TheNewsGuru

Tag: Clash

  • El-Zakzaky: PDP demand probe of Shiite, police clash in Abuja

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday called for an immediate inquest into the alleged violent clash between security forces and members of the Shiite movement, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    The clash, which rendered human and vehicular movement cumbersome, lasted for several hours as men of the Nigeria Police Force struggled to restore order in the affected parts of the city.

    In a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said an inquest into what truly led to the crisis would go a long way in determining the causative factors of the chaos, which expectedly grounded business activities in the city centre.

    “Our party is gravely worried over the handling of security in the nation’s capital and the near breakdown of law and order, which resulted in stampede and disruption of public and private businesses in the city centre.

    “The PDP has noted that the development is linked with protests over the continued refusal of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to release the leader of the group, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, despite being granted bail by courts of competent jurisdiction.

    “The PDP and indeed all lovers of democracy across the country are deeply concerned by the continued erosion of democratic tenets by the APC administration, resulting in avoidable crisis in various parts of the country,” he said.

    The leading opposition party called for immediate solution to prevent the crisis from further escalation.

  • Senate receives report on EFCC/SSS officers clash

    The Senate on Wednesday received the report of its ad-hoc committee investigating the clash between officers of different security agencies on November 21, 2017.

    The chairman of the committee, Francis Alimikhena, laid the report before the lawmakers during plenary.

    Fatima Rasaki seconded the motion for the report to be laid.

    The Senate had in November 2017, set up the committee to investigate the showdown between officials of the State Security Services (SSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

    The face-off was said to have stemmed from EFCC’s attempted arrest of former director- general of SSS, Ita Ekpeyong and that of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke.

    “The EFCC went to the residence of the former DG of DSS, Mr Ita Ekpeyong, to effect his arrest and the men of the DSS stopped the attempt,” the chairman said.

    Mr Alimikhena, however, told newsmen that the report had been laid and was awaiting the day for the consideration of the report before he could pass any comment.

     

  • N-Power: Police avert bloody clash between Buhari, Fayose’s supporters in Ekiti

    A timely intervention by the Police and other security agencies prevented what would have been a bloody clash between youths groups supporting President Muhammadu Buhari and those rooting for Governor Ayo Fayose on Saturday.

    The Buhari supporters who are beneficiaries of the Npower scheme had gathered at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) for walk to mark one year of the empowerment programme in the state.

    Some youths believed to have been mobilised from the Government House stormed the place singing the praises of Fayose and his ‘anointed’ candidate, Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

    As the Npower beneficiaries displayed banners hailing Buhari for empowering them through the scheme, Fayose’s supporters displayed various placards hailing the governor and proclaiming support for Olusola ahead of the governorship poll.

    Tension mounted as youths on both sides exchanged words. The pro-Buhari youths described the action of pro-Fayose youths as “provocative.”

    But policemen and other security agents quickly intervened and dispersed the pro-Fayose youths and protected the pro-Buhari youths to the venue of their celebration at AB Hotel, along Olora Road.

    The scenario is seen as a dress rehearsal towards the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti expected to be a fierce battle between the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Justifying their action, a pro-Fayose youth, Ajibade Segun, said: “A few months ago, Governor, Fayose invited us to the Government House and promised those of us who are NPower beneficiaries in Ekiti that we would get permanent employment from the state government. This is why we are happy and we are now coming out to campaign for the Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola. We are are here supporting the continuity agenda of his Excellency Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose and supporting Olusola Eleka for governor in July 14.

    “To the president we are saying that we don’t want just a temporary relief in the name of Npower from massive unemployment in Nigeria, we want permanent employment. We also want the number of beneficiaries of the Npower in Ekiti to be more than what we have presently. But most importantly, we want a permanent job like the governor has promised to give a good number of us, ” he said.

    A pro-Buhari youth and N-Power beneficiary, Adeosun Peter, said: “I want the people of Nigeria to know that we are not campaigning for Fayose or Olusola. It is Buhari that we know because he is the one who is feeding us. We have the banners bearing the image of Buhari and we are thanking him for this gesture.

    “N30,000 for each of the beneficiaries every month is not a small money. In twelve months , we know what that money amounts to. The beneficiaries of N-power in Ekiti in this first tranche are 3,400, and 8,337 will benefit in the second tranche, those of us here now are more than 3,000 that have come for accreditation today.

    “Buhari is our benefactor. We are standing for Buhari. We are thanking Buhari for what he has done and we also want him to make the job permanent.”

