Connect with us

Metro

Assault on NUPENG officials: Fmr PTD National Chairman, Deputy remanded  in correctional center

Published

on

Former National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG, Lucky Osesua and his Deputy, Mr Dayyabu Yusuf Garga and one Humble Obinna have been arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court 5 in Wuse Zone 2 for attempted murder, homicide, attempted arson, destruction of property and disturbance of public peace.

Their arraignment on Thursday came after they were detained at Keffi Correctional Facility in Nasarawa State.
The three NUPENG Chiefs who have since been placed on indefinite suspension by the national secretriat of the Union 

Their arrests and arraignment followed their  alleged physical assaults on comrade Williams Akporeha, Wale Afolabi and Augustine Egbon, President, General Secretary and newly elected National Chairman of the PTD- NUPENG, respectively.
Investigation revealed that the NUPENG President and General Secretary had accompanied the new PTD National Chairman, Comrade Egbon and other members of his Executive  to the Union national secretriat in Abuja on Wednesday at the end of  a Special Delegates Conference for the  PTD  Branch of NUPENG held in Ibadan, where Comrade Egbon and  others emerged as national officers of PTD- NUPENG.
The fresh election was sequel to the judgement of Justice Bashar Alkali of the National lndustrial Court of Nigeria, in the Yenagoa Judicial Division, Bayelsa State, which nullified the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG election held on 30th June 2O22 in Ibadan, by NUPENG.

Speaking with journalists at the weekend, General Secretary, Wale Afolabi who was one of the national officers assaulted  alleged  that the physical assaults on the national officers were orchestrated by the former national officers displaced by the judgment of Justice Alkali . He disclosed that they  proceeded to conduct a parallel election in Abuja in contravention of the  Bye Law of the Branch and Constitution of the Union.
He said:”
“At the end of the peaceful elections new leaders emerged for the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG and in line with the tradition and practices of the Union, on the day after the elections, Wednesday, 1st November 2023, the President of the Union,  Comrade Williams Akporeha and the General Secretary of the Union together with the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee set up after of the court dissolution of the former executive decided to escort six principal officers of the newly elected executive of the Branch to the Branch office in Abuja
“We all boarded Green Africa Airline 8.05 am flight from Ibadan to Abuja and we landed at 9.15 am, after which we all proceeded in two different cars to the office.
“The car conveying the President, General Secretary and the new Branch National Chairman arrived the PTD office gate at about 10.45 am without knowing that some assailants and thugs armed with dangerous weapons were already laying in waiting for our arrival, these group were being led by Mr Lucky Osesua, Mr Dayyabu Yusuf Garga and Mr Peter Moudebelu.
“These assailants viciously attacked  the team of Comrade Williams Akporeha, my humble self who is the   General Secretary of the union was seriously wounded and same vicious treatment meted to Comrade Solomon Kilanko. They stole valuables including wrist watches, money, shoes and telephones from our team.
“Eventually I  was rescued and rushed to Zamkli Medical Centre in Mabushi while others scattered around with various injuries.
“Comrade Augustine Egbon the new Chairman escaped into the nearby PTD Hotel and these assailants traced him into his and broke into his room, beat him mercilessly and dragged him from 3rd floor to the ground floor and he was left unconscious right here In Abuja . It was indeed a gory and terrifying experience for a 68 years old man.”
“However when the matter was reported at FCT Police Command, only Mr Lucky Osesua, Humble Obinna and Mr Dayyabu Yusuf Garga were arrested and subsequently charged to Court for attempted murder, homicide, attempted arson, destruction of property and disturbance of public peace.
They are currently remanded in Keffi Prison
“There are still so many of these assailants on the prowl, threatening to burn down the Union offices across the country and hotel but much more terrifying is the threats to our lives and that of our families.
The Security Agencies are on the trail of other assailants on the run.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Metro

Obidient Movement tackles APC for threatening Peter Obi, demands accountability

Published

on

By

Peter Obi

The Obidient Movement has strongly condemned the recent remarks by Mr. Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, describing his comments as reckless and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking on Arise TV on January 5, 2025, Mr. Morka asserted that “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and he has what’s coming to him, and whatever he gets, he should manage it.” This statement, the movement insists, constitutes a veiled threat to Mr. Obi’s life and safety, as well as an assault on the fundamental principles of democracy.
The coordinator of the Obidient Movement Dr. Yunusa Tanko in a statement on Monday raised critical questions about the legitimacy of such remarks asking rhetorically what line Mr. Obi crossed, and who set these boundaries? What specific actions or statements justify such ominous threats? What exactly is ‘coming to him,’ as implied by the APC spokesman?
Such language, the group contended, reflects authoritarian tendencies and undermines the rule of law, which guarantees freedom of speech and protection from harm.
Explaining further, the statement indicated that Mr. Peter Obi’s commitment to issue-based politics, constructive criticism, and solutions-driven proposals has been a hallmark of his leadership.
“His New Year address, which evaluated Nigeria’s current challenges while offering actionable solutions, was devoid of hate or incitement.
“The APC’s attack on Mr. Obi shows a disturbing trend of silencing opposition voices rather than engaging in meaningful debate,” the statement noted.
The Obidient Movement issued a stern warning to the ruling APC and its agents, declaring that they will be held directly responsible should any harm come to Mr. Obi, his family, or supporters.
“This administration must know that democracy cannot thrive under threats and intimidation,” the statement emphasized.
The Obidient Movement therefore semanded an immediate retraction and apology from Mr. Felix Morka and the APC leadership.
The Movement demanded an investigation by security agencies into the intent and implications of Mr. Morka’s remarks.
It also demanded a commitment by the government to protect democratic values and promote constructive engagement over divisive rhetoric.
The monement vowed that it can not be intimidated, stressing that Nigerians must resist the slide into dictatorship by demanding accountability and justice.
“We urge Nigerians to stand united and protect the gains of democracy. We also call on the international community to take note of this emerging pattern of repression and help safeguard Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”
Finally, the Obidient Movement called on the APC to discipline its spokespersons and adopt a more mature approach to political discourse, focusing on solutions rather than threats.

