Enugu massacre: How my brother was butchered –Victim’s sister

LAST Monday invasion of Nimbo Community in the Uzouwani Local Government area of Enugu State may have come and gone, the gory tales, the victims and the relics left behind are still very fresh and horrific.

A visit to the National Orthopaedic hospital, Enugu where some of the very serious cases were referred to brings one face-to-face to the reality of the incident. A young lady, Chioma Ezeugwu who is taking care of her brother in the hospital broke the sad news that one of the vixtims, hitherto, moved to Enugu and identified as Akogwu Utazi had died.

She also said that among those referred to the Orthopedic hospital was one Eze Patrick, a youth corps member who returned home to see his mother. Efforts to speak with Patrick failed as the hospital authority said he would not be able to talk at that time.

Chioma who lives in Onitsha said she was returning to her community on that fateful morning when she received a phone call, warning her to stay away from the village. The first hand information, actually, came from his half brother, Celestine Ajugwu who sustained severe injury and as at the time of the visit could not talk.

Her words “We are of the same mother but not the same father.. He is my brother. We are from Nimbo in Uzouwani Local Government area of Enugu State. My brother was attacked by the Fulani cattlemen. The Fulanis and our people have been having problems over the land, which the community had allowed them to use for some time before they go back to their place. Our people did not realise that they had already sought for themselves, better accommodation inside the bushes and in our farms.

“When our people go to farm, they discovered that their cassava and crops were being destroyed to the point that they requested the Fulani men to leave; but they refused.On one fateful morning last year, our people were going to their farms and they met the cattle eating up our cassava and destroying other crops. Our people chased away the cows and the action led to a fight between our people and the herdsmen. After the clash, they left in anger but nobody suspected they would return one day on revenge mission. After they left and our people were rejoicing that they had left, unknown to them that some of them were still inside the bush.

“Later, they wrote a letter to our traditional ruler threatening that they would return to wage war whether he liked it or not. Not knowing when the attack would happen, security was stepped up by the police and local vigilante. The youths were also mobilised and they kept vigil every night until that Monday morning. They had dispersed at about 6:00 am to reconvene in the evening only for the Fulanis to creep in few minutes later.

“They came in through the bush and divided themselves into groups. The first man they killed was Eze O. He normally leaves for his farm early in the morning. He was on his way to the farm when they killed him. As they entered the village from the bush, they saw another boy and wanted to go for him but he shouted on top of his voice, attracting the attention of other villagers. The herdsmen shot into the air as the boy took to his heels.

“Their plan was to enter the village unnoticed and move from house to house. As they began to shoot sporadically, people scampered to safety. At a point, the Fulanis discovered that the bullets were not penetrating the bodies of the villagers. So, they decided to use machetes on them.”

On how her brother was caught and matcheted, she said “my brother was coming out from his house when he saw people running. Initially, he thought that people were just running. Suddenly, he saw people dressed in all black attire with a black headbands and armed with daggers, guns and other deadly weapons. He told himself, those people could not have been our people and I started running. He didn’t know that they saw him as he ran back into the house and locked the door.

“As he was peeping through the window, the Fulanis who saw him ordered him to come out or they would come there and kill him, but he refused to open the door. As they put more pressure on him, out of fear he opened the door. The first thing they did as he opened the door was to use the machete on his face causing a good number of his teeth to drop on the floor. As he attempted to run back they shot at him but the gun did not penetrate; they shot the second time on the neck and it came out through his mouth removing some teeth again.

 He was shouting that they should not kill him that he did nothing to them. One of the attackers then said, ‘no kill am, kill am with knife, no shoot am gun again.’ They then used the knife on his neck more than three times. They were more than five persons surrounding him while another person shouted, ‘cut his hand’ and they used the knife to cut his hand.

“The bones holding two of his fingers were cut off. They also cut his back.Thinking he was dead, they left him and moved on. Immediately he got up he said to himself ‘these people wanted to kill me but they cannot.’ Almost immediately, people came out, because this happened at Onueke, and they quickly carried him. At Abe junction, the police took him and carried him to Bishop Shanahan hospital Nsukka.

