Fani-Kayode should hide himself in shame – Aviation minister

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said that because of the importance his administration attached to the medical and educational sectors, he was determined to do all within his powers to resolve all issues that currently lead to labour disputes and strikes in both sectors.

Resident doctors and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities are currently on strike.

Jonathan promised to resolve the labour crises while granting audience to a delegation of the Nigeria Medical Association led by its National President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

His promise was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, at the end of the closed-door session.

“I believe that we must manage both (education and medical) sectors in such a way that nobody engaged in them will think of going on strike again. We will continue to proactively evolve measures that will help us to permanently overcome the problems that lead to strikes by health and education professionals,” the President was quoted as saying at the meeting attended by the Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu, Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu and other top government officials.

Jonathan reportedly assured the delegation that his administration would take necessary actions to ensure that the right conditions were created for Nigerian medical professionals to stay at home and avail Nigerians of their skills and expertise instead of migrating to other countries.

He said his government was determined to correct a situation where about 25,000 Nigerian medical consultants were currently practising in the United States alone as confirmed to him by President Barack Obama.

He described as an anomaly a situation where this huge number of Nigerian medical experts were abroad and yet the nation could not treat its sick people in its own hospitals

He said, “There is clearly a missing link somewhere and we will do everything possible to fix it. We will continue to work with professional bodies and all stakeholders to come up with more policies and actions that will help us overcome current challenges in our medical sector.

“We will work with the National Assembly to ensure the quick passage of the National Health Bill. We will take prompt action to reconstitute the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. We will also consider recommendations for the establishment of the Office of the Surgeon-General of the Federation.

“I believe that we must always do what is best for our country. We will review all the other issues you have raised and act accordingly. When things are done properly, issues of welfare and remuneration in the health sector will disappear.”

The President also promised that the Federal Government would explore the option of creating a special intervention fund that would facilitate the rapid establishment of more centres of medical excellence across the country.

Mob lynches three Nigerians for kidnapping in Bissau

The Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, on Tuesday hit back at Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, describing  him  as an ignorant individual, who “should hide his head in shame.”

Fani-Kayode, a former minister of Aviation,  had criticised the Peoples Democratic Party for expressing confidence in Oduah despite the air crashes that had happened during  her tenure as  minister.

“How many more people have to be killed in air crashes before our President (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan)  realises that he needs a new Minister of Aviation?” Fani-Kayode had asked.

But Oduah said  in Abuja that Fani-Kayode was misleading innocent Nigerians and needed sympathy.

She spoke at an aviation safety event organised by the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation and hosted by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.

Oduah  said, “I have huge sympathy for them, the ignorant people in particular. Because when you speak out of context, when you speak under the influence of whatever it is you are under, you speak incorrectly and you mislead innocent Nigerians and that is what he has done. And he really should hide his head in shame.”

Fani-Kayode, while reacting to Oduah’s comments about him, asked the minister to grow up and stop being petty.

He said, “My advice and counsel to her is to grow up and stop being petty. She is meant to talk like someone who befits her office and not like a market woman or a fish wife.

“I do not like joining issues with women publicly which is why I was very gentle with her in my essay though I made my point.

“But this particular woman is endangering the lives of our people with her incompetence and insensitivity and we cannot just keep quiet.

“This is a woman under whose watch almost 200 people have been killed as Aviation Minister and instead of focusing on how to save lives her obsession has become smearing and abusing Femi Fani-Kayode.”

He said it was wrong for the minister to tell Nigerians that ‘’accidents are inevitable’’ and that they were ‘’acts of God.”

“This is a woman who thinks more about how her headscarf looks, her jewelry and the jewelry of others more than she does about protecting Nigerian air travellers,” he added.

He said if anyone should bury her head in shame it should be the minister and not him.

Armed security men with one of the Nigerians suspected

Three Nigerians accused of kidnapping a child were lynched on Tuesday by an angry mob of young rioters in Bissau, according to a hospital source.

The AFP reported that the trio was killed after the disappearance of a young boy on Tuesday morning in the capital of Guinea-Bissau.

A rumour quickly spread across the city that the child had been taken by a group of Nigerians, prompting an angry crowd to gather which security forces were unable to control.

An AFP journalist saw two of the Nigerian bodies in the morgue.

Hundreds of angry rioters, mostly young and armed with stones and bottles, managed to grab one of the suspected kidnappers from a police car as officers stood by powerless, according to the AFP journalist.

“Death to Nigerians! Enough is enough, stop! The Nigerians must leave,” chanted the crowd.

Police fired warning shots and tear gas in an effort to disperse the mob, but they were unsuccessful.

The police called for reinforcements and soldiers from the Economic Community of West African States currently in the country were deployed in the town and managed to restore some sense of calm in the afternoon.

Nigeria’s embassy in Bissau, where many Nigerians sought refuge, was surrounded by security forces for protection.

Many shop-owners in the city closed because of the violence.

The latest abduction came at a tense time in Bissau, as in the past fortnight several kidnappings have been reported to the police.

