>>> CRIME NEWS <<<

>>> Crime news 1 <<<

Kaduna police declare manhunt for killer of corps member

The Kaduna State Police Command, on Thursday, confirmed the brutal murder of a member of the
National Youth Service Corps member, Grace Chalya Silas, by yet-to-be-identified assailants in the state.

The Command’s spokesman, ASP Mansir Hassan, told The Informant in an exclusive chat that the state
Police Commissioner, CP Musa Yusuf Garba, has directed a manhunt for the killers of the Corps member.

Chalya Silas, who’s doing her one-year mandatory national service in the state, was reported to have
been stabbed to death during her morning jogging at the Barnawa, in Kaduna South Local Government
Area of the state on Wednesday.

The deceased’s friends and coursemates at the University of Jos took to Facebook to mourn her.

One of them, Comfort Elisha, wrote on her Facebook handle, “No na. What is really happening to Jossite
and the Special Education department? We haven’t finished mourning Kekefas Emmanuel, and now it’s
Chalya, brutally killed in Kaduna during her morning jogging while serving her fatherland. May your
killers know no peace Chalya. This is too much to bear.”

However, the Kaduna Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, while confirming the
incident to The Informant described the death of the Corps member as “tragic”.

Hassan said the Commissioner of Police, CP Musa Yusuf Garba, after an emergency meeting of the top
hierarchy of the command, had ordered the Barnawa Divisional Police Officer and operatives to hunt for
the killers of the Corps member.

The police spokesman said, “It’s a very tragic incident. She was performing her early morning
jogging(exercise) when some miscreants(phone snatchers) on motorcycles pounced on her.

“The victim’s name is Grace Chalya Silas. She was a Corps member serving in Kaduna South.

“When the case was reported to the police, operatives responded swiftly and moved to the scene of the
crime where they saw the victim in the pool of her own blood. She was rushed to the clinic, where she
was later confirmed dead.

“Since the incident was reported to the police, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, CP Musa Yusuf
Garba, held an emergency meeting with the top hierarchy of command over the matter. We are already
in touch with NYSC in the state.

“The CP has directed the Barnawa DPO and Area Commander, to immediately hunt for killers of the
Corps member and fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.”
>>> Crime news 2 <<<

22 killed in Maine shootings -Official

At least 22 people were killed and “many, many more” were injured in shootings in the city of Lewiston,
Maine on Wednesday evening, local officials reported.

The Police said that the gunman was still at large.

City Councilor, Robert McCarthy said the death toll had risen to 22 in the shooting spree that took place
at a bowling alley and also at least one other location, a local restaurant and bar, according to media.

“My understanding is that they have a tentative identification… of the shooter at the bowling alley,
confirmed 22 dead, many, many more injured,” McCarthy said.

Local police posted a photo of the shooter on Facebook carrying what appeared to be a semi-automatic
style weapon inside the bowling alley, declaring him wanted.

The police asked for anyone with information on his identity to contact them immediately.

They also released a picture of a white SUV car, and asked for the public’s help in identifying the vehicle,
saying its front bumper may have been painted black.

Law enforcement “are investigating two active shooter events,” the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s
Department wrote on Facebook.

“We are encouraging all businesses to lock down and or close while we investigate. The suspect is still at
large.”

The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed on the matter.

Maine Governor, Janet Mills said she was “aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter
situation in Lewiston.”

The Informant reported that at least 50 to 60 people were injured in the incidents, citing multiple law
enforcement sources, but said it was unclear how many of the injuries were the result of gunfire.

Police and rescuers reportedly arrived at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley at approximately 7:15
pm local time in response to an active shooter, and thereafter received reports of another shooting at
the Schemengees Bar & Grille, according to the Sun Journal local newspaper.

Another shooting was reported at a local Walmart distribution center at 8.15 pm, it said
Reacting to the development, Maine Congressman, Jared Golden wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter
that “like all Mainers, I’m horrified by the events in Lewison tonight. This is my hometown.”

