No fewer than 200 structures were burnt on Wednesday in Otodo Gbame, an Egun community in the Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos State, during a clash between some Egun and Yoruba youths.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the crisis started on Sunday, when the Yoruba youths demanded that the residents should relocate from the area.
It was gathered that the Egun community insisted that residents would not leave their houses, tagging the youths as hoodlums and land grabbers.
Our correspondent gathered that the crisis came to a head on Wednesday when the Yoruba youths set fire to the structures in the area at about 8am.
The action was said to have triggered a clash between the youths of the Egun community and their Yoruba counterparts.
Two persons were said to have been injured during the clash, while the area was quickly deserted as the fire raged. Some residents reportedly salvaged their property from the fire and fled.
It was learnt that policemen from the Rapid Response Squad, the Maroko division and the Area J Command, Ajah, went to the area to restore normalcy.
A policeman on the team said an abandoned two-day-old baby was rescued from one of the burning structures.
He said, “When the structures were set ablaze, the mother and the father of the baby fled. It was the cry of the baby that drew the attention of policemen to that room. The baby was locked inside the house. The baby was rescued and reunited with her parents.”
“Nobody was killed, but about three persons were injured. The entire community was razed.”
A resident, who identified himself only as Hunsu, said, “The crisis started on Sunday. Some people came and said they had bought our land and we should relocate. We did not know that the hoodlums would go to this extent.
“The crisis escalated on Wednesday when they invaded the community and set fire to our property. All my belongings are gone. My wife and children are homeless.”
Our correspondent learnt that the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, went to the area around 2pm and held a peace meeting between the leaders of the two groups.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said five suspects were arrested in connection with the crisis.
She said, “The command received a report that the Egun and Yoruba communities were engaged in a serious brawl over land issue. Upon receipt of the information, the command operatives from the RRS and men of the Area J Command moved in. Some shanties being occupied by the residents were set ablaze by the warring factions.
“A baby was rescued from the one of the houses. Five suspects were also arrested in connection with the fracas. The CP visited the scene and promised that everyone involved in the clash would be duly prosecuted.”
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Yoruba, Egun youths clash in Lekki, burn 200 structures
Actor Cleared Of Allegations
52-year-old Brad Pitt has officially been cleared of child abuse allegations by the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services.
TMZ reports the case, involving an incident between the actor and his 15-year-old son Maddox on a private jet, has been closed.
According to the DCFS determined that Brad did not commit child abuse during an argument that ended with physical contact.
TMZ reached out to Angelina Jolie's representatives who say the actress feels relieved that the investigation has concluded and her children can heal.
“Angelina said from the beginning that she felt she had to take action for the health of the family and is relieved that after their 8-week involvement, the DCFS is now satisfied the safeguards are put in place that will allow the children to heal, ” her rep told the entertainment website.
They also say an agreement has been put in place that gives Angelina primary custody with monitored visitation for Brad.
The Hollywood actor was spotted for the first time since Angelina Jolie filed for divorce last month at a private screening of “ Moonlight ” in Los Angeles with Julia Roberts.
KWASU Authority Comments On Mysterious Death Of 400 Level Student
The Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Kwara State, school authority have spoken over the mysterious death of Linda Lillian Lawal, a 400 Level student of the Department of Mass Communication of the institution.
A statement from the University Relations Office, Yusif Suleiman, said that: “Kwara State University does not take the welfare, safety and security of its staff and students with kid’s gloves. One of the students that a report claimed died mysteriously was Linda Lillian Lawal, a 400 Level student of the Department of Mass Communication. She died in her parents’ quarters on Friday, October 14, 2016, of complications resulting from brain injury she sustained during a car accident about a year ago.
“Linda was to have undergone brain surgery, but for some reasons it could not be done, and she, several times, suffered convulsion, a repeat of which claimed her life on October 14.
“The report also claimed that ‘a sickle cell patient was left unattended to by the medical personnel because he could not produce his hospital card’. This is, indeed, far from the truth.
“Even though he did not register with the clinic and was abandoned by his colleagues our doctor and nurses tried all they could to save his life; but when his condition deteriorated.
“He was rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), in a KWASU ambulance. However, in spite of all efforts by doctors, we eventually lost the boy.
Prof. Wole Soyinka Replies Critics Over Trump’s Victory
Nigerian renowned playwright and author, Prof Wole Soyinka has fired back at critics, saying that he will not destroy his U.S. residency permit just yet, despite a pre-election pledge to “cut” his green card, which is afforded to immigrants granted permanent residence in the country.
Soyinka had vowed to cut up his green card if Donald Trump was elected U.S. president. but the Republican party candidate, shocked pollsters by defeating Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in Tuesday’s vote.
Following the announcement of Trump’s victory on Wednesday, Nigerians took to social media to question Soyinka about whether he would honor his pledge.
But in an interview with Newsweek shortly after the announcement, Soyinka said he was biding his time until Trump is inaugurated in January before deciding on his next steps.
“Why don’t we wait until Trump actually takes office?” says Soyinka. “I’m just going about my normal commitments, but definitely not getting into any more commitments. Let’s put it that way for now."
As we all know, Prof. Wole Soyinka is based between Nigeria and the U.S., where he is affiliated to several universities. As such, much is yet to be seen if his vow to cut his green card would be fulfilled.
