News

Panic in Ebonyi over rumored herdsman attack on school

Published

3 years ago

April 28, 2021

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There was panic within Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State and its environ on Wednesday as private schools hurriedly closed over alleged herdsmen attack.

It was gathered around 11am, the schools stated sending pupils home, following alleged herdsmen attack on a private school located close to Presco Campus of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.

As news of the alleged attack spread, parents left their places of work and dashed to their children’s schools to take them home.

Some of the teachers attributed the decision to the insecurity and tension created in the last one week following series of attacks in the state and southeast.

One of the teachers, who pleaded anonimity, said the moment the rumor filtered in “the Proprietor summoned a meeting of the teachers and we all resolved to send the children home to safeguard them while we monitor events”.

“We are not certain if the school will resume tomorrow or not. We don’t want to endanger the lives of our children, so we will monitor the security situation in the state and determine if they will resume tomorrow or not.

READ Herdsmen attack 77-year-old farmer in Ondo

“Many schools are already through with their exams, so I believe those who are not yet through will conclude within the week and close officially.

“There is so much tension and we won’t want to take any chances,” she said.

But Ebonyi Police command debunked speculation of herdsmen attack on a private school.

Ebonyi police spokesman, Loveth Odah, said there was no such incident in the state, pointing out the Kpirikpiri Divisional Police Officer was at the school to certain the true situation of things when the rumor broke out.

“It was the students that heard the rumor and started going back home. There is no truth in the information,” she said

She urged the people of the state to go about their normal businesses, adding men of the command will continue to work round the clock to ensure the protection of lives and properties of residents.

JUST IN: Tinubu, Shettima to pay toll at airport gates

Published

12 hours ago

May 14, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima will now pay the required toll whenever they use the gates at airports.

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation, announced this to journalists after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting chaired by Tinubu at the presidential villa in Abuja on Tuesday.

Keyamo said he presented two memos which were approved by the council.

Details later…

READ Man, wife, son killed over allegations of being bandits’ informants in Kaduna

News

Tinubu suspends 0.5% cybersecurity levy

Published

12 hours ago

May 14, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has suspended the 0.5 percent cybersecurity levy after criticism and protest trailed the announcement.

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, announced the suspension.

Idris said Tinubu directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend the implementation and review the modalities for its implementation.

Details later…

READ Customs men, not herdsmen responsible for Igangan attack – Oyo Govt

News

Minister to sue Niger speaker over plans to ‘marry off’ 100 girls, says it’s ‘totally unacceptable’

Published

19 hours ago

May 14, 2024

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Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, minister of women affairs, has petitioned the inspector-general of police (IGP) and sought a court injunction to halt the marriage of 100 girls in Niger state.

Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, speaker of the Niger state house of assembly, announced last week that he would sponsor the wedding of 100 girls, some of whom were orphaned by insurgency, as part of his Maringa constituency project.

He said he had procured materials for the event scheduled for May 24, and promised to pay dowries for the bridegrooms.

Following the outcry that trailed the announcement, the speaker explained that he was only financing the wedding — not forcing the girls into marriage.

However, Kennedy-Ohanenye said the plan is unacceptable, and that the future of the girls should be a priority.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, the minister said a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the issue will be carried out.

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She said the ministry will take responsibility for the girls’ education and vocational training.

“I want to let the honorable speaker of house in Niger state know that this is totally unacceptable by Federal Minister Of Women Affairs and by the government,” Kennedy-Ohanenye said.

“Because there is something called the Child’s Right Act and I said it from the onset, that is no more business as usual.

“These children must be considered, their future must be considered, the future of the children to come out of their marriage must be considered.

“So I have gone to court. I have written him a letter and written a petition to the IG of police.

“And I have filed for injunction to stop him from whatever he is planning to do on the 24th, until a thorough investigation is carried out on those girls, find out whether they gave their consent, their ages, find out the people marrying them.

READ Suspected herdsmen kill two Ekiti monarchs

“As the speaker did not think about empowering these women or sending them to school or giving them some kind of training support financially.

“The women affairs have decided to take it up and we are going to educate the children.

“Those that do not want to go to school, we will train them in a skill, empower them with sustainable empowerment machines to enable that child build his or her life and make up her mind who and when to get married.

“If for any reason the speaker tries to do contrary to what I have just mentioned, there will be a serious legal battle between him and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.”

The minister added that based on the Child Rights Act, every child belongs to the state, hence the rights of every child will be protected from harm and violence.