A tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol has exploded in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
It was learnt that the tanker overturned early on Sunday around Oju-Irin, in the Lafenwa area of the city.
File Photo
The Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed to Punch that rescue teams including TRACE officials, Police, Federal Road Safety Corps and the firefighters were working assiduously to restore normalcy.
Akinbiyi said transloading was in progress.
He also warned the general public, particularly the motoring public domiciled or moving around the axis to remain calm and cooperative and desist from scooping of fuel, use of handset and cooking gas to prevent fire from sparking off.
The fallen tanker, however, exploded eventually in the course of the rescue operation.
It could not be immediately confirmed if there are casualties as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, motorists going inward Rounder axis from Lafenwa have been urged to use Olomore and Oke-Ata axis respectively as alternative routes.
AccidentNewsAddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
A non-governmental human rights advocacy organisation, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has accused some police officers attached to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, Abuja of harassment, intimidation and unprofessional conduct.
RULAAC asserted that the FCT Command has no jurisdiction or any business whatsoever intervening in a matter clearly outside its jurisdiction.
File Photo
This was contained in a petition to the Inspector General of Police dated November 29, 2021, signed by the group’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma.
In the petition, the group is asking the IGP to order an investigation into the alleged unprofessional conduct of some police officers attached to the FCT Police Command, Abuja, led by Sunday Agboji.
It said the conducts of some police officers portray them like they were hired by criminal suspects to help them settle scores and evade justice.
The statement reads in part "Sometime in April 2021 Mr Clifford Chukwunonyerem, a Lagos-based Risk Analysts/Advisor and President-General of Itu Autonomous Community in Ezinihite Mbaise LGA, Imo State approached Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) with a complaint concerning a petition he had addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 9 Police Headquarters, Umuahia, Abia State dated 20th April, 2021, bordering on alleged ‘Criminal Conspiracy, Attempted Murder, Terrorism Financing, Unlawful Possession of Firearms, Arson and Breach of Public Order’ against 'a suspected criminal gang allegedly sponsored by Mr. Oliver Osuagwu and Mr. Alex Eberendu both from Itu, Ezinihite Mbaise LGA, Imo State'.
"Mr. Clifford Chukwu informed RULAAC about his suspicion that the investigating team at Zone 9, Umuahia, by their conduct and posture, may have been compromised by the accused persons, especially the alleged wealthy sponsors with a view to derailing investigation and evading justice. He, therefore, sought RULAAC's intervention to ensure that the investigation is diligently and honestly conducted and concluded without interference and manipulation, and the accused persons are charged to court if they are found culpable.
"Based on this complaint and request, RULAAC addressed another petition to the AIG Zone 9, Umuahia, attaching the previous petition by Mr. Chukwunonyerem Clifford and requested his intervention to ensure that the investigation was fair, concluded and appropriate actions taken to ensure justice.
"RULAAC specifically called on Zone 9 Police Command to expeditiously prosecute all suspects in the matter, having interviewed witnesses and gathered substantial evidence. We deemed it necessary to have this petition published in the media as part of our strategies of promoting transparency.
"The AIG promptly intervened, invited the petitioner and the investigating team and having found that the team was foot-dragging despite having gathered evidence, severely reprimanded the head of the team in the presence of the petitioner and directed that the O/C Legal Zone 9 takes over the case for further necessary action.
"Upon reviewing the case file and finding that the investigating team omitted some vital evidence provided by the petitioner, the O/C Legal perfected the case file, assembled all the evidence and promptly charged the matter to court and the matter is currently pending at the Ezinihitte High Court in Charge No...
"Meanwhile, one of those accused in the petition as the sponsors of the said criminal gang, Chief Oliver Nnanyerem Osuagwu, through his lawyers, wrote to RULAAC's Executive Director, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma asserting that the petition addressed to the AIG by RULAAC and published in the media was malicious and defamatory and targeted at his reputation.
