TheNewsGuru

Tag: Abuja

  • BREAKING! Many feared dead as another two-storey building collapses in Abuja (Photos)

    BREAKING! Many feared dead as another two-storey building collapses in Abuja (Photos)

    Again, a two-storey residential apartment has collapsed in Abuja, leaving several people trapped in the rubble.

    The building, located beside Cupid Hotel on Cupid Road (Sultan Dasuki Way) in Kubwa, was formerly a hotel, Al-Hilal, before being converted into a hospital and eventually a residential apartment.

    The incident occurred around 7 am on Saturday.

    Emergency responders and security personnel have been deployed to the scene. However, rescue efforts were hindered by the lack of cranes, which were yet to arrive as of 8:45 am.

    Despite the challenges, two persons were rushed to a nearby hospital, while a few others managed to escape on their own.

    two-storey building collapses in Abuja

  • BREAKING: Firefighters run out of water as fire razes petrol station in Abuja

    BREAKING: Firefighters run out of water as fire razes petrol station in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service on Thursday ran out of water whilst tackling a fire outbreak that occurred at the Mainland Oil/Gas Station located along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja.

    According to reports, emergency response teams from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Police force arrived at the scene to put out the fire.

    However, the firefighters ran out of water and had to leave.

    It was not immediately clear whether they called for reinforcement as the fire was still raging.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) learnt that a petrol tanker was offloading petrol  at the filling station located beside Dutse Suites and Luxury Hotel, when caught fire.

    More details to follow…

  • Police to prosecute man who was arrested for climbing tallest mast in Abuja over hardship

    Police to prosecute man who was arrested for climbing tallest mast in Abuja over hardship

    The Federal Government Territory (FCT) police command has said that Shuaibu Yusha’u, who climbed a 120-meter mast at the top of Katampe hill, within the premises of Aso Radio and Television Services, along Murtala Mohammed Expressway in a bid to kill himself would be prosecuted.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Yushau attempted to take his life after climbing to the top of the mask on Monday.

    However, through the intervention of security agencies and government agencies such as, the Police and FCT Emergency Department, Yashau agreed to climb down, halting attempt to take his life.

    Speaking, spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josphine Adeh on Tuesday in a statement disclosed that Yusha’u had been sent to the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) for a mental evaluation to ascertain his mental status.

    The police stressed that the mental assessment and evaluation, is relevant following his troubling action, which caused apprehension on Monday.

    The economic hardship of the country, insecurity and increase of out-of-school children among other vices ravaging the country was Yashau’s defence.

    When queried by the spokesperson of the FCT police command, the man said, “About 9 am (Monday), I climbed the Mask of Aso Radio Katampe to create awareness about what is happening: insecurity, food shortage, and the number of out of school children increasing in the country.

    “I did it to help Nigerians for this hardship they are going through, so that if the government hears it, maybe they will take action about these things, and Nigeria will get free from it. (sic)”

    The FCT Police Command, however, noted that Yashau if found mentally stable after the test, will be charged to court for attempted suicide, disturbance of public peace, and incitement contrary to sections 231, 111, and 114 of the Penal Code Act.

    The Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh therefore urged residents to be law-abiding while pushing for their voices to be heard, as the police will not be stampeded into allowing the breakdown of law and order.

  • Man who attempted su!c!de in Abuja rescued

    Man who attempted su!c!de in Abuja rescued

    The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), has prevented one Shuaibu Yusha’u from committing suicide in Abuja on Monday.

    Yusha’u, 24, climbed a 120-meter mast at the top of Katampe hill, within the premises of Aso Radio and Television Services, along Murtala Mohammed Expressway, Abuja, and threatened to jump and kill himself.

    The 24-year-old lad from Baga Local Government Area of Borno State, said in the attempted suicide note that his action was on behalf of fellow Nigerians, to push the Federal Government to reverse fuel subsidy removal.

    He explained that the fuel subsidy removal has plunged the country into economic chaos with attendant hardship, particularly among the poor and vulnerable in the society.

    Yusha’u also asked the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna  and Borno States over terrorist attacks and rising insecurity.

    He equally asked the Federal government to open the nation’s borders to allow importation of food items to tackle food shortages as well as addressing the issue of out of school children.

    However, the acting Director-General of FEMD, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, who was at the scene, following a distress call about the incident, persuaded him to rescind his decision.

    The visibly emotional Wenegieme counselled and persuaded Yusha’u for about an hour before he abandoned his self-annihilation mission and climbed down.

    She advised aggrieved citizens against taking their lives just to draw the government’s attention to their plight, saying “there are better ways to approach the government with concerns and the responsible authorities would listen.

    The director-general said, “Citizens can also approach social workers at FEMD, Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of the FCT Administration, hospitals and other health centres for counselling.”

    She called for patience, noting that the federal government was taking steps to address insecurity and food security concerns across the country.

    “President Bola Tinubu is on top of the situation and rolling out interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal through provision of palliatives and other incentives, as well as taking proactive steps to address insecurity.

