Education District 1 Agege Holds Valedictory Service For Retirees

...As Top Officials Bow Out From Service

 AgegePulse Magazine


The popular maxim that to whom much is given, much is expected, could be used to describe the gesture of management of Lagos Education District One comprising, Agege, Alimosho, and Ifako Ijaye as it celebrates Y2019 retiring staff of the district after completing the statutory years of service.

Some top staff of the district such as the Director of Schools Administration, Mrs. Anna Amaju Ako, Director, School Support Unit, Mrs. Oyelowo Adedoyin, and Head of Administration and Human Resources Performance Measures Division, Mr. Ajiteru Lawrence Omotunde, all bowed out statutorily after years of selfless and outstanding services to the district and Lagos State at large.



The Tutor General and Permanent Secretary of EDDI, Dr. Yinka Ayandele in her remarks commended the retirees for their selfless and meritorious services to the district and to Lagos State.



She noted that through the years in service, the retirees have touched so many lives positively by imparting life-changing knowledge to students, teachers and many non-academic colleagues.

Dr. Ayandele who was filled with emotions while speaking, shared personal fond memories with all retirees, especially, Mrs. Ako that their relationship started from their days at the University of Lagos as undergraduate and postgraduate students.

She said; “Exit from service starts another phase of your life which hopefully will be dedicated more to the service of humanity. I pray that you will accomplish much in good health as you begin this new phase.

“You have made my job easy for me; you will see God's favour in all ramifications as you retired gracefully.” Dr Ayandele prayed.



Speaking to Agegepulse Magazine after the event, Mrs. Ako revealed that she was very comfortable working with Dr. Yinka Ayandele, having known her for excellence while in the university together.



She thanked the leadership of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule for affording her opportunity and enabling environment to serve the state

We’re set for governorship, state assemblies elections – INEC

AgegePulse

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said that the commission is set for the March 9 governorship elections in 29 states.

He was speaking Thursday in Abuja at the opening of a meeting of the commission management with the states Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC), hours after declaring President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as winner of the last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

According to him, the meeting among others was to review the elections the processes and procedures deployed during the last election in a bid to make amends where necessary.

He added that the meeting will also help in finalizing arrangements for the forthcoming governorship and state house of assembly elections.

“Once we conduct the national election, we take stock and review, so that process and procedures are strengthened learning from period of previous elections before we go into state elections,” Yakubu said.

He said that since the RECs were in Abuja with the State Collation Officers (SCO) for the presidential election, it was important for the commission to meet and review the experiences of the last elections with a view to strengthening its processes towards a successful conduct of the state elections on Saturday, March 9.

“The next election is going to hold on Saturday March 9 and this is going to be the governorship in 29 states of the federation. As you are aware, in seven states, the governorship elections are staggered and conducted off season. We have since concluded these elections.

Daily Trust

This Is The Worst Election In 30 Years, Says Atiku

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has described the just-concluded presidential election as the worst held in the nation in the last 30 years.

He condemned the election while addressing party supporters on Wednesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Atiku, who rejected the outcome of the poll, said even the military government conducted a better election than the one conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on February 23, 2019.



READ ALSO: INEC Presents Certificates Of Return To Buhari, Osinbajo

“As I have always said, this year is my three decades in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy; but this is the worst election in those 30 years,” he said.

“And I told that to General Abdulsalami (Abubakar) two nights ago, when he called me. I said not even the military has conducted such a worst election.”



The PDP candidate alleged that there were a lot of irregularities in the election which saw President Muhammadu Buhari extend his stay in the Aso Villa by another four years.

He highlighted the cases of violence recorded in some states, as well as the alleged inflation of votes in the strongholds of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Despite his loss in the election, Atiku insisted that he was confident of victory and vowed to challenge the President’s victory.

He also told his supporters not to lose hope and asked foreign investors to be patient with the nation, saying he was on the quest of reclaiming his mandate.

