TheNewsGuru

Tag: Federal Capital Territory

  • Supreme Court, NIA, DIA, Airport, National Assembly in darkness as AEDC announces blackout

    Supreme Court, NIA, DIA, Airport, National Assembly in darkness as AEDC announces blackout

    Several areas in the Federal Capital Territory have been plunged into darkness following a power outage announced by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

    AEDC, in a notice issued on Monday, attributed the blackout to a technical fault on the feeder supplying electricity to the affected locations.

    “Dear valued customers in Utako, Wuye, Jabi, Airport, NJI, NARSDA, NABDA, Lugbe Shoprite, Riverpark Estate, War College, Dunamis, NIGCOMSAT, Nigeria-Korea Model School.

    “Also customers in Lugbe Primary, Zuma Steel, Kapwa Village, NIA Junior/Senior, Tipper Garage, Tudu Wada, Peace Village, Video Club, CRD, 1R, T-Pumpy Estate, New Site, Back of Dunamis, Jedo, and Forte Royal Estate.

    “Customers in Aso Drive, NSA, NASS, NJC, FJC, and Supreme Court; Wubassy Barracks, Army War College, Mambila Barrack, Yara Dua Barrack, DIA, Niger Barrack, Lungi & Agu Irosi Barrack, and surrounding areas.

    “We regret to inform you that the power outage is due to a technical fault on the feeder serving these areas. Our dedicated technical team is working tirelessly to restore power as quickly as possible,” the statement read.

  • 7 dead as massive explosion rocks FCT community

    7 dead as massive explosion rocks FCT community

    Atleast seven persons have been reported dead after a massive explosion rocked the Karu bridge at Nyanya area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Wednesday.

    TheNewsGuru gathered that the incident occurred after a gas tanker burst into flames, and engulfed several vehicles.

    Personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies were seen at the scene, with over seven bodies recovered so far.

    Reports also indicated that emergency responders continued rescue operations, as they work to contain the situation.

    Cause of the blast revealed

    Mark Nyam, the Head of the Forecasting Response and Mitigation Division at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirmed the accident’s details in a statement released on Wednesday, stating that the incident occurred when the CNG truck veered out of control and struck other vehicles on the bridge.

    “The driver of the CNG truck lost control, which resulted in the explosion. Our teams, along with the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force, and NEMA, are on the ground to rescue those affected,” Nyam explained.

    The statement noted that injured victims were immediately taken to the State House Clinic for treatment, while others were rushed to National and Asokoro Hospitals for more intensive care.

    The Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNG) also issued a statement expressing sadness over the incident and promising a thorough investigation to determine its cause.

    “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this devastating incident.

    “While initial reports suggest the involvement of a Bi-Fueled Petrol Tanker, we urge the public to await the outcome of a thorough investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident,” the statement read

    The PCNG Initiative further mentioned that preliminary reports indicated a possible brake system failure leading to the explosion of the petrol storage tank, but they cautioned against speculation until all facts were confirmed.

    The initiative reiterated its commitment to ensuring safety standards in the use of CNG as a cleaner energy alternative.

    The PCNG also commended the swift response of emergency responders. “We commend the swift response of FEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, and NEMA, who are working tirelessly to rescue victims and manage the situation,” the statement concluded.

  • ICYMI: Fire engulfs FCT minister’s private residence

    ICYMI: Fire engulfs FCT minister’s private residence

    The private house of the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has been gutted by fire with nothing left to salvage in the property.

    The property is located at No. 9, Justice Roseline Ukeji Close, Asokoro.

    The media aide to the minister, Mr. Austine Elemue, who confirmed the incident Sunday, said the cause of the fire outbreak was being investigated.

    The Acting Director of the FCT Fire Service, Amiola Adebayo, confirmed the incident.

    Adebayo stated that the first floor of the building was completely razed by the fire.

    He explained that the fire had started at about 9:45 am, but said officers of the Service arrived at the scene some minutes after they had received a running call after responders had tried to reach the Federal Fire Service.

    A running call means that rather than calling the Emergency line of the Fire Service, responders had insisted on going to the office to get the attention of the firemen.

    “The fire was discovered a few minutes to ten, maybe around 9:45 am. We received a running call around thirteen minutes after ten, so we followed the person who came to call us to the fire scene.

    “All of them were on the ground floor. They did not discover the fire on time, and they didn’t call the Fire Service. It was a running call that came to us. From our findings, they say they called the Federal Fire Service, but they didn’t respond on time, that’s when the running call came to our office.