"He further described it as a conscious attempt to unlawfully meddle in an ongoing police investigation, among other things and demanded a retraction of the publication with a threat to initiate a court action against RULAAC's Executive Director and others for calling for his prosecution and causing same to be published online.
"But RULAAC, through its lawyers replied and told Osuagwu and his cohort that it was not shifting ground on its call for the prosecution of all suspects if found involved in the alleged attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms, terrorism financing, arson and breach of the public peace as contained in the complainant's petition to Zone 9 Umuahia. RULAAC further assured them that threats of litigation cannot intimidate the organisation or derail the pursuit of justice and affirmed that it was happy to meet them in court if they so desired.
"In between the period after the intervention by the AIG Zone 9 Umuahia which led to the O/C Legal taking over the case file and the time when the O/C Legal eventually filed processes in court (in 5 Counts) pending their formal arraignment, they (the suspects) had approached the complainant through some proxies offering him some money to back down. They also employed threats at some point when their moves did not yield their expected results.
"However, instead of facing their trial in court or proceeding with their threats to file a defamation action against RULAAC, the suspects decided to resort to desperate moves aimed at intimidating the complainant, the traditional ruler of Itu autonomous community and RULAAC's Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma.
"Besides sending threats through anonymous sources, they also resorted to hiring the services of some willing police officers at the FCT Command which has no jurisdiction or any business whatsoever intervening in a matter clearly outside its jurisdiction, to harass and intimidate the aforementioned persons.
"On November 25, a police officer attached to the FCT police command identified as Sunday Agboji stormed Clifford Chukwunonyerem's office at Lekki, Lagos accompanied by other officers to arrest him but he was not in the office at the time they arrived. When Clifford's colleagues in the office inquired if they had a warrant, they declined to answer or present any.
“A female police officer in the team identified as Jane Ettah called Clifford through Agboji's phone number 07037955930 and asked him to report at FCT office on Monday, November 29. It was also apparent that they did not register their presence at any police station in Lagos State- as required by police procedure, since they came from outside jurisdiction - all the way from FCT police command Abuja.
"Prior to this incident, the Traditional Ruler of Itu community in Ezinihite Mbaise LGA, Imo State, HRH Ben Adindu had called and informed RULAAC that because of his perceived support for the complainant, Mr. Clifford Chukwu as the President General of the community against another contender sponsored and supported by the suspects, a team of about 10 masked police officers who came with a Toyota bus without a Registration number with the inscription 'River Joy' later found to have been led by the same Sunday Agboji of FCT police command had on 27th October 2021 at about 7:30 am, invaded his palace in Itu, fully armed, in plain clothes with their faces covered and forcibly entered and ransacked his palace.
"They neither presented any warrant nor explained their mission before forcing their way in and ransacking his palace. He said his daughter was able to recognize Chibueze Nwagwu (Aka Butwhy) also masked, who led the police team to the palace. Chibueze Nwagwu is the same ringleader of the criminal gang that attacked Clifford Chukwu in Itu on Easter Monday, April 5th 2021 and is currently among those facing 5 counts of a criminal offence at the Ezinihitte High Court, along with his co- indicted gang members.
"Eze Ben Adindu further informed that one of the female police officers in the invading team dragged his daughter through the kitchen door, took pictures of his compound, his official vehicle and ransacked his palace.
"The invasion and brigandry of the police officers attracted several members of the community who gathered at the palace and started raising alarm.
"The traditional ruler put a call to the DPO Ezinihitte Division who said that there were no records of any security personnel from outside jurisdiction that called to his office for any such operations. The traditional ruler also contacted the Area Commander, Ezinihite, who also did not know about the mission of the invading police team. He later called the AIG Zone 9 Umuahia, the Ezinihitte LGA Chairman & Councillors.
"The traditional ruler said the invading police team left- following interventions from the calls he made. The leader of the team, Sunday Agboji dropped a telephone number 07037955930, and claimed that they were sent by the IGP.
"On that same day, the same team also went to Clifford Chukwu's house in the village but met everywhere locked.
