Sunday, 26 July 2015

Brutalized woman's baby dies in incubator


The pregnant woman who was allegedly attacked by three policemen lost her baby.Sun News reports below
“Take me to my son, I want to see him”, Chika Elekawachi pleaded with family members who were still lost in thought on how to break the news of the death of her baby. Chika is the eight-month pregnant woman who was allegedly brutalized by three policemen attached to the Satellite Police Division in Lagos on Sunday, July 19. The policemen allegedly stripped the woman naked after accusing her of resisting arrest.
She was allegedly assaulted before she was dragged to the police station. Her family members later rushed her to Safe Hands Hospital, old Ojo road, Amuwo, Lagos, after she allegedly passed out at the police station.

Her family members got the shock of their lives when the doctor on duty said in the presence of policemen that Chika was hale and hearty. Unfortunately, she started bleeding at about 11pm on Monday when she was rushed into the theatre for surgery. Although the baby boy was delivered on Tuesday alive, and rushed to Outreach Hospital in Festac town, Lagos, which had a functional incubator, the baby died less than 48 hours after.

Her family members have cried out over what they described as an attempt by the police to sweep the matter under the carpet. This is even as the Lagos police command had ordered the immediate arrest and deten¬tion of the suspects soon after the authouri¬ties learnt that the baby had died.
Chika’s version
Chika told Saturday Sun reporters on her hospital bed before the surgery that about 8pm on Sunday, she left two of her kids at home and was heading to a shop at Agboju, in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to buy some foodstuffs for the house.
“I suddenly noticed a bus coming behind me. The bus obstructed me and one of the occupants came out, pointed a gun at me and shouted that I should park. He threatened to shoot if I didn’t park.
“When I discovered that they were police¬men, I tried to explain to them that I wanted to park my car so that I could enter the shop. The incident happened at Pako bus stop along Ojo road where there were so many tankers and lorries parked indiscriminately.
“I begged the one that was wearing a black T-shirt to allow me to go, as I was pregnant. Then, he called me a prostitute. I was angry and reminded him that I am a mar¬ried woman with two kids. I warned him not to call me a prostitute again. But the police¬man dragged me down from the car, even as passers-by and my friend were begging him to let me go.

“While I was screaming for help, saying, ‘I am not a thief,’ they tore my trousers. I was not putting on any underwear, so they stripped me naked. They were dragging me, saying I must enter their vehicle, but I re-fused. They dragged me on the road, but I insisted that I would go with them in my car. In the process, my legs and my stomach were bruised,” she said.
She said she was eventually bundled into the police vehicle and taken to the station, even in her virtually naked state.

“On getting to the police station, I pleaded with them to allow me get a cloth from the shop. I was begging them so that I could meet any woman nearby to give me a wrap¬per because I was naked. People around were asking me what happened, and I replied that the policemen did that to me, even though I’m not a thief. Because, with the way I was treated, one could mistake me for a thief. I had to bite one of the policemen on the back.

“I then entered one provision store near the station where I met a woman who gave me this gown. My phone was in my vehicle and I told the police officers that they should allow me call my people to inform them that I was at the station, but they refused. They said I must be put in the cell. I was run¬ning around, trying to get a phone, but no one would give me their phone because they thought I was a mad woman. They were just looking at me. I then saw a young girl, and I spoke to her in Igbo, telling her I was not a thief. She was the one that gave me her phone and I called my sister, because her number was the one I could easily recall. I told her what was happening, so she came with her husband that night and met me at the police station. They were asking me what happened, but her husband said we had to find those who assaulted me. So, we went into the police station and met the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO). He told us to explain what happened, but as I was talking, I felt dizzy and passed out,” she said.

Police insisted she was pretending-Witness
The victim’s sister, Favour Ifebuzor, ex¬plained that she rushed down to the police station as soon as she got the distress call from her sister.

