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6 injured, money, valuables carted away as armed robbers invade Ibadan Estate with POS machine

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No fewer than twenty armed robbers stormed once peaceful Alaafia Estate in Orogun, Ibadan, Oyo State around 11pm on Sunday night and operated till around 2am on Monday morning dispossessing residents of valuables running into millions of naira.

The robbers who made first appearance at the Estate about two weeks ago when they robbed a Superintendent of Police and three flats were said to have mobilised more gang members in a more deadly robbery where they carted away money, laptops, mobile phones and ATM card after obtaining their Personal Identification Numbers (PIN).

The robbers were said to have gained entry into the Estate through the recently dredged Carnal linking Barika, Agbowo, and Orogun.

Armed with machete, Guns and other dangerous weapons, the dare devil robbers divided themselves into the Estate and robbed concurrently in House number 33, 31, 25 among others.

Our man gathered that no fewer than twenty families were direct victims of the robbers with one Peter in House 33 sustaining machete cuts on his left hand while the wife was said to have been beaten with machete.

They forcefully gained entrance into their victims’ apartments, moving boastfully and daring the residents to come out if they were up to the task.

At house 31, where at least twelve flats were robbed, the robbers forced their victims to use the POS which they brought but when network failed the transfer, they obtained the PIN and went away with their ATMS.

As they moved to House 25, where the robbers were said to have accused some residents to have peeped through the window during their last operation in the Estate, doors and properties were badly destroyed as they threatened to unleash hell on them as they battle to break the security.

A resident said: “as they battle to break into the house, one of them was telling the new ones they recruited to join them this time around that somebody was peeping through the window from the house. They said we would see hell if they break into the house if we don’t willingly open the door”.

However, the Ojoo Police Division were said to have mobilised to the Estate blowing serene and releasing gun shots as they made their way into the Estate.

Hearing the gunshots, another resident told our man that the robbers shouted on themselves “big daddy (police) are here; won ti mbo, e ja ke lo.”

The police were said to have recovered four machetes and a locally made pistol around the scene of the robbery.

Narrating their ordeal, one of the victims who pleaded anonymity said “When they came, they jumped into our house and shot into the air. They started saying awon daa, wey money, they entered around 12:45am and left around 1:45am for other buildings.”

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Metro

Death Toll Rises to 22 in Anambra Stampede, As Police Begin Investigation

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The death toll from a tragic stampede in Anambra State has risen to 22, local authorities confirmed on Sunday.

The Anambra State Police Command, through its spokesman Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the police have commenced an investigation into the incident. Ikenga also stated that several injured victims are receiving medical treatment.

“The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, visited the hospital where the victims of the tragic stampede that occurred on December 21, 2024, in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, are receiving treatment,” Ikenga said. “Regrettably, 22 people lost their lives. The CP commiserates with the families and friends of the deceased and wishes the injured a quick recovery.”

The stampede occurred on Saturday during a rice distribution event at Amaranta Stadium in Okija. The event, organized by the Obijackson Foundation, was intended to provide relief to residents.

A Pattern of Tragedy

The Anambra incident follows a series of similar tragedies across the country. Earlier in December, a stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, claimed 10 lives. A few days prior, a children’s funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, ended in disaster, with 35 children losing their lives and six others critically injured.

The string of incidents has raised serious concerns about crowd management during large-scale events in Nigeria. Prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, have called for urgent reforms.

“It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that I receive yet again the heartbreaking news of lives lost in tragic stampedes, this time in Okija, Anambra, and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory,” Atiku wrote on his X handle late Saturday. “It is imperative that those entrusted with the organization of such large-scale events take the utmost care in crowd management, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all participants.”

Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, lamented the incidents as a reflection of the rising desperation caused by hunger in Nigeria.

“I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic loss of lives in desperate searches for food,” Obi wrote on X. “While I will not cast blame, I appreciate the organizers of these events for their kind gestures. However, these tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society.”

A Call for Reform

The recent stampedes underscore the urgent need for better planning and safety protocols at public events. Experts and stakeholders are calling on authorities and event organizers to adopt stringent crowd management strategies to prevent future tragedies.

Meanwhile, families of the victims continue to mourn their loss, as the nation grapples with the deepening economic challenges that have driven many to desperation.

 

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Grim Friday: Man, Wife, Grandson Perish in Ibadan Fire

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A devastating house fire in the Ori-Eru area of Idikan, Ibadan, Oyo State, has claimed the lives of a man, his wife, and their grandson. The incident occurred on Friday at approximately 3:46 PM, leaving the community in mourning.

According to a statement by CSP Olaniyan Jibola of the Mapo Police Division, the fire engulfed the upper floor of a six-room residential storey building.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had used a naked flame to keep their room warm during the cold weather, which tragically led to the fire.

“On arrival, we met the upper floor of a residential building of six rooms on fire. We swiftly swung into action, and the fire was completely extinguished. Unfortunately, the three victims had slept off after putting on the fire and could not escape,” the statement read.

Despite the tragedy, the prompt intervention of the police and a team of Amotekun officials led by Gbenga Akinyemi from the North West Division helped rescue five individuals from the burning building. Fortunately, the fire did not spread to the ground floor or adjacent properties.

The remains of the victims have been recovered, while the rescued individuals are receiving medical attention.

 

 

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Zenith Bank Customers Fume Over Disruptions in Online Services

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Customers of Zenith Bank have taken to social media to voice their frustration over difficulties encountered during online banking transactions.

Reports emerged on Tuesday of challenges related to payments and various features, leading to widespread discontent among users on social media platforms like X.

In a statement shared on X on Saturday, Zenith Bank announced that routine maintenance would commence on September 29 and conclude on October 1, running from 12:01 AM to 5:00 AM. The notice, titled ‘Notice of Routine Maintenance,’ stated, “Please be informed that we are currently undertaking routine maintenance of our Information Technology Infrastructure to enable us to significantly improve the quality of service rendered to you.”

However, customers reported that the maintenance did not begin as scheduled, causing considerable inconvenience.

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the bank’s Mobile Banking App, USSD Service, Internet Banking, and Corporate Internet Banking platforms remained unavailable for an extended period, specifically between 12:01 AM and 2:30 PM WAT.

One dissatisfied customer, Adetunji Akeem, expressed his frustration, sharing that he was unable to withdraw money for food and transportation to work, which forced him to borrow from colleagues.

“It is frustrating. I haven’t eaten all day because I wasn’t able to withdraw money today. Zenith said they would be undergoing maintenance on Saturday through a pop-up message on the bank app, but they didn’t start until this morning,” he lamented.

Another customer, Adeleye A. P., known on X as #deji4ever, criticised the bank for not scheduling maintenance during the night, especially at the end of the month when many employees are expecting their salaries.

He tweeted, “The worst bank award should be given to Zenith. Why deny customers transfer privileges to other banks on the last day of the month? It’s a bad business strategy to ensure money doesn’t leave its coffers.”

Dave Oriss, tweeting under the handle #orissonline, echoed similar sentiments, adding, “#ZenithBank, you should keep frustrating your customers. Some have emergencies, and you are busy shifting the time for maintenance.”

 

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