TheNewsGuru

Tag: Victims

  • Ortom denies operating snake farm, says ‘I’ve spent N31m treating victims of snake bite ’

    Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, on Tuesday, denied allegations making the rounds that he operates snake farm.

    The governor noted that instead, he had been saving the lives of those bitten by snakes.

    Ortom further disclosed that rather than inflicting pains on people through his alleged snake farm, he had incurred N31m within three months treating victims of snake bites.

    He, however, said there was nothing wrong for anybody to go into any kind of farming, including snake farming, which the constitution permits.

    His denial is coming on the heels of a report alleging that the governor owns snakes farm at his Oracle Farm along Naka Road, Makurdi; and that the consignment intercepted last week by the Nigerian Customs in Calabar belonged to him.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Federal Government on Friday said it has commenced investigations to uncover the importers of the three consignments containing 140 species of snakes and 660 other animals imported into Nigeria from Cameroon on July 26.

    The governor, who briefed newsmen after his return from a two-week leave in the United Kingdom, denied the allegation.

    He added that he received a divine mandate 20 years ago to assist victims of snake bites who cannot afford to pay for their treatment and that he had been doing that, culminating in his spending of N31m in three months this year alone.

    He added that he runs a foundation that was specifically established to cater for the poor and peasant farmers in the rural areas that are bitten by snakes but have no means of treatment.

    Ortom further disclosed that he had decided to retain St. Theresa and Rahama Hospitals, Makurdi, where people who are bitten by snakes go for treatment, stating that over one million people have so far received treatment in the two hospitals for various degree of snake bites.

    He lamented that snakes have become a burden to the state and that if he had the power, he would have killed all the snakes across the state; adding that in the last three months, he had incurred N31m on treatment of victims of snake bites.

    “As at June ending when the management of St. Theresa Hospital, Makurdi, brought the accumulated bills of three months to me, I had incurred N31m for treating victims of snake bites.

    “People should rather encourage someone who is committed to saving lives,” Ortom said.

    He also said he had detailed the state’s Attorney General, Mike Gusa, to investigate the report.

  • Jordan repeals law allowing rapists to marry victims

    Jordan repeals law allowing rapists to marry victims

    Jordan’s Lower House of Parliament repealed a law on Tuesday that allowed rapists to escape punishment by marrying their victims.

    A royal committee had suggested abolishing the controversial Article 308 in February, among its suggestions to amend the country’s 1960 penal code.

    Earlier on Tuesday, Human Rights Watch called on lawmakers to remove the article “to strengthen the rule of law and end impunity for violence against women.’’

    In July, Tunisia” parliament scrapped a similar provision in its penal code while Morocco and Egypt have also removed similar laws.

    According to HRW other countries in the region that retained similar provisions included Algeria, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Palestine, and Syria. (

     

     

    (dpa/NAN)

  • Sokoto Govt assists victims of Illela rainstorm

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has directed the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency to quickly deliver relief materials to victims of rainstorm which wreaked havoc at Illela, Araba, Gati and surrounding villages in Illela local government area of the state.

    The storm, which occurred last Friday night, destroyed houses, livestock and farm produce while rendering many families homeless.

    Already, a government delegation, led by the Sokoto State Chairman of the ruling APC, Alhaji Usman Danmadami, has visited the affected villages to commiserate with the victims.

    Speaking at the Palace of the District Head of Illela, Danmadami said the government will work with local authorities to assist victims and ensure they are fully rehabilitated to enable the return to their normal activities.

    He prayed to Allah to give all the victims strength in these trying moments and assured that all efforts would be made to make them rebuild their lives.

    The delegation later presented cash assistance to the victims.

    In his remarks, Wakilin Sarkin Rafin Illela, Alhaji Sahabi Isa, thanked the Governor for his concern and to prayed Allah to reward him abundantly.

    Others in the delegation were commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Manir Dan’Iya, Government House Chief of Staff, Mukhtar Umar Magori, Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Magaji Gusau, State APC Treasurer, Mukhtar Bello Maigona and Director General of SEMA, Ibrahim Haliru Dingyadi.