“When my husband and I arrived at the scene, I saw my younger sister sitting on a pavement, looking weak. So, we took her into the station to find out what happened. My sister told me that she was feeling weak and dizzy, but the policemen rudely told her to stand up and explain what happened. As she tried to explain, the man at the counter was saying, ‘Why don’t you have respect for an officer in uniform? Why did you slap a policeman?’ My sister said it was when the policeman forcefully held her cloth and dragged her that she did that, because it’s lawful for one to defend oneself from dan¬ger. So, as they were forcefully quizzing her, I told the policeman that she was weak and could slump.

“My sister was also whispering to me that she was feeling weak. So, she fell on the ground. And she was crying, saying ‘O my baby, my baby.’ Then she started foam¬ing in the mouth. The policemen there were saying, ‘she is pretending. Let her stay there, she is not serious.’ They were just watching, including the DCO. My husband was saying, ‘You people have killed someone’s wife and mother. Take her. She is your responsibility.’ My husband was dragging me so that we could go, but I told him to have patience. I said; let me get some water, because my sis¬ter was dying. I went to one shop and bought a sachet of water, came back and started pouring it on my sister’s head and body, but she was not responding. Instead, her tongue was coming out, foaming.

“I was so scared because her stomach pro¬truded and her body was getting cold. I had to beg one man to help me look for a vehicle. When he got the vehicle, I told the police¬men to help me put her in the vehicle, but they were just looking at me. I was confused. The driver of the vehicle and the man that went to get him were the ones that helped me put her in the car. The biscuits I bought for my children and my phone, I didn’t even know where I kept them. It was when they put her in the vehicle that I remembered that my phone was on the counter at the station, and I went to the counter and picked my phone.

“I then told the policemen that I was taking her to the hospital, and that if anything happened to her, I would hold them respon¬sible. The vehicle had already left. They took her to Safe Hands Hospital, and my husband and I walked to the hospital. When we got there, the doctor told us she was going into labour, and that we needed to move her to the General Hospital. I was confused. Then I called my sister who also came with her husband. But we heard the policeman who had come there telling the doctor that she was okay. The policeman told the doctor: ‘She’s okay now. You will write everything that she is okay, and that nobody beat her.’ So, the doctor certified her okay, and that she was not in labour again, that he had put everything in order. But this morning, she went into labour again,” Favour told our reporters.

Doctor’s goof
At the hospital, the doctor on duty, Okoawo Innocent, who spoke on behalf of the management, admitted that Chika was rushed into the hospital half conscious. He said all necessary tests were carried out, noting that the results showed that the baby was intact. He, however, said that the victim would be kept under observation.

Saturday Sun gathered that Safe Hands hospital was one of the best in the area but in an attempt to please the policemen who were battling to prove that Chika was actu¬ally pretending to be in labour, they corroborated their claim.

The doctor on duty despite the bruises and the fact that Chika was brought into the hos¬pital unconscious, said that she was perfectly okay. He even suggested that Chika should be released to her family to go home.

Battle to save Chika and baby’s life
But the doctor’s assertion was proved wrong, as Chika soon after started bleed¬ing. As a result, the doctor on duty became confused and requested that another scan be conducted. He was shocked to discover that the placenta had been detached from the baby and Chika was bleeding heavily inside. To save her life and that of the baby, she was wheeled into the theatre where the baby was forced out of her.

The Satellite police station DPO was alerted that the story had changed. It dawned on him and some senior officers that Chika’s story could be true as the officers involved in the assault had sworn that they did not raise a finger against her. The officers involved who were seen going about their normal duty were immediately arrested and detained.

Realising that it was not business as usual, policemen were mobilized to ensure that the ever busy Badagry expressway was cleared to ensure free access to Outreach medical hospital where the premature baby could be put in an incubator. The little one who was already weak as a result of the delay died less than 48 hours after.

