The police in Abia State, south-east Nigeria, say they are investigating a report that claimed some police operatives exchanged gunfire after mistaking themselves for members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Mistaken for IPOB members
There was confusion on Wednesday around Alaoji Area of Aba, the commercial hub of the state, when some police operatives reportedly opened fire on themselves.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the shootout occurred between police patrol teams from Police Area Command in Aba, and another police team from Umuahia, the state capital.

Residents claimed the operatives appeared to have mistaken themselves for IPOB members in the area.

It was learnt that the incident occurred because operatives from Umuahia operated in commercial buses, prompting their colleagues from Aba to mistake them for the separatist group.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that during the shootout, shop owners around Alaoji Motor Spare Parts Market and passersby scampered for safety to avoid stray bullets.

The market is located along the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway in the state.

A truck driver was killed by a stray bullet during the encounter.

It was learnt that an altercation ensued after the operatives realised that they were all police officers.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, the police spokesperson in the state, Maureen Chinaka, said police authorities are investigating the incident.

“From our preliminary investigation, there is no credible evidence to suggest that police officers mistook themselves for members of IPOB and fired at each other,” Ms Chinaka, an assistant superintendent of police, said.

“What we can confirm is that there was a shooting in that area, which resulted in the death of a civilian,” she stated.

MrRabbi:
Where's my David ooooo

Paraman:
A very welcome develop
God bless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
God bless the south west and south south
God bless the north
God bless Nigeria forever

Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has vowed to punish government officials who tempered with the Sallah gift approved for the workers.

The governor had approved N30,000 as a Sallah gift for each worker under the state and local government employ, including teachers.

However, it was alleged that, some of the workers, especially at the local government areas, were not given up to that amount.

“Some were given N19,000, some received N20,000 and there are some who are yet to receive their own,” one of the affected workers told Daily Trust.

ECOWAS heads of state meet in Abuja
Addressing a mammoth crowd of well-wishers and supporters at the Government House, Sokoto at the weekend, the governor warned the officials behind the diversion to immediately return the money or face a serious consequence.

“I wonder how somebody would deny our workers the stipend we gave them in order to make them financially stable during the Sallah festive season.

“Those who diverted those funds must return them immediately or else we will take serious punitive measures against them.

“We will ensure that the culprits reap what they sowed to serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

Governor Aliyu, therefore, charged all heads of agencies where such diversions were perpetrated to hasten the compilation of all the affected workers and ensure that they are refunded.

He also assured the people of the state of his administration’s determination to ensure accountability, transparency and the prudent management of public funds for the good of all.

“This administration is all out to ensure zero-tolerance for corruption and all corrupt tendencies. So, if anybody thinks he can loot public funds and gets away with it then, he must be sick.

“This administration is a true reflection of the government of the people, for the people and indeed by the people. So, we have a huge task ahead of us that we must carry out diligently without minding whose ox is gored,” Aliyu added.

The governor further called on the people of the state to continue to rally round the present administration in its quest to deliver on its campaign promises.

The governor also thanked the APC leader in the state, Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, for his “fatherly role and guidance” to the present leadership in the state.

He also thanked the entire people of the state for their support and prayers to the present administration.

Talkingpen1:
Waiting for Tinubu

A truck loaded with cows being conveyed to Enugu from Wudil has somersaulted on Maiduguri road flyover in Kano.

It was learnt that the truck was loaded with 28 cows, sheep, onions and dates.

One of the passengers on board the truck, Hashim Rabiu Tamburawa, told Daily Trust that the truck had left Wudil for Enugu, but on reaching the flyover at Hotoro, the vehicle somersaulted.

He said break failure might be responsible for the accident.

Policemen and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and men of the state fire service rushed to the scene to assist those who sustained injuries.

Some of the victims were taken to Sir Sanusi Hospital at Yan Kaba.

No death has been recorded from the accident so far.

Photos from the scene of the accident:

EMIOMOADEOYE:


This is starting to look like 19th-century India when dacoitry was rampant.

Those who watched films like Sholay, Gasab, and Toofan will understand what I am saying.

I have doing some research on Northern Nigeria and even the Eastern part especially those regions touched by terrorism.

One thing is common to all these regions.

There are vast areas of ungoverned lands. The effect of policing and law enforcement is absolute zero in these areas because of sheer vastness of the zones and as such bandits have the time to overrun the place.

At this stage now, we will start having heroes and villains. This is the era where Legends are born. Dogo Gide......will be like Toofan.

Another person will soon come up and claim fighting for the good of the vilagers....maybe two of them like Viru and Jai. Interestingly Viru and Jai were criminals in Sholay.

Na wa

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has disclosed plans by the leadership of the National Assembly to build a state-of-the-art medical facility for senators, House of Representatives members, guests and staff of the legislative body.

Akpabio, who spoke on Thursday in Abuja, while welcoming senators back from recess, said the medical facility would be given top priority in the second legislative year.

The 10th National Assembly which clocked one year on June 13, 2024 already has a clinic.

Akpabio said, “In this our second legislative year, it is our plan to establish a state-of-the-art medical facility in close proximity to us to serve the distinguished senators, honourable members, National Assembly staff, and our esteemed guests.

“This initiative aims to provide functional and effective healthcare for all. Within the last legislative year, we also completed and commissioned the National Assembly Library.”

He also implored the lawmakers to be committed about the welfare of the people in their actions and decisions, adding that they shouldn’t forget the cardinal principle of service to the people.

Residents of Magami in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State are celebrating the relocation of Dogo Gide, a notorious terrorism kingpin.

Gide has instructed farmers to return to their fields without fear of abduction, Premium Times reported.

Dogo Gide, allegedly involved in the abduction of students from a public school in Kuriga, Kaduna State, was reportedly wounded by troops of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) on March 12 in Madada forest, Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State, five days after the Kuriga abductions.

Following his encounter with the military, Gide relocated to Kizara, a community on the eastern fringe of Magami, and assumed control of the area.

He assured farmers they could safely return to their farms without fear of kidnapping or property seizure.

“Dogo Gide has relocated to Kizara, a community at the eastern fringe of Magami, after his encounter with the military and has assumed control of turfs in the areas.

“He directed farmers to return to their farms without fear of abduction or seizure of properties,” a resident confided in Premium Times.

A new song shared with Premium Times, released in June by unidentified singers allegedly from Tsafe, praises Mr Gide for relocating to their area, indicating the resumption of farming activities there.

“Residents are celebrating because abduction for ransom and killings have stopped. Farm fields that were abandoned for over four years for fear of kidnapping have been cultivated this year after Dogo Gide’s directive,” the source added.