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Man sets girlfriend ablaze during argument in FCT, still confesses love

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A 47-year-old vulcaniser, Saheed Ganiyu, is cooling his heels in detention at the Utako Division of the FCT Police Command after he allegedly set his girlfriend, Esther (surname withheld), on fire. He reportedly poured her petrol from the bottle he had with him, while fire ignited from the lighter he also held.

But the suspect has denied the allegation, expressing his love for the victim and saying that the fire resulted from the cigarette he was trying to light, unknown to him that petrol from the bottle he clutched in his armpit had dripped on his girlfriend’s dress when they struggled with each other while he was trying to stop her from drinking alcohol.

His 32–year-old girlfriend is currently in the National Hospital, Abuja, battling for life with the severe burns she suffered from the fire. The suspect, who was almost lynched by the mob, was also rushed by the police to the hospital to receive medical treatment. He was, however, released to the police a few days after.

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Information gathered by the Nigerian Tribune had it that on December 29, 2024, at about 10:15 pm, there was a distress call made to FCT Police Command Control Room that there was a problem at Jabi Motor Park.

The Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, immediately dispatched a patrol team to the scene from Utako Division, and on getting there, the police operatives met a large crowd. In the midst of the crowd was the suspect, already beaten to stupor, and his girlfriend, Esther, who had severe burns.

It was further learnt that the two of them were immediately evacuated and taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, for medical attention and treatment. By then, the lady was said to have become unconscious.

Enquiries by the police at the scene revealed that the suspect and his girlfriend were in a hot argument that led to pulling and dragging each other within the motor park. The suspect, who had a plastic bottle containing about a half litre of petrol was alleged to have poured the combustible liquid on the girlfriend and ignited fire with his lighter. She was immediately engulfed in flame, and people rushed to help her extinguish it. By then, however, she had suffered severe burns.

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Infuriated by the act, the mob reportedly descended on him. He was discharged on December 31 and taken to the police station while Esther is still receiving treatment.

In an interview by the Nigerian Tribune, Ganiyu, from Ibadan, Oyo State, said that he didn’t deliberately set his beloved girlfriend on fire, but didn’t know the petrol bottle he put in his armpit dripped and sprinkled on her dress while they were struggling over the lit cigarette she wanted to take from him. He said that the lady was trying to retaliate his displeasure with the way she was addicted to alcohol.

The suspect, a vulcaniser said: “I came to stay in Abuja in 2008. Esther is my girlfriend, and I love her so much. We started dating in February 2024.

“Esther is a lady who used to help me a lot. She would come to my business stand every morning and clean everywhere. She would also put my vulcanising machine at the appropriate place. On Sunday, December 29, she told me that she was going to church and I gave her N200 as offering. I also gave her N2,500 to buy something that we could eat on her return.

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“I expected her return from church and waited at my stand but didn’t see her.

Before that day, she had asked me for clothes and shoes she would wear at the new year, so I put the money I made together and went to buy a shirt and a pair of shoes for her at the cost of N30,000 before her return. I planned buying the jeans she would wear with the shirt before the New Year.

“At about 6 pm, I closed from my stand and went to the side I used to stay for night work. To my displeasure, I saw my girl where Ogogoro (alcohol) was being sold. She was taking the one named ‘Yahoo.’ I called her and asked why she did that again when she told me that she was going to church as she had changed from being alcoholic.

“I tried to collect the bottle from her and she was dragging it with me. I collected it and threw it away. I went to the place I was doing night job and called her several times to go and help buy petrol that I would use, but she didn’t respond. She still stayed where alcohol was being sold. I went to buy the petrol myself, just half a litre.

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“When I returned, I saw her holding another bottle of alcohol. I held her from the back and tried to snatch the bottle from her. I didn’t know that the cover of the petrol bottle I held in my armpit was twisting and turning. I continued dragging the alcohol bottle she held. I pushed her and she pushed me back, making the fuel bottle to fall. She was pouring vituperation on me but I left the place.

“I went to buy cigarette, and as I was smoking the first one, Esther came and removed it from my mouth. As I put the second one and wanted to light it, Esther came to me again.

“Then I heard something like and explosion. Then I saw her body on fire. I didn’t know that the fuel that had initially dripped had soaked her dress.

“Esther is my love that I don’t joke with. If she went out to buy something and didn’t return in good time, I would be so concerned.

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I love her so much that I would not eat if she had not eaten. I used to make her eat first. She can be asked if I’m lying. I didn’t like her to be troubled, especially because of the leg deformity she has. On December 23, I sustained this injury (showing it) because of her. One Aboki tainted her deformity by calling her Gurugu (someone limping) and I was so furious.”

