News
Niger state commissioner narrates how he stayed in the rain for 48 hours with kidnappers
Sani Idris, commissioner for information in Niger state, has narrated his four-day encounter while in captivity.
Idris was abducted on August 9 by gunmen, who invaded his home in Tafa LGA of Niger state.
He regained his freedom on Thursday.
Speaking during a TVC programme yesterday, Idris described his experience with the abductors as “dehumanising and humiliating”.
The commissioner said he spent 48 hours under the rain, with his hands and legs tied.
“We thank God for everything, but it is not an experience that I will pray for even my worst enemy. It was dehumanising; it was humiliating; it was degrading — just name it. But we thank God for scaling through,” he said.
“They took me to a no man’s land, in the middle of nowhere and I was there exposed to the rains for 48 hours with neither food nor water given to me, with my hands and legs tied just to break me. But in the long run, God was there for me and I was able to remain focused and I was able to remain sane. We thank God for that favour.
“They explained to me that they see my own as a high profile kidnap and they planned it very well. They came with their team from everywhere to ensure that they succeed.”
Idris, who described his release as a miracle, said no money was paid to secure his freedom.
“I was not rescued and I didn’t pay any ransom. Nobody paid any ransom. It was just miraculous. When they started, they were very hard on me. They pushed me to a limit that you will never expect a human being to still be resilient,” the commissioner said.
“But I give God the glory. Even when they were beating me, I was talking to them that they should have a rethink about this thing they are doing. They think that this thing they are doing is welcomed, and it is favoured in the sight of Allah, in the sight of humanity.
“Instead of breaking me, I started breaking them. They gave me bread; they started giving me water. They untied me and they began to show concern. Even when we were exposed to the rains, in the night, they will sleep in the rain and then they will allow me to use a tarpaulin to cover myself.
“In the long run, I believe it was a miracle. God touched their hearts and they felt I should just go to my family.”
The commissioner said he is undergoing medical observation, adding that he is hale and hearty.
News
Internal Security: Police EOD Recovers Explosives, Prevents Calamity In Borno
As IGP Commends Officers, Assures of Continuous Strides in Ensuring Safety, Security
The Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit has again successfully recovered unexploded military ordnances in Maiduguri on 22nd November 2024, following reports from vigilant residents.
Acting swiftly, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) team was deployed to secure the affected areas.
All ordnances were safely evacuated without any loss of life, injury, or property damage, and normalcy has been restored.
In the Dala Kacchallah area, the operatives recovered six (6) unexploded projectiles and one (1) mortar bomb near an uncompleted building.
Reports indicate that the items, washed ashore by recent flooding, were abandoned by local scavengers. Similarly, at the Gwange Riverbank, a military hand grenade was discovered.
In both instances, the EOD-CBRN team safely removed the ordnances, declared the areas safe, and conducted explosive risk awareness campaigns to sensitize residents.
Commending the professionalism and prompt response of the EOD-CBRN Unit, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM has assured Nigerians of the Force’s commitment to ensuring public safety and security.
The IGP also noted that the EOD team in Borno State has been consistent in responsiveness and professionalism in preventing series of calamities as many IEDs have been safely recovered in many instances within the state. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origins of the recovered items and to prevent future occurrences.
The Inspector-General of Police urges members of the public to refrain from handling suspicious objects and to promptly report such discoveries to the police.
The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mandate to protect lives and property across Maiduguri and its environs.
ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA
23RD NOVEMBER, 2024
News
Fire guts LAUTECH teaching hospital
Property worth millions of naira were on Saturday destroyed at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, as a result of a fire incident.
The incident, which happened around 5 am in a paediatric consultant’s office, affected electronic gadgets, engines, books, office equipment, roofs, and others worth millions of naira.
A credible source told our correspondent that the fire incident was suspected to have started from an electric spark.
It was learnt that about 16 patients had to be quickly rushed out of the ward.
However, in a statement sent to PUNCH Online in Ibadan, the state capital, on Saturday, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Ogunleye Omotayo, said no life was lost in the fire incident.
The statement read, “The management of the institution wishes to state that the fire incident that occurred early this morning (Saturday), as carried by some news media, was put out without any remarkable damage to the hospital.
“Noting that no human damage was recorded in the incident, the management wishes to state that Investigation is still ongoing with regard to the cause of the incident.
“At the moment, light has been restored, and work activities have resumed in the section where the fire incident took place.
“The management wishes to thank all staff, the state Fire Service, and all other well-wishers for their concerns and prompt response. The fire incident raised no cause for alarm. Everyone is advised to go about their normal daily activities without fear.”
News
Nothing wrong having a Christian as Alaafin of Oyo, says Oladigbolu
Rahman Oladigbolu, a Nigerian filmmaker, says he sees no reason why the Alaafin of Oyo cannot be a Christian.
Two years ago, Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of Oyo, died at the Afe Babalola Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, after battling an undisclosed illness.
He was 83 years old and had been on the throne for 52 years — the longest-reigning Nigerian monarch at the time.
Since his death, the throne has been vacant.
Speaking in an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo, Oladigbolu, a prince in the Oyo kingdom, said religion should not be a factor in the selection of the next Alaafin.
“In Oyo, where I came from, we are trying to select a new king. It has been the tradition for some decades that the Alaafin of Oyo will be a Muslim,” he said.
“Now, we have some Christians among the people vying for the position, and there are discussions about whether Oyo can have a Christian Oba. Of course, if you can have a Muslim Alaafin, I see no reason you can’t have a Christian Alaafin.
“The whole point should be to ensure that people would not be talking about religion in issues like this, but it is difficult because of the agenda of people wanting to impose their religion on others.
“So these are where all the problems still lie, and until we’re able to understand it, I don’t see how we can move forward.”
Oladigbolu said education and enlightenment are necessary to solve division caused by religion.
“It is only enlightenment that can carry people to the point where religious considerations no longer matter in societal affairs,” he said.
“When people are enlightened to the point where it doesn’t, then it won’t.
“But today, they still see each other from their religious prism because even the behavior of people that occupy positions in society gets influenced by religion.”
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