"Clifford Chukwu suspects that the plan of the team was to plant incriminating objects to implicate him and the traditional ruler.
"He also suspects, by the mode of their operations, that they may have also come on an abduction mission since they didn't report to police hierarchy in Ezinihitte before going straight to the palace to ransack the palace without presenting any warrant.
"What was even more perplexing was that they came with an unnumbered/unmarked vehicle and were all fully masked, including one of the suspects 'Butwhy', who led them to the traditional ruler's palace where they took pictures of the palace, the traditional ruler's official car with customised plate number and the entire compound.
"The traditional ruler complained that the female police officer among them forcefully entered the palace through the kitchen door, ransacked and desecrated the throne.
"As already stated, this action was followed by the visit on 25 November, by the same team led by Sunday Agboji to Clifford Chukwu's office in Lagos where, according to Clifford Chukwu, the female police officer in the team wrote on the visitor's register... Hovianel Upo 08069682231. He said Sunday Agboji did not fill his details on the visitor's register in his office although the female officer called him from Sunday Agboji's phone number.
"A few days after the police team went to Clifford Chukwu's office in Lekki Lagos, the same team leader Sunday Agboji sent what he describes as an invitation to Mr Nwanguma through his WhatsApp number. The message reads: ‘My name is operative Agboji Sunday of the Nigeria Police Force attached to FCT police command Abuja. You are by this note invited over a petition against you to the Inspector General of Police by one Mr Oliver N. Osuagwu. This is a fact-finding invitation hence, your presence is important. Report at FCT police command Abuja opposite old CBN Garki 2, on arrival contact operative Agboji Sunday on GSM number 07037955930 who will receive you. Date Monday 29/11/2021 Time. 1030am. accept my warm regards pls.’”
However, the group raised concern over the invitations that did not disclose the alleged offences or reasons for the invitation as may be contained in the purported petition to the IGP
The group said, "The invitations did not disclose the alleged offences or reasons for the invitation as may be contained in the purported petition to the IGP
"If there is really a petition to the IGP against people not resident in the FCT and based on alleged offences not committed within the FCT, would the IGP direct such a petition to the CP FCT to investigate when the alleged offences were not committed within the FCT? More so, none of the persons said to be accused in the yet-to-be-seen petition resides in the FCT.
"Why would Agboji Sunday and his team of officers mask their faces and operate with an unmarked vehicle to invade the traditional ruler's palace and Clifford Chukwu's offices without warrant of arrest or search, as required by law? Were they actually sent by the IGP and would the IGP ask them to operate in such reckless and unprofessional manners which portray them like bandits hired by criminal suspects accused and facing charges for serious crimes to help them settle scores and evade justice?
"We trust that the IGP will order a prompt, impartial and exhaustive investigation to unravel the mission of these operatives and ensure appropriate disciplinary actions," they added.
When SaharaReporters called Agboji on the phone, he denied intimidating the parties as alleged in the petition.
He said his team was working on a directive from the Inspector General of Police following a petition against Clifford Chukwu and others, he said were named in the petition.
He said, “One Oliver wrote a petition to the IGP, the IGP referred the petition to the Commissioner of Police. We are only inviting them to come and answer the petition. Why are they saying we are intimidating them?
“We are only doing our job or is it wrong for the police to invite citizens again? Look, I’m not from the state, I don’t know them.”
On the allegations that the police were working with a suspected criminal known as Chibueze Nwagwu and that his team illegally raided the palace of the traditional ruler of Itu, Ben Adindu, Agboji said he knew nothing about it.
“I don’t know all the names you are mentioning. All we have said is that they should report. And if they don’t want to come, I will report to the IGP. If someone has made allegations against you, you came and answer, that is all,” he said.
PoliceNewsAddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
A pro-democracy and human rights group, Take It Back (TIB) has asked the governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa to reveal the content of the #EndSARS report submitted by the state judicial panel of inquiry over police brutality and extrajudicial killings in the state.
The group urged the state government to implement the recommendations of the panel, which it had received over three months ago.
