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3 Dead, 5 Missing In Another Boat Mishap In Niger State

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3 Dead, 5 Missing In Another Boat Mishap In Niger State

Nma Shekwolo – Minna

Thirteen dead bodies have been recovered and five persons are still missing after a commercial boat conveying about 80 traders back from the weekly Thursday market in Kokoli to Ulakami in Niger State split into two and capsized on River Niger.

This is coming barely a week after a boat mishap on the same river claimed 26 lives in Malali village in Borgu Local Government Area of the state.

A rescue team led by the special adviser to the governor on disaster and emergency management, Mohammed Saba, immediately arrived the scene of the accident and was able to save 62 persons but five persons are still missing 48 hours after the accident.

The boat which was alleged to be very old and rickety was said to have split into two midway of the 10 kilometre journey, causing passengers to scamper for safety.

A survivor, Umar Ibrahim, told newsmen that he still did not understand how the accident happened. He noted that the old rickety boat just split into two mid-way into their journey and passengers were thrown into confusion with people struggling to swim to safety.

Ibrahim said his ability to swim saved him, as he quickly joined the rescue team to help evacuate other drowning passengers.

He said that the prompt response by people in other boats averted what would have been a bigger disaster.

An eye witness who was on another boat near the ill-fated one said it was the cry for help by the passengers in the capsized boat that drew the attention of passengers in other boats.

Youths in the village went wild looking for the driver and the owner of the boat, as the duo took to their heels for fear of attack because they blamed the accident on the poor state of the boat.

Confirming the incident to the government delegation, the village head of Kokoli, Mohammed Garba, said he went round after the mishap and gathered that 13 bodies were picked and five persons were missing as at Saturday morning.

Addressing the survivors, families of the victims and some aggrieved youths who blamed the accident on the rickety state of the boat, the governor’s aide appealed for calm.

He assured them that government was set to overhaul marine transport service in the state.

Plane Crash: NCAA Suspends Associated Airline Operations

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Plane Crash: NCAA Suspends Associated Airline Operations
 The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, on Saturday suspended the operations of Associated Aviation Limited.
The Associated Aviation Limited is the owner of the chartered airplane ferrying the remains of former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Agagu, along with 20 other passengers which crashed in Ikeja shortly after take-off.
The director-general of NCAA, Fola Akinkuotu, announced the suspension of the airline’s operations at a press briefing at the General Hospital, Ikeja.
Akinkuotu was at the hospital to see the survivors of the crash, who are undergoing treatment in the hospital.
“The operations of Associated Airlines have been suspended by the NCAA. Let me say for the purpose of clarity; all the operations of Associated Airlines have been suspended by the NCAA. I did not say any certification was cancelled but all the operations of the airline have been suspended,” he said.
Akinkuotu recalled that the ill-fated aircraft was certified airworthy before its last flight, adding that sustained airworthiness certification of an airplane was the responsibility of the airline itself.
He stressed that there was nothing contrary to the information provided by the airline on the state of the aircraft, adding that the company handling the airline’s insurance had provided documents about the state of its insurance.
The NCAA boss vowed the agency would continue to apply all regulatory rules on all airlines.

Gov Ameachi Petitions Human Rights Body Over Rivers Crisis

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Gov Ameachi Petitions Human Rights Body Over Rivers Crisis

The governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, petitioned the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, to take urgent steps to avert complete breakdown of law and order in the state.

In a letter addressed to the director general of the commission, Amaechi accused the state police commissioner, Joseph Mbu, of human rights violations, adding that he has become “inaccessible and actively antagonistic” to his person and office.

The petition reads in part: “I Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, 48, male, Christian, married, presently residing in Port Harcourt. In my capacity as the governor of Rivers State, compelled by the duty I owe to Rivers people as their chief Security Officer … request for the urgent exercise of the powers and functions conferred on the NHRC towards addressing a grave and deteriorating human rights situation in the state.”

“There are on-going human rights violations in Rivers state falling within the investigative and other duties of the National Human Rights Commission. Abuses which need the independent and human rights competences and capabilities of the National Human Rights Commission..,” he said.

He said further that security communications or directives from the state government are treated with contempt as they are no longer even acknowledged.