    “I am, therefore, encouraging aggrieved individuals not to take their lives but find a way to contribute to providing workable solutions to Nigeria’s problems,” she said.

    The acting director-general promised to write to the Mandate Secretary of SDS to provide counselling services to Yusha’u, who was currently in the custody of the FCT Police Command.

    She called for aggressive sensitisation campaigns by the National Orientation Agency, religious organisations and other relevant ministries, departments and agencies to encourage people to see the positive side of life and discourage them from opting for a suicide.

    The director-general  also underscored the need for desk officers at strategic locations where citizens can share their problems and solutions for the country.

    The other government agencies at the scene included the FCT Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency, Social Development Secretariat, FCTA, Department of Reform Coordination, and Nigeria Police, among others.

  • Man climbs Tallest mast in Abuja to end life over economic hardship

    Man climbs Tallest mast in Abuja to end life over economic hardship

    A man identified as Shaibu Alhaji on Monday climbed the tallest mast of a broadcast organisation, Aso Radio and Television, located in the Katampe axis of Abuja over economic hardship.

    The man, who’s from Borno State threatened to jump down if his demands were not met after he was sighted by members of the organisation’s staff.

    The man who refused to climb down has demanded that the Bola Tinubu-led administration to reverse the policies exacerbating the suffering in the country.

    A written letter by Alhaji titled: ‘It’s Long Enough!!!’, sighted by TheNewsGuru.com revealed his reasons for deciding to end his life including insecurity, continued suffering and inflation.

    The letter wrote: “Long enough for government to standby and do nothing while Boko Haram, Bandits and Kidnappers are killing people in the country everyday;

    “Long enough for citizens to continue suffering from hunger”;

    “Long enough for inflation rate to continue rising rapidly”;

    “Long enough for number of out of school children to continue increasing;

    “Long enough fort me to keep quit.”

    Alhaji kept to his stance of ending his lives despite pleas by onlookers and other concerned members at the scene.

    Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Command had, however, arrived at the scene to resolve the situation, and as of press time, it is uncertain if the man had climbed down the mask.

  • Flood alert: Abuja residents living by waterways told to relocate

    Flood alert: Abuja residents living by waterways told to relocate

    The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), has advised residents of FCT, living by riverbanks and waterways to relocate to higher grounds to avoid loss of lives and property in the advent of flood.

    Mrs Florence Wenegieme, the acting Director-General of the department, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, gave the advice in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

    The advice followed the confirmation by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on the country’s fast-rising water levels across rivers and lagoons.

    Wenegieme said that NIWA particularly advised boat operators and passengers to take note of the rising tides and ensure strict adherence to safety regulations on the inland waterways and compulsory use of life jackets always.

    The acting D-G further warned of a likelihood of heavy rainfall that might lead to flooding through some states across the country from July 6 to July 10, 2024, and urged residents to take precaution.

    She said that the flood prediction by the National Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) Centre, Federal Ministry of Environment, shows that the states neighbouring the Federal Capital Territory were among the likely states to be affected.

    She said that the prediction specifically showed that Zaria, Jaji and Saminaka in Kaduna State; Ado in Nasarawa and Ibaji in Kogi State might experience heavy rainfall that could lead to flood within the period.

    Following the flood prediction, Wenegieme said that FCT might experience river flooding from its surrounding states – Kogi, Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa.

    She urged resident to heed to FEMD early warning and take proactive steps to avoid being caught up by the likely flood.

    Wenegieme also advised motorists against driving through flooding water during rainfall.

    She, therefore, urged residents to call the department’s 112 emergency toll-free number in the advent of emergency.

  • Runaway rape suspect in Police net after CSOs intervention in Abuja

    Runaway rape suspect in Police net after CSOs intervention in Abuja

    The long arm of the law has caught up with a 28-year-old rape suspect Godwin Archibong who allegedly defiled and sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl at Mpape, Abuja, and avoided arrest for over six months.

    Archibong’s arrest follows the intervention and guidance of two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development, PRIMORG, and Jewel Hive Initiative, who are now further seeking that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation take over the case to ensure justice is adequately served.

    The Gender Unit of the FCT Police Command on Thursday confirmed that the suspect, who had been on the run for months, was arrested by concerned citizens, handed over to the Mpape Police station, and subsequently transferred to their facility.

    The victim’s father, Ousmane Abdou, reported the brutal and cruel sexual attack against his daughter after listening to the anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by PRIMORG, on Wednesday, 13 March 2024, in Abuja, describing his daughter’s predicament as attempted murder and lamenting the inability of the Police to arrest the suspect for prosecution.

    The 17 years old victim (names withheld) was allegedly lured and sexually molested, raped, and severely physically injured and bruised, with the family moving her to different health facilities for medical attention. At the same time, her attacker escaped and avoided arrest for a long time.
    Counsellors from PRIMORG and Jewel Hive Initiative had advised Abdou (father of the rape victim) on steps to take to increase the chances of arresting the suspect (Archibong) and hand him over to the nearest Police station without violating the laws.

    The suspect was nabbed by people living in the environs where the rape incident was said to have taken place on the 20th day of June 2024.