“Thank God that my mother and two of my other brothers, Celestine and Fidelis Obuka were not injured. They ran out into the bush and were safe. So we have been at the hospital in Nsukka until yesterday (Wednesday). The governor came there that Tuesday; he gave us money; also the senator representing us Chuka Utazi gave us money. They said we should use the money for feeding and that the treatment will be taken care of by the government.”
Source:Saturday Sun

Workers’ Day: FG declares Monday public holiday

The Federal Government has declared Monday, May 2 as a public holiday to commemorate the 2016 Workers’ Day.
Minister of Interior,  Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd), said this in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Bassey Akpanyung yesterday in Abuja.

The minister also congratulated Nigerian workers for their “resilience, hard work and commitment to the change tune of President Muhammadu Buhari, despite current challenges.”

He enjoined them “to continue to support the president in his desire to fight corruption, ensure security of lives and property and stabilise the economy, through creation of jobs and diversification of the economy.”

Dambazau further urged Nigerian workers to re-dedicate themselves to the service of the nation and remain productive for the growth and development of the country. The minister wished all Nigerian workers a joyful and peaceful celebration.
Source:The Sun

One of dead Ekiti doctors buried •Focus on God, Fayose charges wife, children

Widow of the late Dr Tunde Aladesanmi, Dr Bola Aladesanmi (third right), with colleagues of her late husband, Dr Patrick Adegun (to her right) and Dr Deji Ajayi, while his daughter, Tijesunimi (right) watch, at the commendation service for Dr Aladesanmi, held at the Life Fountain Cathedral of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ekiti Province 1, Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday.

Colleagues, relatives, friends and clerics filled the Life Fountain Cathedral of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti Province 1, on Wednesday, as a commendation service was held for one of the Ekiti State doctors who died in an auto accident on Sunday.

The emotional service was also attended by the deputy governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola; the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Olurotimi Ojo; Head of Service, Dr Olugbenga Faseluka, as well as many other top government functionaries.

Olusola, who represented Governor Ayò Fayose at the service, charged the widow, Dr  Bola Aladesanmi, as well as the children, to focus on God and remain steadfast with Him.
He extolled the virtues of the late surgeon, describing him as a “man of the people,” saying “God in His infinite wisdom Who allows certain things to happen knows the end from the beginning. The enemy has not succeeded.”

In his sermon, Pastor Stephen Omotayo of Ekiti Province 1 of the RCCG cautioned people against making derogatory remarks during sudden sad occurrence, saying “we should watch what we say when bad sudden things happen.”
Pastor Omotayo charged them to “focus on God, shut out people who would make you lose focus on God and your children and remember Job who didn’t succumb to the devil.”

President of Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Kayode Obembe, said Aladesanmi imparted positively on people that came across him.
He was represented at the church by the Ogun NMA Chairman, Dr Adenike Odewabi, who is also the South West coordinator.

He said, “Even though his life was short, it was impactable. We will defend the dream he lived for. We shall live with his principles and ideals. His memory will continue in our minds. He has lived a worthy life.”
Source:Tribune

Scarcity: IGP orders arrest of buyers, sellers of petrol with jerrycans

THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, yesterday ordered the arrest of persons found to be in possession of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol in jerrycans.

And to give credence to the directive, Arase has communicated all Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and State Command Commissioners of Police to arrest anyone selling petrol and other petroleum products into plastic containers.

Arase warned fuel attendants at fuel stations to desist from selling petrol inside jerrycans and plastic containers, saying that both the buyers and the sellers of the products would be arrested and prosecuted under the law.

The latest directive to halt all forms of sharp practices in the petroleum distribution and supply chain network was contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, in Abuja.

The IGP hinged the clampdown on the hardship the activities of black market operators are causing genuine fuel buyers, motorists and commuters, adding that the development had equally rendered some innocent and law-abiding citizens homeless as a result of fire outbreaks.

