News
Three feared killed in Abuja community violent clash
There were fears on Wednesday that about three persons may have been killed following a Tuesday night clash between residents of Byazhin community in Kubwa, Abuja’s largest suburban town and itinerant local scavengers, otherwise known as “baban bola”.
It was gathered that a scavenger who had attempted to steal a woman’s pot of soup, was overpowered and beaten up by passers-by after the woman raised the alarm.
However, in the ensuing conflict and counterattack, two women and a young boy, were said to have been feared dead.
The scavenger who rather than beat a shameful retreat, was said to have gone ahead to rally his fellow scavengers and some hoodlums who returned around 8pm with cudgels, machetes, stones and clubs which they used in attacking residents at random, eventually killing the woman whose pot of soup was earlier stolen.
Two passers-by, a woman and a young boy, were also reportedly killed in the fracas.
An eyewitness, Jessica Adams said; “They killed two people yesterday (Tuesday). The community has been in chaos since yesterday. The crisis continued till this morning (Wednesday) when they killed somebody again. So far, three persons have been killed and many injured. The Police intervened and restored normalcy, but no arrest was made. The Police have intensified their patrol in the Byazhin area of Kubwa to prevent them from regrouping”.
When Vanguard correspondent drove through the on Wednesday afternoon, a Police armoured personnel carrier was seen stationed at a junction facing the community.
Kubwa residents had for years complained about the excesses of the scavengers who often steal their valuables as well as launch violent attacks on those who dared stand in their way.
Unlike the highbrow areas of Maitama, Asokoro and a few others, Kubwa and most satellite towns have a chaotic waste disposal system, involving thousands of local scavengers who are unregistered and lack any known addresses.
Another eyewitness who did not give his name corroborated Ms Adams narration.
“Yes, the riot started yesterday and by this morning, we learnt that three persons had been killed. It happened in Byazhin around that Millionaire’s Quarters, behind Living Faith Church. That place is very dangerous, because it is quite lonely, and you cannot pass through there alone, especially in the evening”, he said.
The Police was yet to issue a formal statement on the incident as of the time of filing the report.
Prince Kayode Adewale, a contestant for the vacant Owa-Obokun of Ijesa land throne, has urged the Osun state government and traditional kingmakers to rely on oracles and deities in selecting the next monarch of the ancient town.
Prince Adewale of the Owa Bilaro Oluodo Royal Family, made the call during a press conference in Ilesa, Osun State, on Thursday.
He noted that the Ifa oracle, along with the Obokun and Ogun deities, should be the determining factors in the selection process.
The stool became vacant following the passing of Oba Gabriel Aromolaran, who joined his ancestors on September 11, 2024, after a 42-year reign.
As the contest intensifies, an Osun State High Court, presided over by Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, has restrained Governor Ademola Adeleke and others from appointing a new Owa-Obokun from the Haastrup family or any other candidate.
Amid the ongoing legal battles, Prince Adewale reaffirmed his interest in the throne, advocating for adherence to traditional processes to ensure fairness and legitimacy.
He said: “The Owa Obokun stool is not for sale. In Ijesaland when it’s comes to selection of a new King the Ifa, Obokun and Ogun deities will be consulted and the person that has the highest vote from them will emerge as the king.”
Declaring his intention, Adewale said he is committed to standardizing mining practices and implementing robust land reclamation policies.
“Ijeshaland is blessed with abundant natural resources, particularly in gold mining. However, our gold resources must be harnessed responsibly and sustainably. Under my leadership, I will work towards the standardization of gold mining practices, ensuring that this wealth benefits the people of Ijeshaland while preserving our environment for future generations.”
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the extension of the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 budget from 31 December 2024 to 30 June 2025.
Leader of the House, Hon Julius Ihonvbere, laid the report of the report of the bill seeking the extension as the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply to consider it.
It is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation Act, 2024 to extend the implementation of the Capital Component of the Appropriation Act, 2024 from 31 December, 2024 to 30 June, 2025 and for Related Matters (HB.2023)”
Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who announced the adjournment of plenary to January 14, 2025, urged members to work hard in their various to ensure that the prompt passage of the 2025 budget upon resumption.
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) on Thursday condemned in strong terms the suspension of 18 local government chairmen and councillors in Edo state by the House of Assembly.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had accused the suspended chairmen of disobeying his instructions by allegedly refusing to submit their financial records to the state government.
However, the ALGON’s National Executive Council (NEC) and its Board of Trustees (BoT) on Thursday jointly condemned the decision saying the governor and lawmakers did not give the council chairmen fair hearing to defend themselves.
The association at an emergency meeting in Katsina state, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, emphasising the need to respect the autonomy and independence of local governments as guaranteed by the nation’s constitution and recent ruling by the Supreme Court.
“ALGON views this suspension as a setback for democracy and abuse of power, particularly since the chairmen were not given a chance to defend themselves.
“This suspension is invalid. It contradicts the Supreme Court’s judgment granting local governments autonomy,” the ALGON National Publicity Secretary, Hamisu Anani, in a statement said.
Anani stated that if the Edo State House of Assembly’s decision was right, it would not have generated criticisms across the length and breadth of the country.
“This suspension is unconstitutional; it is null and void.
“ALGON is hereby urging the Edo State House of Assembly to reverse the decision and respect the rule of law to strengthen democratic governance.
“ALGON also appeals to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt this abuse of power,” the statement said.
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