Apapa Traffic: Navy Goes After Truck Drivers

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March 13, 2018

Clears Bridges of Trailers

By Bayo Bernard

Painstaking effort by the Governor of Lagos state, Akinwumi Ambode to address the Apapa traffic gridlock appears to be yielding result. For the first time in many years Nigerians living and working in Apapa and environs are upbeat that the traffic snare will be broken following the decision of the Lagos state government to move all trucks and articulated vehicles away from all the bridges inward Apapa from Mile 2, Costain, Eko Bridge and from the Bdagry expressway end.

The state government had recently collaborated with the security forces in the country, including the Navy and Nigerian Army to bar the trucks from packing on the bridges leading to the Apapa, the nation’s premier ports and Tin can.

Apapa/Mile 2 highway on bad state — Apapa: Nigeria’s worst port

The first phase of moving the trucks have already started as the magazine has observed. The Flag officer Commanding, Western Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Sylvanus Abbah reiterated on Monday no going back on the order. The directive” to move the trucks away from the bridges remains,” HE stated, adding that” We do not want trucks on Lagos bridges” warning that” we would not stop until” truck owners comply. His warning came following suggestions by some truck owners that they will not comply with the order.

An all-encompassing stakeholders meeting with the state government held two weeks ago had resolved to use the military to dislodge trucks from the bridges . At the well-attended meeting by Truck owners and drivers Association, Shipping companies, representatives of customs and freight forwarding associations, government agencies and others it was resolved that security agencies carry out painstaking effort to clear the bridges within few days.

Most trucks are parked indiscriminately on the bridges by drivers who sometimes have nothing to do in the ports at that particular time. They have simply turned the bridges to parking space, one resident of Apapa, Yusuf Sule told the magazine. For years the trend has persisted while the authorities remained helpless.

Residents that could not bear the problem had relocated while those that are still managing to survive in the area have complained bitterly about the situation. Businesses have also suffered as a result of the traffic confusion. But the latest decision of the state government is not unconnected with lamentation by concerned Nigerians of possible collapse of the bridges due to the weight articulated vehicles. If such happens could lead to huge loss of human life, according to expers.

Recently on a working visit to Apapa, President of Dangote Group, Ali Dangote lamented that the menace was killing business. He disclosed that his company loses billion of naira annually to the problem. Recall that the construction of the company have embarked on the construction of some roads in Apapa to ease the congestion.

Over N4 billion have been earmarked for the project, a partnership between Dagote Group, Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA and Flower Mills Plc. This is aside the palliative work been done by other concerned stakeholders doing business in the area, though all the efforts have somehow failed to address the problem.

Therefore, the decision of the Governor Akinwumi Ambode administration to swing into action this time around by enforcing the no-parking-on-the-bridge directive, stakeholders insist is the first step in the right direction to permanently address the issue.

Already security agencies have started working to ensure compliance. The magazine learnt that the ‘vacate the bridge order’ will be carried out by combine effort of the Nigerian Police, Civil Defense, Army and the Navy. This is happening after the 48 hours window given to the truck owners have expired.

Rear Admiral Abbah disclosed that his men has started “ the enforcement in batches” to prevent a traffic standstill in the state. “if we cover all the bridges at once, there will be standstill in Lagos and we do not want that to happen. He said his men have already moved trucks around Berger and Otto Wharf while” those of Orile are being moved in batches of 10 or 20”.

The next stage is to “go after those ones still on Eko Bridge,” Abbah said.

Customs: Mohammed Wins Double

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Bayo Bernard

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March 12, 2018

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By Bayo Bernard

Last Friday March 9 was a historic one for Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba, Controller in charge of Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A. Mohammed sat in his office that day as usual not knowing what fate had in the kitty for him. The big bang for him came later that day when he got a letter of recommendation from his boss in Abuja, Col Hameed Ali( rtd) appreciating giving him a head up for the anti-smuggling effort since he became head of the Unit.