The State Coordinator of the group, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho noted that the contents of the report should be made public rather than kept secret.
He noted that failure to disclose the contents of the report to the public will undermine transparency and accountability.
In a statement obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday, Aghogho described #ENDSARS as a public decentralised social movement.
The statement read, "We are by this press statement demanding from the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa to make available to the public the Delta State #ENDSARS Panel Report submitted to him for implementation by the Chairman of the Judicial Panel of inquiry, Justice Celestina Ogisi (Rtd.) for over three months now.
"Recalling that the Panel was inaugurated on October 9, 2020, to receive and inquire into complaints of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the state, evaluate the evidence presented and draw conclusions as to the validity of the complaint(s) and recommend compensation and other remedial measures.
"The Panel received a total of 86 petitions and 49 were heard on merit while 37 were struck out for various reasons. The Panel also received 10 petitions which sought the enforcement of judgements of various High Courts of the State against the Police for acts of Police brutality and extra-judicial killings.
"The Panel recommended the payment of compensation to victims and/or their families for various acts of police brutality and extra-judicial killings in Delta State.
"The Panel also recommended the enforcement of all judgement debts awarded against the Police, which they have refused to obey till date.
"We have only read from the media recently that the Delta State Governor inaugurated a committee for the protection of Human Rights.
"It was claimed, the Governor heads the committee as recommended by the Judicial Panel of Inquiry that investigated complaints of Police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the state.
"We further gathered that the Governor-led committee would ensure implementation of the panel’s reports, assuage the hurt of victims, and design a new template for police-citizen relations in Delta State.
"Our case is that the respected and appreciated Governor and his led Committee (members) should not be the only persons privy to the content of the #ENDSARS Panel Report in the interest of transparency and accountability as it appears the whole exercise as it relates to the #ENDSARS Panel report is being shrouded and cloaked in secrecy.
"It should be noted at this juncture, the #ENDSARS is a public decentralised social movement, and series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigerian including Delta State and was accompanied by vociferous outrage on social media platforms.
"About 28 million tweets bearing the hashtag have been accumulated on Twitter alone.
"Solidarity protests and demonstrations by Nigerians in the diaspora and sympathisers occurred in many major cities of the world. The protest was publicised and is notable for its patronage by a demographic that is made of entirely young Nigerians.
"It is our submission the #ENDSARS Panel Report in Delta State should be made public."
#EndSARSNewsAddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
An operative of Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), identified as Samson Enweruzo is behind some of the extrajudicial killings and brutalisation of people in the South-East, in the name of finding Biafran agitators, SaharaReporters has learnt.
Enweruzo, who hails from Imo State, SaharaReporters further learnt, was involved in the invasion of the home of one Chuks Egwuatu and the illegal arrest and torture of four of his (Egwuatu’s) siblings.
SaharaReporters had reported how secret operations suspected to be targeted at eliminating Igbo youths started on Monday, 8th November 2021 when security agents invaded the house of Egwuatu at Asha Street, Topland Amechi Road, Enugu State, by 5 pm with the aim of taking him away secretly for elimination without a trace.
A civil society group, the International Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights Initiative (Intersociety), had drawn attention to the illegal raid in a letter to the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, dated November 10, 2021.
According to Intersociety, on failing to arrest Egwuatu, the security operatives took away four of his siblings, claiming they were DSS operatives in Enugu and that Egwuatu should report to the agency’s office to secure the release of his siblings.
“Names of the arrested/abducted siblings of Egwuatu still be held by the claimed men of DSS in Enugu include Egwuatu Chukwuebuka (Male) Age: 20, Oruebube Hosanna (Male) Age: 18, Egwuatu Stephen (Male), Age 12, Idara Godwin, also known as Idara Gold (Female) Age: 22,” the group had said.
A top source in the DSS has however identified Enweruzo as supporting extrajudicial killings in the South-East and notorious for forcing false confessions out of persons suspected to be members of the pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
SaharaReporters learnt that Enweruzo studied at Government College, Owerri and the Federal University of Technology, also in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
“He is supporting the extrajudicial killing of Igbo youths,” the source said.
