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THE University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) community was thrown into grief and mourning on Wednesday night, November 11, as seven newly graduated Pharmacy students died during a celebration to mark the completion of their academic programmes.

The incident occurred at Hilltop, an off-campus residential area in Nsukka, Enugu State, where the promising graduates had gathered for a sign-out house party.

Before then, they had reportedly taken to social media to share videos and photographs of themselves celebrating the completion of their programmes.

Things, however, became sour when celebration turned to grief and mourning, as seven of the graduates died in the moment of joy.

The circumstances surrounding and cause of their death, as well as their identities were yet to be ascertained at press time.

Meanwhile, the university’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Inya Agha Egwu, has assured that the management would issue an official statement on the incident.

In a message to journalists on Thursday morning, November 12, Egwu said: “Good morning, colleagues. Those calling in connection with the incident that happened last night should please hold on.

“We will issue an official statement on the matter soon. Thank you.”

BY CHUKS COLLINS, AWKA

THE Anambra State Traffic Management Agency (ATMA) has suspended for two months without pay, some of its officers who went viral recently after singing a campaign song in support of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former governor of the state, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The management reportedly handed down the suspension on Tuesday, Nov 10, following the controversy generated by a video showing the officers singing NDC campaign song to motorists while on duty at Nwagu Junction area of Agulu, Obi’s homet in Anaocha Council.

Following the incident, the  officers were summarily rounded up and taken to the agency’s Awka headquarters, where they were made to explain their action and circumstances surrounding the incident.

It was gathered that their behaviour was on the spur of the moment as they reportedly got carried away and joined the chorus when they  saw a passing vehicle bearing NDC logo and blaring loudspeakers.

Their suspension was assumed to be part of the agency’s disciplinary process as a result of the viral video.

The suspended officers were visibly downcast and looking very worried, with some of them in tears as they sought the assistance of influential Indigenes to  intervene on their behalf.

Meanwhile, their relatives have appealled to public-spirited individuals to come to their aid by assisting them secure alternative employment opportunities during the suspension period, considering the current economic situation in the country, particularly ahead  of the Yuletide season.

When contacted, ATMA’s commander declined any comment on the matter.

THE Delta State Police Command has arrested a 54-year-old woman for allegedly staging her own kidnap and demanding a ransom of ₦15million from her brother while attempting to extort her family.

The woman, identified simply as Umadi, claimed she was abducted by unknown gunmen while on her way to purchase medicine and subsequently contacted her younger brother to report that her purported kidnappers were demanding N15million ransom for her release.

The Command’s spokesman, Bright Edafe (SP), explained that the incident was reported on October 23, at the Ogwuashi-Uku Police Division as a suspected case of kidnapping.

Edafe stated that following the report, the Commissioner of Police (CP) directed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Ubuluku to investigate the case and ensure the woman’s rescue. 

However, he said an intelligence-led investigation by the operatives led to the discovery that the alleged abduction was a plot by the woman herself to extort money from her younger brother and her family.

Edafe, in a video, expressed shock that a woman in her 50s would engage in self-kidnapping, as previous such cases largely involved teenagers and young people.

He said: “In the past, we had cases of self-kidnap or fake kidnap done by underage or, let me say, teenagers of 15, 16, 17 to 20 years, but we have never had a case that involved a 54-year-old elderly woman.

“It is quite unfortunate that she faked her own kidnap because she wanted to extort her younger brother of N15million.”

During her interrogation, the suspect admitted plotting the fake abduction and contacting her younger brother to say she had been kidnapped.

When Edafe asked her how much ransom she demanded, the woman responded that she requested N15million.

She also admitted telling her brother that the supposed kidnappers would kill her if the money was not paid.

Asked why she decided to put her brother through such an ordeal, despite his having not treated her badly, Umadi struggled to provide a good explanation.

Edafe disclosed that the suspect claimed she had been held captive for 12 days after staging the abduction on October 20, but investigations revealled that the incident was a calculated attempt to extort her younger brother, who had initially believed she was indeed in captivity.

The Command’s spokesman commended the suspect’s brother for reporting the incident to the Police and stressed the need for prompt alert of security agencies whenever relatives receive threats of kidnapping or ransom demands.

Edafe said the suspect could not have acted alone, as investigators had identified some individuals allegedly involved in the conspiracy and were already on their trail  for possible arrest.