Abductions are currently an explosive topic, among the general population and on radio shows in Guinea-Bissau, prompting a number of rumours about who has been responsible for the disappearances.

The authorities have enforced a travel ban on unaccompanied children and any adults travelling with infants who they cannot prove are relations are immediately arrested.

ReachOut Nigeria transforming Nigeria

ReachOut Nigeria, a movement for the transformation of our great nation Nigeria, has indeed been living true to its slogan, ‘Celebrating Our Possibilities’. The movement which began in 2007 with the free nationwide distribution of millions of copies of ‘Rhapsody of Realities’ the daily devotional by Pastor Chris and Pastor Anita Oyakhilome, was in response to the need to create a better Nigeria, renew the spirit of patriotisminher citizens, promote a new positive way of thinking across the land, andestablishGod’s Word in the hearts of the people as thesure solution to all human problems. Continue...

It has been long widely acknowledged that for Nigeria to move forward and make progress, we need a change in mind-set. The widespread distribution of Rhapsody of Realities puts the word of God (God's power for salvation and change agent – Rom 1:16) into the hands of millions of Nigerians, fostering a positive mind-set amongst the people, which in turn, has significantlyimpacted the Nation.

From 2010, the movement took the drive for impact to a yet unprecedented level with the commissioning of several developmental projects across the country by Christ Embassy, bringing‘A New Hope’ to Nigeria. Such projects have impacted on practically every sphere of our national life, including education, healthcare, security and social amenities.

This year 2013, the ReachOut Nigeria movement is stronger than ever, with the aim to foster hope and faith in the heart of Nigerians to dream of a better and brighter future, and above all, create the avenue for Nigerians to experience the love of Christ, which gives faith and confidence.

Set to affect 20 million lives positively through the distribution of20 million free copies of Rhapsody of Realities, and commission more developmental projects across Nigeria, ReachOut Nigeria has undeniably become the most impactful far-reaching charity initiative Nigeria has ever witnessed.

Learn more about ReachOut Nigeriaatwww.reachoutnigeria.org. Also, get social with ReachOut Nigeria on Facebook:www.facebook.com/reachoutnigeria, Twitter:www.twitter.com/reachoutnig and YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/REACHOUTNIGERIA.

Have you been involved in ReachOut Nigeria or have enjoyed the benefit of the movement? Leave a comment.

FFK blasts Aviation minister for saying plane crashes are acts of God

Our Aviation minister Mrs Stella Oduah thinks that plane mishaps are an act of God. While fielding questions from state house correspondents on the recent Lagos air crash, Mrs Oduah said;

“We do not pray for accidents  but they are inevitable. But we will continue to do everything to ensure that we do not have accidents. But an accident is an act of God".

Former Aviation minister Femi Fani Kayode took to twitter to respond to Mrs Oduah's comments...

Genevieve says she's been single for a while now, and it's going well

Well, she didn't actually write that she's been single for a while, she only posted a card with the message written on it. But she must be really trying to send a message (to someone *cough*) because not only did she post it on her twitter page, she also posted it on her Facebook & instagram pages. She also re-posted something Rita Dominic posted on Instagram yesterday...find that after the cut...

Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah
| credits: File copy

Four days after a tragic crash involving an Associated Airline plane killed 14 people in Lagos, Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, on Monday described accidents as God’s will that are  inevitable.

She said notwithstanding this reality, the Federal Government would continue to ensure there were no accidents.

Oduah made the submission while fielding questions from State House correspondents on investigations into the Thursday  Lagos crash, the safety of the nation’s airspace and the suspension of Dana Air’s operations, among other issues.

While reacting to a comment that the latest crash had  made nonsense of  government’s much-talked about reforms in the aviation sector, the minister said, “We do not pray for accidents  but they are inevitable. But we will continue to do everything to ensure that we do not have accidents. But an accident is an act of God.

“Again, we do not speculate on the cause of accidents.  Until  they happen, you cannot  say this is the cause or that is not the cause. But what is obvious and is the truth is that, in aviation, there are shared responsibilities, starting from the man that carries your luggage to the man that makes sure that your boarding pass is issued to you.

“And so, the regulatory agency, the operators, the management, everybody has his/her  responsibility and all must work in tandem for there to be an optimal, secure and safe aviation sector in the country. And that is what we have been working on.”

Oduah  described those saying that she left the issue of safety in the airspace to dwell on money-making ventures as ignorant.

She explained that security and safety could not be achieved without proper funding.

The minister said, “I think it is ignorant to say so because you cannot have security and safety without funding.  The aviation sector has to be funded. If you are talking safety for instance, you need to have the infrastructure that addresses that. If you are talking security, you need to have the infrastructure that addresses that and all   must be sustained and   maintained. And if you do not do that you are not just being sincere.

“When you talk about the issue of renovation, the terminal itself is the first safety and security facility that any passenger comes across. And so in a plan, you must start from A to Z.