Chika’s relative told Saturday Sun that at about 4am on Thursday, Chika called insist¬ing that they should go and check her baby. “I told her that it was too early but she kept insisting that I must move over to the hospi-tal that something is wrong. It was then that my phone rang again and it was the doctor. She told me that the baby had just passed on. It is rather unfortunate,” she said.
On getting to the hospital, senior officers, including the Satellite DPO, were seen leav¬ing after sighting the dead baby and consol¬ing the family. He was said to have been sup¬portive and promised that the suspects would be prosecuted accordingly. He was said to have pleaded with the family members that the police would pay the bill incurred by the family.

On the cause of death, Dr Efunbu Dosekun of Outreach Hospital, who spoke with Satur¬day Sun, explained that the baby had breath¬ing problem which they battled all through the night to control. “It is rare for a prema¬ture baby to survive because there must have been a problem that led to the child being born earlier. When he was rushed in to our hospital, we did all we could to save his life.
“The best thing is for the family to go for an autopsy to have a clear understanding of what really happened. Chika’s placenta de¬tached from the baby and the unborn child was breathing on its own inside his mother’s womb. We thank God that Chika did not bleed to death before the doctors on duty discovered that”, she stated.

She advised that proper medical check-up should be done on Chika to correct the dam¬age that could have been done.
Take me to my son, Chika insists

Back to Safe Hands Hospital where Chika looked well and happy. She told her sisters that she wanted to be relocated to the hospi¬tal where her baby was. “Take me to my son. I need to see my son. Police did not succeed in taking him away from me. I am so happy. I will take him abroad to see his father”, she stood up pacing around frantically trying to pick her bags.

As at press time, she had, however, been informed of the death of her baby and trans¬ferred to another hospital for proper medical examination. “She has not stopped crying. Our major concern at the moment is how to save her life. We had to transfer her to anoth¬er hospital that is not under the jurisdiction of Satellite police station. It appears that the doctors are afraid of the police, that is why they lied. If our sister did not start bleed¬ing from her virgina, she would have bled to death. We thank God for her life,” one of the relatives who spoke to Saturday Sun on phone said.
They will be prosecuted if found culpable –Police

Confirming the incident, Lagos State Po¬lice Command spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), as¬sured that investigation was ongoing to as¬certain what actually transpired. He said the suspected policemen had been arrested and were in detention, adding that they would be prosecuted according to the law guiding the force.

“The Nigerian police has a procedure which will be followed in ensuring that the suspects will be disciplined”, he added.

Corps Member to now chose state of choice for service.

NYSC has introduced a self-deployment scheme where prospective corps members can determine where they wish2 serve. In a communique released NYSC said“in a bid 2 tackle d deluge of concessional requests with which the NYSC is being inundated,prospective corps members will henceforth b given d opportunity to choose states of their choice outside their socio-cultural and linguistic areas,using ICT solution.

Saturday, 25 July 2015

2018 World Cup:Super Eagles seeded,drawn with Djibouti or swaziland

The 2018 World Cup qualifying draw is taking place in St. Petersburg, Russia, and three-time Africa champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn with the winner of the game between Djibouti and Swaziland. Nigeria is one of the African teams that have been seeded so they are safely into the second round of the African qualifiers.

Ex-Militant's meeting in Bayelsa thwarted as soldiers seel off venue

A combined team of soldiers and policemen have been drafted to the Ijaw house venue of a proposed meeting by Niger Delta ex-militants.   Sources said that the security operatives were deployed on the orders of Governor Seriake Dickson on Friday.

Beware of disgruntled politicians-Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar has urged Nigerians not to allow some disgruntled politicians to instigate them to cause a breach of the peace. NAN reports that Abubakar spoke in Sokoto today at a Sallah lunch he organised for members of the resident communities in the state. “Those who have lost out in politics can instigate others to cause problems in Nigeria," He said.