Early that day in his office he had narrated to the magazine his frustration with some powerful people in the country, in his quest to end the evil trade of smugglers who were bent on sabotaging the economy. On his part as the head of the unit Comptroller Mohammed, told the magazine that he alongside his men will not stop their patriotic duty of giving smugglers hell in line with the mandate given to him by Ali, the no-nonsense CGC.

Before the end of that day, however, Comptroller Mohammed had already walked the talk. His men made a big seizure of truck load of imported parboil rice heading to the country from Benin Republic. The rice had entered the country through the notorious Idiroko border, in Ogun state.

In a way the seizure was a respite for the controller who had earlier expressed his frustration in trying to recover nine truck load of Thailand parboiled intercepted by his men recently, but was forcefully taken to custody by some elements in the Nigerian Police Force who also stopped the suspects from being arrested.

According to information gathered by the magazine, the Customs headquarters in Abuja has swung into action with a view to get the nine trucks of foreign parboiled rice handed over to the Unit.

Meanwhile, Controller Mohammed is elated that his men are not discouraged despite the setback with the police. For him Friday, March 9 was a turning point in his career.

Truckloads of Foreign Parboiled Rice Seized by Eagle-eye officers

Truckloads of Foreign Parboiled Rice Seized by Customs

APC Crisis: Buhari Risks Recall

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Chidiebere Onyemaizu

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March 12, 2018

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By Chidiebere Onyemaizu

A faction of the All Progressives Congress APC fiercely loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari is weighing options as to how best to counter another faction of the party opposed to the President and plotting parallel National Working Committee, NWC and National Executive Committee, NEC and state chapters across the federation.

Both factions are aiming at each other’s jugular. Reliable party sources told the Magazine that the coming second APC NEC meeting will either make or mar the party. One of the factions has warned against formal extension of the tenure of John Oyegun, APC National Chairman which is being planned at the NEC meeting. The party’s NEC met last month and pronounced Oyegun’s tenure which was due to expire in June extended.

However, the announcement was immediately followed by flurry of condemnations, litigations and threat of litigations by some party stalwarts on the ground that the move violated APC’s constitution.

June is three months away and so, to avoid constitutional encumbrance to having Oyegun superintend President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination and re-election campaigns for next year’s presidential election, The source has learnt that since the APC constitution recognizes interim or acting chairman, the coming NEC meeting will avoid the word, “extend” and simply say the APC National Chairman will remain in office as acting Chairman at the expiration of his tenure.

The pro- Buhari faction insists on retaining Oyegun because it is worried that a national convention before next year’s presidential election will not only oust the former Edo state governor but will enthrone new helmsmen at the national and state levels of the party propped up by eggheads who are not interested handing the APC 2019 presidential ticket to the president.

However, formal extension of Oyegun’s tenure at the second APC NEC meeting, an insider informs, will immediately see the anti-Buhari faction take a number of far-reaching measures that will not only bring APC to its kneels but severely damage Buhari’s second term bid.

Essentially, apart from setting up parallel national and state Executive chapters of the party, the faction is also planning an elaborate convention where a substantive national chairman will be elected and President Buhari recalled and barred from seeking second term, in the manner, South Africa’s African National Congress, ANC treated former President Jacob Zuma.

Keen followers of the unfolding crisis in APC opine that one of the fall outs would be massive defections from the party to either ex ruling party, People’s democratic party, PDP or the Social Democratic Party, SDP currently being speculated as the much talked about Third Force to undo both APC and PDP and snatch power next year.

Plane Catches Fire While Landing, Leaving Scores Dead

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 12, 2018

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At least 40 people were killed and 23 injured when a Bangladeshi passenger plane crashed near Kathmandu airport Monday, an official said.

“Thirty-one people died at the spot and nine died at two hospitals in Kathmandu,” police spokesman Manoj Neupane told AFP, adding another 23 were injured.