Man arrested for raping his 10-year-old male student .
Oyo State - On Wednesday 9th of November 2016 the Police arrested a 20-year-old primary school teacher, Collins Obi, for raping a 10-year-old boy in Ibadan.
Adekunle Ajisebutu, the state Police Public Relations Officer, said the teacher committed the abominable act on November 5, 2016, explaining that apart from teaching in the school where the victim attended, he was also the boy’s personal teacher.
“The 20-year-old primary school teacher was arrested for having anal intercourse with a 10-year-old boy. The suspect, who was also a personal teacher of the victim, committed the unlawful act on November 5, 2016.
“He lured the little boy to a house in the Asaka Itamaya area of Ibadan where the offence was committed.”
Ajisebutu said the arrest of the suspect was made possible after the victim’s mother alerted the police at the Iyaganku Police Station, Ibadan. He added that the victim would be charged to court immediately on the order of the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Adegbuyi.
He said, “Following the report made at the station by victim’s mother after the boy narrated his ordeal to her, detectives from the station arrested the suspect in his hideout. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and disclosed that he was introduced to the act by an older friend, who is now at large.
“The victim was taken to a hospital for medical attention. The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Adegbuyi, has directed immediate arraignment of the suspect in court after completion of investigation by the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department. He also advised parents and guardians to properly monitor their children or wards.”
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Read Full Speech from Hilary Clinton after defeat to Donald Trump
Struggling to hold back tears, she said she had offered to work with Trump on behalf of the country and that her campaign was not for one person but was about building a country that we love
Her speech below...
“Thank you all very much,” Hillary said on Wednesday evening, as the crowd continue to clap and cheer her on.
Thank you, thank you. And I love you all, too.”
“Last night I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country. I hope that he will be a president for all of our country...
“I’m sorry that we did not win this election for the values we all share...
“You represent the best of America, and being your candidate has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I know how disappointed you feel, because I feel it too....
'This is painful, and it will be for a long time. But I want you to remember this. Our campaign was never about one person... it was about building a country that we love... We have seen that our country was more deeply divided than we ever thought...'
'We must accept this result... Donald Trump is going to be our president... we owe him an open mind and a chance to lead.
“we must defend the values of non-discrimination and the rule of law and equality before the law.
''Advance the values we hold most dear.”
“We’ve spent a year-and-a-half bringing together millions of people...
“We believe the American dream is big enough for everyone.”
She says men, women, LGBT, people with disabilites - “for everyone.”
“Our responsibility as citizens is to continue to do our part to build that better stronger fairer America that we all seek.”
“To Barack and Michelle Obama. Our country owes you an enormous debt of gratitude. We thank you for your graceful determined leadership that has meant so much...
“And to Bill and Chelsea, Mark Charlotte Aidan.. my love for you means more than I can ever express. You criss-crossed this country on my behalf and lifted me up when I needed it most.
“To the talented and dedicated staff, You poured your hearts into this campaign... you were the best campaign that anybody could have ever expected or wanted.
“And to the millions of volunteers, community leaders, activists and union organizers...I want everybody coming out... and make sure your voices are heard going forward.
'To the donors, the young people in particular, i've had successes and setbacks,” “Sometimes really painful.”
“You will have successes and setbacks too. This loss hurts. But please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”
'And to all the women.. who put their faith in this campaign and me... I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion.”
“I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but I know someday someone will, and hopefully sooner than we might think right now.
“And to all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable... and deserving of every chance... to pursue your own dreams.”
“I'm incredibly honored and grateful to have had this chance.”
“May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America.”
Oyo State Government Slashes Salaries Of Political Office Holders By 50%
Oyo State Government has announced 50 per cent reduction in the salaries of political office holders, their compensation, approval limits and government’s spending with immediate effect.
Alhaji Olalekan Alli, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), disclosed this at a news conference held in Ibadan on Monday.
Alli said that the decision was taken at the State Executive Council meeting held on Friday, Nov. 4. He said that it was a measure to shore up the dwindling revenue base of the state.
The SSG said that the state had been spending its monthly allocation from the federation account on payment of workers’ salary, which he said, stood at N5.2 billion.
Alli said that government had not reneged on its subsisting agreement with the labour unions to pay them 100 per cent of the monthly federal allocation to the state.
“The resources of government in the state dwindled as a result of the economic downturn. “In July, the state’s monthly allocation was N4 billion, N3.8 billion in Aug., N3.5 billion in Sept. and N2.8 billion in Oct. “Considering the dwindling allocation, the best is for state governments to look inward.
“This is why we are slashing the salaries of all political office holders,’’ he said. He said that the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state was still between N1 billion to N1.5 billion.
Alli said that the state government had employed the restructuring and verification exercise in the state as a means of blocking the several loopholes that allowed for waste of resources.
He said that the ongoing Biometric Verification Number (BVN) exercise in the state had revealed some ghost workers drawing multiple salaries. “We have discovered 500 people who did not come for the verification exercise to unravel their true identity,’’ he said.
Alli said that the state agriculture initiative continued with a target of two million in terms of job and food security. He said that work had reached advance stage on the 10, 000 metric tons silos being constructed in the three senatorial districts of the state.