EFCC set to probe Amnesty programme

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) has started probing the activities of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and has invited immediate past Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, for questioning on July 28.
On his part, Kuku,  has said that he is ready to assist the anti-graft agency in its bid to probe the accounts of the agency under his leadership.
Kuku, who spoke from the United States of America where he is undergoing a medical procedure, said that the allegations of conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and diversion of public funds being made against him, did not arise as the records of his administration were clear and available for scrutiny.
“I’m currently in the U.S for an urgent surgery on my knee and will certainly return to honour the EFCC invitation once I recuperate in September. The record of my stewardship under the Presidential Amnesty Programme is an open document and it is available for scrutiny since I have nothing to hide about what we did,” Kuku said on the phone.
The former presidential aide was responding to an invitation by the EFCC, directing him to report to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja for questioning on July 28, 2015 by one of its operatives named, Chris Owobu, over allegation of diverting public funds running into hundreds of millions of Naira.
The EFCC letter with ref: CR 3000/EFCC/ABJ/EG/T7/vol.25/263 and dated July 22, was signed by the Head of Economic Governance, Olufunke Adetayo Ogunbode and was sent and received by the Presidential Amnesty Office in Maitama, same day.
In it, the EFCC said: “The commission is conducting an inquiry into a case of conspiracy, stealing, diversion of public funds and abuse of public office involving you.
Kuku“In view of the above, you are kindly expected to be interviewed by the undersigned through Chris Owobu on Tuesday July 28, 2015 at No 5 Formella Street, off Adetokumbo Ademola Crescent Wuse 2, Abuja at 10 am.
“Kindly accept the assurances of the Executive Chairman’s best wishes and highest regards, please,” the invitation letter said.
But Kuku, who is outside the country on medical grounds, wrote back to the EFCC that he was indisposed to appear before the commission on July 28, since he was scheduled for an operation on July 30, at the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Centre, United States.
Kuku’s letter to the EFCC dated July 24, 2015 was signed by his lawyer, Chief Karina Tunyan, SAN.
The lawyer wrote: “Our client is currently in the United States of America to keep appointment with his doctors at the Andrew Sports Medicine and ‘Orthopaedic Centre for surgery on one of his knees.
“He is expected back in Nigeria at the end of September, 2015 after the surgery and recuperation. He will definitely report in your office as a law-abiding citizen by 10.am on 30th of September, 2015,” the lawyer explained.
The documents from the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Centre were also attached by the lawyer for the attention of the EFCC.
The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the invitation extended to Kuku by the commission.

How we kidnapped children from churches- suspect speaks

speaks

Gabriel Ogunsawe is a 26-year-old father of one, who is currently jailed at the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department, SCIID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos.  He has been accused of participating in 3 different kidnapping of children.

He stated that his first operation was successful but luck ran out on him on his 2nd attempt.  He was arrested, arranged in court and remanded in Kirikiri prisons for about a year. But no sooner than he got his freedom, he took to the same crime again, he wasn't lucky the 3rd time either.