The statement said that petroleum products such as petrol are highly flammable and if not stored and handled properly, can seriously endanger people’s lives, property and the environment.

But the Petroleum Act 1969, Section 4(1) stated that ‘‘Subject to this section, no person shall import, store, sell or distribute any petroleum products in Nigeria without a license granted by the Minister’.”

Furthermore, Section 4(2) ‘‘Subsection(1) of this section shall not apply in respect of: (a) the storage, sale or distribution of not more than 500 litres of kerosene, and such other categories of petroleum products as may be exempted from the application of Subsection (1) of this section by the Minister by order published in the Federal Gazette;

(b)Storage of petroleum products undertaken otherwise than in connection with the importation, sale or distribution of petroleum products.’’
Source:The Sun

How 6 Ekiti doctors died, survivor recounts

A survivor from Sunday’s accident in which six medical doctors, and a driver from Ekiti State were killed 60 kilometres from Kaduna State, yesterday told Vanguard exclusively on his sick bed in Kaduna how the accident occurred. ekiti hospital Ekiti State University Teaching hospital He said the doctors would not have died had basic medical care been administered on them after the accident.

He said the incident occurred around where the late Minister of state for Labour and Productivity, James Ocholi and his family perished in an accident on March 6, 2006. Those who lost their lives in the accident were: Dr Tunde Aladesanmi of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, FETHI; Dr Ojo Taiwo, EKSUTH; NMA Secretary, Dr Akinyele Alex; Dr J. Ogunseye of the Health Management Board; President, EKSUTH Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr Olajide, Dr Adeniyi James of the FETHI and a driver identified as Mr. Ajibola. Decrying the poor state of Doka Hospital, Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central), who visited some of the injured doctors at St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, Kaduna called on the Federal Government to assist the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, with enough rescue facilities. 

At least four of the medical doctors, who survived the accident while travelling to attend a National Delegate Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, in Sokoto were at present receiving medical attention at the St. Gerard Catholic Medical Hospital, Kakuri. One of the survivors, Dr. Stephen Ayosanmi of EKSUTH, spoke on his hospital bed exclusively to Vanguard on the accident.

How it happened

Ayosanmi said: “I am one of the delegates for the National NMA Conference taking place in Sokoto. On our way, we decided to follow through Kaduna and stop so that we would continue our journey to the conference the following day. We were about 60km to Kaduna when the accident happened. We were in a bus that seats between 15 and 16 person. But we were 13 in the bus, including the driver. Aside the driver, we were all doctors. This was on Sunday, April 24. 

As we were approaching Kaduna, suddenly a tire burst. The bus somersaulted. This was around 4:45pm.” Continuing, he said “When the accident happened, some of us came out and people came and tried to help in the rescue effort. I came and I found out that I did not have any fracture or serious injury. By the time the members of the Road Safety Corps came, some doctors that were severely injured had died. Five of them! But, we have two who could still survive. So we rushed them to the nearby hospital (Doka General Hospital, about 70 km to Kaduna). “At the hospital, I was surprised when they said that there was no doctor there. 

I was even telling the nurses, ‘ok give me a pain reliever and let me put you through on how to resuscitate that man that was lying near me. But none of them attended to us. They were just running around, saying there was no this, no that. They were running around looking for this and that. Then I pleaded with the Road Safety to take us to the nearest hospital away from the one we were. I said they should take us to Suleja, Kaduna, wherever, but the Road Safety said that they didn’t even have fuel. 

I told them that it was ok, that I would pay for fuel. So we left the place in search for fuel and bought the fuel on the road. But, before we got to the hospital (St. Gerard, Kaduna) the other person had died. That made the number of deaths six. The other very injured person, who was in the other bus also died, making the casualty seven”, he said.

Ekiti hospitals grounded, staff Protest

Meanwhile, activities in all the major Health institutions in Ekiti State, were paralysed yesterday by the death of six doctors involved in a ghastly motor accident along Kaduna road on Sunday. The hospitals affected by the sad development included, Federal Teaching Hospital , Ido Ekiti (FETHI), the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) and other general hospitals. In a reaction to the sad development, doctors, nurses and other staff of FETHI trooped out as early as 7am, locked the main gate of the hospital in protest, a situation which caused serious panic to the patients and intending visitors. 

