News
129 killed as inmates attempt jailbreak in Congo
At least 129 people have been killed in an attempted jailbreak from the Makala Central Prison in Congo.
Gunfire reportedly began from inside the prison at around midnight on Sunday into Monday morning.
Videos circulating online show bodies lying on the floor, many of them with visible injuries.
Other videos also show inmates carrying people, who appeared to be dead, into a vehicle.
There are reports that most died from a stampede.
Announcing the number of casualties in a statement on X, Jacquemin Shabani, Congolese interior minister, said the escape attempt led to deaths and significant material damage.
He added that apart from those killed, 59 were injured and taken into care by the government, while some women were raped.
“On the instructions of the High Hierarchy, I have called a crisis meeting with the heads of the defense and security services,” the statement reads.
“The provisional toll is 129 dead, including 24 by gunfire, after warning, the other victims having died by jostling or suffocation.
“The administrative buildings, the registry, the infirmary, and the food depots were destroyed by fire.
“The Government is pleased with the return to calm, deplores these tragic events, and offers its condolences to the families of the victims.
“Investigations are continuing and the public will be informed.”
Makala is Congo’s largest penitentiary. The facility has recorded previous jailbreaks, including in 2017 when an attack by a religious sect freed dozens.
News
Lagos state government shuts Idera Market in Oshodi over environmental infractions
The Lagos State Government on Thursday sealed Idera Market in Oshodi for contravening environmental laws of the state.
The closure was carried out by operatives of the Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) during a routine inspection aimed at enforcing environmental cleanliness in markets across the state.
The Corp Marshal, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole, explained that the inspection team discovered filth, unhygienic practices, and indiscriminate refuse dumping, prompting the decision to seal the market. He noted that the market will remain closed indefinitely until further notice.
The announcement, shared by Ajayi Lukman, Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy at LAGESC, was posted on the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
”As part of intensified efforts aimed at ensuring adherence to environmental cleanliness across registered markets in the State, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) popularly known as KAI on Thursday sealed off Idera Market situated at the Oshodi area of the State for contravening environmental laws.
“This disclosure was made by the Corps Marshal of the Agency, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd) at the Agency’s Command Headquarters, Bolade-Oshodi.
“According to him, ‘our operatives stationed across the Oshodi division during routine market monitoring identified the filth, unhygienic practices and indiscriminate dumping of refuse around the Idera Market area which prompted us to seal off the market until further notice,’’ the statement read in part.
The statement noted that Cole expressed concern over the poor hygiene at the market, warning that it could lead to illness and disease outbreaks among vendors and buyers. He emphasized the need for markets to adopt proper hygiene practices to prevent the spread of diseases.
Cole also highlighted that the market leadership failed to provide a valid waste collection contract, leading to the accumulation of refuse. He issued a stern warning to all markets in the state, stressing that KAI operatives are monitoring for infractions, and any non-compliant market will be sealed until it meets hygiene standards.
News
Police probe video of officer in altercation with elderly woman in Lagos
The Lagos police command says it has launched an investigation into a viral video of an officer involved in an altercation with an elderly woman.
POLICE COMMENCE INVESTIGATION INTO VIDEO OF POLICE OFFICER IN ALTERCATION WITH ELDERLY WOMAN
On Sunday, a video showing a police officer manhandling an elderly woman in her car began circulating on social media.
The officer was said to have demanded N250,000 from the woman which she refused to pay, before the altercation began.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson in Lagos, in a statement on Wednesday, condemned the action of the officer, noting that the inspector and his supervising deputy superintendent have been brought in for questioning.
Hundeyin said the incident took place in the Alagbado area of Lagos in the first week of September.
He assured the public that the investigation would be “swift, thorough and conclusive”.
“The command condemns the unprofessional conduct of the Inspector as it does not represent the ethics and operational standards of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement reads.
“The command equally assures Lagosians that the investigation will be swift, thorough and conclusive.
“We will ensure that the officers are disciplined as appropriate, and members of the public are updated accordingly.”
News
EFCC besieged Kogi lodge to forcefully arrest Yahaya Bello, says his media office
The media office of Yahaya Bello has alleged that on Wednesday night, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) laid siege to the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja, in a bid to forcefully arrest the former governor.
The claim comes hours after Bello’s media office said the ex-governor had honoured the anti-graft agency’s invitation.
The EFCC had immediately denied that Bello was in its custody, restating that the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain was still a wanted man.
However, Bello’s media office responded by saying the politician was not interrogated when he visited the EFCC office and was turned back.
“He was accompanied to the commission’s office by Gov Usman Ododo,” the media team had said.
‘THEY SHOT SPORADICALLY’
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Ohiare Michael, director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, said the operatives shot sporadically during the raid.
“It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello,” the statement reads.
“They were shooting sporadically.
“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily, but the commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount an attack on the Kogi Government facility in Asokoro.
“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.
“Tonight’s attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation.
“The EFCC had no question to ask Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.
“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they are fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption.
“This action reflects much more than a fight against corruption. We will keep Nigerians posted.”
-
Entertainment1 week ago
Davido, Lojay, Tyla make Billboard’s ‘Honour Roll’ for chart-topping songs
-
Education3 days ago
Lagos state government justifies boarding fee hike for student welfare
-
Education6 days ago
Lagos state government increases boarding fees from N35,000 to N100,000 per term
-
Business2 days ago
CBN constitutes new Keystone Bank board, names Ada Chukwudozie chair
-
Celebrities1 week ago
Super Bowl: Nicki Minaj, Birdman slam Jay-Z for picking Kendrick over Lil Wayne
-
Sports1 week ago
Ex-boyfriend who set Uganda’s Cheptegei on fire dies from burns
-
Health1 week ago
NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to recall of Dove bar soap over ‘chemical impurity’
-
World1 week ago
Australia to ban children from using social media