Obasempire reports that an unidentified Keke driver has taken his own life after unsuccessful efforts to recover his confiscated tricycle from government officials.
The incident took place in the Ikorodu region of Lagos State.
Reports indicate that the tricycle operator was stopped by agents who confiscated his vehicle and took it to their office near Jubilee Estate.
Despite his ongoing pleas and attempts to reclaim his tricycle, all efforts were in vain.
Frustrated, the man ended his own life on a tree in front of the compound housing the offices of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).
An eyewitness, Prince Excel of Aiyekooto Reporters, who captured the incident on video, described it as unfortunate, noting that the suicide occurred on Thursday morning.
A note accompanying Excel’s video indicated that the tricyclist took his life due to the authorities’ refusal to return his seized tricycle, despite his pleas.
The spokesperson for LASTMA, Taofiq Adebayo, however, denied any involvement of their officers in the seizure, stating that no tricycle was impounded within their premises in the area.
“We don’t know anything about the incident. LASTMA is not involved in anything of such, and we don’t know anything about the hanging of the dead body,” he said.
Obasempire reports that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced plans to combat financiers of terrorism and other crimes in Nigeria as part of efforts to restrict the criminal elements’ freedom of action.
The DHQ emphasized that the most effective way to weaken terrorists is by cutting off their funding sources through targeting those who support their illicit activities.
The military also uncovered plans to attack critical infrastructure in various regions of the country. Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, made this statement during a press conference in Abuja.
He also reported that troops eliminated 187 terrorists and apprehended 183 others across all operational theaters in the last two weeks. Buba further revealed that 854 terrorists and their families surrendered to troops in the North East during the same period.
Giving the details of the surrendered terrorists, Buba said: “On 3 July 2024, a total of 22 BH/ISWAP terrorists fighters and members comprising eight adult males, five adult females and nine children surrendered to troops in Madagali LGA of Adamawa State. Also, between 3 and 9 Jul 24, a total of 832 terrorist comprising 88 adult males 256 adult females and 488 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations”.
He noted that the troops have boots on the ground and are fighting in several dimensions to crush the enemy. According to him, indeed, troops are fighting on ground, air, at sea as well as in the cyber dimension in several parts of the country.
He noted that the common denominator in all military operations were the terrorists, adding that these terrorists are the enemy that must be fought and defeated.
Buba said the terrorists are responsible for keeping the nation in an almost constant state of counter terrorism and counter insurgency, stressing that the DHQ is aware of some of the plans to target some critical infrastructure in the country.
Buba, however noted that the Armed Forces have emplaced measures to forestall such plans. He said that security agencies responsible for securing critical infrastructure and facilities have also been placed on alert.
He said that the measures already put in place will frustrate the planned attack on critical infrastructure in the country.
According to him, in this fight, citizens must understand that, we must never compromise on security, otherwise everyone’s security will be compromised. This is a situation that cannot be over emphasized for us to live in safety and security.
He said the military is doing what is needed at this time, adding “we force the terrorist to pay a price for every act of aggression against citizens of this country. We recognise and have included this as part of our strategy to win the war”.
Noting that the military has no choice but to fight for the safety and security of citizens, Buba said the troops will fight to safeguard the nation and preserve the way of life of the people. He assured that the military will defeat the terrorists on the battlefield and help the nation flourish again.
Obasempire reports that the Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a couple, Uchenna Eziekwe, 28, and Chineye Eziekwe, 22, for allegedly trying to sell their 2-year-old child.
The couple attributed their actions to the current economic difficulties in the country and claimed they intended to use the proceeds to obtain travel documents for Canada.
They reportedly expressed their desire to sell their son at Isolo General Hospital in the Isolo area of the state.
It was learned that the hospital management subsequently alerted the police at Isolo Division after pretending to agree to the couple’s request.
In their confession to the police, the couple admitted to attempting to sell their son for an undisclosed amount.
They, however, blamed the current hardship in the country for their actions and begged for forgiveness.
“It was a difficult decision but we had no choice but to sell our baby. We felt it would be better to sell him to someone who can take care of him than to allow him die of hunger.
“The idea was mine. I convinced my wife, though it wasn’t easy” Unchenna confessed when he was paraded yesterday at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja area of the state.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, who paraded the couple said they were arrested on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, while attempting to sell the boy.
Fayoade who was represented by the Command Spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, said on Tuesday, around 2.45pm,the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Isolo Police Station received an information that a couple went to Isolo General hospital and declared their intention to sell their baby boy.
“Upon receipt of the information, operatives from the Station moved swiftly to the hospital where one Uchenna Eziekwe, 28, and Chineye Eziekwe, 22, were about to sell their child.
“The boy, 2, was rescued. Upon interrogation, the couple stated that they decided to sell the baby to enable the man travel to Canada for a greener pasture to Canada. However, investigation is ongoing” he said.