“Right now, all of us are looking to local law enforcement as they gain control of the situation and gather
information. Our hearts break for those who are affected,” he said.

Gun violence is alarmingly common in the United States, a country where there are more guns than
people and where attempts to clamp down on their spread are always met with stiff resistance.

The United States has recorded over 500 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence
Archive, a non-governmental organization that defines a mass shooting as four or more people
wounded or killed.

Efforts to tighten gun controls have for years run up against opposition from Republicans, staunch
defenders of the constitutional right to bear arms.

The political paralysis endures despite widespread outrage over recurring shootings.

AFP

>>> Crime news 3 <<<

How UNIPORT student killed girlfriend, harvested organs -police

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 400-level student of Petrochemical Engineering at the
University of Port Harcourt, Demain Okoligwe, for allegedly killing his girlfriend and harvesting her
organs at his residence along NTA Road, Ozuoba, near Port Harcourt.

The victim, Justina Otuene, a 300-level undergraduate also in UNIPORT, was studying Biochemistry.

The state Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, disclosed this at a news briefing while parading the
suspect before newsmen in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Nwonyi said the suspect after butchering his female lover, harvested some parts of her body allegedly
for ritual purposes, concealed her decomposing corpse in his apartment for days until one of the
suspect’s neighbours who became suspicious after perceiving a strong smell oozing from his apartment
reported to the police.

Nwonyi said, “On Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at about 1530hrs, operatives of Ozuoba Division
received a complaint from a Good Samaritan and neighbour of Road 20, back of NTA Ozuoba, that he
went to his house where one Demain Okoligwe, a fellow tenant and perceived a very bad odour and
immediately rushed to the police station, where the DPO led detectives to the scene.

“On arrival, the door was forcefully opened, and a Ghana must-go bag containing a lifeless body was
recovered.

“Back to the station and in a search of the fleeing suspect and boyfriend of the deceased, one Demain
Okoligwe, ‘m’ 24, a petrochemical engineering 400 level student of UNIPORT boyfriend of the victim,
occupant of the house, now the prime suspect who was traced last with the deceased was arrested for
an inquiry.

“The lifeless body and butchered body of Justina Otuene, ‘f’, 20, a biochemistry 300-level student at
UNIPORT, was recovered and deposited at the mortuary.

“Preliminary investigation is in progress, but the case has been transferred to the State Criminal
Intelligence and Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

“Meanwhile, the command has condoled with the family of the deceased victim while urging young
ladies to be cautious and careful about the person they involve with in any form of relationship.”

The CP also called on parents to talk to their children to carefully choose their friends in order not to fall
into the hands of such wicked and dangerous characters.

In a separate development, the police also paraded a man identified as Enyinnaya Iheukwumere who
claims to be a doctor and two of his accomplices for allegedly trafficking four children, including a child
of one year, seven months, all of whom had been sold to buyers.

CP Nwonyi explained that the suspects were arrested after a woman reported to the police that a man
stole her son at her residence in Rumuokoro, outskirts of Port Harcourt which prompted a discreet
investigation and rescue of the children.

He further said three of the children allegedly trafficked by the doctor also called Dr Hagi were from
Benue State.

The police boss said, “Following a case of abduction reported on 09/09/2023 at about 1650hrs by One
Ijeoma James ‘f’, 35, in Awalama Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt, on 16/08/2023, one Promise ‘m’ came into
their compound and stole her four-year-old son, Prosper James, and all efforts to locate her child proved
abortive.

“Police detectives from Special Area Division undercover swung into action by means of intelligence-led
policing, one Ifesinachi Opara ‘m’ was arrested, which also led to the arrest of one Happiness, Enyinnaya
Iheukwumere, A.K.A. Dr. Hagi, to whom he sold the child.
“Further investigation also led to the recovery of three more children trafficked by Dr. Hagi from
different locations of the country: three from Benue State.”