     

  • Panic as Gani Adam’s led OPC faction clash with others in Ibadan

    …Police arrest forty-six (46)

    The Oyo State Police Command on Monday arrested 46 rival faction members of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) in connection with the mayhem that was perpetrated at Oke-Ado area of Ibadan in the early hours of Monday (today).

    There was commotion in the area as early as 6.45am when suspected rival factions of the Congress clashed, leaving several people injured.

    Eyewitness said the factions clashed over the control of the area, with several shops and offices looted. Many vehicles were also destroyed.

    The eyewitness added that the rival groups engaged themselves using guns, machete and other dangerous weapons in the fight.

    “Many vehicle owners driving through the area had to abandon their vehicles and ran to safety.

    “The hoodlums shot into the air to scare people away. We don’t know the motive behind the fight, but we heard that they were fighting over the control of the area.

    “We also heard that the fight was between New Era faction of OPC and another group loyal to Aare Gani Adams’ faction.”

    Efforts to get the response of the National Public Relations Officer of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (New Era), Adeshina Akinpelu, failed as he did not answer his calls, nor did he reply to a text message.

    Police sources said the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, had to shelve the Monday meeting with senior officers of the command in order to mobilise his men in response to the crisis.

    Public Relations Officer of the command, Adekunle Ajisebutu, said the CP also visited the scene of the fight and that peace has been restored.

    He, however, did not confirm if the fight was between rival OPC groups.

    He said, “Forty-six suspects have been arrested already. Normalcy has since been restored following prompt deployment of policemen to the scene.

    “The CP, Abiodun Odude, personally visited the scene where he assured residents of adequate protection.

    “He has directed that the CIID should commence discreet investigation into the incident.”

  • JUST IN: Panic as Shiites members protest, clash with Police in Abuja

    JUST IN: Panic as Shiites members protest, clash with Police in Abuja

    There was pandemonium at the National Assembly complex in Abuja as protesting members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) clashed with the police.

    The Shiites members who were protesting for the release of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky who has been detained along with his wife since 2015.

    The police in collaboration with civil defence operatives tear gas the protesters and arrested a few of them.

    The police also fired gunshots in the air, causing fear and pandemonium as people ran for safety.

    The number of those arrested could not be immediately ascertained as at the time of filing this report.

    Efforts to reach the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood for comments was unsuccessful.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Three confirmed dead as Hausa,Gwari clash in Abuja

    Three people have been confirmed dead in the violence that occurred in Bwari town of Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

    A dusk to dawn curfew has, consequently, been imposed on the area.

    The violence occurred in the area on Monday morning leading to burning down of the major market in the community.

    TheNewsGuru had earlier reported the violence, which residents said was caused by the killing of a man late on Sunday.

    According to a resident of the area, the violence started late Sunday night after a Hausa man killed a man said to be of Gbagi ethnicity. In revenge, the Gbagis residing in the area burnt down the Bwari market on Monday, the resident said. Most of the traders in the market are believed to be Hausas.

    Another witness, who identified herself as Bimbo, said there has been tension between Hausas and Gbagis in the area for a while.

    “But the cause of this fight is because a Gbagi man was killed last night. Right now, all the Hausas in this area are running towards Kaduna area because of the fear of getting killed,” she said on Monday evening.

    On Monday evening, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, imposed a 6 p.m.to 6 a.m. curfew on Bwari township.

    The Minister of FCTA, Muhammad Bello, after a closed-door meeting with stakeholders in the Area Council, declared the curfew while assessing the damages caused by the crisis.

    Mr. Bello told journalists that three people died in the violence.

    Fire fighters arrived the market at about 8:00 p.m. on Monday to put out the fire. Although they came much earlier in the day, they were prevented from working by rioters.

  • 4 killed in fresh communal clash in Benue

    At least four people have been killed in a fresh communal clash in Ogobia community of Ugboju district in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

    On September 14, this year, a former chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Major Lawrence Ugbor (rtd) and five others including a retired police officer were killed in a communal clash between two communities in the Ugboju district of Otukpo.

    In February, last year, three people were killed in a similar rivalry between the two villages of Ondo and Ogobia in Ugboju district of Otukpo following an alleged land dispute which snowballed into crisis between suspected members of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It was also gathered that the crisis was allegedly caused by two fighting brothers of same parents, Ijachi Udeh and Benjamin Udeh who are said to belonged to rival political parties of PDP and APC.

    Spokesman of the police in the state, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the fresh killings, said that three people lost their lives on Saturday night while the fourth died on Sunday morning from injuries sustained when the fight broke out.

    Yamu said the police was yet to establish the motive behind the killing, adding that it was not unconnected with the previous unrest in the area.