The PDP candidate said, “Let me start by thanking you all for choosing democracy as a certain system of government for our great nation. As you all know, democracy is a government of the people by the people only when the people’s choice prevail.”

“This is a long journey, but I am confident of victory. All hope is not lost; stay strong, by the grace of God we shall triumph,” he stated.

Read Atiku’s full speech below;

Dear citizens of Nigeria,

Let me start by thanking you for choosing democracy as the settled system of government for our great nation.

Democracy is a government of the people by the people, only when the people’s choice prevails. That did not happen on Saturday, February 23, 2019.

On Election Day, we saw the implementation of grand theft of the people’s will. I am not one for hyperbole so I will just let the facts speak for themselves.



In Akwa-Ibom for instance, the results showed a statistical impossibility of a 62% drop in voter numbers from the 2015 elections even where voter registration and PVC collection rates were much higher than in 2015.

This pattern was repeated in strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party, including in Delta, Rivers, Abia and Benue states.

As this was occurring, we saw another statistical impossibility wherein voter turnout and numbers increased astronomically in Borno State by an almost miraculous 82% in the midst of increased insecurity.

This pattern was also repeated in other strongholds of the All Progressive Congress.

One begins to ask if insecurity is conducive to higher voter turnouts and security is antithetical to high voter turnout.

It is further curious that the Peoples Democratic Party’s margin of victory in states outside the Southeast and South-south were extremely slim across board. That again is a statistical impossibility.

The fact is that when you calmly look at the numbers declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission as results of the February 23, 2019 elections, they do not add up.

Let me say that I am not speaking as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. I am speaking as a Nigerian when I say that the electoral fraud perpetrated by the Buhari administration this past Saturday cannot produce a government of the people for the simple reason that it does not reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

It is for this reason that I, Atiku Abubakar, reject the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission declaring Muhammadu Buhari as duly returned by the majority of lawful votes.

I am conferring with not just my party, but also with the Nigerian people, on next steps, which will be revealed to the public shortly.

For my fellow Nigerians who feel angry, disillusioned, and let down by the process, I appeal to you to remain calm and steadfast. Rome was not built in a day. We have the real figures, we have the facts that were spoken so loudly on Saturday, February 23, 2019.

This is a long journey, but I am confident of victory. All hope is not lost. Stay strong, by the grace of God we shall triumph. 

And to investors and friends of Nigeria now pulling out of Nigeria, I urge you to be patient and keep faith with the Nigerian people. Your quarrel is not with the Nigerian people. Your quarrel is with those who stole their mandate. Please do not punish the people by divesting from Nigeria.

Thank you all and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI ON THE OUTCOME OF FEBRUARY 23, 2019 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

My Dear Nigerians,


            First and foremost, I give thanks to Almighty God Who has spared our lives to witness another victory for Nigerian democracy and victory for our party APC.


2.        I thank the millions of Nigerians who voted to re-elect me as your president for the next four years. I am deeply humbled and profoundly grateful to you for judging me worthy of continuing to serve you and for your peaceful conduct.


3.        In particular, I would like to thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his masterful leadership as Co-chair of the Campaign Council. I would like to also thank the Party Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, the Director General of the Campaign Council Rotimi Amaechi, all members of the Presidential Campaign Council and other various Support Groups.



4.        My grateful thanks to all those who contributed to the logistical expenses of the campaign in such a vast country like Nigeria.



5.        I also thank the millions of volunteers, self-appointed overseers, canvassers, agents, escorts and sentries who sacrificed so much of their time and resources to ensure the success of these elections. I do not have the words adequate to thank them.


6.        Although Saturday’s elections were relatively peaceful, troublemakers in a handful of states attempted to disrupt an otherwise orderly process. Security agencies will bring to justice all those arrested in the process.



7.        I am very sad at the grievous loss of lives during these elections. Security agencies will step up their efforts to protect voters in the forthcoming State elections.

8.        I would like to commend our security agencies, as severely overstretched as they are, for handling the difficult task of securing the country during the election period.