He gave the name of the rescued children as Benedict Kpaaka, a year and seven month old, Godgift
Julius, four-years-old, and one Philomina, a six-years-old female.

Nwonyi added, “They were all rescued from different locations in Port Harcourt where they had been
sold. Further investigation revealed that one Angel Shimeson ‘f’, 25 years old, from Makurdi still (at
large), is the supplier of the children to Dr. Hagi. Effort is being intensified to arrest the culprit.”

>>> GENERAL NEWS <<<

>>> General news 1 <<<

Eagles maintain 40th position in FIFA rankings

Despite recording a win and a draw in their last friendly games during the international break, their only
games since the last FIFA world rankings in September, Nigeria remained unmoved in the latest FIFA
men’s rankings for October, The Informant reports.

Though the Super Eagles gained 1.62 points in the month under review to take their total point to
1490.48, they, however, maintained their position at 40th place.

The Eagles played a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia in their first game of the two friendlies before beating
Mozambique 3-2 in their other game. Still, the results did not have much effect on their position on the
rankings table.

Jose Peseiro’s team witnessed a significant drop in the ranking in April, falling to 40th, following their
December ranking of 35th in Africa.

The major reason for this drop was suggested to be their non-participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup
in Qatar.

Nigeria held 39th in the rankings in June and July but slipped back to 40th in September.

Meanwhile, Morocco remain Africa’s number one nation, while also maintaining their 13th place in the
world ranking.

Senegal still occupied the 20th place in the world while they maintained their second position in Africa.

Tunisia, who were the only African country among the top six on the continent to move up globally last
month, were the only country among the top six to drop points. They ranked 29 in the previous rankings
but in the update released by FIFA on Thursday, they now occupy the 32nd position in the world.

Algeria (33) and Egypt (35) complete the Top 5 in Africa.

Globally, World Cup winners, Argentina, are still the number one ranked nation ahead of France, Brazil,
England, and Belgium.

>>> General news 2 <<<

Inflation may hit 30% by December, says Stears

Stears has announced that Nigeria’s inflation rate may rise to 30 per cent by December 2023.

The data-driven insights provider announced this while unveiling its Pan-African inflation forecasts. It
projected that Nigeria’s annual inflation rate is set to climb steadily until year-end, culminating at
around 30 per cent, a level not attained since the country’s modern democratic era.

The firm stated that its forecasts are based on trusted econometric tools that consider a myriad of
factors driving inflation, from general to country-specific dynamics.

In a statement, Stears’ Head of Insights, Fadekemi Abiru, said, “In September, we saw the exchange rate
premium—the differential between official and parallel rates—rise to 25.2 per cent, which is a
significant increase from what it was in August.

“We expect this gap to keep widening and exerting further inflationary pressures unless we see
significant dollar inflows into the economy. We have also had heavy and prolonged rainy season, which
has affected harvests. Following the recent release of Nigeria’s September 2023 inflation data, the
country’s forecasts have been prioritised, with Kenya’s projections scheduled for early November and
forecasts for other African nations coming in early 2024.”

The firm noted that its forecasts aim to guide corporates, professionals, and policymakers in their short-
to-medium term pricing, investment, and policy decisions. It added that its inflation forecasts, spanning
from October 2023 to December 2024, include both average and year-end predictions for 2023 and
2024.

Nigeria has one of the highest inflation rates in the world and an estimated four million people were
pushed into poverty between January and May 2023 because of the worsening cost of living.

According to the World Bank, the removal of fuel subsidy and devaluation and unification of the
exchange rate system will continue to increase the inflationary pressure in the country in the near term
and erode the purchasing power of the average Nigerian.

In its recent Africa Pulse report, the World Bank noted, “The incoming Tinubu administration
implemented a series of reforms that included the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation and
unification of the exchange rate system.
“Petroleum prices have more than tripled since the subsidies were lifted at the end of May. The naira
has weakened by nearly 40 percent against the US dollar since the mid-June devaluation. Although these
measures are intended to improve the fiscal and external accounts of the nation, their inflationary
effects in the near term can erode the purchasing power of households and weigh on economic
activity.”