Ogunsawe said:
“I am from Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State.  I am a National Diploma, Accounting student of Lagos State Polytechnic. I was arrested because I was involved in the kidnap of a young child of about four years from Amazing Grace Church in Palm groove area. I was introduced into kidnapping business by a friend called Olayinka.
“I have known him for over six years.   It was Olayinka who came up with the kidnapping idea.   My role was to collect the ransom from the parents of the victim. This is not the first time we have engaged in kidnapping of little children.   In fact, I have engaged in three kidnappings.   The first one was successful while the last two were not.
"I was arrested after the second kidnapping while attempting to cash the ransom at the bank but my friend Olayinka, escaped. I was in Kirikiri for almost a year before I was released. When I returned from prison, I was jobless when Olayinka came and lured me into it again.
“Normally,  Olayinka goes into any church of his choice on Sunday morning, sits like a member inside the church and monitors the activities and movement of worshippers in the church.   When he is certain that he can lure a child out of the church premises unnoticed,  he quickly lures the child with biscuit or toys.  After successfully abducting the victims, he takes them to another big church located very far from the church where the children were kidnapped.
We never killed or sold any child. We only keep the child for a day and ensure we get whatsoever ransom we need to get from the victim’s parents. We ensure that we get the ransom first thing on Monday morning before the child will be seen. He abandons a large envelope addressed to the pastor in the church with a phone number. Once they contact us through the number,   we send  bank details to the parents of the victim.
“The first kidnap operation was in a Redeemed Christian Church in Shomolu area and it was successful.   We were paid N300,000 but Olayinka gave me N70,000 only, as he said we incurred some expenses, that was why he took the larger sum. Unfortunately,  the second operation was unsuccessful as I was arrested, arraigned in court and remanded in prison from June 2013 to January 10 2014.
Honestly,  I didn’t need anyone to tell me to stay away from crime after my release from the prison but I didn’t have a choice.   When I was released, I started squatting with my cousin, Akorede, in Akilo Street close to Lady-Lak area.  That was after I was ejected from the rented apartment where I lived because I was unable to pay the rent. My wife and son had to go live with her parents in Ota.
“This last operation, Olayinka initially, asked the victim’s parents to pay N700,000 but, they said they will pay N250,000.  They later sent N3,000 airtime to Olayinka.   He transferred N1,500 to my line the next day after I confronted him for collecting the ransom behind me. Because I was broke, I transferred N750 to my cousin Akorede, who I was squatting with.
We used an old registered line of mine for the transaction.   It was that line that he used to transfer the air time to my main line.  It was through the transferred airtime that Akorede was arrested,  unknown to me. It was through his sister, Jumoke,  that   I was eventually arrested while I was sharing handbill.   Akorede and his sister Jumoke,  are innocent and know nothing about the kidnap.
“I have a son who is about three years seven months old and I won’t want him to be kidnapped because I know the trauma we subject the families to when we kidnap their children. There was a time when I had to speak with the mother of the child we kidnapped.  I could feel her pain and broken heart from her voice.
My wife doesn’t know that I am into kidnapping business. My mum is late but my father is alive.  He doesn’t care.  I am married and I am a tiler. 
To my wife, I am very sorry to put you through all this shame and disappointment. My family members are all disappointed.   No one has come to see me since I was arrested. 
  Right now, I feel so bad about my actions, but I was so desperate to get out my unpleasant situation,”he stated.

Friday, 24 July 2015

Militants Blow UP NPDC Oil Pipeline Over Surveillance Contract Dispute

An unidentified militant group in Delta State today blew up pipelines belonging to the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) at Ighwrenene town in Ughelli North local government area. A few residents of the area told Sahara Reporters that the militant group blew up the pipelines to protest the Federal Government’s continued refusal to hire its members to provide surveillance services over all the pipelines in the area.
A young man in the area, who identified himself as one of the militants who torched the pipeline, warned that the government had seen nothing yet. “This is only the beginning of wahala [trouble],” said the man, who refused to disclose his name. 
“This is the second explosion. There will be third one. Then the government will know that, yes, this is not a child's play,” he continued. Then he added: “President Muhammadu Buhari must give the [contract for the] guarding of the pipelines to the youths. If not—well, let me stop there first.”
Our correspondent reported that the explosion, which is the second attack on the same pipeline in recent times

Pay salaries,or face strike,NLC tells Governors

Factional NLC leader Joe Ajaero today advised state governors owing workers to pay their salaries to avoid protest by the organised labour. This is contained in a 10-point communique signed by Ajaero at the end of his NEC meeting in Port Harcourt. According to the communique, it is unacceptable that after the timely intervention of President Buhari, the workers’ have not received their salaries.

Osun recieved N204 billion,not N317 billion in four years-Aregbsola

Osun state Governor, Rauf Aregbsola, on Friday insisted that his administration got N204bn as federal allocation and internally generated revenue since the inception of his administration to the end of 2014.The governor said this in a statement  in Osogbo today through his media aide as a response to the claims of former Head of Service on the revenues of the state.