9.        I will like to make a special appeal to my supporters not to gloat or humiliate the opposition. Victory is enough reward for your efforts.


10.      We give thanks also to our Domestic and International observers for contributing to the success of our elections and for their interest in our country and our developing democracy.



11.      The new Administration will intensify its efforts in Security, Restructuring the Economy and Fighting Corruption. We have laid down the foundation and we are committed to seeing matters to the end. We will strive to strengthen our unity and inclusiveness so that no section or group will feel left behind or left out.

12.      I thank you for your support and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Photo: See How Buhari defeats Atiku in Different States

AgegePulse Magazine

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, has been declared winner of the Presidential election held on February 23, 2019.

Below image shows how Nigerians votes in different states in the country

Breaking: Buhari Re-Elected President For Next Four Years

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, has been declared winner of the Presidential election held on February 23, 2019.

Buhari, who is the incumbent President, defeated the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to emerge winner in the keenly contested poll.

Announcing the final results of the election on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said President Buhari polled a total of 15,191,847 to defeat his closest rival and the PDP candidate, Atiku, who polled 11,262,978.



From start, Buhari proved to be the man to beat, leading all other candidates and ending with a wide margin of almost four million votes ahead of Atiku, and drawing his largest block of votes from the core Northern states.

The 76-year-old Buhari won in a total of 19 states, scoring the statutory 25 per cent of total votes cast in those states, while his main challenger, Atiku, won in 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory.



The announcement of Buhari as winner brings to an end six days of an electoral process that began effectively after a week of postponement, prompted by logistical challenges in the distribution of electoral materials, according to INEC.

The shift in the date of the Presidential and National Assembly elections to February 23 from February 16 had triggered outrage across the country, heightening tension among the citizens and the political parties, with the ruling APC and main opposition PDP accusing each other of colluding with INEC to influence the outcome of the elections.

It also generated concern among local and international observer missions, casting doubt about the credibility of the process.

The fears were soon dispelled as INEC stepped up its communication with stakeholders, offering the assurance that it was set to deliver a free, fair and credible election.

Buhari’s victory comes amid protest by the main opposition party against what it describes as lack of level playing field in the run-up to the presidential election, as well as observed lapses in the electoral process, including alleged over-voting, vote buying and other forms of electoral manipulations.

The PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, had declared that the results as being announced by INEC in Abuja were unacceptable by the party.



The party called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to halt the collation and announcement of results, insisting that the outcomes were not valid.

Also echoing the PDP National Chairman in a statement on Tuesday, the Deputy Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Tanimu Turaki, said, “We have evidence from the smart card reader accreditation data that what is being announced by INEC has been seriously tampered with and manipulated.”

He stated further, “The PDP predicates its demand on available evidence to the effect that data from the card readers are being reconfigured to suit the manipulations, rigging, and over-voting already carried out during the election in some states by the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

The election this year is the sixth since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999. Buhari was first elected President in 2015, on his fourth attempt to lead the country.

Channels Tv

Here's a breakdown of how Nigerians have voted so far.

Announcement of results would resume by 11am today.

#nigeriadecides2019 #pulsenigeria #pulseelections2019 #inec #pdp #apc

INEC Apologises Over Drunk Returning Officer

The INEC Electoral Officer in Bokkos Local Government of Plateau, Mr Salihu Adamu Musa, on Monday apologised over the “shameful” behaviour of a drunk Returning Officer deployed to the area.

According to The Guardian, Musa was being queried by APC Collation Officer in Pankshin, Mr Emmanuel Bok, who wanted to know why the returning officer deployed to the area was not the person declaring the results of elections for Bokkos.

Musa, in his explanation, told the party agents, observers and INEC officials that the Returning Officer, a university lecturer, was drunk on Sunday and was sacked when he could not perform his duty.

“The Returning Officer’s attitude was appalling; he was drunk and couldn’t do anything at all.

