Metro
6 injured, money, valuables carted away as armed robbers invade Ibadan Estate with POS machine
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.”
Metro
Zenith Bank Customers Fume Over Disruptions in Online Services
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.”
Metro
Iran Claims to Have Fired 200 Missiles at Israel — State Media Reports
Iran fired 200 missiles, including hypersonic weapons, at Israel in a major escalation of the ongoing conflict, state television reported on Wednesday.
The barrage, which Iran claims targeted military bases near Tel Aviv, came as retaliation for the recent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the missile launches, stating that “90 percent” of the projectiles hit their intended targets, which included three military bases.
The footage of the missile strikes was broadcast on Iranian media, showing a significant show of force by Tehran.
The Israeli military countered that 180 missiles had been fired into their territory, with most being intercepted by Israel’s advanced defense systems.
Despite the intercepts, the attack marks the first reported use of hypersonic missiles by Iran against Israel.
Hypersonic missiles, capable of traveling at speeds of up to 15 times the speed of sound, pose a unique threat due to their low-altitude flight path and ability to evade conventional missile defenses.
Iran unveiled this advanced missile technology in June 2023, with then-president Ebrahim Raisi proclaiming it as a cornerstone of Iran’s deterrence capabilities, designed to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded swiftly to the attack, warning that Tehran had made a “big mistake.” He vowed to make Iran “pay” for the strikes, further raising tensions in an already volatile situation.
In Washington, the United States indicated that it was discussing a joint response with Israel.
Meanwhile, Iran’s chief of staff issued a stern warning that Tehran would strike key Israeli infrastructure if Iran’s territory were attacked in retaliation. The region now braces for potential further escalation amid growing fears of a broader conflict.
Metro
Tragedy Strikes as 60 Bodies Recovered in Niger Boat Accident
No fewer than 60 bodies have been recovered following a tragic boat accident in Niger State, officials confirmed.
According to a statement released by Abubakar Dakani, Press Secretary to the Chairman of Mokwa Local Government, the boat was carrying over 300 passengers when it capsised at the notorious Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area yesterday evening.
Dakani disclosed that the ill-fated boat was en route from Mundi to Gbajibo for the Annual Maulud celebration when the disaster occurred.
The Chairman of Mokwa Local Government, Abdullahi Muregi, acknowledged the recovery of about 60 bodies and confirmed that 10 survivors have been found so far. Rescue operations, involving the State Emergency Management Agency and local volunteers, are ongoing in a bid to recover the missing passengers.
This incident brings painful memories of a similar boat tragedy in September 2023, when a boat carrying over 50 passengers capsized, killing 24 people who were traveling to their farms for harvest.
Authorities have expressed concerns about the recurring boat accidents in the region, calling for urgent measures to improve safety on the waterways.
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