    He however said that the police had been reinforced to restore normalcy in the vicinity while the command has commenced investigation in line with some lead available to it.

    But, some locals in the trouble community told our correspondent that the current crisis had more undertones of cult-related activities than the previous crisis linked to a communal clash between the blood brothers.

    One of the locals alleged that those killed were known cultists who fought against themselves, alleging a fifth death of a security personnel who has hacked by the rival cultists for preventing their activities in the area.

  • Army/IPOB clash: IGP orders deployment of 500 mobile police officers to Aba

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris on Friday approved the deployment of over 500 mobile police officers to Aba to restore peace in the troubled city.

    The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Operations, Taiwo Lakanu, disclosed this on Friday during a duty tour to Aba, at the Aba Police Area Command.

    He said that Mr. Idris directed that peace should be restored to Abia, hence the deployment of the mobile police officers who had assumed duty in Aba.

    “You can see that we have emplaced security and that the whole place is quite and our men are on patrol,” he said.

    “For now we are still monitoring. So, for now there is no problem. We are on top of the situation. We are working in tandem with other agencies and they are cooperating with us.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that peace is gradually returning to the commercial city which was embroiled in a clash between soldiers and IPOB members in Aba.

    Some roadside shops along Aba-Owerri road, St Michael’s road and other streets, and those at Ariaria International Market and New Market opened on Friday.

  • Soldiers who assaulted journalists during clash with IPOB will be punished – Army

    Soldiers who assaulted journalists during clash with IPOB will be punished – Army

    The Nigerian Army has said soldiers who participated in the assault on journalists in Umuahia during a clash with members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Tuesday, will face disciplinary actions for their “unfortunate” misconduct.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that at least two journalists were reportedly assaulted by troops in the Abia State capital in the afternoon. The soldiers accused the journalists of filming them as they rode by the state secretariat of Nigerian Union of Journalists.

    The journalists said the troops smashed their mobile phones and other electronic devices during the incident, which occurred when the soldiers were allegedly trying to barricade the residence of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The soldiers also clashed with supporters of Kanu as they attempted to place him on house arrest.

    The incident has sparked tension across the state, prompting Governor Okezie Ikpeaze to declare a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the state’s commercial town of Aba.

    In his reaction to the soldiers’ assault on journalists, Oyegoke Badamosi, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Army 14 Brigade in Ohafia, said preliminary investigation has revealed that soldiers indeed launched aggression against the reporters who were on their legitimate duties.

    “What happened was that while the soldiers on patrol near the Abia State NUJ Secretariat, they noticed some people filming them.

    “Unfortunately, they seized and damaged their recording devices; an iPad and 2 mobile phones. Preliminary investigation shows that the items belong to journalists on their legitimate duties.

    “Consequently, the Commander 14 Brigade and Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division waded into the matter which has since been resolved amicably.”

    Mr. Badamosi, a major, however, said some media outlets had exaggerated the incident.

    “The magnitude is not as was reported,” he said.

     

  • BREAKING: IPOB, police, army clash in Anambra, one feared dead

    There was pandemonium in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on Wednesday as the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, clashed with police and soldiers leaving one person dead.

    The fracas was instigated by a planned visit of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to the area in furtherance of his anti-election campaign in the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Kanu and his IPOB members had said that the November 18 poll in the state would not hold if the Federal Government does not oblige them a referendum to determine the fate and plausibility of a Sovereign State of Biafra.

    As early as 8am on Wednesday, security operatives made up of soldiers, police and other paramilitary agencies had converged on Ekwulobia.

    “The security operatives came in 14 trucks. But despite the heavy presence of security in the area, the IPOB members were still parading the area, singing and chanting Biafran songs.

    “The Biafran flags, caps, shirts and other items being sold by some youths were seized and burnt by the security operatives.

    “The situation angered the IPOB members and they tried to attack the security operatives who tear-gassed everybody and in the process, one of their (IPOB) members was killed,” a source who would not want to be identified told our correspondent.

    The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Nkeiruka Nwode, in a press statement denied any death during the encounter.

    She confirmed presence of security operatives in the area, saying that it was to avoid breach of peace.

    She said “There was nothing like that (death). The presence of the security men was to secure the people of the area from being attacked by hoodlums.

    Her statement read in part, “A complaint was received by the police that there was a gathering and blockage of road by some people at Central School, Ekwulobia in Aguata LGA.

    “The Police with other security agencies on joint patrol went to the scene, dispersed and cleared the road peacefully without any clash.

    “However, normalcy has been restored and people are going about their business without any threat or molestation.”

    As of the time of filing the report, Kanu had not visited the place as scheduled.