state’s 18 local government councils.  The court, presided over by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, granted the order in action No. B/307/OS/24 submitted by the affected chairmen and vice chairmen. The order further barred the defendants, including Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Edo government, from acting on the state House of Assembly’s motion to suspend the claimants. The court directed that the status quo ante bellum as of December 12 be maintained pending the hearing and decision on the motion on notice filed on…

Two men were detained in Zambia on charges of being “witchdoctors” tasked with attempting to bewitch the president.  The police stated they had arrested Jasten Mabulesse Candunde and Leonard Phiri in Lusaka. “Their purported mission was to use charms to harm” President Hakainde Hichilema, according to the police statement issued on Friday. Many individuals in the southern African country believe in and dread witches. The police stated Mr. Candunde and Mr. Phiri were hired by Nelson Banda, MP Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda’s younger brother. The MP was reportedly arrested last month in nearby Zimbabwe on robbery allegations, which he denies,…

The Nigeria Customs Service Board has approved the promotions of 4,291 senior officials, as well as the confirmation of one Deputy Comptroller-General and seven Assistant Comptroller-Generals.  The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, announced in a news statement on Friday that the board made this decision during its 61st regular meeting last week, which was led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun. Maiwada noted that the promotions fill vacancies caused by the retirement of some management team members from various geopolitical zones around the Federation. He said that the…