There were 67 passengers and four crew on board the US-Bangla Airlines plane from Dhaka.

The plane crashed after catching fire while trying to land.

Witnesses described seeing the plane flying at a low height before crashing onto a football pitch at Nepal’s only international airport in the capital, Kathmandu.

Amanda Summers, an American who works in Nepal, watched the crash happen from the terrace of her home office.

“It was flying so low I thought it was going to run into the mountains,” she said.

She said it was unclear if it had reached the runway when it landed. “All of a sudden there was a blast and then another blast,” she said.

France 2018: Falconets In A Tough Group

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 12, 2018

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Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets have been drawn in the same pool as perennial foes Germany, China and Haiti in Group D of the 9^th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup taking place in France, 5^th – 24^th August 2018.

At the Draw Ceremony held inside the Opera House, Rennes on Thursday, Africa’s other flagbearers Ghana were thrown into the same Group A as hosts France, New Zealand and The Netherlands.

Group B is headed by Korea DPR and also has England, Mexico and Brazil, while USA, Japan, Paraguay and Spain will battle it out in Group C.

Two –time runners –up Falconets begin their campaign with a huge test, against Germany at the Stade de Marville in Saint-Malo on Monday, 6^th August. Germany edged Nigeria to lift the trophy the two times Nigeria got to the championship final – in 2010 in Germany and 2014 in Canada.

Chris Danjuma’s maidens will then be up against Haiti three days later at the same venue, before moving to Dinan-Léhon, where they play China at the Stade du Clos Gastel on Monday, 13^th August.

Ghana will go up against hosts France in the tournament’s opening match in Vannes on Sunday, 5^th August. Concarneau is the other city that will host matches during the championship.

Nigeria’s Group D opponents Haiti will be taking part in their first –ever FIFA women’s tournament, and FIFA General Secretary Fatma Samoura said: “I’d like to send my regards and warmly congratulate Haiti, who just qualified for their first-ever FIFA women’s tournament, on their remarkable road to France. Well done, girls, for taking this huge step.

“It’s so encouraging to see these young girls pointing the way forward through playing football. For FIFA, increasing the participation of women in football is an imperative. The development of women’s football is at at the top of our list of priorities in our strategy ‘FIFA 2.0: The Vision for Future’.”

France will also host the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

THE DRAW

GROUP A

France

Ghana

New Zealand

The Netherlands

GROUP B

Korea DPR

England

Mexico

Brazil

GROUP C

USA

Japan

Paraguay

Spain

GROUP D

Haiti

China

Nigeria

Germany

Strangling Lagos Tenants

By

Oji Odu

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March 12, 2018

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By Oji Odu

“ Landlords in Lagos state have gone bonkers. It seems the new Lagos state Land Use Charges have empowered them to hike house rents without cogent reasons.

“ Since they got wind of plans by the state government through the state legislature to review the charges upwardly, more than 70 percent of them have either increased their rents or served their tenants with quit notices. According to them, they cannot afford to bear the burden while they have tenants living in their houses. Who will save these tenants from these mean landlords, as government seems to be interested in making their money to make Lagos a mega city at all cost?”

Lamenting, Mrs. Christiana Dolapo, a housewife and teacher in one private school, told the Magazine that the threats and bad attitude of her landlord to her family since he got wind of the review of the Land Use Charge is better imagined.

“ I have lived in this house with my family for over six years now and at peace with my landlord without owing any years rent. But his attitude towards changed recently following the increased Lagos state land use charges. Since then, it has been threats and more threats of quitting any tenant that refuses to pay the new rent,” she said.

The visibly disturbed and shaken mother of four whose husband lost his job last year and has been struggling to make ends meet, stated that they don’t know what to do if they are forced to move. “ Where are we going to find the money to pay for the newly increased house rent.

“ Although government may be right in the review, what both I and many others fault is the timing, and it’s inability to protect the masses who are definitely going to bear the brunt of the new charges,” she added.

