TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kwara State

  • Teenager sets house ablaze after stealing foodstuffs in Ilorin (Photo)

    Teenager sets house ablaze after stealing foodstuffs in Ilorin (Photo)

    Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) have arrested an 18-year-old boy for setting a house on fire after stealing foodstuff, clothing and other items with his gang in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    The spokesperson of the Kwara Fire Service, Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, in a statement said the incident occurred on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

    According to Adekunle, the suspect, Olawumi Ayomide, was apprehended by members of the community and subsequently handed over to the security operatives.

    The statement reads: “On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 12:11 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service responded swiftly to a fire outbreak at No. 59, Afenifere Community, Onireke, Gaa-Akanbi area, Ilorin,” the statement read.

    “Upon arriving at the scene, the fire officers found a three-bedroom bungalow engulfed in flames. The gallant officers immediately began extinguishing the fire and managed to bring it under control within 25 minutes. 

    “Despite their efforts, two rooms were completely ravaged by the inferno, with items such as a mattress, valuable documents, a plasma TV, and clothing completely destroyed.

    “Investigations revealed that the fire was an act of arson committed by a gang of thieves who had stolen foodstuffs, groceries, and clothing. 

    “After being discovered by residents and community members, the gang set the house on fire in a desperate attempt to escape. One member of the three-person gang, 18-year-old Olawumi Ayomide, was apprehended by the community. 

    “During his capture, Ayomide stabbed a man twice before being handed over to the community chairman, Mr Azeez Jamiu, and subsequently turned over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Tanke Division.

    “The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa urged the public to remain vigilant and prioritize safety at all times.”

  • Pretty Nigerian student ‘hired’ to act as girlfriend for N15,000 found dead

    Pretty Nigerian student ‘hired’ to act as girlfriend for N15,000 found dead

    Mojisola Awesu, a 21-year-old female student of the Kwara State College of Health Technology, was found dead at a refuse dump in the Aleniboro area of Ilorin, Kwara State capital, days after posing as girlfriend for another private varsity student at a party for the sum of N15,000.

    The Kwara Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement disclosed that some labourers discovered the victim’s body at a refuse dump in the area.

    Following the discovery of the deceased body, a resident of the community had reported on August 12, 2024, to the police, which prompted police operatives to visit the scene and recover the body, which was identified as Awesu, before depositing it at a morgue.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) learnt that one Miss Blessing made a report of a missing person about her roommate named Mojisola Awesu, who had left home to attend a party reportedly organised by students of two private varsities in the state.

    Ejire-Adeyemi narrated further, “According to the report, Miss Mojisola received a phone call on August 9, from Miss Timileyin, who informed her about an event organised by students of Summit University and Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin.

    “Miss Timileyin introduced Mojisola to one Mr Adebayo Happiness, a student of Summit University, who allegedly invited her to the night party under the pretence of having her act as his girlfriend for a fee of N15,000.00.

    “Upon her arrival in Ilorin, Miss Mojisola informed her roommate that she felt uncomfortable in the hotel she was lodged by Adebayo Happiness and noted that there was no party at the said location.”

    The police spokesperson noted further that the deceased, before attending the party, had communicated with her roommate about the situation of things at the said party. Her phone was unreachable, and every attempt to reach her was unsuccessful.

    Some suspects were arrested in connection to the incident after the police carried out an investigation which is still presently on going.

    “Shortly after this communication, her phone was switched off and all subsequent efforts by Miss Blessing to reach her were unsuccessful.

    “In light of these developments, the Kwara State Police Command have arrested suspects in connection with the case. An investigation is ongoing, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further discreet investigation,” Ejire-Adeyemi stated.

     

  • SAD: 4 die after eating amala in Kwara

    SAD: 4 die after eating amala in Kwara

    The Kwara State government has confirmed the death of four persons in Eruda community in Olorun West Local Government Area after eating Amala, a popular local delicacy.

    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, who disclosed this at a news conference on Tuesday in Ilorin, said that another person also also died of gastroenteritis.

    Consequent upon the incident, El-Imam said that the state government had placed health care in the state on Outbreak Response Mode.

    She said that the entire health team of the ministry had visited the community after report of the family that lost some members after consuming yam flour.

    “On getting there, the claim was that there was an instance of food poisoning where a 70-year-old woman fell ill and died after consuming amala.

    “Unfortunately, her son and grandchildren also consumed the same food, fell ill and died.

    “They were taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital where they passed away,” she said.

    El-Imam stated that the amala with ‘Lafun’ could have been responsible for the deaths.

    She further stated that those who consumed yam flour without lafun were fine.

    “However, those who consumed the mixture of both lafun and amala mixture fell ill and some of them eventually died,” she said.

    The commissioner said that the survivors were receiving treatment in the hospitals where they were admitted.

    “Some are doing well and hopefully, following intensive medical treatment, they should be able to recover fully.

    “It was observed that they are residing in a place where personal and environmental hygiene is not really optimal,” she said.

    El-Imam attributed the incident to food poisoning, occasioned by under-processed cassava used in the production of the meal.

