By Francesca Hangeior

The lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District, Senator Ned Nwoko, has defended his proposed bill that will allow Nigerians to bear arms for self-defence stating that it could serve as a deterrent against criminal activities, particularly kidnappings.

When asked if Nigerians carrying arms will solve the nation’s security problem, Nwoko, in an interview with Channels TV on Wednesday, said, “Oh, it will. It will.”

Nwoko then shared a personal story of loss, recounting how his Senior Legislative Aide (SLA) was killed in a kidnapping incident last November.

“The estate was attacked by kidnappers going from house to house. When they got to their door, my SLA told his wife to hide with the children. He opened the door to talk to them, and he was taken away. We never saw him alive again,” he said.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Nwoko argued that armed citizens could discourage criminals from operating so freely.

“If he had a gun, or if others in the community had guns, would the kidnappers have had the audacity to go door to door? That wouldn’t happen,” he said.

However, Nwoko clarified that his proposal includes strict regulations.

“For you to have the license to have a gun, you must go through a training school, a shooting school, which is a training school. You must get confirmation from two doctors that you have a sound mind.

“You must get reports from the DSS and from the police. You must also be confirmed by your local traditional ruler that you are who you are,” he said, adding that only qualified individuals would be allowed to carry arms under his plan.

By Francesca Hangeior

At least 10 people have been reportedly killed while seven others were injured in a building collapse in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday morning.

A statement from the Oyo State Fire Services Agency disclosed that the incident happened at 2 am at Jegeda Oluloyo area in Ibadan in Ona Ara Local Government Area of the state.

The statement added that while 10 persons were recovered from the debris, seven persons were rescued alive, adding that rescue efforts are reported to be ongoing as of the time of filing this report.

The statement read, “The Oyo State Fire Services Agency received a distressed call at around 2 am this morning at Jegede Olunloyo area, Ibadan, of which 10 persons have been recovered from the debris of the collapsed building, while seven persons were rescued alive. Rescue operation is still going on.”

When PUNCH Online contacted the General Manager of the state Fire Services, Yemi Akinyinka, he said, “We received a distress call from the people in the neighbourhood at 2 am.

“When we got there, ten people died outrightly. Three people had been recovered before we got to the place, and our men recovered four. They are still working.”

By Francesca Hangeior

Major oil marketers across Nigeria have raised the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from N1,010 to N1,050 per litre, marking a 4% increase in Lagos and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, independent oil marketers have adjusted their prices to between N1, 100 and N1,200 per litre, up from about N1,060 per litre, with variations depending on location.

Reports have it that due to the deregulated market, petrol prices are not fixed, resulting in slight price differences among filling stations, although some stations maintain similar pricing.