The recently increased the Land Use Charges in the state after it was enacted in 2001 has continued to generate contrversy. Speaking on it, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the review which is in line with present economic realities is in the overriding interest of Lagos as a mega city, and would raise the much needed funds to increase infrastructure and provide social services in the state.

“The law was made in 2001. It provides that every five years, we should review it and also find a way to increase. Fifteen years after (up until 2017), the law has never been reviewed. Now, the question is this; those who are having commercial properties, the rental income they were getting in 2002 as against the rental income they are getting in 2017, is it the same?

“The level of infrastructure that existed in 2002, as against what has happened in the last 15 years, is it the same? Did it not come at a cost? So, why is the market value of the property that you built with N1 million naira, 15 years after, you are selling at N20 million. Why do you think somebody who is a buyer will pay N20 million for it? Is it not because of the facilities around the property? So, we have to sacrifice; that is how it works everywhere.

“So, somebody comes and says, we have increased by 400 per cent. The question is, the 400 per cent of what? You were paying N10, 000 before, now we say you should pay N50, 000 and you are calculating and turning statistics upside down by saying it is 400 per cent,” he stated.

He went further to explain that while the revised law requires owner-occupiers to pay just 0.076 per cent, pensioners, churches, mosques, non-governmental organisations and government institutions are exempted from payment. “So, who is the one that will take care of the ones that are free? If you are owner-occupier, you don’t need to pay. So, it’s the commercial part that people are complaining about.

“Why have we increased the rate? We should have been doing this every five years but I am looking at it if I must sustain the level of my vision, I have to give something back to the people.

The governor regretted that out of about two million out of the eight million taxable adults in the state that filed their tax returns last year, only 700,000 actually paid their taxes last year.

Ambode revealed that the current tax returns were not enough to cater for the ongoing capital projects across the state which would help take care of the increasing pressure on infrastructure and social services in the state, while adding that major cities across the world with thriving economies are sustained by the taxes paid by residents.

But in a chat with the Magazine, Kehinde Owulade, a legal practitioner, while welcoming the new charges, regretted that the already pressurised tenants will still be the final bearers of the burden of the new increase.

“ It’s a pity that the tenants somehow are helpless in this situation because it seems there is nobody to help them. If the landlords increase their house or shop rents, will the state government actually stop them? Rather they will tell the affected tenants to seek alternative accommodations and avoid unnecessary problems with their landlords.

“ With the new Lagos state tenancy law which favors landlords and permits them to make ‘mean’ profit at times, landlords could just wake up and quit his tenants if he wants to increase rent. If this happens, who will save them? And with this new increase whereby some landlords have reciprocated with increase in tenement fees, will the state government whose is bent on generating revenue by all means protect the tenants?”, he asked.

It is good for Lagos to be a mega city. It is equally good for the citizens to pay their taxes. However, it is best that the citizens who grow Lagos not to be pressurised and stunted by some ‘timely’ laws that can make the “ Centre of Excellence” a jungle.

Optometrists Warns That Smoking And Drinking Can Make One Go Blind

By

Akinwale Kasali

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March 12, 2018

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A Benin-based optometrist, Dr. Ozor Ibhade, has warned that excessive smoking and drinking are likely to cause visual impairment in humans.

Ibhade told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Benin that about 253 people in the world had visual impairment out of which 36 million of them were actually blind.

She said, “Many people suffer from visual impairment as a result of ignorance of the ways and methods of taking care of their eyes.”

She explained that the eye, being one of the sensitive organs of the human body, needs to be given special attention.

The expert listed some of the causes of visual impairment to include excessive smoking, drinking habits, and inherited genes.

The optometrist explained, “In spite of these factors, one can still prevent becoming visually impaired if you know who to take care of your sight.

“Most people do not know how to take care of their sights until it is too late to do anything.

“The sun rays or radiation, for instance, is harmful to the eyes. But you can wear cold sunglasses and other protective sun shades depending on your nature of job, to control the rays and protect the eyes.