    “On reaching there, we saw that the first floor, the upper floor was completely engulfed in fire. So what we could do is just to prevent the fire from spreading to the ground floor, and the adjacent structures. No lives lost”, he said.

    As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire was yet to be determined, although the media assistant to the minister, Austin Elemue, also confirmed the incident.

  • Police say explosion in Abuja not bomb related

    Police say explosion in Abuja not bomb related

    The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said the explosion that occured near a refuse dump outside the Bureau of Public Enterprise premises in Maitama area of Abuja was not bomb related.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT. SP Josephine Adeh, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    She said a rapid response team and members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was deployed to assess the situation after the alleged incident on Wednesday.

    According to her, preliminary findings indicate than an overheated  metal refuse container activated under intense heat, exploded, and injured two of  the refuse evacuators.

    She said the affected refuse evacuators were currently receiving medical attention in Maitama General Hospital.

    Adeh urged the public to exercise caution and refrain from using metal refuse bins.

    She advocated the use of plastic or rubber containers for waste disposal, as they pose a reduced risk of being over heated.

  • 23-year-old pregnant lady seeks buyer for unborn baby

    23-year-old pregnant lady seeks buyer for unborn baby

    A23-year-old pregnant lady, identified only as Chinaza, has approached doctors at the National Hospital in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to seek a buyer for her unborn baby.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com gathered that when Chinaza got pregnant, she left her parents’ house in Imo State to live with her friend in Lagos State.

     

    A source in the hospital said Chinaza friend’s house was later demolished, adding that they both relocated to Abuja.

     

    In the words of the source: “A pregnant lady came to the hospital over the weekend and said she wanted to sell her unborn baby. She said she mistakenly got pregnant and left her parents house in Imo State to stay with her friend in Lagos State.

     

    “While living with her friend, she said her residence was demolished and they travelled to Abuja to live with her friend’s uncle. She said her uncle’s landlady complained about the number of persons occupying the apartment, and they were later asked to leave.

     

    “While wandering around, she said she requested help from a woman she met in Utako, Abuja, and the woman gave her N500. She said the woman told her to come to the hospital to say whatever was on her mind. She has been handed over to the police in FCT. She is still there as I speak. “

     

    Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said, “I am aware of the incident. The lady in question is with us.”

     

    In another development, the Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 22-year-old man, Ayomide Fawehinmi, who was rescued from a mob action over an allegation of stealing an underaged child in the Surulere area of Lagos State.

     

    It was gathered that the suspect was rescued and thereafter arrested following a distress call received from members of the community.

     

    In a press statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin,  preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect lured a 15-year-old boy from his mother’s shop and took him to an unknown destination before he was accosted by a neighbour who raised the alarm.

  • Case of late Osinachi transferred to DPP- FCT Police Command

    Case of late Osinachi transferred to DPP- FCT Police Command

    The case of the late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been transferred to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, said Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja Police Command.

     

    The 42-year-old ‘Ekwueme crooner’ passed away on April 8, in an Abuja-based hospital.

     

    Following her death, her close friends/family members alleged that she died in the hospital while treating herself after her husband kicked her on the chest during one of his many physical attacks on her.

     

    Subsequently, her Husband, Mr. Peter Nwachukwu was arrested on Sunday April 10, on grounds of suspected culpable homicide.

     

    According to report, the case was transferred from the Lugbe Police Division to the State Criminal Investigation Department the following day.

     

    However, A source has come out to shed more light on the recent development. According to the PUNCH Metro, the autopsy report had been released, adding that the police would seek legal advice on the matter.

     

    The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, on Monday, said the case was no longer with the police.

     

    She said, “The case is no longer with us. It is now with the DPP in the office of the Attorney General.”

  • How NSCDC official allegedly brutalizes teenager for having boyfriend

    How NSCDC official allegedly brutalizes teenager for having boyfriend

    An official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, identified as Ezekiel, has been accused of brutalizing his 19-year-old sister (Amarachi), by flogging her with stick and cable, causing her bodily injuries, for allegedly having a boyfriend.

    Amarachi’s sister, Chidinma, 25, who confirmed the allegation, said Ezekiel brutalizes her as well.

     

    Ezekiel was said to have visited the duo at their house in the Kuje area of Abuja and demanded the former’s phone.

     

    Amarachi, a microbiology student at the University of Abuja, reportedly refused to release her phone to him.

     

    Ezekiel was said to have flogged her with a stick and a cable, causing her bodily injuries.

     

    They said their brother was always going through their phones and got furious anytime he saw a chat from their male friends.