“I took over the job based on instructions from the INEC headquarters in Jos,” Musa explained.

Musa apologised to the election officials on behalf of the electoral body, and promised that the situation would not repeat itself.

Native Reporters

Breaking: Atiku's PDP rejects Presidential election results

AgegePulse Magazine

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the results of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC

The PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus who is currently addressing a press conference in Abuja, described the figures being announced by INEC as incorrect and totally unacceptable.

Details later

Daily Trust 

Egbeyemi Debunks Fake Rumour Around Oshodi

AgegePulse Magazine

The operatives of the Lagos State Task Force has debunked fake rumour circulating around the State particularly on social media that there is on-going civil unrest around Oshodi.

The Chairman of the Agency. CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi confirmed that there is no any civil unrest around Oshodi and other parts of the State as been rumoured.

The Chairman urged parents and guardians to closely monitor activities of their wards as anyone caught formenting any problem would be seriously dealt with in accordance with the law.

"The Agency and other security outfits are on ground using patrol vans and power-bikes to patrol every nooks and crannies of the entire Oshodi area to forestall any possibility of brake-down of law and order"

Members of the public are hereby enjoined not to be panic and be going about their lawful businesses around Oshodi and other parts of the State.

CSP Egbeyemi enjoined members of the public to call (112 & 767) in case of any disturbances or emergency around their vicinity.

Adebayo Taofiq
Head, Public Affairs Unit
Lagos State Task Force

Dr. Adejare Appreciates Agege Leaders, Electorates, Others,...Assures of Progressive, Quality Representation

AgegePulse Magazine

The winner of the last Saturday House of Representatives Election in Agege Federal Constituency under the platform of All Progressives Congress APC, Dr. Samuel Babatunde Adejare has expressed his profound gratitude to Agege Leaders and Electorates.


Before his emergence, Dr. Adejare is the current Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfronts and Infrastructure.

Below is his message to the people of his constituents

"Yesterday, I was declared the winner of the House of Representatives election in Agege Federal nstituency. I give thanks to God, and I appreciate the support of our party leaders and the good people of Agege Federal Constituency, you made this happen.

I won because of your Support, and that is why I dedicate this victory to every person in our Federal Constituency, and I assure you that you will get a progressive and quality representation at the House of Representatives because that is what you deserve".

 Thank you all, and God bless you. #NextLevelAgege

Buhari

The United States Government website has published about 100 achievements of Buhari administration. They also urged Nigerians to consider the re-election of President Buhari. The website picked Buhari as the option for Nigeria in the next four years.

From 2015 to 2019 a lot has happened, Nigeria flugged into the recession barely 8 Months in the  Buhari’s regime and came out in the second quarter of this year 2017. The Buhari administration battles so many challenges inherited from previous administration. Amidst various challenges Buhari’s adminstration excels in some key areas.

According to the medium, the achievements range from security & related matters, economy, anti-graft war to the release of 106 Chibok girls from the captivity of Islamic Sect Boko Haram, recovery of stolen funds, eradication of polio in Nigeria, and the take off of the 2nd Niger Bridge.

Let’s check the list below;

100 achievements of Buhari’s administration

SECURITY & RELATED MATTERS

1. Release of 106 Chibok girls, as well as over 16,000 persons in Boko Haram captivity.
2. Tackling insurgency, decimation of Boko Haram in the North East.
3. Recovering 14 local governments and territories previously under Boko Haram control in the North East, rebuilding lives of citizens there; about one million displaced persons in the NE have returned to their communities in two years of this administration.
4. Curbing the incidence of kidnap across the country. (Arrest of kidnap kingpins and dismantling of kidnap cells across the country)
5. Restoring morale of the Nigerian military; re-organizing and better equipping the Nigerian Armed Forces.
6. Purchase of 12 Super-Tucano aircrafts worth $600 million to aid the Nigerian military’s current operations in the North East.
7. Ensuring continued peace in the Niger Delta through consistent funding of the FG amnesty programme for ex-militants.
8. Introduction of an improved mechanism for distribution of aid to IDPs in the North East through the establishment of the Special Intervention Programme of the Federal Government. (Door-to-door strategy)