The placard-carrying protesters expressed grief over the death of three doctors in FETHI out of those that lost their lives, saying they suspected that their death was diabolical and beyond human imagination. When newsmen visited EKSUTH in Ado Ekiti, the staff were seen in clusters discussing the situation, while few colleagues of the deceased, were at hand to render medical services to patients on admission. Speaking on the incident, the FETHI’s Chief Medical Director , Dr Lawrence Ayodele , described the death as a national disaster, saying ‘’It is not about the state, but the whole country because it involves six senior doctors and a driver.”

Ekiti govt declares 3 days mourning

Meantime, Governor Ayodele Fayose has described the death of the doctors and one driver in the State, as a monumental loss not only to the people of Ekiti State but to Nigerians, declaring three days of mourning from Monday to Wednesday. The governor, who directed that all flags should be flown at half-mast, described the death as an eclipse of professional and intellectual figures, who lost their lives in active service to mankind, saying; “Ekiti has lost some of the best trees in its forest of medicine. I am deeply sad. This is one loss too many.”

NMA declares 7 days mourning

Also, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, yesterday declared one week of mourning from April 26 to May 3 NMA in a statement by its National Organizing Committee of the Conference directed all doctors to put on black band on the left arm over white overall while during the conference. The statement by NMA President, Dr. Kayode Obembe and Secretary General, Dr. Adewunmi Alayaki, equally released the names of the doctors including the driver.

Minister mourns

Reacting, Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, described the incident as a tragic loss to the Nigerian Medical community. In a message to leadership of NMA over the loss of the doctors, he said “Our prayers is that Almighty God in his infinite mercy will give the family, friends and the entire members of NMA the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. I am using this medium thank the leadership of the NMA especially those at the scene of accident in Kaduna.”
Source:Vanguard

Papa Wemba, Congo music star, dies after stage collapse

The influential Congolese musician Papa Wemba has died aged 66 after collapsing during a concert.
Footage from the show in Ivory Coast showed him slumped on stage. His dancers, unaware of what was happening, continued to perform before rushing to his aid.
In a career spanning almost half a century, Wemba became known as the “the king of Congolese rumba”.

He was also a style icon, popularising the cult movement known as the Sapeurs.
The young men who make up the Sapeurs take great pride in their appearance, spending huge amounts of money on designer clothes.

Wemba told CNN he in turn was inspired by his parents getting dressed up on Sundays. They were “always well put together, always looking very smart”, he said.
The musician fell ill in the early hours of Saturday morning. The cause of his death has not been established.

He died before he could be brought to hospital, a spokesman for the Ivosep morgue in Abidjan told Reuters news agency.
Born in 1949, Wemba, whose real name was Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, began his singing career in religious choirs.

He helped modernise Congolese rumba music, making it one of the most popular sounds in Africa.
Together with his bands Zaiko Langa Langa, Isifi and Viva La Musica, he racked up hit after hit, including L’Esclave and Le Voyageur, and worked with international stars like Peter Gabriel.
He appeared in two feature films, Life Is Beautiful (1987) and Wild Games (1997).

A Belgian court convicted him of the same crime in 2012, handing down a fine of €22,000 (£17,143; $24,690) and suspended prison sentence of 15 months.
He was also once jailed in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) for allegedly having an affair with a general’s daughter.

Congolese President Joseph Kabila has expressed his condolences, and there are likely to be large events paying homage in the coming days.
Congolese Culture Minister Baudouin Banza Mukalay called his death a “great loss for the country and all of Africa”, Associated Press reported.

Kinshasa rapper Youssoupha mourned the band leader in a tweet (in French), saying, “Like my community, I am devastated by the death of Papa Wemba.
“He was the icon of our culture, of our lifestyle. This is a huge loss.”
Source:The Sun