By Francesca Hangeior

The Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, on Tuesday, ordered that vehicles without number plates should be impounded across the territory.

He also ordered the deployment of more personnel and equipment for patrols and stop-and-search operations throughout the nation’s capital.

Disu’s directive came on the heels of the rise in one-chance incidents in the FCT.

A statement by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, also said regulations regarding covered number plates and tinted glasses would be enforced.

Adah urged residents to bear with the command as some of these moves might cause inconvenience to commuters, among others.

She said, “The FCT Police Command is deploying additional personnel and equipment for patrols, stop-and-search operations, and surveillance throughout the Federal Capital Territory. This initiative aims to combat rising incidents of ‘one chance’ crimes and car theft.

“We will be impounding vehicles without registration numbers, with only one plate, or using defaced plates. Regulations regarding covered number plates and tinted glasses will also be enforced.

“While these operations may cause some inconvenience, they reflect our commitment to the safety of all FCT residents and to deterring criminal activities targeting motorists and passengers.”

Adeh said through these operations, some vehicles had been recovered and suspects arrested.

She said, “Since launching these measures, we have successfully recovered stolen vehicles and apprehended ‘one chance’ robbers. We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation during these operations, and we advise vehicle owners to ensure compliance with all regulations.

“The FCT Police Command is dedicated to maintaining a secure environment. We encourage residents to report suspicious activities and cooperate with our officers. Your safety is our priority.”

By Francesca Hangeior

The world’s oldest man, Briton John Tinniswood, has died aged 112 at the care home where he lived in Southport, northwest England, Guinness World Records said on Tuesday, quoting his family.

Tinniswood was born in Liverpool on August 26, 1912, and died on Monday.

He became the world’s oldest man in April following the death of 114-year-old Venezuelan Juan Vicente Perez.

“His last day was surrounded by music and love,” the family said in a statement, also thanking “all those who cared for him over the years”.

Born the same year the Titanic sank and living through both World Wars, Tinniswood told Guinness World Records that the secret to his longevity was “pure luck”.

“You either live long or you live short, and you can’t do much about it,” he said.

He nonetheless advised moderation in all things to stay healthy.

“If you drink too much or you eat too much or you walk too much, if you do too much of anything, you’re going to suffer eventually,” he added.

During World War Two, Tinniswood held an administrative role in the Royal Army Pay Corps, going on to work in accounts for oil giants Shell and BP.

He was a life-long supporter of Liverpool football club, and ate fish and chips every Friday.

The world’s oldest living woman currently is Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, who is 116.

By Francesca Hangeior

A coalition of pro -Biafra organizations including the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB); Eastern People’s Congress (EPC); Billie Human Rights Initiative (BHRI); Biafra Liberation Council (BLC), among others, have sternly warned against any attempt to truncate the rotation of the office of the President of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Other members of the coalition are the Biafra Revolutionary Force (BRF); Biafra Revolutionary Organization (BRO); Biafra Reconciliation (BR); and Union of Biafra Scientists and Engineers (UBSE).
A new leadership of Ohanaeze is expected to assume office on January 10, 2024 when the tenure of the late Professor George Obiozor-led leadership will be elapsing.

Unfortunately, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who was elected to complete the turn of Imo State in the Ohanaeze presidency following the demise of Obiozor, also died in office, thus leaving the Secretary, Ambassador Okey Emuchay from Abia State to oversee the affairs of the apex Igbo body.

The coalition in a press statement issued on Tuesday, vowed to stoutly resist any attempt to thwart Ohanaeze constitution or deny Rivers State its right to produce the next President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the forthcoming Ohanaeze election.

The statement was jointly signed by Comrade Uchenna Madu of MASSOB; Mazi Okechukwu Orji for EPC; Innocent Amadi for BHRI; Comrade Festus Obiorah for BLC; Comrade Bidwell Ogbonna for BRF; Rev. Chioma Ajah for BRO; Elder Anya Kalu for BR; and Okasi for UBSE.

” We condemn the clandestine plot to thwart and frustrate the established norms and smooth running of Ohaneze Ndigbo affairs as enshrined in Ohaneze Ndigbo constitution by our founding fathers”, the statement read.

It further read:”With our unwavering and unshakable loyalty and alliance to the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo, we can never allow any personal or group interest to undermine or thwart the very foundation of trust, confidence and brotherhood that bind Ndigbo irrespective of their states of origin. Even external influences will never break our solid foundation of mutual trust.”

The coalition warned that “any clandestine attempt to thwart the solemnity of Ohaneze Ndigbo constitution will be resisted with every means of legally resistance.”

The statement further read:”Pro Biafra agitators will never allow both internal and external enemies of Igbo land to destabilize and divide Ndigbo against ourselves.

“Section a and b of the mode of election in article eleven of Ohaneze Ndigbo constitution states thus:

(a) That the Office of the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo shall rotate among the Igbo speaking states and Igbo speaking areas of Delta (Anioma) and Rivers States in alphabetical order thus namely Abia, Anambra, Delta (Anioma), Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers States.

“(b) The President General shall be elected by the National General Assembly from all interested candidates from the state whose turn is to fill the office provided there are at least three candidates.The tenure of the office of President General shall be one term of four years.”

According to the statement, “the current leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo from Imo State will end on January 10th 2025, and the next turn is Rivers State.”

“Any attempt to thwart the turn of Rivers State or restart from Abia State will spell doom on entire Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership”, the statement warned.