Pictures of Vandalized Vehicles at Kokori, Delta State

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PDP candidate, monarch, armed policemen held hostage by irate youths, vandalised and burnt several vehicles parked inside and outside the palace located directly opposite the Kokori market during the campaign flag-off by candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

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Pictures of Vandalized Vehicles at Kokori
Pictures of Vandalized Vehicles at Kokori

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures of Vandalized Vehicles at Kokori
Pictures of Vandalized Vehicles at Kokori

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vandalized vehicle at Kokori
Vandalized vehicle at Kokori

Delta By-election: PDP candidate, monarch, armed policemen held hostage

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Delta By-election: PDP candidate, monarch, armed policemen held hostage

From Jessica Tamaradonye, Warri

The campaign flag-off by candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the October 12 by-election for Delta Central Senatorial District, Emmanuel Agwariavwodo, were Friday held hostage in the palace of the traditional ruler of Agbon Kingdom, HRH Mike Omeru by boys suspected to be in sympathy with the arrested kidnap kingpin, Kevin Oburuvbe.

Others also held hostage for several hours include the traditional ruler, some of his palace chiefs, Delta PDP leaders, mobile policemen and other party stalwarts in the entourage.

The campaign train of Agwariavwodo who flagged off his campaign on Thursday in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, had moved to neighbouring local government, Kokori, on Friday, where they were held hostage for several hours by the irate youths.

Eye witness accounts have it that the hoodlums were protesting the arrest of Kelvin and militarisation of the community.

The irate yourths vandalised and burnt several vehicles parked inside and outside the palace located directly opposite the Kokori market.

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Not even the armed mobile police officers in the entourage of the PDP campaign train could offer any help as they were also held up inside the palace which was fastened with locks by the mobs suspected to be foot-soldiers of notorious kidnapper, Kelvin who was arrested few weeks ago at his hotel room in Port Harcourt.

It is on note that Kokori town has been threatened by activities of Kelvin in the past few weeks after which a curfew was declared in the troubled community by the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.

As at the time of filling the report the hostages were still held up as there was no security presence to the rescue.

 

 

 

Hundreds of Nigerian students Slaughtered, Forced Out Of School – Amnesty International

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Hundreds of Nigerian students Slaughtered, Forced Out Of School – Amnesty International

Barely a week after more than 50 students were killed by gunmen  College of Agriculture in Yobe State, Amnesty International has published a new report assessing attacks on schools in northern Nigeria between 2012 and 2013.
Lucy Freeman, Amnesty International’s deputy Africa director said hundreds have been killed in several horrific attacks and thousands of children have been forced out of schools across communities in northern Nigeria, even as many teachers have been forced to flee for their safety.

“Attacks against schoolchildren, teachers and school buildings demonstrate an absolute disregard for the right to life and the right to education,” the international watchdog organisation said.

According to the report titled “Education under attack in Nigeria”, at least 70 teachers and scores of pupils have been slaughtered this year alone and many others wounded. Some 50 schools have been burned or seriously damaged and more than 60 others have been forced to close.

The report said since the beginning of 2013 attacks against schools have appeared to become more targeted and brutal, noting that between 2010 and 2011 attacks were mostly carried out when schools were empty.

In one of the cases detailed in the report, the principal of a government secondary school in Maiduguri describes an attack in February 2013: “The gunmen opened fire on everyone around. Two staff teachers were shot. One died on the spot and the other was seriously wounded. We were all devastated.”

The same school was attacked again the following month and three people were shot and killed in the exams office.

“We were forced to close the school immediately and asked the children to go home. We remained closed for that entire period,” the principal was quoted.

Amnesty International further expressed dismay that in spite of the tragic loss of life involved in these attacks, no one has been arrested and prosecuted by the authorities.

“The Nigerian authorities must provide better protection for schools and ensure that attacks are properly investigated and suspected perpetrators brought to justice,” it said.

The International watchdog also called on Boko Haram and other affiliate armed groups or individuals to “immediately” stop all attacks on schools, teachers and pupils.

 

PDP Crisis: Pro – Tukur Group Gives Gov Aliyi Headaches In Niger

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PDP Crisis: Pro – Tukur Group Gives Gov Aliyi Headaches In Niger

The crack in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Niger State yesterday worsened as a group loyal to the Bamanga Tukur faction is set to formally storm Abuja and declare support, a development that contradicts assurance by the state governor, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, that the party is united in the state.