“Some of the many ways to avoid eye disease is to first know your family health history, engage in regular exercise, control of diabetics and high cholesterol.

“People are also advised to avoid looking straight at the sun rays, avoid smoking and heavy drinking habit.

“Regular contact with sun rays causes catarrh while smoking causes macula regeneration. Glaucoma, being a hereditary eye disease, does not give any sign before the sufferer can go blind’’.

According to Ibhade, WHO statistics shows that about 253 million people globally have visual impairment out of which 36 million of them are actually blind.

“For people leaving with visual impairment, between 80 per cent and 81 per cent either have an uncorrected refractive error or unoperated catarrh.

“Statistics have also shown that people in the rural areas or low income are susceptible to visual impairment,” she said.

The optometrist said that for any human to live a better life, that person must have healthy eyes, being one of the body organs that interpret messages sent to the brain.

“We need to increase sight awareness because many people move about without knowing their sight status.

“Many people also leave with the belief or notion that they are blind. But what they only need is corrective surgery for the refractive error or unoperated catarrah,’’ Ibhade said.

She said that lack of awareness and knowledge of what to do was the reason they either “become blind or suffer one form of visual impairment’’.

The physician urged governments at all levels to pay more attention to eye care, saying “governments usually pay attention to general healthcare to the detriment of eye care.

“This needs to be corrected as the eye is too sensitive an organ to be neglected either by individuals or government health institutions,” she said.

CHRSJ Raises Alarm Over Fate Of Detained Nigerians, Says Detainees Face Police Execution

By

Akinwale Kasali

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March 12, 2018

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By Akinwale Kasali

A civil rights group, the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) has raised the alarm over the likely extra-judicial execution of two Nigerians detained in police custody in Ogun State.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Executive Chairman of the CHRSJ, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman stated that the two detainees Mr. Kayode Akinleye and one of his friends, Kehinde Obafemi are currently being detained illegally in a police divisional command located in Iju Police Station, Iju-Otta besides Attan, Along Owode-Idi-Iroko Road, Ogun State.

Sulaiman who added that the two detainees are victims of a well orchestrated frame-up by a police officer known as Wole with contact-08034104255 and some powerful members of the Owode community over his refusal to be part of a drug distribution ring.

According to the family, Wole is said to lead the police team whose other members are, Odidi Folake, Adeniyi Rasheed and others who are said to have collected the sum of N125,000 at the Iju-Otta Police Station from the family of the detainees but have not allowed them to set their eyes on their family members.

The human rights activist accused a powerful business woman known to the residents of the community simply as Iya Alex for colluding with the police officer named Wole and his team to get the two detainees out of the way to prevent the society from getting to know about their atrocities as drug dealers.

The group claimed the two illegally detained persons are in danger of being extra-judicially killed by the powerful clique who might seek to prevent them (the detainees) from letting the world know about their atrocities.

“It is unfortunate to note that the police who should protect the society from any form of social harm and the ones who are now engaging in such acts. The men of the Nigerian police who should ensure that the people get justice are the ones now preventing them from accessing justice. In this case the innocent is being made the guilty.” Sulaiman stated.

Going down memory lane, the activist stated that the relationship between Akinleye and Iya Alex was a business agreement that necessitated Iya Alex to sell a vehicle to Akinleye on hire purchase terms, which he uses for commercial purposes since 2015.

“Akinleye has been fulfilling his payment obligations to Iya Alex since the time the agreement commenced by following all the terms and conditions but trouble started when the businesswoman urged him to help her drive her business trucks every night along the border town of Owode but Akinleye turned down the proposal because of the fact that vehicle usually carry contraband and illicit drugs.