    As a sequel to this development, the NGOs are now calling on the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to take over the case and ensure that justice is adequately dispensed if the suspect is found guilty.

    The appeal to the Minister for Justice was contained in a letter signed by Barr. Oluwatoyin Falaiye on behalf of Jewel Hive Initiative.

    Part of the letter read: “While we appreciate the effort of the Police so far, we humbly implore you (Attorney General of the Federation) to take over the case from the FCT Police command and charge same to court for prosecution.

    “The aim is to ensure that justice is adequately done in this matter and the suspect, if found guilty, should face the full wrath of the law. We strongly believe that this case will be handled with utmost urgency as we continue the fight to curb the rate of sexual violence in our society.”

    Reacting to the issue, PRIMORG’s Executive Director, Augustine Okhiria Agbonsuremi, joined calls for the government to go all out and ensure justice is served, adding that the authorities must cease moments like this to send a strong message to prospective sexual gender-based violence offenders in Nigeria.

    His words: “Perpetrators of this crime called ‘rape’ must be severely and swiftly sanctioned. It must worry the Nigerian authorities that rape has assumed an epidemic status.

    “No society should condone rape which regrettably has now become a serious social problem in our dear country. So I urge the government to be frontal in tackling the menace; families, religious and traditional institutions must also play their roles and importantly perpetrators must be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Agbonsuremi stated.

    PRIMORG’s weekly radio program, Public Conscience, draws government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.
    The programme has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

  • Popular Nigerian prankster arrested in Abuja

    Popular Nigerian prankster arrested in Abuja

    Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Centre for Cyber Crimes have arrested prankster Ubani Zion better known as ZFancy.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) learnt that the popular influencer was arrested on Wednesday morning in Abuja over a prank.

    Force spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi confirmed his arrest to PUNCH. “Yes. It’s in relation to a case of a wrong prank,” he said.

    There are also allegations that ZFancy is involved in ritual killing.

    On June 16, 2024, an entertainer, Dami Adenuga, posted a video on X of a woman who called out ZFancy, accusing him of ritual killing.

    The woman, who identified as Kokina, accused the prankster of being responsible for her missing friend.

    Adenuga called on the police to investigate the matter, saying: “This Zfancy matter is looking very real. The Nigeria Police should intervene at this point.”

    His post caught the immediate attention of the Nigeria Police Force on X, which promptly advised Kokina to report to the nearest police station without delay.

    The post read, “Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We take allegations of this nature very seriously. Kindly advise your friend to immediately report at a police station nearest to her.

    “You can also contact us immediately on our emergency lines to provide more details so we can initiate a thorough investigation. Your cooperation is essential to ensure a swift and accurate response. Thank you.”

  • Three rescued as four-storey building collapses in Abuja

    Three rescued as four-storey building collapses in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department, FEMD, has said it rescued three persons from the collapsed four-storey building at number 23, Nkwere Street, off Ahmadu Bello way, Area 11, Garki.

    Mrs Florence Wenegieme, the acting Director-General of the department, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday where she noted that no life was lost in the incident.

    According to FEMD, it received a distress call on the 112 emergency toll-free number at 8:20 pm about the building collapse, upon arriving at the scene, it immediately activated multiple agencies including the Department of Development Control, FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, Julius Berger, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Garki Police Command.

    Construction companies, CGC and ZEBERCED, were also called to assist.

    She further urged developers to adhere to building codes and conduct integrity tests on structures before renovations.

    She stressed the importance of using standard building materials, employing professionals, providing protective wear for workers, and ensuring insurance coverage for both buildings and on-site workers.

    The Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who was also present at the scene, ordered the demolition of the remaining structure and sealing of the premises.

    Galadima added that the Nigerian Buildings and Roads Research Institute (NBRRI) would conduct integrity tests on other buildings in the vicinity to prevent future incidents.

  • Police to begin clampdown on vehicles without number plates

    Police to begin clampdown on vehicles without number plates

    Police  in the Nigeria’s capital, Abuja will begin a clampdown on vehicles without number plates.

    The police made their plans known through a statement on Saturday.

    According to the statement, the FCT Police Command spokesperson Josephine Adeh said the move is part of efforts to curb crime in the area.

    The statement reads “The FCT Police Command has observed with serious concern the manner in which motorists drive around the territory with single or no number plates and car dealers beyond the stipulated time, which is 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Section 25 (5) of the Federal Capital Territory Road Transport Regulation Act, 2005,” the statement read.

    “It is no news that several recorded cases of armed robbery, popularly known as ‘one chance,’ are mostly associated with vehicles with single or no number plates. This unlawful act has pricked the attention of the populace, who have now begun to question the effectiveness of the police in addressing the menace.

    “Consequent to the above, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, psc, mni, has given a marching order that vehicles plying the roads with a single or no number plate should be impounded, with the driver arrested and prosecuted. Also, he warns car dealers against parking their vehicles in an unauthorised parking lot and driving beyond the stipulated time, which is six o’clock p.m., as defaulters will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”