The group which had serving and former members of the national and state assemblies and  leaders from the 25 local government areas of the state are set to formally present a letter to Bamanga Tukur in Abuja any moment from now.

A source within the group told our reporter that but for the directive that the two factions should hold their peace until the October 7th meeting the President will hold with the G7 governors, the group would have visited Abuja to solidarize with Tukur led PDP.

Meanwhile in a bid to secure home support for pitching tent with the Abubakar Kawu-Baraje faction of the PDP governor Aliyu yesterday commenced a fence-mending meeting with some selected elders and stakeholders of the party in the state.

The meeting earlier slated for Government House was moved to the Presidential Lodge and was called to enable the governor explained reasons for ditching the mainstream PDP to which most elders in the state belong.

It was gathered that the meeting appointed a committee headed by Aminu Kontagora, a colonel the chairman of state Elders Council of the party to meet with the leaders of the party believed to be the arrow heads of the Tukur led group.

The committee is to meet with former governor of the state, Abdulkadir Kure, former minister of information, Jerry Gana and Dahiru Awaisu Kuta.

It was gathered that the governor was not comfortable with the growing support the Bamanga Tukur led faction was enjoying, especially from some elders and leaders of the party at the grassroot level in the state.

Civilain JTF Invade Boko Haram Strronghold, Arrest 26 Members

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Civilain JTF Invade Boko Haram Strronghold, Arrest 26 Members

A face-off between members of the banned Boko Haram sect and  the youth vigilante group, popularly called Civilian JTF, Thursday in Gwoza, Borno State, left many members of the insurgent group dead and 26 gravely wounded.

The injured members of the sect  were  arrested and handed over to the military authorities in Maiduguri.

Gwoza, a hilly town, has various outlets into Cameroon and is 135 kilometers from the state capital.

The youth volunteers left Maiduguri on Tuesday in search of the insurgents who were hold up in hideouts in Gwoza town where they had carried out several attacks, the latest in which they killed over thirty civilian casualties and burnt down three churches.

Speaking with newsmen, spokesman of the youth group, Adamu Isa, said they were motivated to go on the hunt which took the Boko Haram insurgents in Gwoza by surprise when they learnt of the series of attacks in the area.

“We killed several of them and arrested 26 who are wounded. We brought them and handed them over to the appropriate authorities. As at now some of them that are wounded are at the General Hospital for treatment hoping that after they recover they would be charged to court,” he said.

Members of the sect had attacked Kirawa town in Gwoza area and killed nine persons, including a senior police officer in charge of three divisional police stations.

The suspected Boko Haram members, who came to the area in Hilux Toyota Pick-up and Golf Volkswagen vehicles and motorcycles and foisted a reign of terror on residents for three hours in the afternoon, according to Ibrahim Wisso, a witness and a trader, used Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, and petrol-bombs to dislodge Kirawa market.

“We were caught unawares by attacks on traders, motorists and passengers in the afternoon, when gunmen in various vehicles and motorcycles started shooting at us sporadically. Those who attempted to flee for safety with their vehicles and bicycles, were however held up and tied to the attackers’ vehicles, and dragged along the road, before setting them ablaze,” a trader recounted.

According to the account, those shot dead were left at the market place, while those who were dragged and later died laid on the roadside for about six hours, before policemen could get to the scene.”

“By 6pm that fateful day, a team of policemen rushed to the scene in repelling the insurgents that invaded the town through Waza Forests in Cameroon. We were told that during the 30-minute clash with the insurgents, a senior police officer was killed along with two or three insurgents. But the casualties in the market place and roads reached eight people, with five injured traders that attempted to flee the market arena,” another witness told journalists.

Earlier in March, scores of inmates were freed after the terrorists used explosives to break open the a prison facility in Gwoza town, freeing all the prisoners and afterwards completely burnt down the place.

The insurgents were also said to have taken over most outskirts of Gwoza including Pulka and Kirawa Towns, forcing residents to flee into neighboring Cameroon villages of Mura and Marwa, some 75km away from Nigeria border.

Although Captain Aliyu Ibrahim Danja who is relieving the spokesman of the 7 Division of Nigerian Army, Sagir Musa, a lieutenant colonel, could not be reached for comment on the matter, it was learnt that some of the arrested Boko Haram were kept at sector 4 around post office area in Maiduguri as people were trooping to catch a glimpse of them.