“Upon his refusal to do her bidding, Iya Alex contacted Officer Wole who claims to work for the Federal Anti-robbery Squad at Ajilete town to help her put the two out of circulation by detaining without charges with the ultimate goal of killing them via extra-judicial method, in a case very similar to that of the late founding Editor-in-chief of Newswatch Magazine, Mr. Dele Giwa who was killed in a letter bomb on October 19 1986 when he caught Gloria Okon in a narcotic drug deal,” Sulaman stated.

According to the group, the family is in a state of fear, suspicion and apprehension on whether they have been killed or about to be killed and that their release is only a way to put the apprehension to rest.

“When we sent some of our members to the Iju-Otta Police Station where they have been detained, the policemen at the counter including the Divisional Police officer stated that they have no idea as regards their current location, a situation that further accentuated the fears of his family. Efforts to get the police officer called Wole have also yielded little fruits.” He said.

He added that the police officers have been blackmailing the family, particularly his 85 year-old mother, Madam Alice Akinleye with a view to extort the sum of two million from her before her son could breath their of freedom.

Sulaiman stated that the policemen have even been harassing members of the church where Akinleye worships, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Mount Zinai located in Dele Foto Street, Pempe Area of Owode Yewa, Ogun State.

They also alleged that the three months pregnant wife of one of the detainees, Mrs. Idayat Akinleye who lives in Olokuta, Igbohotedo Quarters, Owode Ogun State have also come under harassment from the policemen who have continued to mount pressure on her with a view to extorting her.

He concluded “That we are now calling on the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Deputy Inspector-General of Police on Investigation, the Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and the affected police commissioner in charge of Ogun State to quickly intervene and call for the unconditional release of Kayode Akinleye and his friend Kehinde without any further delay.

He added that this is the best way to go in order to avoid incurring of the civil society in this case that tends to not only put their jobs on the line but also capable of tarnishing the image of the force both at home and abroad.

“We promise to soon launch a total abrogation of force constabulary mentality as we have stated earlier which has been given to them, till October 1 2018 most especially, the abolition of so called SARS Idiosyncratic tendencies,” Sulaiman stated

Child Abuse: Trader Tortures Maid With Hot Iron

By

Akinwale Kasali

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March 12, 2018

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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a trader, Mrs. Nkeiruka Ngwu, for allegedly torturing her 10-year-old maid, Chioma Samuel, with a hot iron.

The magazine learnt that the incident happened on Wednesday at Ngwu’s house on Ogundana Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

 It was gathered that the 36-year-old had returned home from work and was informed by some neighbours that her children cried endlessly while she was away.

She was alleged to have angrily plugged an iron which she allegedly pressed on the victim’s legs and arms.

The mother of four also allegedly poured hot water on the victim.

Ngwu, while accompanied by Samuel, had reportedly taken her children to school the next day when some parents challenged her over the victim’s injuries.

They advised her to take Samuel to a hospital for treatment.

When their advice was ignored, the women reported the case to the police.

A source said Ngwu, who hailed from the same hometown as the victim in Ngwu, Abia State, took her from her family in January 2018.

He said, “The girl lost her father late last year and she promised to take care of her and enrol her in a school. But since the girl arrived in Lagos, it has been one abuse after the other.

“On Wednesday, she (Ngwu) had returned from work when some of her neighbours told her her children cried for a long time and that the girl probably beat them up. She became angry and burnt the girl with a hot iron in the hands and legs. She also scalded her body with hot water which she poured on her.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Chike Oti, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, said Ngwu tortured the victim “mentally and physically.”

Oti, a Superintendent of Police, noted that the suspect never kept the promise she made to Samuel’s family to take care of her.

He explained that the torture was discovered when Ngwu took her children to school a day after the alleged torture.

“On Thursday, March 8, 2018, her cup of iniquity got filled when she took her children to a private school in Ikeja. Unfortunately for her, the prying eyes of other mothers, who came to the school to drop off their kids, noticed the gaping wounds on the upper and lower limbs of the victim, who accompanied the suspect to the school.