ECONOMY

1. Implementing the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to aid economic recovery, taking the country out of her worst recession in 29 years, despite fall in oil prices.
2. N1.2 trillion expended on capital/infrastructure projects nationwide, a milestone in the nation’s history.
3. Effective implementation of the Treasury Single Account, and increasing government revenue by over N3 trillion as well as entrenching transparency and accountability.
4. Implementation of the Bank Verification Number (BVN), thus tackling corruption by plugging loopholes for siphoning of public fund and tracking of illicit funds through multiple accounts
5. Ease of doing business: the Federal Government signed into law two bills from the National Assembly (Acts are the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act, 2017 (otherwise known as Collateral Registry Act) and the Credit Reporting Act, 2017) which has facilitated access to more affordable credit for Nigerians, fast tracked budget submissions and promotes Made-in-Nigeria products.
6. Establishment of the Presidential Quarterly Business Forum to enhance interaction and private sector participation in the development of the economy
7. Institutionalizing E-governance setting the foundation for the creation of a truly digital economy.
8. Creation of opportunities for youths to leverage innovation in technology through the introduction of the Aso Villa Demo Day (AVDD) through which over N700 million has been disbursed to young entrepreneurs.
9. The revitalization of the Made-in-Nigeria campaign. (Emphasis on consumption of local products gain grounds)
10. Implementing reforms in the civil service which has led to the elimination of over 30,000 ghost workers, thereby saving the country billions of naira monthly.
11. Massive investments in agriculture, e.g, Anchors Borrowers Programme to improve local produce, improving fertiliser distribution and access across states through the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative.
12. Reduction in rice imports as a result of government’s policies that has encouraged massive rice production across Nigeria.
13. Improving transport infrastructure (rail and road); construction work ongoing on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, renovation of Abuja International Airport runway, completion of Abuja – Kaduna Railway among others.
14. Social Investment Programmes (SIP): N-Power Volunteer Scheme creating jobs for over 200,000 (and still counting) unemployed graduates in all the 36 states and the FCT.
15. SIP: Ongoing Government Enterprise and Empowerment (GEEP) Scheme; commenced in November 2016 in collaboration with the Bank of Industry, where soft loans ranging from N10, 000 to N100, 000 have been given to over 189,000 market women and traders across different states.
16. SIP: Home Grown School Feeding Programme, where almost three million schoolchildren have been fed, while tens of thousands of cooks have been engaged in their respective states.
17. SIP: Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme, under which about 25,000 less privileged Nigerians so far are now being funded with the monthly N5,000 stipend in 9 pilot States (Bauchi, Borno, Cross Rivers, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Osun and Oyo). More beneficiaries are expected to be added in more states.
18. The establishment of MSMEs Clinics, a small Business support programme to support entrepreneurs and small businesses in different states.
19. Establishment of One-Stop-Shops to support policies on Ease of Doing Business.
20. The take-off of the 2nd Niger Bridge.
21. Phasing out the subsidy for petroleum products, elimination of fuel scarcity and queues in petrol stations.
22. Implementation of the FG Niger Delta new vision, a comprehensive road map to improve livelihood and social infrastructure.
23. Improved power generation nationwide adding $500million to Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund and about $87million to its excess crude account.
24. The creation of the N30billion Solid Minerals Development Fund.
25. Encouraging the patronage of local contents and increasing export in agriculture.
26. Signing of Executive Order 001 which is the promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business environment – to ensure that public servants offer prompt service in a predictable and transparent manner, and sanction undue delays.
27. Signing of Executive Order 002 which is on prompt submission of annual budgetary estimates by all statutory and non-statutory agencies of the Federal Government including incorporated companies wholly owned by FG.
28. Bailout of cash crunch states; about N689 billion to 27 states of the federation to pay salaries in 2015.
29. Complete refund of Paris loan deductions to states (unprecedented).
30. Implementing the 2011 UNEP report for the ongoing Ogoni clean-up process after decades of oil spills and pollution.
31. Modification of the tax system so that it is more efficient.
32. Reforms in the airports (reconstruction of the Abuja airport runway and ongoing work at the Lagos airport).
33. Reforms at the nation’s seaports (Issues with cargo clearance at the ports addressed)
34. Improved duration (under 48 hours) for visa approval especially for investors.
35. Resuscitation of the nation’s refineries which are now working at 50 percent capacity for the first time in over a decade.
36. Eleven of the dead 33 fertilizer plants have been resuscitated while four others are to be revived shortly and this has profound impact on the ongoing revolution in the agricultural sector.
37. For the first time in more than 45 years, the Mambila Power Plant is set to take off with the allocation of $5.6billion for its realization and an expected 3,050 MW output upon completion.
38. Increasing external reserves to a 13 month high of $33 billion from $29.13 billion which has surpassed the ERGPs target of $30.56 billion despite global low oil prices and production challenges.
39. Cancellation of the Joint Venture cash calls with oil multinational companies operating in Nigeria (For the first time in the history of the industry) which has led to savings of billions of dollars lost to fictitious contract payments.
40. Release of N2 billion take off grant for the Maritime University as part of measures to address agitations in the Niger Delta region.
41. The new development bank of Nigeria (DBN) is finally taking off with initial funding of $1.3billion (provided by the World Bank, German Development Bank, African Development Bank, Agence Francaise De Development) to provide medium and long term loans to MSMEs.