“In aviation, it is often said that if you think safety and security   are  expensive, wait until accident happens and see how expensive it is. And so, everything we have done has been with security and safety as the  pivot. You cannot do anything in aviation without this.

“And what saddens me really is that ICAO said just last week that Nigeria was way above the global average. We actually scored 65 per cent. Secondly, ICAO said Nigeria was the 12th most safe aviation globally. And then when you hear bad comments;  people making comments that have  zero bearing on reality. It is very annoying.

“What I will advise the public really is to recognise the fact that aviation is a very professional area;  you cannot listen to bar (beer parlor) comments because they are just unrealistic and totally untrue.”

Oduah disclosed that the preliminary report on the Associated Arline  crash would be ready in a couple of weeks.

She said the ministry  was  waiting for the experts  from France before they could open up the engine of the plane  and to find out the cause of the accident.

The minister  said, “The preliminary report should be out in a couple of weeks. The experts  are coming from France and the manufacturer of the aircraft. We must have them regardless of how we want to accelerate  the investigation.

“We are waiting for them to come so that we can open the engine and find out exactly from them what went wrong. And you cannot do any of those without their presence. If you do that, then you have contaminated the investigation; so we must wait for them.”

She insisted that notwithstanding the latest crash, Nigerians should not be afraid to fly because the nation’s airspace was safe.

On the  suspension of Dana Air  operations,  Oduah said, “Their licence was not stopped. What we stopped are  their operations.They were  stopped because the law says that if there is anything noticed not in tandem with the policy, the regulation must stop and re-certify and make sure that there is compliance.”

She however refused to state the operational issues noticed in the case  of the airline.

Oduah added that 90 per cent of private jet operators were  operating outside the mandate and outside the policy.

She said that was why the government had to review the policy.

The minister also  said a situation where they operated in an “unregulated, unmonitored and uncontrolled” environment was no longer acceptable.

- See more at: http://www.punchng.com/news/air-accidents-inevitable-minister-of-aviation/#sthash.zDmLlU7d.dpuf

Oyedepo, Dangote, Adenuga to pay N400m luxury tax on private jets

  According to a story by Encomium magazine, Bishop David Oyedepo, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Dr. Mike Adenuga are among the top 10 Nigerian billionaires who will pay hundreds of millions of naira annually as luxury tax due to the imposition of a whooping $4,000 luxury tax by Aviation Ministry on private jet owners and operators per departure.


Some of these super rich Nigerians make use of their jets 3/4 times in a week either within or outside Nigeria and for every trip, it's a cool $4, 000 tax. Continue...

From Encomium magazine

According to our sources, among the four jets owned by Bishop Oyedepo (Gulfstream V and G550, Bombardier and Gulfstream G430), he uses three regularly personally and for his missionary work. Thus, his luxury tax annually will be an average of N399 million.  Alhaji Aliko Dangote who has three private jets in his hanger will also pay an average of N399 million per annum.  Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jnr, whose Falcon 7x and Bombardier jet are used for personal and business purpose should pay an average of N266 million.  Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Governor Godswill Akpabio would shell out an average of N166.4 million annually.  Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor falls into the same category of N166.4 million naira payer.  Meanwhile, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, Jide Omokorie and Ifeanyi Ubah would pay an average of N133 million annually, while Jimoh Ibrahim falls within the N100 million category.  Furthermore, the richest woman in Nigeria, Folorunsho Alakija would spend N66 million on luxury tax.

Findings by Encomium Weekly revealed that the top 10 private jet owners who would cough millions annually on the new luxury tax are below.

The clash of the titans between the Federal Government and private jet owners reached a crescendo with the imposition of the $4,000 luxury tax on private jet owners and operators per departure.  A memo was sent to all private jet operators stating that Nigerian registered private jets would henceforth pay $3,000 for every departure, while foreign registered private jets would pay $4,000.

+ List of top 10 payers
   NAME                               NO. OF JETS            LUXURY TAX ANNUALLY    
1         Bishop Oyedepo                       4                      N399 million
2          Alhaji Dangote                          3                      N399m
3          Dr. Mike Adenuga                    2                      N266m
4          Gov. Rotimi Amaechi             1                      N166m
5          Gov. Godswill Akpabio          1                      N166m
6          Ayo Oritsejafor                         1                      N166m
7          Pastor Adeboye                        1                     N133m
8          Jide Omokore                           1                        N133m
9          Ifeanyi Ubah                              1                      N133m
10         Jimoh Ibrahim                           1                   N100m

Photos from M.I's surprise birthday party...

M.I was treated to a surprise birthday party at Cafe Vanessa in VI on October 4th. In attendance were Ice Prince, Davido and the HKN gang, Audu Maikori, Vector, Jazzman Ol fin, Cool Fm's Dotun, Victoria Kimani, Pryse, Enzo, Noble Igwe and many more. See more photos after the cut...

World’s shortest man just 16 inches tall!