    She said that an initial rapid diagnostic test was conducted on the suspected case of cholera, which later turned out to be gastroenteritis.

    She said that one death was recorded at Osin Gada in Ilorin West Local Government Area from gastroenteritis.

    “The community had a few cases of stooling and vomiting, particularly among children.

    “The vomiting and stooling drew the attention of the state’s disease reporting structure.

    “On getting there, treatment was immediately commenced and all the affected patients have received standard treatments to stop the symptoms and restore their health,” she said.

    The commissioner said that the state government would provide the community with potable water to prevent future re-occurrence.

  • LG election: Court stops INEC from releasing voter register to Kwara

    LG election: Court stops INEC from releasing voter register to Kwara

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, restrained INEC from releasing the national voter register to the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) for the conduct of local government elections.

    Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also stopped KWSIEC and the state’s Attorney General (AG) from using the voter register for the Sept. 21 polls.

    The PDP, through its Lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, had sued INEC, KWSIEC, Kwara AG, Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and State Security Service (SSS) as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

    Justice Lifu, in the ruling, equally restrained the I-G and SSS from participating in or providing security protection for the conduct of local government elections in Kwara pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by PDP.

    The PDP had, in the affidavit, alleged that the KWSIEC was in grievous contravention, breach and violation of Sections 9, 28, 29 and 106 of the Electoral Act 2022, Sections 20 (1) and 21 (1) of Kwara State Local Government Electoral (Amendment) Law, 2024.

    It claimed that all the conditions and precedents contained in Local Government Electoral Laws in Kwara had been deliberately jettisoned and violated under unacceptable circumstances.

    Among others, PDP claimed to be a duly registered political party in Nigeria, eligible to participate and field candidates to contest elections in Nigeria, including the 2024 local government elections in Kwara sought to be conducted by the defendants.

    It alleged that KWSIEC had applied to INEC for the voter register for Kwara for use in the conduct of the poll, which the party said, was in breach and violation of the provisions of the constitution, the Electoral Act, 2022 and Kwara State Local Government Electoral (Amendment) Law, 2024.

    It said despite the gross violations of the electoral laws, the INEC had shown the desire to release the register to the KWSIEC in violation of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    After the lawyer moved the motion, Justice Lifu ordered all the parties in the suit to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff’s motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

    The judge, however, ordered PDP to enter into a fresh undertaking to indemnify the five defendants at a cost that would be assessed by the court in case its application turns out to be frivolous and ought not to have been granted by the court.

    He adjourned the matter until Aug. 12 for hearing.

  • Hijrah Year: Kwara state Governor declares Monday work free day

    Hijrah Year: Kwara state Governor declares Monday work free day

    Kwara state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has approved Monday, July 8, 2024, as a public holiday in the state in commemoration of the new Hijrah Year (Muharram) 1446.

    Muharram is the Muslim’s first lunar month in the Islamic calendar.

    Governor Abdulrazaq spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye  in Ilorin on Friday noted via a statement that the first day of the Muharram 1446 falls on Sunday, July 7, 2024, according to many calculations.

    The statement reads partly: “The Governor shares in the mixed memories that this occasion brings to the Muslims annually, and calls for deeper introspection on the journey of the community and its duty to be the light bearers for tolerance, mutual respect, and justice.”

    The Governor wished the community a blessed new Hijrah year and prayed Allah to accord everyone its blessings and uphold the community upon goodness.

  • KWSIEC announces date for LG elections in Kwara

    KWSIEC announces date for LG elections in Kwara

    The Kwara Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) has scheduled the state local government councils poll for Sept. 21.

    KWSIEC Chairman, Okanla Baba, said this in a statement on Thursday in Ilorin.

    Baba said the election would hold in all the 16 local councils in the state.

    ”We will give further breakdown on the election Time Table of activities soon, all things being equal.

    “We urge all stakeholders to follow our public communications, updates, and get ready for the election within the time frame,” he said.

  • Gov AbdulRazaq reacts over impressive UTME scores from Kwara schools

    Gov AbdulRazaq reacts over impressive UTME scores from Kwara schools

    Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara is excited over reports indicating that students from across public and private schools in Kwara are recording impressive results in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, indicated that the governor is particularly happy with the marks scored by Master Samuel  Oluwasemilore of Government Secondary School, Omu Aran.

    Ajakaye scored 358 in the test.

    The statement quoted the governor as particularly congratulating the 30 students of Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Model College, who scored between 355 and 300 marks.

    “We are proud of achievements like this; they serve as shining examples for younger ones to work harder, be at their best in their studies, and make their parents and community proud.

    “We are also excited that these are not isolated successes in our education sector, coming just few weeks after Kwara represented Nigeria on the global stage at the World School Debate in Singapore, among other feats.

    “I assure the good people of this state that we will continue to beat our own record in this critical sector.

    “Our KwaraLEARN programme is yielding impressive results already; the state executive council recently approved statewide coverage for the tech-based learning programme.