The country’s inflation rate is now well above the World Bank’s projected inflation rate of 25 per cent
for 2023.

In its recent World Economic Outlook report, the International Monetary Fund predicted that high
inflation is expected to slow Nigeria’s economic growth to 2.9 per cent in 2023.

>>> General news 3 <<<

Wait till 2031, Ganduje tells Atiku, Obi

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday 26th of
October 2023, said there was still room for the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party,
Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party, Peter Obi, “to actualise their presidential aspiration after the
second-term tenure of President (Bola) Tinubu in 2031.”

The ruling party chair also applauded the Supreme Court’s decision which upheld the victory of
President Tinubu in the February 25 presidential election.

Ganduje, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Edwin Olofu, on Thursday, said the
judgment had laid to rest all claims by the opposition political parties that the votes at the presidential
poll were manipulated in favour of Tinubu.

He stated that the outcome of the Supreme Court verdict would now pave the way for Tinubu to
concentrate on implementing the ‘Renewed Hope’ mandate of the APC for the benefit of Nigerians.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us; it is our responsibility as patriots to pull our resources together to move the
country forward.

“I congratulate both Atiku and Obi for their dogged fight in extending the frontiers of our democracy
and law.

“This is democracy. Tinubu’s victory is another victory for democratic rule in the country.

“There is still room for both Obi and Atiku to actualise their presidential aspiration after the second-term
tenure of President Tinubu in 2031,” he said.
Ganduje also called on Nigerians, irrespective of political leanings, to rally around the President to
ensure that he delivers more dividends of democracy and move the country to the path of sustainable
progress.

>>> POLITICS NEWS <<<

>>> Politics news 1 <<<

Reps justify increase in standing committees

The House of Representatives on Thursday 26th of October 2023 gave reasons behind the constitution
of 134 Standing Committees by its Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

The spokesman for the House who is also the Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs,
Akin Rotimi, noted that there is no overlap of functions despite a large number of committees.

There have been criticisms over the large number of committees, with some critics accusing the Speaker
of increasing the numbers from 109 to 134 to compensate his colleagues for making him the head of the
Green Chamber.

The spokesman also informed journalists that over 200 members presented motions on various issues in
the week under review.

“The committees are very important and what you see as an increment is nothing other than the
Speaker’s commitment of carrying everyone along,” Rotimi said.

He added that about 300 motions and 10 bills were passed within the week, stressing that first-time
lawmakers make a good impression of themselves by confidently moving motions on the floor of the
House.

>>> Politics news 2 <<<

Ondo PDP suspends youth leader

The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has suspended its youth leader, Mr Folorunso
Makinde.

The party’s state Publicity Secretary, Mr Kennedy Peretei, disclosed this in a statement made available
to journalists on Thursday.
The statement read, “Pursuant to Section 58(1)(b)(f) and (i) of the PDP Constitution as amended in 2017,
the State Working Committee has approved the indefinite suspension of the state youth leader, Mr
Folorunso Makinde, for engaging in activities likely to bring the party to disrepute.

“He is accordingly advised to appear before the State Disciplinary Committee of the party for further
interrogations within the next seven days.

“The party wishes to state unambiguously that it will not be detered by the crafty devices of the APC
who may have found a willing tool within the PDP to continue to ride rough shod on the good
people of Ondo State.”

>>> Politics news 3 <<<

S’Court: Adeleke congratulates Tinubu, commends Atiku

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the affirmation
of his election by the Supreme Court.

Adeleke spoke in Ede, Osun State at the 8th Day fidau prayer of the father of the state Commissioner for
Science and Technology, Alhaji Wahab Ayofe.

The governor who noted the finality of the Apex Court ruling on disputes stemming from the 2023
presidential election, said the resolution of the questions that surround the presidential election would
bring about focus in confronting many challenges facing Nigeria.

