PRESS RELEASE BARIGA CULT CLASH: POLICE ARRESTS GANG LEADER, 6 OTHERS ...Retrieves Three Power Bikes, Ammunitions Used For Operation

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested seven suspected cultists who engaged in supremacy battle in Bariga area of the State on Saturday, leading to the killing of a 65-year-old woman.

The deceased, Adejoke Adefuye was burnt beyond recognition when her house located at 19, Oshinfolarin Street in Bariga was set ablaze by the rival cult groups.

Trouble had started when members of Eiye confraternity led by one Ibrahim Balogun clashed with another rival cult group known as Aiye confraternity led by a man simply identified as Gideon in a supremacy fight at the area.

The cultists, according to reports, vandalized some vehicles parked along the road in the area, while two members of the Aiye confraternity known as Bobo and Abayomi Olubola lost their lives in the fracas.

A statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Dolapo Badmus, confirmed the arrest of the cultists, as well as some of the equipment used to carry out the operation.

Badmus said the second in command of one of the cult groups was among those arrested, while three power bikes, one live/expended cartridges and a tricycle popularly known as Keke Marwa used to get to the scene were also confiscated.

She said the cultists have been terrorizing the area for some days and that they were able to make some arrests due to the quick response to the distress calls received concerning the fracas.

Those arrested, according to Badmus include Afees Olaide Fagunwa, Nurudeen Lateef, Richard Ewa, Richard Abayomi, Mohammed Musa, Kayode Dada and Adams Adelakun. 

She said that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Gbagada General Hospital for autopsy by the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) while other occupants of the burnt building who sustained minor injuries were treated by the Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS).

She said that further investigation into the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.

SIGNED

SHINA ODUNUGA

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

JANUARY 24, 2016

Two Lassa Fever Patients die at FMC Asaba, Nurses Flee... January 24, 2016

By Isidi Monica

Tension over Lassa fever outbreak has continued to unsettle patients at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba following the death of two patients within four days.

While many of the patients and nurses have fled the hospital for fear of the unknown, over 55 persons have been reportedly killed across the country in the last few weeks of its outbreak.

Investigation revealed that it took the efforts of the Health workers at the FMC to remove the bodies of the two patients reportedly said to have died of the diseases.

The two victims (names withheld), hospital sources said died two days interval after being managed for a week plus but the State Health Commissioner, Dr. Nicholas Azinge who refused to confirm the incident, said “I know some persons have died, I cannot speak further on that because the Federal Ministry of Health is already doing something to sensitize the people and we in Delta State are also sensitising our people”.

With twenty-two patients quarantined at present at the hospital, further investigation revealed that there are palpable tension and fear of the unknown among the health workers, especially the doctors who feared that the disease may be something else.

A Doctor who did not want his name in the print, said “We too we are afraid of the present situation with over twenty two persons already quarantined and so far three have died, so the situation expresses deep fears of the unknown, but by the grace of God, we shall overcome the situation”.

But in a swift reaction, the acting Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Victor Osiatumeh said “It is not as if Nurses or patients have fled the hospital, as for the nurses and doctors, they are careful with protective measures to ensure they too are not contacted, the situation as a matter of fact is precarious but we are managing it, especially the twenty two persons quarantined”.

Further investigation revealed that relations of the twenty-two quarantined persons are also careful with a view to ensuring they are not infected with the disease. 
Two weeks ago a 65-year old woman from Anambra State died of the disease at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba after being managed for a period of time. Since then there has been panic and fear of the unknown across the State.

Borno hunters appeal to Nigerian army to allow them enter Sambisa to fight Boko Haram

By Isidi Monica

Borno state hunters have appealed to the Nigerian Army to allow them access into the dreaded Sambisa forest which is believed to be the camp of the terror group, Boko Haram. The emir of hunters in the state Mai-Gana Mai-Durma while addressing the media in Maiduguri said they are very familiar with the terrain of the much dreaded forest and so should be allowed to go in and fight the terrorist.

“We are appealing to the military authorities to allow us join the fight against Boko Haram at the Sambisa forest. We are ready to pursue the terrorists because we know the terrain very well. We will overrun Sambisa in partnership with members of the civilian JTF if given the opportunity. This will help to complement the effort of military in the anti terrorism operation. Hunters from all the 27 Borno LGAs are all in Maiduguri with our leaders doing nothing at present because of Boko Haram. Rather than idling away, we will want to assist the military in crushing Boko Haram terrorists.”he said