“He forces any youth he arrests to accept being a member of ESN, and then he brutalises them. He is currently in Enugu with his team; he came on special duty to the East.
“He is confirmed to be involved in raiding Chuks Egwuatu in Enugu and torturing his siblings.
“He slaughtered tens of youths in Anambra this year, went to Imo State and did same this year. Then he came to Enugu and has killed four youths extra-judicially, tortured the siblings of Egwuatu such that all of them went home with scars on their bodies.”
Idara Godwin, also known as Idara Gold, 22, was arrested for wearing an attire inspired by the Biafran flag to celebrate her birthday on October 18, 2021.
A source confirmed to SaharaReporters that Enweruzo spearheaded the operation that led to the arrest and detention of the young woman.
“It is confirmed that Enweruzo led the operation, arrest and torture. The girl (Idara Godwin, aka Idara Gold) was taken to Abuja and is still there; she is being tortured and not given access to visitors and relations.
“Her offence was the colour of her dress,” the source said.
Intersociety had in its petition signed by its President, Osmond Ugwu demanded the immediate unconditional release of Egwuatu Chukwuebuka, Minor Egwuatu Stephen, Oruebube Hosanna and Miss Idara Godwin.
It had also demanded “adequate monetary compensation” for them, adding that relevant authorities should apologise to them in national newspapers for the violation of their fundamental human rights.
“We call on DSS and Police in Enugu state to ensure that the perpetrators of the acts of invading the house of Mr Egwuatu by 5 am be treated as kidnappers irrespective of the agency they represent and be prosecuted as such,” the petition had also noted.
Other Victims Of Enweruzo, Including A Minor
Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a counsel for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu had said legal action would be taken against the DSS for arresting and detaining Idara Gold.
“We are on the matter, we have called the DSS in charge of the case. They denied having her in their custody. We are on it, we have made contact with somebody, one of the family members of the persons arrested. We are on it and preparing to take action against it,” Ejiofor had told SaharaReporters in the second week of November.
ExclusiveNewsAddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
Some assailants suspected to be Fulani herdsmen who invaded a community in Plateau State on Friday were said to have displaced about 700 persons and destroyed harvested crops on farms.
After destroying the crops, they burnt what was left of the crops and the farms as well, SaharaReporters has learnt.
The attack, according to a source, occurred at Zowrru, a proposed land for National Film City in Plateau State.
Zowrru is located at Te'egbe community in the Bassa Local Government Area of the state.
SaharaReporters reported that during the attack, no fewer than 10 persons lost their lives.
A spokesman for the Miango Youth Development Association, Nuhu Bitrus, who confirmed the attack to SahareReporters at the weekend, said search and rescue operations were ongoing for the victims.
He said it was discovered afterwards that the assailants destroyed crops that had already been harvested.
Nuhu said, "Reports have it that irrigation farms were mowed down, harvested crops yet to be packed on farms were burnt into ashes by the Fulani herdsmen after the attack on Te'egbe. The location of the farms destroyed is Zowrru, a proposed land for National Film City Plateau State."
He had earlier told SaharaReporters that the 10 persons who were shot dead by the gunmen had been taken to the mortuary.
Nuhu also said some of the 10 persons killed by the assailants were from the same family.
He identified the murdered persons as Gara Ku, 80 years old; Wiye Gara, 67; Tala Gara, 68; Rikwe BalaYoh, 65; Tabitha Danlami, 8; Sibi Danlami, 4; Friday Musa, 35; Daniel Mandi, 45; Mweri Chogo, 86 and Ayo Balai, 6.
He identified the ones who sustained serious gunshot injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the hospital as Musa Kwa, 60; Sibi Gara, 65; and Nma Weyi, 40
It was also gathered that 690 residents of the area were displaced due to Friday’s attack.
Also, 278 residential houses belonging to 114 households were completely burnt, it was learnt.