He also lauded the main opposition candidate in the election, Atiku Abubakar, for deepening the
country’s electoral jurisprudence by testing his complaints at the court.

He added that the country’s judicial system has once again proven itself to tackle disputes that arise
from the national elections.

A statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Thursday
26th of October 2023 quoted Adeleke as saying, “On behalf of the good people of Osun State, I
congratulate President Tinubu on his judicial victory at the apex court,” the Governor was quoted as
saying.

“I hope that your presidency will bring progress, unity, and prosperity to our nation, and I want to
restate my commitment to partner with you in offering good governance for our people.”
>>> METRO NEWS <<<
>>> Metro news 1 <<<

Robbery suspect arrested for attacking 80-year-old man in Ogun

A man identified as Olamilekan Taiwo has allegedly attacked an octogenarian, Reuben Olojede, with a
grinding stone, after invading the victim’s apartment in the Agbado area of Ogun State.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, saw the suspect stealing N12,700 from the elderly man’s
apartment after the attack had thrown him into unconsciousness.

The Informant learnt that the victim’s son, Segun Olojede, who just returned home from work reported
the incident at a nearby station after meeting his father lying in the pool of his blood.

The Informant gathered that the sympathisers who flooded the scene with the victim’s son rushed the
aged man to the hospital.

Although the suspect’s arrest has been confirmed by the state police command, Taiwo was said to have
fled the scene before the people in the area apprehended him.

The Informant correspondent learnt that Taiwo was later arrested in the Ogba-Ayo and Ijoko areas of
the state by the joint efforts of policemen and other security outfits in the state.

Speaking, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, said the 80-year-old man had
regained consciousness and was responding to treatment in a nearby hospital, adding that the stolen
cash had also been recovered.

The suspect has been arrested and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in
Abeokuta for further investigation. He will be charged with attempted murder and robbery,” Odutola
stated in a WhatsApp message on Thursday.

>>> Metro news 2 <<<

Pedestrians lament open defecation along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Pedestrians along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have lamented over the alarming increase in open
defecation on the highway.
The Informant gathered that open defecation is rampant from Warewa to Mowe in Obafemi Owode
Local Government Area of Ogun State which has become a public health concern. The culverts along the
expressway have now become spots for defecation by miscreants in the environment

During an on-the-spot assessment on Thursday 26 of October 2023,The Informant saw various faeces
along the culverts with strong smells that ooze from them which were dangerous for the personal
hygiene.

The Informant also observed as pedestrians who in the hope to cross the expressway covered their
noses in a bid to bear the smell before safely crossing to the other side of the road.

Speaking with The Informant , one of the pedestrians, Joshua Adeyemo, expressed his frustration saying,
“It’s just too much, you have to be careful before crossing into the demarcation because you may step
on faeces. Early in the morning, you’ll see them here plenty in different spots defecating. It’s just
irritating.”

Another pedestrian who simply gave his name as Taiwo recounted his experience saying, “It’s a common
trend here, from Arepo to Magboro. I don’t know about other areas but here, you’ll see it plenty. I
stepped on faeces while heading home one day. I didn’t notice until I entered into the bus. It was so
embarrassing. Since then, I am always careful when crossing this road.”

When contacted by the Informant correspondent, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola
Oresanya, said, “We are working jointly with the community leaders and the law enforcement agents.
We are also going to provide more public toilets within the area and ensure responsible usage.”

>>> Metro news 3 <<<

Lagos demolishes more buildings in Ikota Villa

The Lagos State Government on Thursday 26th of October 2023 embarked on another round of
demolition in Ikota Villa, in the Lekki area of the state.

Residents of the Greenland Residential Area bemoaned the extent of losses the exercise had caused
them when The Informant visited the area.

The exercise began days ago as structures causing setbacks along the Ikota drainage channel were
demolished.