“After questioning the girl, they waited for her madam, who had gone to drop her kids in their various classrooms. When she finished and was about to drive off, she was confronted by those women, who nearly mobbed her.

“They were calmed by some teachers, who heard their voices. The women told the suspect to take the girl to a hospital or else they would petition the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Edgal Imohimi.

“In spite of their warning to report to the authorities, Mrs. Nkeiruka Ngwu, like the proverbial dog that wouldn’t hearken to its master’s call when danger is lurking, stubbornly went to the school on Friday, March 9, 2018, accompanied by the child whose wounds were manifestly untreated,” the PPRO added.

Oti said the parents made good their threat and reported to the CP, who ordered the arrest of the suspect.

He said while the case was referred to the gender section of the command, Samuel was taken to a police hospital for treatment.

The police spokesperson said Imohimi also instructed that Samuel be taken care of until she was handed over to the social welfare team of the Lagos State Government.

“Investigation is in progress. The suspect will have her day in court on Monday (today), March 12, 2018,” he said.

Wenger Worried As Arsenal Fans Stay Away

By

Akinwale Kasali

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March 12, 2018

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Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal are struggling to win back their furious fans after thousands stayed away from the 3-0 Premier League win over Watford.

For the second successive game at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal played in front of vast swathes of empty red seats on Sunday.

Arsenal blamed heavy snow for the low attendance in their recent defeat against Manchester City, but the no-show against Watford could only be put down to a fatal combination of anger and apathy after another miserable season.

“Must be -4 and snowing again at the Emirates,” Manchester United legend Gary Neville, now a prominent pundit, tweeted soon after kick-off.

But Wenger, as he fights to keep his job, conceded he could understand why Arsenal supporters are so frustrated by their team’s wretched run.

“There is a lot of negativity. It is like rain in England, it is easy to get,” he said.

“Of course I worry because I want our fans to be behind the team, but after what happened in that week it is understandable.

“We want to have the fans on our side and we do everything to make that happen.

“I respect everyone’s opinion but I focus totally on my job.”

The stay-aways missed a solid Arsenal performance as goals from Shkodran Mustafi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan ended a run of three successive Premier League defeats.

But the win did little to improve Arsenal’s prospects of a top-four finish — which brings qualification for the Champions League — and won’t carry much weight with supporters who feel ending Wenger’s 22-year reign is the only way to get their club back on track.

Without a league title since 2004, Wenger is clinging to the hope that reaching the Champions League by winning this season’s Europa League will spare him the axe.

But the drab atmosphere at Sunday’s game gave it an ‘end of an era’ feel that will persist until Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke and chief executive Ivan Gazidis conduct the end-of-season review that will decide Wenger’s fate.

For now, all Wenger can do is focus on leading Arsenal on a long winning run, starting with protecting a 2-0 lead when AC Milan visit the Emirates in the Europa League last 16, second leg on Thursday.

Wenger is encouraged by the way his players have stayed united in a difficult time.

– Vindication –

“We suffered a bit at the start of the second half but after that with our spirit, we stuck together and in the end it was a convincing win,” he said.

“It gets us out of this negative spiral a little bit. We had a nightmare week. There is still some work to do, but overall we are in a good way.”

In a dismal year, there was a rare moment of vindication for Arsenal when Watford captain Troy Deeney saw his second-half penalty saved by Petr Cech.

Deeney had questioned Arsenal’s spirit after Watford beat them in October and Wenger said a desire to prove the striker wrong had motivated their performance.

“Cech had to wait a while to save a penalty. It’s quite fortunate that it’s against Deeney,” he said.

Watford boss Javi Gracia refused to blame the defeat on Deeney’s jibes, which came before he was in charge.

“Troy was concentrated on playing well and helping the team,” Gracia said.

“He had a chance to score the penalty but he didn’t do it.

“I don’t know what Arsenal were thinking, but I’m happy with him.

“I’m responsible for my words. I respect all the teams, Arsenal as well.”