Several hundred civil servants in Benue State who arrived late to work on Wednesday were locked out by stern-looking security personnel assigned to the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

At approximately 10:35 AM on Wednesday, the governor made an unscheduled visit to the state secretariat to inspect ongoing renovation work, including the installation of lighting.

As soon as the convoy of the governor drove into the secretariat, the gates were locked by security officers leading to hundreds of state civil servants locked out.

To the governor’s surprise, during his tour from one ministry to another, he found that several commissioners and other key officials were absent from work.

Angered by this situation, the governor later addressed a large crowd of workers gathered at the gate after his inspection.

He expressed deep concern about their attitudes towards government work and warned them against failing to fulfil their responsibilities for the salaries they receive.

According to the governor, “With what you are doing, you are creating a vicious circle for your families. You cannot get money and be uplifted because you are cheaters and because of the effect of what you are doing.

“The work I do is not for me, but for those who don’t know that am the governor and those who will see me and not recognize me.

“Am appealing to you because I have a quick way of getting your names and firing you as I have the power to do so. I am speaking to you as a priest and not as governor and telling you the dangers of what you are doing.

He added, “It is not about me, who is government? All of you here are the government. Even in the family, somebody governs the home and there are rules. And in every government; there are rules. Am not frustrated but I do not want you to be doomed.

“See what you can do if not for yourselves but for the people you are caring for and are behind you because they are the ones to take the heat”.

A woman who was set ablaze by her husband on Tuesday at Abagana, Njikoka local government area of Anambra State on suspicion of infidelity, has died.

A circulating video on social media showed the woman, Mrs Chioma Nwanna, mother of six children, tumbling on the ground with burns and cursing her husband.

A source in Abagana said the man had accused his wife of being wayward and flirting with other men, an allegation that sparked off an argument between them.

It was gathered that as the argument raged, the man poured fuel on her, setting her ablaze. She was rushed to the hospital where she later died.

The Anambra State police command has confirmed the incident. The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said her husband had already been arrested, adding that an investigation into the matter has commenced.

“We are aware of the matter, but it is sad to announce to you that the woman just died this morning while receiving medical attention.

“Her husband has also been arrested and investigation has commenced,” the PPRO said.

Operatives of the Ekiti State Amotekun Corps have arrested a 25-year-old man, Ojo Adewunmi, for allegedly attempting to rape a 19-year-old girl.

The Ekiti Amotekun Head of Communications, Abiodun Adeleye, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.

Adeleye said Adewunmi was apprehended on Tuesday in Ilawe Ekiti by operatives of the corps from the Ekiti South West Local Government Command while allegedly trying to assault the girl.

He explained that the girl, who was shouting for help, was rescued by Amotekun operatives who arrived at the scene and thwarted the suspect’s attempt.

Adeleye stated, “The Amotekun officers who arrested the suspect reported that the victim was locked indoors by the suspect to sexually assault her. However, his attempt was foiled upon the arrival of the operatives.

“The girl narrated her ordeal, explaining how she felt helpless and hopeless after screaming until the officers of the corps arrived to assist her.”

The suspect has been handed over to the Ilawe Ekiti Police Division for further investigation and possible prosecution.