He said that it was not the first time he saw her with alcoholic drink. “I noticed it after we started dating. I corrected her many times but she always flared up. She was drinking Bull, Yahoo, Igboya, among other alcoholic drinks. Though I also take, I don’t like such a thing for a woman. And I don’t take it while at work. I don’t take any drugs, only cigarettes. She was also always taking Tramadol, telling me that her leg was paining her.

“I didn’t pour petrol on her. It was the devil that turned things this way. Since she was hospitalized, despite my own condition as a result of much beating, I have not felt well. I know that my life has been destroyed.

“I appeal that I should be allowed to see her. I’m ready to marry her. Though I’m a Muslim, I want her to be going to church so that she can be transformed positively. She was already changing at a time when she started attending church,” he stated.

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The suspect is a divorcee whose ex-wife remarried long time ago. One of his three children, all males, is already a father.

Esther’s uncle, Mr Modaki Kofur, a retired Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army, said that Esther had once lived with him. “My sister is in Taraba State and Esther had been with me.

“The deformity she has is a result of her falling during obstacles training when she was to be recruited into the Nigerian Navy about 12 years ago. She broke her hip bone.

“She left my house over two years ago, and I thought she was in Enugu State, where she said she was going to work. She came to where my family is in February 2024. She said that her life was not going smoothly and had been told to go back to me for prayers. I told her that I always wish her well.

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To my surprise, I heard of what happened to her on December 31. I was told that she was rushed to National Hospital. I went on January 1 and saw her in a terrible state. The problem we have now is money to take care of her. We have spent a lot since the incident occurred, and we were told by the hospital that she may need to be there for two months. That’s why we have been telling me the man who caused the problem to look for more money, but he has not been able to do anything.”

In his comment, CP Disu stressed the need for controlled anger, advising members of the public to always exercise patience and seek peace whenever there is disagreement, so as to avoid unexpected negative results.

He added that the suspect would be arraigned in court after the conclusion of the investigation.

( Tribune, excluding headline )

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TETFUND threatens to cut financial support to non-performing institutions

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The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has threatened to cut financial support to beneficiary tertiary institutions that fail to meet performance benchmarks or mismanage allocated funds.

The agency said it would de-list such tertiary institutions from its support programmes.

Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Sonny Echono gave the warning at a one-day strategic engagement with heads of institutions, bursars, and heads of procurement of the agency’s beneficiary institutions in Abuja on Monday.

Echono said the policy was not meant to punish, but rather safeguard the credibility and impact of TETFUND interventions.

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He said: “Let me be clear, institutions that consistently fail to access, utilise or retire funds appropriately, or that fall short of enrollment and academic performance thresholds, risk being delisted as TETFUND beneficiary institutions.”

He also disclosed the intention of TETFUND to ensure that its resources were directed towards institutions that were committed to high standards of governance, transparency, and accountability.

Echono said the strategic engagement was targeted at addressing recurring challenges in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, improving project execution, and enhancing the quality of education.

A key focus, he said, was the Academic Staff Training and Development (AST&D) intervention.

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He said due to rising costs and incidents of scholars absconding, the foreign component of the TETFUND Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) was suspended as of January 1, 2025 with emphasis now shifted to cost-effective, locally driven training.

Echono said this year’s intervention budget prioritises consolidation, sustainability, and the completion of abandoned projects.

He added: “This engagement is not merely a meeting but a strategic convergence. It is designed to address recurring issues of concern, streamline project implementation, and enhance the overall quality of tertiary education delivery in our nation.

“As we move forward, let us approach today’s discussions with openness, collaboration, and a shared vision to elevate our institutions and the students we serve.

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“Together, we can strengthen accountability, drive innovation, and ensure that the legacy of TETFUND remains impactful, equitable and enduring for generations to come.”

Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Ribadu emphasised the importance of the meeting for evaluating the implementation and impact of TETFUND – supported projects in higher education institutions.

The NUC chief, who was represented by Dr. Joshua Atah appreciated TETFUND’s vital role in improving infrastructure, research, staff development, and academic quality, stating that without its support, public education would struggle to survive.

Prof. Ribadu acknowledged the adaptability of TETFUND’s policies, such as suspending international scholarships to reallocate resources more effectively.

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He urged tertiary institutions to be more responsive and ensure that interventions were relevant and efficiently executed.

Ribadu encouraged judicious and timely use of funds and called for open and constructive dialogue during the engagement.