Continue Reading

Metro

Incessant Military Strikes on Defenceless Nigerians Unacceptable

Published

on

By

An activist and public affairs commentator, Malam Salihu Othman Isah, has condemned what he described as the incessant air strikes and other forms of military attacks on defenceless civilians in some parts of the country.

Isah, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said in an interview that it is unprofessional for the Nigerian military to continue unleashing its weapons on people they are trained and paid to protect.

He also criticized the approach being deployed by the authorities—both the government and the Nigerian Armed Forces—to stop the killings, which have become a recurring situation in the country.

He disclosed that it is common knowledge that hapless and harmless Nigerians, going about their normal duties to seek their livelihoods, are sent to their early graves through avoidable military attacks.

According to him, some of these attacks and killings—both by the ground army and the Air Force—cannot be justified, as they are extrajudicial in nature.

“The army of any nation is established primarily to defend the territorial integrity of its people and not to eliminate them.

“The army is supposed to complement other arms of the security apparatus of a nation. It is meant to protect its citizens and not mow them down,” he reiterated.

It will be recalled that a few days ago, a fighter jet said to be carrying out an attack on Lakurawa bandits in Sokoto killed over ten innocent civilians during the operation.

An Air Force fighter jet, on a mission to dislodge the bandits, was reported to have terminated the lives of innocent villagers going about their legitimate businesses.

But in their usual manner, the Federal Government as well as the army authorities have set up commissions of inquiry primarily to ascertain the remote cause of the incident.

Isah expressed disappointment over the trend, saying, “We often travel this same lane anytime there is an occurrence.

“Why would the Chief of Army Staff constitute an inquiry to investigate the remote cause of the attack on defenceless Nigerians instead of acting decisively to tackle the failure of its men and officers?

“Instead, energies should also be directed at solution-seeking, beginning with holding errant officers responsible for such killings accountable.”

He lamented that investigations and inquiries have become too monotonous and counterproductive, surmising that real action is required.

The civil rights activist advocated that the armed forces must follow laid-down rules of engagement, which is a global practice required for any army operation to be successful, especially when carried out in civilian-populated areas.

Isah pointed out that, “Beyond the rules of engagement, every individual army officer must have service rules to guide their operations. And while these are available but flouted, there must be consequences.

“It is not enough to set up inquiries whose reports are kept secret and with no reprimand of violators.”

He further stressed that the trend has always been to condemn military actions against civilians, adding that such condemnations have come in torrents.

Nigerians in both high and low places have been unanimous in their criticisms after the recent attack.

“It’s sad that after this, we usually move on, awaiting the next incident and speculating where and how it will occur. Don’t expect any severe action against any of the officers responsible for this action. And next time, another attack will occur, the real targets will be missed, innocent souls will be terminated, and the vicious circle will continue with no end in sight. For how long will this be?” he noted.

The political scientist also stated that a nation with no disciplined army and no regard for its citizens is bound to fail. This is simply unacceptable.

“Henceforth, those found wanting should be called out, and punishment must be meted out to serve as a deterrent in the future.”

Continue Reading

Metro

Bayelsa Groom Flees Engagement Ceremony Over Endless Cash Demands in Imo

Published

on

By

***Elders’ N850,000 Refund Request Sparks Drama

What was meant to be a joyous union turned into high drama in Imo State when a Bayelsa man, Biobelemoye David, fled his engagement ceremony after being subjected to a series of outrageous financial demands by his bride’s family.
The ceremony, which began on a celebratory note, took a dramatic turn as David faced mounting charges, including a N1.5 million bill for food, tents, chairs, and a public address system, in addition to a N100,000 bride price that both families had initially agreed upon.
However, tensions escalated when David was asked to pay an extra N50,000 fine for impregnating his fiancée before the ceremony. The fines didn’t stop there—he was slapped with another N10,000 penalty for mistakenly taking a wrong route to the bride’s homestead and a N15,000 charge to appease elders who had grown impatient with his late arrival.
The breaking point came when David was subjected to a bizarre test. Twelve veiled women were paraded before him, and he was asked to identify his fiancée. When he guessed incorrectly, he was fined N15,000 yet again.
But the final straw was the elders’ demand for an N850,000 refund—allegedly covering the bride’s school fees and upkeep since childhood. Unable to contain his frustration, David excused himself under the guise of using the toilet.
Eyewitnesses later confirmed that David switched off his phone and was spotted boarding a bus back to Bayelsa, leaving the ceremony in chaos and disbelief.

The incident has since sparked widespread debate on social media, with many condemning the excessive demands and calling for an end to exploitative marriage practices.

Meanwhile, efforts to reach David for comments have been unsuccessful as his whereabouts remain unknown.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 National Update