When The Informant correspondent visited the area on Thursday, she saw manual workers clearing and
packing some scraps from already damaged walls, and buildings while some residents stood with hands
folded to their chests in pain and sadness.
One of them who refused to identify himself exclaimed in grief, “I am so pained and I don’t know what
to do, they should have given us more time.”The Informant correspondent also observed that
uniformed men mounted at strategic positions at the estate, while lorries conveyed the scraps out of
the estate.

It was also confirmed by residents that owners of the affected structures had been served a series of
contravention notices before the commencement of the exercise.

The estate managers as well as some affected residents refused talking to the press when The Informant
sought to interview them.

However, the Chairman, Cluster One, Ikota Villa Estate Resident Association, Mr. Olufunmiso Tooki,
lamented that things had come to this even though they made efforts to engage the Commissioner for
the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, towards achieving a collaborative solution on behalf of the affected
people. According to him, they even proposed to work with government by donating resources to the
construction of a concrete canal, which he claimed was superior to the current earthen canal.

“As a community and responsible citizens, we agree with the position of the state government that
sanity must be restored and the environment protected, especially from the excesses of property
developers who brazenly and indiscriminately erected structures all over the place. At the same time,
we also believe in engagement and dialogue ahead of the implementation of drastic measures, like the
one happening now. The truth is that developers are not really as affected by the ongoing demolition as
unsuspecting people who bought houses from them. That is why as a community, we have sought to
engage the Commissioner. We still have a letter before him to which we have not received a response.
Yet, the bulldozers rolled in again today, while we were still in engagement with the Commissioner who
had visited our estate earlier.

“In any case, we call on government to kindly halt the exercise to allow for dialogue and resolution in
collaboration with the community.”

One of the residents who spoke with the Informant correspondent, Patrick Emordi, stated that he had
lost a three-bedroom duplex worth more than N50m to the demolition.

He said, “I am depressed, I was not around when this happened today, after five days that they had left
the destruction not giving anybody notice before. We thought they already discussed and sorted out the
issues not knowing that they would come here again. Today.

“I have a three-bedroom duplex here worth N50m that was damaged plus the properties in the building.
I was lucky it didn’t affect my car parked inside the compound.”
“There is no human sympathy here as they are still destroying more. What is this? It’s not like they had
made any provision to expand the canal for now. So, why the hurry in destroying the buildings? In the
next five years, we know they won’t do anything here.

“This is so sad. This is October. Everyone is just planning to put things together, but look at the situation
of the country’s economy now.

“They should have even given us from now till January. What will somebody do now, no matter how
much money one has? This is a tough one for anyone,” he said.

Another resident, who gave his name only as Buhari, said the government should have discussed with
the current owners of the structures and not relied on the former notice.

“There are so many emotions here, those of anger and violence. It’s just that we are civilised. This is
unfair, people saved for a long time to get a place here.

“There could have been an alternative way. Set up a meeting with the current residents, not the
developers or original owners of the land.

“They could have introduced measures, such as building a thicker fence. It could have been negotiated.
But now, imagine a 17-unit duplex to be demolished,” he lamented.

He said that they usually changed the dates that they came for the demolition

“They will give us next week and come the next day and pull things down,” he posited.

The Ikota Villa GRA powerhouse was also affected, as the generators that generate power and water
worth N70m were affected.

The residents claimed that they had been asking the government to give them a mark so they could
know what to do but no one answered them and all of a sudden, the place was destroyed and the
generators affected.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources,
Kunle Adeshina, said the exercise was the continuation of the demolition that started weeks ago.

He stated that there was no going back on bringing down structures built on the alignments of the Lekki
through Ikota drainage setbacks

“We cannot remove some and leave some. All the buildings on that alignment will be removed. We have
started it and there is no going back,”he said.
On the case of compensation, he said, “You cannot have a legality on an illegality. They were informed
duly and the government cannot give someone who doesn’t have an approval compensation. This
exercise started since 2020, so all residents are aware,” he added.