“This calls for greater responsiveness also on the part of the institutions. This responsiveness also includes the areas of the design and implementation of these interventions to ensure that they remain relevant, impactful, and aligned with the future of education in Nigeria.

“It’s also important that we judiciously utilise these resources, and not just judicious utilisation but also in a timely manner so that we don’t lose the fund,” he said.

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Again, Boko Haram reportedly attack military base in Borno

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Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have attacked a Nigerian Army base in Marte , the headquarters of Marte Local Government Area of Borno State with casualties

The terrorists attacked the 153 Task Force Battalion’s Forward Operation Base (FOab) at around 3am on Monday, according to the locals and security sources.

They said the terrorists also burnt armoured tanks and seized arms and ammunition from the base during the attack.

“ISWAP has taken over Marte. An unspecified number of soldiers were killed, some captured, and many others fled towards Dikwa.

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“They are currently at the 24 Task Force Brigade in Dikwa,” a source said.

Recent terrorist attacks have targeted several military formations in Borno and Yobe, including Sabon Gari and Buni Yadi, with the latest being the attack on the 153 Task Force Battalion.

Attempts to reach Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, were unsuccessful as he didn’t answer calls or respond to text messages.

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Taraba Woos Global Investors Ahead of Landmark Economic Summit

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…Taravest 2025 to Unlock Opportunities in agric, energy, mining

…as state offers peace, resources, incentives

By Gloria Ikibah 

The Federal Government and Government of Taraba State have called on the international community and private sector players to partner with Taraba in unlocking the state’s massive investment potentials across agriculture, energy, mining, and tourism. 

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This call comes ahead of the Taraba International Investment Summit (Taravest), with the theme: “Unlocking Taraba’s Investment Potentials, Advancing Agriculture, Energy, Mining and Industrialization for sustainable development “, scheduled for May 21, 2025, in Jalingo, Taraba state.

Speaking at the diplomatic preparatory briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who was represented by Ambassador Anderson Madubike commended the initiative, describing it as a platform that aligns with Nigeria’s economic diplomacy agenda.

“I wish to commend His Excellency and indeed the Government of Taraba State for convening this timely summit, particularly at this time when the whole world is in need of creating a travelling investment climate through co-location. There is therefore the need for partnership between governments, private sector players, and civil societies,” the Minister stated.

He emphasised that Taravest represents “a collective pursuit of development and prosperity, not only for Taraba State, but indeed for the whole world.

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“They have enormous resources—we’re talking about gold, we’re talking about uranium, and many others, and of course agriculture, fertile land, which you know, food, is the way to go”, he added.

Ambassador Madubike noted that the theme for the summit, themed “Unlocking Taraba’s Investment Potentials: Advancing Agriculture, Energy, Mining, and Industrialization for Sustainable Growth,” is expected to attract both local and international stakeholders.

“Our presence here signifies a commitment to making Taraba a model of investment and sustainable development,” he said.

In his address, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and extended an open invitation to diplomats and investors.

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Dr. Agbu highlighted the significance of the summit as the first of its kind since the state was created in 1991, and laid out three clear objectives.

“It is my great honor to welcome you to the Paivota Preparatory Meeting for the Taraba State International Investment Summit, Taravest 2025, in just nine days to come.

“To orient you to Taraba’s untapped potentials and the structure of the summit; to inspire your confidence in our security, infrastructure, and business environment; and to enlist your support in rallying investors, technical partners, and development agencies”, the governor said.

He emphasised Taraba’s strategic strengths, citing five core advantages, this is as he reassured guests about the state’s security readiness.

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“Peace and security, over 44,000 km² of fertile land for agriculture, massive hydropower and solar capacity, rich mineral reserves including gold, barite, and lithium, and growing opportunities in tourism and the digital economy.

“I want to assure you that we have coordinated with the state security services, the Nigerian military, the Nigerian police, and our traditional rulers… to guarantee your safety”, he added.

The summit, he explained, will feature B2B and B2G matchmaking, policy dialogues, PPP frameworks, and guided site visits to model farms and mining zones.

“Taravest 2025 is more than a conference. It is a statement of fact that Taraba is open for transformative partnership. I invite you to leverage your good offices to mobilize your government and business communities,so that together we will convert promise into progress and unlock a future of shared prosperity”, Dr. Agbu added.

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He also urged embassies to submit the names of participating investors and delegates by May 16, 2025, to ease logistics.

Taravest 2025, which will hold at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Jalingo, aims to attract capital, expertise, and innovation to transform Taraba into a thriving investment destination and economic powerhouse.

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