World’s shortest man: Master Nau, 73 year old Nepali

If one thinks the world’s shortest man will be chosen among the dwarfs familiar on the streets of Lagos, you have got to think again.
The man who claims the title, is just about four inches taller than a 12-inch ruler.
He is 73 year old Nepali, that still goes by the title of ‘Master’. He is Master Nau, and his name has been etched in the Guinness World Records’ immovable category.
Here, he poses for a photo next to a ruler in Kathmandu.
Nau, who lives with his younger brother’s family in Bhairahawa, 350 kilometres (217 miles) southwest of Kathmandu, is 16 inches tall while his rival, a Taiwanese man, stands 27 inches.
Officials of Guinness World Records have said the man could qualify for the record, according to Thaneshwar Guragain, who is supporting Nau’s claim and corresponding with the organisation.

Only Six Super Eagles in camp for Ethiopia

Only one foreign-based and five home-based players were in camp on Monday a day after Nigeria’s Super Eagles opened camp ahead of Sunday’s 2014 World Cup Qualifier in Addis Ababa.
The camp for the 13 October game had opened on Sunday, 6 October in Abuja.
The Eagles are to face the Waliya Antelopes of Ethiopia in the first leg tie of their 2014 FIFA World Cup Africa Qualifiers Final Round pairing.
Emmanuel Attah, the Super Eagles Co-ordinator, told NAN however that other invited players were on their way to the team’s camp.
Coach Stephen Keshi had earlier invited to camp 23 players, made up of 18 foreign-based and five home-based.
“We are still expecting them in Abuja after a busy weekend schedule in their various league competitions. We know they are all on their way,’’ Attah said.
He said the players in camp as at Monday evening included Solomon Kwambe of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure and Francis Benjamin of Heartland FC of Owerri.
“The others are the trio of Azubuike Egwuekwe, Sunday Mba and goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim from Rangers International FC of Enugu.
“The only foreign-based player in camp as at this evening is Uche Nwafor, who is on loan to Herenveen FC of The Netherlands from VVV Venlo FC, also of The Netherlands,’’ the team co-ordinator said.
He said the team’s training was not likely to commence in the morning of Oct. 8 in view ofr this development.
“The players are just arriving. But training is likely to begin in the evening tomorrow, when a handful of the players must have arrived,’’ Attah said.
He said the team’s technical crew members, such as Keshi and Daniel Amokachi, the assistant coach, were already on ground to prepare the team for the encounter.
NAN reports that the match has been scheduled to take place at the 28,000-capacity Addis Ababa National Stadium, with the second leg game scheduled for Calabar on 16 November.

Woman, 57, Delivers Twins 31 Years After Marriage

 

A 57 year-old teacher, Mrs Anike Ajayi, on Monday gave birth to twins after 31 years of childlessness in Ekiti.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ajayi teaches at Muslim Grammar School, Oke-Ila, Housing Road, Ado Ekiti.
She described the delivery as a ‘miracle’, saying she gave birth to a boy and a girl after her menstrual circle stopped.
“I thank God for what He has done in my life. I got married precisely on 18 December, 1982.
“Since then, I have not been able to conceive. This is more than a miracle and I give God the glory for His mercies over my life.
“Many people had mocked me over the years, but I thank God that He finally answered my prayers,” she said.
Ajayi attributed the birth of the twins to the goodness of God in her life.
She said God answered her prayer as a result of her steadfastness, unshaken faith in the scriptures and refusal to lose hope in God’s power.
The husband, Mr  Olu Ajayi, 65, thanked the name of God for His kindness to his family, saying the babies were to console him for the years of childlessness.
In a reaction, Rev. Woleola Ajileye, General Overseer of The Way of Life Bible Church, Ado-Ekiti, which the couple attends, thanked God for the babies.
She advised the couple to care and train the children with the principles of God

Mariam and slain father Adeniyi

A six-year-old girl, Mariam Adeniji, is currently in shock after witnessing the killing of her father, Rafiu Adeniji, who was allegedly shot dead by policemen on Sunday.

The little girl, who spoke to PUNCH Metro while trying to fight back tears, said her father was killed after challenging policemen over an accident along the Mangoro end of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

She said, “My daddy was driving home when someone hit his car. He went to see the policemen; they just brought out their guns and shot him. They then ran away.”

Another occupant of the vehicle, Lateef Okesola, who expressed shock at the incident, said it occurred in broad daylight.

He said, “Adeniji, Mariam and I, were all in his Honda car; Adeniji was driving. We were headed towards Agege when we saw a white police patrol vehicle with the inscription, OPS Attack, chasing a commercial bus. So, Rafiu swerved to the side and allowed the vehicle to pass.

“We continued on our journey but after a while, we found ourselves behind the same bus. Suddenly, the driver of the bus applied his brake.”

Unfortunately for Adeniji, he couldn’t stop his car fast enough as his vehicle was said to have hit the bus from behind, causing Okesola to sustain a bruise on his head. An argument was said to have ensued between the bus driver and Adeniji after the motorist demanded payment for the repair of the bus.