    “The next few years will yield awesome learning outcomes. Soon, we will launch a first-of-its-kind Kwara Education Trust Fund to inject more resources and strengthen accountability in the sector,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.

  • Scarcity: Government raid filling stations to prevent hoarding fuel

    Scarcity: Government raid filling stations to prevent hoarding fuel

    In Ilorin the Kwara state task force, raided many filling stations operating within the state, in its bid to tackle the lingering fuel scarcity in the state.

    The government warned the filling stations against hoarding of fuel which it declared imposes needless hardship on the masses.

    Chief of Staff, Government House, Prince Mahe Abdulkadir who led the team noted that the committee set up by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is tasked to attend to the problem of fuel shortage.

    “We observed that the major marketers are doing their best so far because we checked their pits,” he added.

    Prince Abdulkadir also appealed to the people of the state to be patient and avoid panic-buying.

    “We want to call on the people of the state to be patient and avoid panic buying, the federal government is not trying to increase the prices of fuel. We will make sure our people are not shortchanged,” he stated.

    Filling stations inspected included Total Energies Post Office Area; Rainoil Filling Station Asa Dam; NNPC Gerin Alimi; Total Energies Surulere; NNPC Surulere; and MRS Filling Station Oja-Oba.

    The Chief of Staff charged the management of fuel stations dispensing fuel across the state to properly organise their customers to ensure orderliness.

    At Rainoil Filling Station Asa Dam, NNPC Gerin Alimi, and NNPC Surulere, the team confirmed that there was enough fuel in their pits and encouraged them to continue to sell in an orderly manner.

    Some of the managers promised to avoid hoarding in the interest of the state.

    In their reactions, some motorists on queue appealed to the government to continue to monitor sales of fuel to check hoarding and reduce hardship occasioned by fuel scarcity in the state.

  • Police fortify Kwara in aftermath of jailbreak in Niger State

    Police fortify Kwara in aftermath of jailbreak in Niger State

    The Police Command in Kwara has reinforced security measures, deployed additional manpower to key locations in response to a recent jail break in neighbouring Niger State.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Command Spokesperson, DSP. Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Sunday in Ilorin.

    She said that the command is working closely with the relevant agencies to ensure the safety and security of the state.

    “On the 24th of April, 2024, there was a heavy rainstorm which occurred at night and extensively damaged part of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, leading to the escape of 118 inmates.

    “The breach in the perimeter fence caused by the downpour facilitated the escape, as reported by an official of the Nigeria Correctional Service, ACC Abubakar Umar.

    “In response to this incident, the Nigerian Correctional Service promptly activated its recapturing protocols and so far has successfully recovered 13 of the escaped inmates. Collaborative efforts with other security agencies are ongoing to recapture the 105 fleeing inmates.

    “As a neighbouring state, the Kwara state police are fully aware of the security implications of such an incident, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya, has assured that the command is on high alert and is working closely with the relevant agencies to ensure the safety and security of our state.

    Ejire-Adeyemi quoted CP Olaiya as assuring the public that adequate measures have been put in place to prevent any attempt by the escaped inmates to enter or cause harm within the State.

    “Patrols have been intensified along the border areas, and surveillance has been increased in vulnerable locations.

    “We urge all citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.

    “Together, we can maintain peace and security in our communities.

    “The Kwara State Police Command remains committed to its mandate of protecting lives and property and assures the citizens of its readiness to respond swiftly to any security challenges,” Olaiya added.

    According to Ejire-Adeyemi, the command control room is available 24/7 everyday of the week, urging residents  to please call any of the numbers if they notice any suspicious person(s) or movements on the numbers –  07032069501 or 08125275046.

  • Fire razes Kwara High Court building

    Fire razes Kwara High Court building

    The main building of the Kwara State High Court complex in Ilorin was on Tuesday morning gutted by fire.

    The Spokesman for the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to newsmen in Ilorin.

    Adekunle stated that the agency received a distress call over the incident at about 07.33hours and responded swiftly.

    The statement read in part: “Responding swiftly, the fire crew rushed to the scene to find the imposing State High Court building ablaze.

    “This building, housing 40 offices and three open courtrooms, was in peril, with the registry department and litigation office particularly affected by the inferno.

    “With commendable courage and determination, the firefighters immediately commenced their efforts to combat the raging flames.

    “Working tirelessly, they skillfully navigated through the burning structure, deploying their expertise and resources to contain and extinguish the fire.

    “Despite the daunting challenges they faced, they succeeded in saving the Court from complete ruin, preventing what could have been a catastrophic loss.

    “Subsequent investigation into the cause of the fire revealed that it was triggered by a power surge, highlighting the importance of electrical safety measures,” the statement read.

    “The fire incident affected 40 offices, three open courts and registry department.

    The statement quoted the Director,  Kwara State Fire Service, Falade Olumuyiwa, to have “urged the public to prioritise safety awareness and precautions in their daily activities.

    “This call to action underscores the critical role that vigilance and preparedness play in preventing such tragedies from occurring in the future,” it added.