Four Survive Associated Airline Crash – Official

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Four Survive Associated Airline Crash – Official

Chief executive officer of the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Mukhtar Usman, has confirmed there are four survivors of the ill-fated Embraer 120 aircraft which crashed Thursday into the tank farm of Sahara Group,  one of the companies supplying aviation fuel to airlines at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Contrary to an earlier report that Feyi Agagu, first son of the late former governor of Ondo State died in the crash, along with all on board the aircraft, officials say four persons survived but declined giving their names.

Briefing the media about the incident, Usman said an emergency response centre had been set up to attend to the families of the victims, as efforts are been made to reach them.

“So far, we have four survivors from the accident. And they are currently receiving treatment at the hospital,” the accident bureau chief said.

Although he did not name the hospital, earlier reports said the survivors of the crash were taken to the Nigerian Air Force Hospital for treatment, while the dead were also taken to its morgue.

“For the time been, the search and rescue operation has been concluded. Accident investigation has been launched into this unfortunate incident by the Accident Investigation Bureau,” Usman said.

He declined releasing the names of those on board the aircraft citing protocol: “It is normal practice we have to reach the families before we release the names of victims of the unfortunate accident. Efforts are on to reach the families of the victims”.

However, the manifest released by the Associated Airlines revealed the following passengers were aboard the flight: Feyi Agagu, Femi Akinsanya, Akintunde Joseph, Akeem Akintunde, Tunji Okusanya, Chijioke Duru, Kingsley Amaechi, Deji Afolabi, E.O. Alabi (Mrs) Daji Bernard, Deji Falae, Samson Hassan and Olatunji Okusanya.

For the crew members: Captain Yakubu, Flight officer Oyinlola, Engineer, Saroh Elaiye, Flight dispatcher Ibrahim, Felix Tatoye, Cabin attendants Owolabi and Samson.

A list of survivors released by the management of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH has the following names: Agagu Feyi , Akintunde Taiwo, Akintunde Akeem, Akinsanya Femi and an unknown male.

The chartered aircraft belonging to Associated Aviation Limited with registration mark 5N-BJY, had 20 persons and the remains of the late former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Agagu

The accident which occurred at about 9:15am, few minutes after an unsteady take-off, left at least 16 passengers burnt beyond recognition.

However, the casket containing the remains of Agagu, kept in the luggage compartment, was intact as it was not burnt when it was finally removed from the wreckage.

The crash led to a heavy human and vehicular traffic along the roads leading to the airport as many people thronged the scene to catch glimpses of the incident.

Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah said the ministry has commenced investigations into the plane crash, adding that the Black Box of the Embraer 120 aircraft had been found.

According to her, efforts were on to contact the families of the victims before releasing the manifest containing their names.

“The authorities are contacting families of the victims of this unfortunate incident and upon completion will make information about the identities of the victims’ public,” she said.

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The Ondo state government has described the crash as an unfortunate disaster, confirming that a commissioner, family members, associates and other top government officials were aboard the ill-fated plane, according to a statement signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Eni Akinsola.

It urged residents of the state to be in a “sober and prayerful mood at these trying times as God is indeed the only person we should call upon in this period.”

Governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, have commiserated with the affected families and entire people of Ondo State.

 

UN decries death of 82 Africans in boat mishap

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UN decries death of 82 Africans in boat mishap

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, Antonio Guterres, has expressed shock over the death of 82 Africans in a boat mishap off the coast of the Italian Island of Lampedusa.

This is contained in a statement he issued on the disaster in New York on Thursday.

Guterres commended the swift action taken by the Italian Coast Guard to save lives and decried the rising global phenomenon of migrants and people fleeing conflict or persecution and perishing at sea.

He said of the estimated 500 passengers on the boat believed to be Eritreans only 147 had been rescued so far.

The boat, which originated from Libya, caught fire half a mile from the coast, on Thursday.

Media reports suggest that there are still some 200 passengers that are unaccounted for.

The UNHCR said it was actively engaging countries in the region to provide alternatives for people resorting to taking the dangerous journeys so they do not have to risk their lives.

“Today’s (Thursday) incident is the second boat disaster this week off Italy’s coast,” the UN chief said.

Thirteen men drowned off the southern coast of Italy on Monday when they attempted to swim ashore from a troubled vessel.

 

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