The deceased allegedly told the bus driver to blame the policemen for causing the accident.

“The policemen were parked on the side of the road and when Rafiu approached them to discuss what had happened, one of them alighted and shot him in the chest before fleeing.

“It was the sympathisers who gathered, that flagged down another commercial bus to take us all to the Isokoko Police Division,” Okesola added.

After obtaining a police report, Adeniji was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he was confirmed dead.

Not long after his corpse was taken to his family home at Oshodi, Adeniji was said to have been rushed to a private hospital after a sympathiser claimed he saw the corpse move.

However, Adeniji was confirmed dead again at Jericho hospital.

When our correspondent visited Adeniji’s mother’s home located on Samura Street, sympathisers were seen coming in droves to condole with his aged mother said to be in her 70s.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Adeniji was an employee of NAHCO. His colleagues, who came to sympathise with the family, described him as a hardworking man.

Elder sister of the deceased, Titilayo Akintunde, described the incident as a nightmare, saying there was a need for the government to curb the excesses of policemen.

She said, “One wonders why it is those that are paid to protect lives and property that “continue to add sorrows to our lives in this country.

“My brother was not a thug. He was gainfully employed at NAHCO. He had a wife and two children. Unfortunately, his life was cut short in his prime.

“The case is even more pathetic because he was killed in the presence of his six-year-old daughter and she has refused to eat since the incident. It is a sight that she will never “forget. We want justice for him. Imagine what our mother is going through right now?”

When contacted on the telephone, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said,  “There was a shooting in Agege area which led to loss of life. The patrol team within that area has been arrested and their arms have been taken for ballistic examination.”

- See more at: http://www.punchng.com/news/i-saw-policemen-kill-my-dad-six-year-old-girl/#sthash.SqR21B1B.dpuf

Mariam and slain father Adeniyi

A six-year-old girl, Mariam Adeniji, is currently in shock after witnessing the killing of her father, Rafiu Adeniji, who was allegedly shot dead by policemen on Sunday.

The little girl, who spoke to PUNCH Metro while trying to fight back tears, said her father was killed after challenging policemen over an accident along the Mangoro end of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

She said, “My daddy was driving home when someone hit his car. He went to see the policemen; they just brought out their guns and shot him. They then ran away.”

Another occupant of the vehicle, Lateef Okesola, who expressed shock at the incident, said it occurred in broad daylight.

He said, “Adeniji, Mariam and I, were all in his Honda car; Adeniji was driving. We were headed towards Agege when we saw a white police patrol vehicle with the inscription, OPS Attack, chasing a commercial bus. So, Rafiu swerved to the side and allowed the vehicle to pass.

“We continued on our journey but after a while, we found ourselves behind the same bus. Suddenly, the driver of the bus applied his brake.”

Unfortunately for Adeniji, he couldn’t stop his car fast enough as his vehicle was said to have hit the bus from behind, causing Okesola to sustain a bruise on his head. An argument was said to have ensued between the bus driver and Adeniji after the motorist demanded payment for the repair of the bus.

The deceased allegedly told the bus driver to blame the policemen for causing the accident.

“The policemen were parked on the side of the road and when Rafiu approached them to discuss what had happened, one of them alighted and shot him in the chest before fleeing.

“It was the sympathisers who gathered, that flagged down another commercial bus to take us all to the Isokoko Police Division,” Okesola added.

After obtaining a police report, Adeniji was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he was confirmed dead.

Not long after his corpse was taken to his family home at Oshodi, Adeniji was said to have been rushed to a private hospital after a sympathiser claimed he saw the corpse move.

However, Adeniji was confirmed dead again at Jericho hospital.

When our correspondent visited Adeniji’s mother’s home located on Samura Street, sympathisers were seen coming in droves to condole with his aged mother said to be in her 70s.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Adeniji was an employee of NAHCO. His colleagues, who came to sympathise with the family, described him as a hardworking man.

Elder sister of the deceased, Titilayo Akintunde, described the incident as a nightmare, saying there was a need for the government to curb the excesses of policemen.

She said, “One wonders why it is those that are paid to protect lives and property that “continue to add sorrows to our lives in this country.

“My brother was not a thug. He was gainfully employed at NAHCO. He had a wife and two children. Unfortunately, his life was cut short in his prime.

“The case is even more pathetic because he was killed in the presence of his six-year-old daughter and she has refused to eat since the incident. It is a sight that she will never “forget. We want justice for him. Imagine what our mother is going through right now?”

When contacted on the telephone, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said,  “There was a shooting in Agege area which led to loss of life. The patrol team within that area has been arrested and their arms have been taken for ballistic examination.”

- See more at: http://www.punchng.com/news/i-saw-policemen-kill-my-dad-six-year-old-girl/#sthash.SqR21B1B.dpuf

I saw policemen kill my dad – Six-year-old girl

I saw policemen kill my dad – Six-year-old girl

Mariam and slain father Adeniyi

A six-year-old girl, Mariam Adeniji, is currently in shock after witnessing the killing of her father, Rafiu Adeniji, who was allegedly shot dead by policemen on Sunday.