ANTI – GRAFT WAR

1. Improving Nigeria’s international image and regional cooperation with neighbouring countries in fighting insurgency.
2. Anti-corruption war: Prosecuting alleged corrupt public officers and recovering billions of naira of stolen public funds; the successful establishment of the whistle-blower policy.
3. Signing of Executive Order 004 – Voluntary Income Asset Declaration Scheme (VAIDS). This aims to increase tax awareness and compliance, and reduce incidence of tax evasion.
4. Signing of agreements with a number of nations to provide Automatic Exchange of Information.
5. Signing of the Extradition Treaty between Nigeria and United Arab Emirates (UAE) toward strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.
6. Establishment of PACAC – a think-tank that has provided leadership, direction and also built capacity of personnel in the fight against corruption.

OTHERS

1. Eradication of polio disease in the country.
2. The introduction of the One Primary Health Centre per ward programme of the Federal Government.

19-year-old Girl Kills Husband In Lagos

 
...Police to charge Suspect to court

The Lagos police command has arrested a 19-year-old girl identified as Mary Adeniyi for allegedly stabbing her husband to death.

Adeniyi who is nursing mother is said to have committed the crime on Friday afternoon and is currently being detained at the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti, Yaba.

It was gathered that the suspect and her husband Solomon Nduka, 30, had a scuffle over her alleged infidelity at their Shagamu Road, Ikorodu residence.

The deceased, it was gathered usually accused the suspect of cheating on him which led to a fight.

Adeniyi, said to have a four-month-old baby for her deceased husband, allegedly stabbed him on the neck region with a knife which prompted neighbours to rush him to a nearby hospital.

But on arrival at the unnamed hospital, doctors were said to have confirmed the victim dead and the police notified, Igberetvnews learnt.

Spokesman for the command Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) confirmed the arrest, adding that investigation was ongoing.

Oti said the suspect would be charged to court at the completion of investigation.

Punch

How Customs officer shoots civilian ‘friend’ dead while trying to extort European returnees

AgegePulse Magazine

A Customs officer has killed a civilian, Godwin Onoja, while allegedly trying to extort N5,000 bribe from travellers coming from Europe on the Sagamu end of the Lagos-Ore-Benin Expressway.