According to him: “Some of the people she conspired with were seen on their trail, because obviously she didn’t do it alone, and we are definitely going to arrest them,”

The Command vowed to continue its investigation into the incident and pursue the fleeing accomplices until arrested.

*Approves Rehabilitation Of Ubulu-Okiti Junction On Benin-Asaba Expressway

THE Delta State Executive Council (Exco) has approved the next year’s Appropriation Bill of N1,236,874,981,081trillion for onward transmission to the State House of Assembly.

The council, at its meeting on Monday, November 9, presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, at the Government House Annex in Warri, also okayed several infrastructure projects, including roads, education, judicial facilities and community development.

Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, who disclosed this while briefing journalists after the meeting, said the proposed budget would provide the financial framework for the execution of ongoing projects and new development initiatives across the state next year.

Aniagwu expressed government’s commitment to sustaining project delivery and ensuring infrastructure development continued across different parts of the state, despite ongoing political activities.

He listed other major decisions taken by the council to include approvals for road construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation in several communities across the three senatorial districts.

In Oshimili North, the council approved the construction of the Ministry of Works Multi-Purpose Cooperative Road at Okotomi, Okpanam, as well Savage Onianwa Close; Frederick Osy Osadebe Drive; and Professor Dili Ofuokwu Street in Ibusa.

In Oshimili South, approvals were given for several roads in Asaba, including Ennayelugo Crescent, with a spur to Bremmy Hotel Street in Bonsac; Pat Manuel Muotoh Street, with adjoining spurs and overlay works off Rose Ojeh Street; Dr. Chukwuka Obiora Street and Favour Odogwu Street.

Other approved projects in the state capital include Gallant Chi Chi; Engr. Fred Ejiofor Street; Obiegbune Street; Professor Sam Osamene Street; and reconstruction of Iseke Road, with adjoining spurs in Zappa Community.

The council also approved the reconstruction of Otor-Udu–Owhrode/Orhuwhorun/Mofor Road, with a spur at Erhiephiyor and Usiefrun in Udu Local Council.

Other road interventions include rehabilitation of Aladja Road, from Premium Steel Mill, formerly DSC, to Aladja Town; construction of Okuokprere Community Road in Ethiope West; rehabilitation of Amori Road in Mosogar; and construction of Etevie Ikosa Okpi/Primary Health Care Road in Emu-Unor, Ndokwa West.

In Isoko North, it approved construction of the Emevor–Ivrogbor–Orogun Road, Phase Three, as well as Kolokolo-Tisun Road, Phase Two, in Warri North.

In addition, the council approved the construction of a section of MTN Road, from Okirighwire Road to Flourish International School, with a spur to Town Gate Road in Sapele.

In Aniocha South, approval was given for the construction of Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo Street and Obi Palace Internal Road; reconstruction of Umu Jeboma and Ogbeokwuni Streets, and maintenance of critical failed sections of roads around Ogwashi-Uku.

The government also okayed rehabilitation of two kilometres on either side of the Benin-Asaba Expressway at Ubulu-Okiti to improve access and ease movement for residents and other road users.

Other approved projects include rehabilitation of the Old Lagos-Asaba Road in Agbor; construction of Ighegheidin and Osih Streets in Boji-Boji Owa, Ika North East; construction of Ewere Street through Isimi Road, from Area Five Junction to Second Powerline Road, in Boji-Boji Owa.

The Exco also okayed adjustment of the completion period for the reconstruction of PTI-Eku Road, from Chainage 3+600 to Ugolo Junction in Okpe Local Council, from 12 months to seven months; and completion period for Phase Two of the Warri Internal Ring Road, covering the section from NPA Gate to Effurun Flyover Expressway, from 12 months to eight months.

In the judicial sector, it approved construction of five additional residential houses for Judges in the state to improve their accommodation and working conditions; and construction of a modern Police station and staff quarters at Osubi in Okpe Local Council.

The council have the nod for completion of the administrative block of the College of Education, Warri; and installation of standard solar streetlights across the DESOPADEC mandate areas to improve public lighting and community safety.

Aniagwu said the spread of the projects demonstrated the administration’s recognition of the needs of communities across the state in infrastructure development, rather than concentrate interventions in a few locations.

He added that the meeting was deliberately held in Warri to bring government closer to residents in different parts of the state, saying Governor Oborevwori believes that people outside Asaba, the state capital, should also experience the presence of government through holding important government activities and distributing development projects.

He stated that the administration would not allow political activities to distract it from its responsibility to deliver projects and improve the living conditions of residents.