News

Eight killed, scores injured as Osun communities fight over land

Published

7 months ago

October 7, 2023

Osun Communal Clash: Eight Killed, Scores Injured As Gov’t Takes Over Disputed Land.

Eight people, including an infant, have been reportedly killed in a communal clash between Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun State.

Some of the affected areas and houses were razed and properties destroyed during the clash, which occurred overnight on Thursday as a lingering dispute over a piece of land escalated.

Residents of the two communities, especially women and children, were seen carrying their belongings and leaving their homes for safer places.

The communities were deserted, with security operatives taking over some flashpoints where violence could erupt again.

Speaking in an interview, the Jagun of Ilobu and spokesperson of the Olobu-in-Council, Chief Adegoke Ogunsola, alleged that the police were biased, saying that a policeman fired several gunshots at the high-tension wire in Ilobu, damaging the cable.

“Since yesterday when a police officer did that, we have been thrown into darkness in Ilobu,” he said. “They (Ifon people) used the opportunity to attack our people at night. Four of our people were killed, including an infant. The mother and others were shot and are receiving treatments at Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.”

Headline

Prince Harry visits sick Nigerian soldiers in Kaduna

Published

3 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Alero Danjuma

Prince Harry and his team visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna to interact with wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment.

The Duke of Sussex is in Nigeria with his wife to champion the Invictus Games, which Harry founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans.

Nigeria joined the Invictus Community of Nations in 2022 becoming the first African country to join.

Prince Harry’s visit to Kaduna came 68 years after his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II visited the state during the time of the late Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello.

News

Senate approves death penalty for drug traffickers

Published

2 days ago

May 9, 2024

Alero Danjuma

Senate on Thursday, May 9, approved the death penalty for those convicted on the charge of drug trafficking in the country.

The punishment prescribed in the extant NDLEA Act is a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration of a report of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Drugs and Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters presented the report during plenary, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North).

The bill, which passed its third reading, aims to update the list of dangerous drugs, strengthen the operations of the NDLEA, review penalties, and empower the establishment of laboratories.

Section 11 of the current act prescribes that “any person who, without lawful authority; imports, manufactures, produces, processes, plants or grows the drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroin or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life” was amended to reflect a stiffer penalty of death.

Although the report did not recommend a death penalty for the offence, during consideration, Senator Ali Ndume moved that the life sentence should be upgraded to the death penalty.

During a clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, put the amendment on the death penalty to a voice vote and ruled that the “ayes” had it.

But Senator Adams Oshiomhole objected to the ruling, saying that the “nays” had it.

He argued that matters of life and death should not be treated hurriedly, but Barau said it was too late, as he failed to call for division immediately after his ruling.

The bill was subsequently read for the third time and passed by the Senate.