The little girl, who spoke to PUNCH Metro while trying to fight back tears, said her father was killed after challenging policemen over an accident along the Mangoro end of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

She said, “My daddy was driving home when someone hit his car. He went to see the policemen; they just brought out their guns and shot him. They then ran away.”

Another occupant of the vehicle, Lateef Okesola, who expressed shock at the incident, said it occurred in broad daylight.

He said, “Adeniji, Mariam and I, were all in his Honda car; Adeniji was driving. We were headed towards Agege when we saw a white police patrol vehicle with the inscription, OPS Attack, chasing a commercial bus. So, Rafiu swerved to the side and allowed the vehicle to pass.

“We continued on our journey but after a while, we found ourselves behind the same bus. Suddenly, the driver of the bus applied his brake.”

Unfortunately for Adeniji, he couldn’t stop his car fast enough as his vehicle was said to have hit the bus from behind, causing Okesola to sustain a bruise on his head. An argument was said to have ensued between the bus driver and Adeniji after the motorist demanded payment for the repair of the bus.

The deceased allegedly told the bus driver to blame the policemen for causing the accident.

“The policemen were parked on the side of the road and when Rafiu approached them to discuss what had happened, one of them alighted and shot him in the chest before fleeing.

“It was the sympathisers who gathered, that flagged down another commercial bus to take us all to the Isokoko Police Division,” Okesola added.

After obtaining a police report, Adeniji was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he was confirmed dead.

Not long after his corpse was taken to his family home at Oshodi, Adeniji was said to have been rushed to a private hospital after a sympathiser claimed he saw the corpse move.

However, Adeniji was confirmed dead again at Jericho hospital.

When our correspondent visited Adeniji’s mother’s home located on Samura Street, sympathisers were seen coming in droves to condole with his aged mother said to be in her 70s.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Adeniji was an employee of NAHCO. His colleagues, who came to sympathise with the family, described him as a hardworking man.

Elder sister of the deceased, Titilayo Akintunde, described the incident as a nightmare, saying there was a need for the government to curb the excesses of policemen.

She said, “One wonders why it is those that are paid to protect lives and property that “continue to add sorrows to our lives in this country.

“My brother was not a thug. He was gainfully employed at NAHCO. He had a wife and two children. Unfortunately, his life was cut short in his prime.

“The case is even more pathetic because he was killed in the presence of his six-year-old daughter and she has refused to eat since the incident. It is a sight that she will never “forget. We want justice for him. Imagine what our mother is going through right now?”

When contacted on the telephone, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said,  “There was a shooting in Agege area which led to loss of life. The patrol team within that area has been arrested and their arms have been taken for ballistic examination.”

- See more at: http://www.punchng.com/news/i-saw-policemen-kill-my-dad-six-year-old-girl/#sthash.SqR21B1B.dpuf

Mariam and slain father Adeniyi

A six-year-old girl, Mariam Adeniji, is currently in shock after witnessing the killing of her father, Rafiu Adeniji, who was allegedly shot dead by policemen on Sunday.

The little girl, who spoke to PUNCH Metro while trying to fight back tears, said her father was killed after challenging policemen over an accident along the Mangoro end of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

She said, “My daddy was driving home when someone hit his car. He went to see the policemen; they just brought out their guns and shot him. They then ran away.”

Another occupant of the vehicle, Lateef Okesola, who expressed shock at the incident, said it occurred in broad daylight.

He said, “Adeniji, Mariam and I, were all in his Honda car; Adeniji was driving. We were headed towards Agege when we saw a white police patrol vehicle with the inscription, OPS Attack, chasing a commercial bus. So, Rafiu swerved to the side and allowed the vehicle to pass.

“We continued on our journey but after a while, we found ourselves behind the same bus. Suddenly, the driver of the bus applied his brake.”

Unfortunately for Adeniji, he couldn’t stop his car fast enough as his vehicle was said to have hit the bus from behind, causing Okesola to sustain a bruise on his head. An argument was said to have ensued between the bus driver and Adeniji after the motorist demanded payment for the repair of the bus.

The deceased allegedly told the bus driver to blame the policemen for causing the accident.

“The policemen were parked on the side of the road and when Rafiu approached them to discuss what had happened, one of them alighted and shot him in the chest before fleeing.

“It was the sympathisers who gathered, that flagged down another commercial bus to take us all to the Isokoko Police Division,” Okesola added.

After obtaining a police report, Adeniji was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he was confirmed dead.

Not long after his corpse was taken to his family home at Oshodi, Adeniji was said to have been rushed to a private hospital after a sympathiser claimed he saw the corpse move.

However, Adeniji was confirmed dead again at Jericho hospital.

When our correspondent visited Adeniji’s mother’s home located on Samura Street, sympathisers were seen coming in droves to condole with his aged mother said to be in her 70s.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Adeniji was an employee of NAHCO. His colleagues, who came to sympathise with the family, described him as a hardworking man.