  • How we transfer victims’ funds using their phones – Suspects

     

    The Edo State Police Command have arrested a three man gang who specialize in transferring funds from their victims’ accounts to their own accounts using their victims’ mobile phones.

    According to a report by The Punch, one of the suspects, Lucky said the sum of N210, 000 was transferred from the accounts of three of their victims on the eve of the New Year through the code of a popular commercial bank.

    He said, “We transferred money from people’s account. We used to work for a telecoms company. When we see people with big phones, we told them that they could watch satellite TV stations on their phones. We also offered to help them with their subscription.

    “Through that process, we also transferred money from people’s accounts. We transferred N100, 000 each from the accounts of two individuals and N10, 000 from another account. We did it on the eve of the New Year.”

    The 19-year-old suspect said one of their victims alerted the police when she discovered a deduction in her account and raised the alarm.

    The suspect said, “The person from whose account we transferred N100, 000 saw us when we were going home and held my friend, who transferred the money and demanded his money.

    “From there, we were arrested and taken to New Benin. I regret everything. My dad is late but my mum was fed up with me because of what I did.”

    Lucky and two others were arrested by the Edo State Police Command for allegedly engaging in cybercrime and other fraudulent activities in Benin metropolis.

    They were said to have been arrested at Upper Mission Road in Oredo Local Government Area of the state, after allegedly defrauding a woman around New Benin.

    Lucky and other suspects (each aged 19 years) identified as Louis Ogidamen and Theophilus Oko, had posed as registration agents for a telecoms company.

    It was learnt that they offered to register the SIM cards of their victims.

    They were also alleged to have offered to assist their victims to enable financial transactions on their mobile phones and in the process, transferred money from the victims’ accounts to their own account.

    The Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, confirmed the arrest, adding that the suspects were under investigation.

  • Uyo church collapse: NMA releases casualty figures, calls urgent support for victims

    Uyo church collapse: NMA releases casualty figures, calls urgent support for victims

    The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has released the official number of casualties in Saturday’s collapse of Reigners Bible Church in Akwa Ibom.

    The NMA also called for urgent blood donations for victims who are battling for survival at the hospital.

    In a statement signed by the NMA Chairman, Akwa Ibom State branch and South-South Zone, Dr. Aniekeme Aniefiok Uwan (JP), the association mourned with families of the deceased.

    The statement read: “On behalf of all the Medical and Dental Practitioners under the auspices of the Nigerian Medical Association (MMA), Akwa Ibom State branch, I wish to commiserate with all the families of those who lost their loved ones during and after the collapse of the Reigners Bible Church building on 10th December 2016.

    “I also share in the grief, pains, frustrations and suffering of all the survivors who had incurred one form of injury or the other.

    “Indeed this is a very trying and difficult moment for all of us as our state has never been faced by a disaster of this magnitude with attendant huge casualties.

    “As patriots, we have to rise to the occasion by being our brothers’ keepers and lending a helping hand to those in need.

    “I therefore, wish to sincerely commend all the members of the NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NMA), AKWA IBOM STATE BRANCH, for heeding the call to selfless service as expressed in the prompt and timely response that has saved so many lives.

    “The response team led by a past Chairman of the association, DR JOHN UDOBANG, has done a good job in ensuring that victims of this very unfortunate disaster are well catered for and treated at the various health facilities in the state.

    “Reports from the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) show that 21 people were Brought In Dead (BID), while 2 out of the 23 that were undergoing treatment died due mainly to severe bleeding( One of the victims is reported to have been transfused with 9 pints of blood).

    “I also wish to express our sincere gratitude to all those who have heeded our clarion call to donate blood. More blood is still needed. The number of lives your pint of blood will save can’t be underestimated.

    “I also call on all the survivors who had suffered any form of trauma to report to the various health facilities for proper medical examination as blunt injuries could lead to internal bleeding and avoidable deaths.

    “In conclusion, I assure all the members of the public, that as a responsible and proactive association, we will not rest on our oars until all the lives of the survivors are saved and they are discharged from the hospitals back to their families.

    “Lastly, I pray God to grant the families of all those who lost their lives the fortitude to bear the loss and may the souls of the faithful departed, Rest In Perfect Peace (RIP). Amen.”