"During which 278 residential rooms belonging to 114 households were burnt down completely, 57 food barns, with the exception of kitchens and bathrooms. This singular incident led to the displacement of over 690 persons in that area.
"This calculated attack was carried out by the Fulani herdsmen who intruded from the boundaries of Kaduna-Plateau. Eyewitnesses said the attackers came en masse to carry out this devilish acts," Nuhu added.
InsecurityNewsAddThis : Original Author : SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements :
![[GIST] Many Feared Injured As Petrol Tanker Explodes In Ogun](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s_CTihka1KdRdfc-8Bgwm9riafPklDFN6z11QxY_t5Pi51XmrOafO5oUr482Te8TuXrF_eTVhbReApp43MHEWbjI7aOzHrzLWkUtzVSzR0G4cWJ9d0zdhQPe9D256KKgLAQ7KCmYHXm2pZs6wAydsCcg=s0-d "[GIST] Many Feared Injured As Petrol Tanker Explodes In Ogun")
![[GIST] Group Accuses Nigeria Police Team Of Harassment, Intimidation And Unprofessional Conduct, Team Leader Denies Allegations](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_ugFD8AHXgppvg4Q41VBmY6Vg7x-iHFrodsNVZxvQBaBdvOJiSJZP7_HVUD5LmkWN3EB0XRL-bkYfZBgumzbDYJsCRIksZ-L_hC1GPMIzjq6BaZiEjcQQD-1mm1kmqoJ_E=s0-d "[GIST] Group Accuses Nigeria Police Team Of Harassment, Intimidation And Unprofessional Conduct, Team Leader Denies Allegations")
![[GIST] Release #EndSARS Panel Report Submitted Over 3 Months Ago–TakeItBack Movement Charges Delta Governor, Okowa](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tiMGyYI6gjY8CuuDWTai9xBxqLJ7xEEWF4mNW_R-qbhVg2mpzahG_kkAzdjE4foQeyeM01CHqFpnV1v6_0zHuUQ78eaNm_ykwrcb2MgHD_m9UhEtXaLt_0y7SEHj9t8byKjt1gAn800uwILy6rG2oX=s0-d "[GIST] Release #EndSARS Panel Report Submitted Over 3 Months Ago–TakeItBack Movement Charges Delta Governor, Okowa")
![[GIST] EXCLUSIVE: Department Of State Services’ Officer, Samson Enweruzo Unveiled As Notorious For Forcing False Confessions Out Of IPOB Suspects, Involvement In Illegal Raids, Arrests, Extrajudicial Killings In South-East](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sIEig0e8hhOnjh2UkoXfDLiq0UDHKgmPRy89KkLaDnc69ZI9k5nTctjCiRdZbpNlWBjktIopzVN3aPSDYnUTyb4Qxm05IfMLnptznwYLBuxZNvhfhgflZxNYFLqrsFt1DTjQmpgRkN3WyHQw=s0-d "[GIST] EXCLUSIVE: Department Of State Services’ Officer, Samson Enweruzo Unveiled As Notorious For Forcing False Confessions Out Of IPOB Suspects, Involvement In Illegal Raids, Arrests, Extrajudicial Killings In South-East")
![[GIST] UPDATE: Plateau Attack: 10 Killed, 690 Displaced, 275 Houses, Farms Burnt During Friday’s Invasion By Suspected Herders](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vrRw12UCpkdlJgl4xREMASJXEMvuIw3PPt9gB-VRd5y55XfPB2FwhMVqoykkjFBfGXdok2jF3JM7-p6Y5pDJ1hx8bA7gsnIYIZR70pdSpW93GiPeNQvQSbwplNcyTeiGQrSjRA-AiXXM3WWKwFrk6k4hxNcjAhTcHCV2K6ZJZd=s0-d "[GIST] UPDATE: Plateau Attack: 10 Killed, 690 Displaced, 275 Houses, Farms Burnt During Friday’s Invasion By Suspected Herders")