It was gathered that the victim was shot during an altercation between the officers of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ikeja, Lagos, and some travellers, who boarded an Iyare Motors’ passenger bus travelling to Benin City from Lagos on Sunday.

One of the passengers, Mr Oliver Joseph, who lives in France, said he and the other passengers in the bus arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday evening.

According to him, whenever he and his co-travellers get into  Nigeria, they usually contract Iyare Motors to convey them to Benin from the Lagos airport.

Joseph stated that when they got to the Sagamu intersection of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, some Customs officials asked the driver to stop.


He stated, “The driver stopped and asked them what the matter was. The driver told them that the bus belonged to Iyare Motors and it was pointless to ask him to stop. Immediately the driver parked, one of the officers came and asked who owned the luggage. The driver told him that the luggage belonged to the passengers. The customs officer asked us where we were coming from and we told him that we were coming from overseas and that we were here on a visit.


“He said he had interest in the luggage and needed to check them one by one. We told him that they had been checked at the airport. He replied that he must carry out his job and ordered us to alight from the bus. One of them then called the driver and asked him to give them N5,000 for them to allow us to go. We heard the driver saying that he did not have the money and that we did not have anything illegal. The driver then told us that the Customs officers demanded N5,000 from us.


“We eventually agreed that our luggage be searched and one of us insisted that he would record it so that they won’t place contraband in our bags. So, the guy brought out his iPhone 6, but one of the officers demanded to have the phone but the passenger refused, saying that the price of the phone could pay his salary.


“The officer just took some steps back, cocked his gun and fired. Immediately he fired, a man fell down. Before we knew it, one of the two Customs officers in green sweater ran into the bush, leaving the others. We were 10 passengers in the bus and when we took a headcount, we were complete. There was blood all over the victim’s face, so we could not recognise him.

“The officer tried to run away, but we held him by the uniform insisting that he had to follow us to the nearest police station.”


The manager of Iyare Motors, Benin City, Mr Aghimien Osahon, thanked God that none of the passengers lost their lives in the process.


He explained that the Customs officers were angered by the driver’s refusal to give them N5,000, adding that he did not know why they behaved the way they did.


“It was one of their men that they mistakenly shot dead and not any of our passengers. The officer, who fired the gun, wanted to shoot one of the passengers; as he cocked the gun, he opened fire on one of his men in mufti. We give God the glory,” Osahon added.

Punch

Cult war: 50 vehicles, shops vandalised in Lagos

AgegePulse Magazine

A cult war in the Oworoshoki area of Lagos state has left fifty vehicles damaged and

 several shops looted on Sunday.

It was gathered that the fight,, which started around 2am and lasted till 7am, affected 

Ayo Odugbesan, Church, Oke Eri, Odo Eran and Aralamo streets, among others areas.

Residents revealed that there were  shouting “kill them all, kill anyone you see,” 

with accompanying sounds of sporadic gunshots/

According to an eyewitnesses, they saw the  street urchins around 7pm on

 Saturday and alerted the police.

“At about 7pm, we saw those boys trooping to our area. Some people fled 

because some of those boys were arrested recently and sent to jail.

 How they regained freedom and found their way back is surprising.

“We are not safe in Oworo. These cultists are making life unbearable for us.

 We need help in this area. The destruction started around 2am.

“No death was recorded. It seems their target was to kill the night guard, but he escaped.

“They shot non-stop, smashing vehicles. They were just destroying things

. It was around 5am that people came out and saw the massive destruction

. They were moving from street to street, vandalising vehicles,” he added.

Confirming the incident, Lagos police spokesman, Chike Oti, 

said 20 persons have been arrested.

“Commissioner Zubairu Muazu has deployed additional security, including 

operatives of counter-terrorism and anti-cultism units in the area. Investigation is on. 

Twenty suspects have been arrested. As I speak with you, there is increased 

security presence in the area. No one died and no one sustained injury.

Yes, vehicles were vandalised,” he added.

Opera News