Elder sister of the deceased, Titilayo Akintunde, described the incident as a nightmare, saying there was a need for the government to curb the excesses of policemen.

She said, “One wonders why it is those that are paid to protect lives and property that “continue to add sorrows to our lives in this country.

“My brother was not a thug. He was gainfully employed at NAHCO. He had a wife and two children. Unfortunately, his life was cut short in his prime.

“The case is even more pathetic because he was killed in the presence of his six-year-old daughter and she has refused to eat since the incident. It is a sight that she will never “forget. We want justice for him. Imagine what our mother is going through right now?”

When contacted on the telephone, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said,  “There was a shooting in Agege area which led to loss of life. The patrol team within that area has been arrested and their arms have been taken for ballistic examination.”

- See more at: http://www.punchng.com/news/i-saw-policemen-kill-my-dad-six-year-old-girl/#sthash.SqR21B1B.dpuf

Mariam and slain father Adeniyi

A six-year-old girl, Mariam Adeniji, is currently in shock after witnessing the killing of her father, Rafiu Adeniji, who was allegedly shot dead by policemen on Sunday.

The little girl, who spoke to PUNCH Metro while trying to fight back tears, said her father was killed after challenging policemen over an accident along the Mangoro end of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

She said, “My daddy was driving home when someone hit his car. He went to see the policemen; they just brought out their guns and shot him. They then ran away.”

Another occupant of the vehicle, Lateef Okesola, who expressed shock at the incident, said it occurred in broad daylight.

He said, “Adeniji, Mariam and I, were all in his Honda car; Adeniji was driving. We were headed towards Agege when we saw a white police patrol vehicle with the inscription, OPS Attack, chasing a commercial bus. So, Rafiu swerved to the side and allowed the vehicle to pass.

“We continued on our journey but after a while, we found ourselves behind the same bus. Suddenly, the driver of the bus applied his brake.”

Unfortunately for Adeniji, he couldn’t stop his car fast enough as his vehicle was said to have hit the bus from behind, causing Okesola to sustain a bruise on his head. An argument was said to have ensued between the bus driver and Adeniji after the motorist demanded payment for the repair of the bus.

The deceased allegedly told the bus driver to blame the policemen for causing the accident.

“The policemen were parked on the side of the road and when Rafiu approached them to discuss what had happened, one of them alighted and shot him in the chest before fleeing.

“It was the sympathisers who gathered, that flagged down another commercial bus to take us all to the Isokoko Police Division,” Okesola added.

After obtaining a police report, Adeniji was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he was confirmed dead.

Not long after his corpse was taken to his family home at Oshodi, Adeniji was said to have been rushed to a private hospital after a sympathiser claimed he saw the corpse move.

However, Adeniji was confirmed dead again at Jericho hospital.

When our correspondent visited Adeniji’s mother’s home located on Samura Street, sympathisers were seen coming in droves to condole with his aged mother said to be in her 70s.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Adeniji was an employee of NAHCO. His colleagues, who came to sympathise with the family, described him as a hardworking man.

Elder sister of the deceased, Titilayo Akintunde, described the incident as a nightmare, saying there was a need for the government to curb the excesses of policemen.

She said, “One wonders why it is those that are paid to protect lives and property that “continue to add sorrows to our lives in this country.

“My brother was not a thug. He was gainfully employed at NAHCO. He had a wife and two children. Unfortunately, his life was cut short in his prime.

“The case is even more pathetic because he was killed in the presence of his six-year-old daughter and she has refused to eat since the incident. It is a sight that she will never “forget. We want justice for him. Imagine what our mother is going through right now?”

When contacted on the telephone, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said,  “There was a shooting in Agege area which led to loss of life. The patrol team within that area has been arrested and their arms have been taken for ballistic examination.”

- See more at: http://www.punchng.com/news/i-saw-policemen-kill-my-dad-six-year-old-girl/#sthash.SqR21B1B.dpuf

Mariam and slain father Adeniyi

A six-year-old girl, Mariam Adeniji, is currently in shock after witnessing the killing of her father, Rafiu Adeniji, who was allegedly shot dead by policemen on Sunday.

The little girl, who spoke to PUNCH Metro while trying to fight back tears, said her father was killed after challenging policemen over an accident along the Mangoro end of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

She said, “My daddy was driving home when someone hit his car. He went to see the policemen; they just brought out their guns and shot him. They then ran away.”

Another occupant of the vehicle, Lateef Okesola, who expressed shock at the incident, said it occurred in broad daylight.

He said, “Adeniji, Mariam and I, were all in his Honda car; Adeniji was driving. We were headed towards Agege when we saw a white police patrol vehicle with the inscription, OPS Attack, chasing a commercial bus. So, Rafiu swerved to the side and allowed the vehicle to pass.

“We continued on our journey but after a while, we found ourselves behind the same bus. Suddenly, the driver of the bus applied his brake.”