     

    Chidinma said her brother once flogged her till she passed out after accusing her of sleeping around.

     

    She said, “This is not the first time this is happening. We both have scars on our bodies. The recent one happened on April 20.

     

    “He came to the house unaware; that is how he usually does. He came at 9pm and asked my sister for her phone; she denied having one because he already seized one from her after accusing her of having a boyfriend. That was the period she just gained admission into UniAbuja; my brother also tore her admission letter.

     

    “He started beating her repeatedly and hit her head against the wall. He dragged her to the kitchen and used our turning stick on her. I couldn’t bear it. My sister was on her menstruation that day and was weak before the entire scenario. I screamed for help; it was at that point our neighbours came to plead on her behalf. Our neighbours intervened and persuaded my sister to give the phone to my brother.

     

    “When my neighbours left, my brother shut the door and used a cable on her. He said she does not have the right to use an Android phone until she gets to the age of 25. She is 19 and at the University of Abuja.

     

    “Anytime he comes unaware like that, he goes through my chats and text messages. He gets angry when he sees messages from our male friends.

     

    “I am a graduate, but my brother still goes through my phone. The last time he flogged us from 9pm to 4am the next day, our mother called him to leave us alone; he snubbed our mother.

     

    “There was a time he accused me of sleeping around and flogged me till I passed out. People keep asking if we are related by blood. This beating is too much.”

     

    Chidinma said her brother was invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department after she and her sister lodged a report at the gender unit, adding that he did not show up.

     

    “He threatened to deal with us when he gets back. Since then, we have nowhere to lay our heads,” she added.

     

    According to Ezekiel, the issue was a family affair.

     

    He dared the ladies to provide evidence that he was responsible for their scars.

     

    Ezekiel said, “First of all, the girl in question is 16 years old; she was flogged in front of her mum; the second is 22, not 25 years old. Contacting me to say my position will escalate the issue. You don’t take family matters to the media.

     

    “If these girls are your younger sisters you will not tolerate what they are doing. Is there evidence that I gave them the scars on their bodies? I met the police officers later in the night. You can ask them at the SCID.”

  • How NDLEA seized Tramadol, Exol 5 worth over N5 billion at 3 Airports

    How NDLEA seized Tramadol, Exol 5 worth over N5 billion at 3 Airports

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday it has seized not less than 9.5 million tablets of pharmaceutical opioids (Tramadol and Exol 5), worth over N5 billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Edo state.

     

    NDLEA Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement, said the seizures were made by operatives of the NDLEA, and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

     

    Babafemi said, “Of the figure, 214 cartons of Tramadol 225 under 10 different brand names, which translate to 9, 219, 400 tablets weighing 6, 384.5kg, with an estimated street value of N4, 609, 700, 000 were transferred on Tuesday 29th March alongside 85 cartons of dried Khat leaves with a total weight of 1, 327.35kg by the Nigerian Customs to the MMIA Command of NDLEA as a symbol of the synergy between the two law enforcement agencies.

     

    “In Abuja, about 228,740 tablets and capsules of Tramadol and Exol 5 were intercepted on Friday 1st April at Abaji area of the FCT. The truck conveying the drugs was loaded in Lagos heading to Kano. Though the truck driver escaped into the bush during the search of the vehicle, two of his assistants; Usman Abdulmumini, 23 and Aminu Ahmad, 22, were arrested.

     

    “At the Port Harcourt International Airport, PHIA, a Brazilian returnee Nnanna Anayo Michael, 39, was arrested during the inward screening of passengers on board Qatar Airline flight QR1433 from Doha to Port Harcourt on Tuesday, 29th March. Nnanna who hails from Ekwusigo, Anambra State was arrested with 73 sachets weighing 8.15 kilograms of cocaine, which is the largest seizure of such at the airport, since it began international flight operations years ago.”

     

    Babafemi said during the preliminary interview, Nnanna said he departed Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sunday midnight en route Qatar to Port Harcourt.

     

    “He claimed an unidentified person in Sao Paulo gave him six-bed sheets in which the drug was concealed to deliver to another unidentified person at Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa. The 73 cocaine sachets were hidden in 4×1 feet factory sewn colourful bed sheets. Five of the bed sheets contain 12 sachets each, while the sixth bed sheet contains 13 sachets,” the Agency’s spokesman said.

     

    He added that an immediate follow-up operation led to the arrest of 50-year-old Monday Alaisu, who travelled from Lagos to pick the drug from Nnenna.