Unfortunately for Adeniji, he couldn’t stop his car fast enough as his vehicle was said to have hit the bus from behind, causing Okesola to sustain a bruise on his head. An argument was said to have ensued between the bus driver and Adeniji after the motorist demanded payment for the repair of the bus.

The deceased allegedly told the bus driver to blame the policemen for causing the accident.

“The policemen were parked on the side of the road and when Rafiu approached them to discuss what had happened, one of them alighted and shot him in the chest before fleeing.

“It was the sympathisers who gathered, that flagged down another commercial bus to take us all to the Isokoko Police Division,” Okesola added.

After obtaining a police report, Adeniji was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he was confirmed dead.

Not long after his corpse was taken to his family home at Oshodi, Adeniji was said to have been rushed to a private hospital after a sympathiser claimed he saw the corpse move.

However, Adeniji was confirmed dead again at Jericho hospital.

When our correspondent visited Adeniji’s mother’s home located on Samura Street, sympathisers were seen coming in droves to condole with his aged mother said to be in her 70s.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Adeniji was an employee of NAHCO. His colleagues, who came to sympathise with the family, described him as a hardworking man.

Elder sister of the deceased, Titilayo Akintunde, described the incident as a nightmare, saying there was a need for the government to curb the excesses of policemen.

She said, “One wonders why it is those that are paid to protect lives and property that “continue to add sorrows to our lives in this country.

“My brother was not a thug. He was gainfully employed at NAHCO. He had a wife and two children. Unfortunately, his life was cut short in his prime.

“The case is even more pathetic because he was killed in the presence of his six-year-old daughter and she has refused to eat since the incident. It is a sight that she will never “forget. We want justice for him. Imagine what our mother is going through right now?”

When contacted on the telephone, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said,  “There was a shooting in Agege area which led to loss of life. The patrol team within that area has been arrested and their arms have been taken for ballistic examination.”

- See more at: http://www.punchng.com/news/i-saw-policemen-kill-my-dad-six-year-old-girl/#sthash.SqR21B1B.dpuf

Mariam and slain father Adeniyi

A six-year-old girl, Mariam Adeniji, is currently in shock after witnessing the killing of her father, Rafiu Adeniji, who was allegedly shot dead by policemen on Sunday.

The little girl, who spoke to PUNCH Metro while trying to fight back tears, said her father was killed after challenging policemen over an accident along the Mangoro end of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

She said, “My daddy was driving home when someone hit his car. He went to see the policemen; they just brought out their guns and shot him. They then ran away.”

Another occupant of the vehicle, Lateef Okesola, who expressed shock at the incident, said it occurred in broad daylight.

He said, “Adeniji, Mariam and I, were all in his Honda car; Adeniji was driving. We were headed towards Agege when we saw a white police patrol vehicle with the inscription, OPS Attack, chasing a commercial bus. So, Rafiu swerved to the side and allowed the vehicle to pass.

“We continued on our journey but after a while, we found ourselves behind the same bus. Suddenly, the driver of the bus applied his brake.”

Unfortunately for Adeniji, he couldn’t stop his car fast enough as his vehicle was said to have hit the bus from behind, causing Okesola to sustain a bruise on his head. An argument was said to have ensued between the bus driver and Adeniji after the motorist demanded payment for the repair of the bus.

The deceased allegedly told the bus driver to blame the policemen for causing the accident.

“The policemen were parked on the side of the road and when Rafiu approached them to discuss what had happened, one of them alighted and shot him in the chest before fleeing.

“It was the sympathisers who gathered, that flagged down another commercial bus to take us all to the Isokoko Police Division,” Okesola added.

After obtaining a police report, Adeniji was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he was confirmed dead.

Not long after his corpse was taken to his family home at Oshodi, Adeniji was said to have been rushed to a private hospital after a sympathiser claimed he saw the corpse move.

However, Adeniji was confirmed dead again at Jericho hospital.

When our correspondent visited Adeniji’s mother’s home located on Samura Street, sympathisers were seen coming in droves to condole with his aged mother said to be in her 70s.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Adeniji was an employee of NAHCO. His colleagues, who came to sympathise with the family, described him as a hardworking man.

Elder sister of the deceased, Titilayo Akintunde, described the incident as a nightmare, saying there was a need for the government to curb the excesses of policemen.

She said, “One wonders why it is those that are paid to protect lives and property that “continue to add sorrows to our lives in this country.

“My brother was not a thug. He was gainfully employed at NAHCO. He had a wife and two children. Unfortunately, his life was cut short in his prime.

“The case is even more pathetic because he was killed in the presence of his six-year-old daughter and she has refused to eat since the incident. It is a sight that she will never “forget. We want justice for him. Imagine what our mother is going through right now?”

When contacted on the telephone, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said,  “There was a shooting in Agege area which led to loss of life. The patrol team within that area has been arrested and their arms have been taken for ballistic examination.”

- See more at: http://www.punchng.com/news/i-saw-policemen-kill-my-dad-six-year-old-girl/#sthash.SqR21B1B.dpuf