     

    “He was arrested at the airport’s car park where he was waiting to receive Nnenna with the latter’s photograph taken at the Brazilian airport and his international passport’s Data Page in his hand,” Babafemi said.

     

    He said in Oyo state, 17.6kg of cannabis was transferred along with a suspect, Ramon Dauda, 40, to the state command of NDLEA by the Oyo/Osun Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service.

     

    He added that narcotics officers on patrol along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Thursday 31st March intercepted a consignment of 10kg cannabis and 12.1grams of amphetamine in a commercial bus.

     

    He said a follow-up operation in Ilesa, Osun state led to the arrest of the owner of the drug exhibits, Mrs Remi Aluko, 44.

     

    The statement reads, “Three drug joints were raided at Wire road, Benin City and Uromi town in Esan Central LGA where 188 pinches of Cocaine and Heroin were recovered with five suspects arrested. In another raid in Okada town, a patent medicine dealer, Harrison Odion was arrested with 70 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup; 9,638 Tramadol capsules; 16,843 tablets of Exol-5; 80 tablets of Diazepam and 62 ampules of Diazepam injection. In the same vein, operatives in the state destroyed seven clusters of dry season Cannabis Sativa farms in Okpuje Forest along the banks of River Ose totalling 3.124998 hectares.

     

    “At least, seven drug dealers were arrested in raids in parts of Kano with 80 kilograms of codeine and pentazocine injection seized from them. Those picked in Rijiyar Zaki, Brigade, Yan-Kaba, Tudun Wada, Karfi, Ungogo and Nassarawa areas of the state include Muhammad Adamu; Abba Sani; and Auwalu Muhammad, among others.

     

    “While commending the working relationship between NDLEA and other security agencies in the country, Chairman/Chief Executive of the anti-narcotic agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged officers and men of the MMIA, PHIA, FCT, Edo, Oyo and Kano Commands not to rest on their oars.”

  • Disregard news on bandit invasion in Abuja – CP urge residents

    Disregard news on bandit invasion in Abuja – CP urge residents

    The Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Babaji Sunday, has called on residents to disregard the news of bandit invasion in Kubwa axis of Abuja.

    The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, said this in a statement in Abuja.

    She said the call followed misleading news making the rounds in some sections of the media that a number of miscreants stormed and raided Pipeline Extension area in Kubwa and dispossessed residents of their belongings.

    “The Command, therefore, wishes to categorically refute this erroneous and misleading news and state, emphatically that it is baseless and unfounded.

    “It is promulgated with the malicious intention to instil fear and apprehension in the minds of residents and the good people of FCT,” she said.

    She said the CP urged residents to discontinue the propagation of the news and go about their lawful businesses without fear of harassment or molestation

    Adeh called on the residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the Police through 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.

  • UNESCO to empower 50,000 girls, women in ICT

    UNESCO to empower 50,000 girls, women in ICT

    UNESCO will on Tuesday launch the second phase of its project to empower illiterate girls and women in low Performing Junior Secondary Schools through Information Communication Technology in Bauchi State, an official has said.

    The project is targeted at 50,000 girls and women, Mr Olushola Macaulay, the National Officer, Communication and Information, UNESCO, said in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

    The first phase of the project, “Revitalising Adult and Youth Literacy in Nigeria” supported by the Federal Government, addressed the challenges of illiteracy.

    In the previous project, 60,000 illiterate women, girls in low Performing Junior Secondary Schools were trained in life skills and use of ICT in the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers in 2016, Macaulay said.

    According to him, the second phase of the project is funded by Procter and Gamble, an American-based consumer product company, and targets schools in Bauchi State.

    He said that the strategy to be deployed in the current project would be “School Meets the Learner Approach’’.

    “This is to empower additional 50,000 illiterate women and girls in low-performing Junior Secondary Schools.

    “The objective of the second phase of the project is to bring schools to the doorsteps of the learners using technology, where learners have difficulties in accessing education in a formal setting.

    “The launch of the project, School Meets the Learner Approach, marks the beginning of the UNESCO new initiative to Education.

    “This is where ICT devices, such as television, tablets, and mobile phones are deployed to learners in their homes, workplaces to facilitate teaching and learning,” Macaulay said.

    He said over the years, various government institutions had instituted policies, established structures and supported interventions aimed at addressing the high level of illiteracy in the country.

    According to him, statistics by the Federal Ministry of Education indicates that only 500,000 out of 40 million adult illiterates are enrolled in adult learning classes.

    He said there were also 3.5 million school age children roaming the streets with only 450,000 accessing any form of schooling.