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Concerns as commercial sex workers invade Lagos malls, lure men Concerns are rising as young ladies suspected to be commercial sex workers now loiter around major shopping malls and highbrow streets in Lagos to lure prospective customers. PUNCH Metro learnt that the skimpily-dressed ladies usually position themselves in strategic locations within the malls to lure men. Our correspondents who visited places such as Ikeja City Mall, Festival Mall and Allen Avenue observed that ladies suspected to be between the ages of 20 and 30 were lurking around the premises to woo prospective customers. One of our correspondents who visited ICM around 10pm on Saturday was accosted by no fewer than three different young ladies in revealing and sexually enticing blouses. Our correspondent who pretended to be interested gathered that the prices being charged by the sex workers vary from one person to another and other factors such as the duration and the location of the venue. For instance, it was learn...

Cooking Gas Price Hits N1,200 Per Kg There are growing concerns over the rising price of cooking gas as a kilogramme is now sold for between N1,000 and N1,200 in parts of the country, checks by Daily Trust have shown. There are also fears that the price may rise further owing to the scarcity of the product, which marketers are attributing to supply disruption. Checks by Newsmen Lagos State yesterday showed that while 12.5 kilogrammes of cooking gas is sold for N12,000 at some retail stations, a kilogramme was sold for N1,150 and N1,200 in Lagos outskirts like Mowe, Ibafo and Magboro, among others, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State. When our correspondent visited a major retail outlet in the state, the attendants said the product was still being expected, even as many buyers had queued up with their cylinders since morning. Stop announcing plans without idea of how to implement them, Financial Times tells Tinubu Tinubu’s economic policies not living up to expecta...

A 'shattered' granddaughter has told how her Israeli grandmother was murdered by a Hamas terrorist who broke into her home and slaughtered her before using her phone to take pictures and posting them on her Facebook account.  Mor Bayder said she only found out about the tragedy when going on Facebook to see the horrific post at 7am yesterday - calling the video the 'nightmare of my life'.  In her own Facebook post, Ms Bayder paid a moving tribute to her grandmother and detailed the terrifying manner in which she was killed.  'The pillar of my life, in my family's life. My grandmother, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz all her life, was [killed] yesterday in a brutal murder by a terrorist in her home,' she wrote.  'Seven in the morning, I saw the nightmare of my life. A terrorist came home to her, killed her, took her phone, filmed the horror and published it on her Facebook wall. This is how we found out. 'The purest thing in the world, the light of my li...

Israel-Palestine unrest: LASG suspends Airlifting of second batch of intending pilgrims to Israel   Due to the prevailing unrest in the land of Israel, the airlifting of some intending pilgrims from Lagos State for a holy pilgrimage in Israel, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 10th October 2023 has been put on hold. The Board Secretary of Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, LSCPWB, Mrs. Florence Gbafe, made this known on Monday, saying that the decision was a result of keen observation of security situations in Israel. According to her, the LSCPWB and the national body in charge of coordinating pilgrimage activities in the country, the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, will announce a new date for the airlifting of the second batch of the intending pilgrims in due course. While saying that the State Christian Board regrets any inconvenience that the suspension of the airlifting of the pilgrims might cause, Gbafe stated that the intending pilgrims would be du...

Former US President, Barrack Obama Reacts To Israel, Palestine War Former President of the United States of America, Barrack Obama has reacted to the ongoing hostilities between the Israelis Army and the armed group of Palestine; Hamas. DePatroit News reports that on Saturday, Hamas took Israel by surprise, killing many and kidnapping scores. In a post on his X handle, Obama condemned said; “All Americans should be horrified and outraged by the brazen terrorist attacks on Israel and the slaughter of innocent civilians.” “We grieve for those who died, pray for the safe return of those who’ve been held hostage, and stand squarely alongside our ally, Israel, as it dismantles Hamas. “As we support Israel’s right to defend itself against terror, we must keep striving for a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Obaseki Approves Payment Of 28 Years Gratuity Backlog The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has approved the payment of a 28-year backlog of gratuity for pensioners in the Edo State Local Government Staff Pension Board. This was made known by the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) and Permanent Secretary, Local Government Staff Pension Board, Mrs. Osas-Ehigie Sandra, in a statement. She said a screening exercise will be held for the payment of pensioners on the payroll of the Local Government Staff Pension Board between 1979 and 2008. “This is to inform Pensioners on the payroll of the Local Government Staff Pension Board, who retired between 1979 and 2008 that His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has graciously released fund for their gratuity and that screening exercise will be carried out in the Local Government Staff Pensions Board Premises, King Square, Benin City. “All confirmed Pensioners are to physically present themselves at the venue with their pension identity...

FG To Compel Airlines To Pay Compensation For Delayed, Cancelled Flights The Federal Government says it will soon issue an order, compelling airline operators to start paying compensation to passengers for delayed and cancelled flights not attributed to natural occurrences. Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo said this during a meeting with airline operators in Abuja on Monday. “On delayed flights, I want to speak for ordinary Nigerians who complain every day [about] delayed, cancelled flights. I know you have said all your reasons. You have blamed the government and a few things we do. But I also want to say that it is not all the time that it is government,” he said. “At times, you say you were waiting for passengers to finish passing through the screening machine. At times, they have finished passing through screening machines. They are waiting in the lounge for five hours and you cancell your flight. “So, you see, after some time, we will start implementing the provisi...

Current Administration Beginning Of A New Dawn For Women – Remi Tinubu Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, says the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given more room to women to contribute their own quota to national development. According to her, efforts to reshape Nigeria and address societal ills plaguing the female gender require active participation of women. She said this when she granted audience to the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who led senior female police officers on a courtesy visit to her office at the State House, Abuja, according to a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, on Monday. “It is the beginning of a new dawn for women in the country as the current administration will give women more room to contribute their quota. I am also looking for ways to contribute. We cannot have a Nigeria without people doing new and great things”. She noted with pride, the fact that a large number of women are actively in...

LAGOS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY COMMENDS LAGOS STATE POLICE COMMAND The Honorable Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has, on behalf of the Lagos State House of Assembly, commended the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa and the entire Command for the Command’s manifestation of ‘competence, zeal, commitment and dedication to service.’ The speaker hinged the commendation on the recent arrest of the suspected killers of Mr Sani Olaniyi, a senior aide to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, who was murdered by a notorious gang of armed robbers on Saturday, August 5, 2023, amongst other recent achievements. Rt. Hon. Obasa who conveyed his commendation in a letter signed by the Clerk of the House, O.B Onafeko, further expressed his confidence in the Lagos State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Owohunwa, to continue to ‘discharge its duties creditably well.’ CP Owohunwa, while appreciating the vote of confidence r...

Former Head Of State, Yakubu Gowon Not Dead Former Nigerian Head of State General Yakubu Gowon is alive and well. Reports went viral on social media that the former military leader has passed on. But Monday night, the former head of state denied the report. In a statement made available to newsmen on Monday night by his personal aide, Adeyeye E. Ajayi mni, Gowon is still alive and well.  

Major Airlines Suspend Flights To Israel      Major airlines have suspended flights to Israel after the nation declared war following a massive attack by Hamas. American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines suspended service as the US State Department issued travel advisories for the region citing potential for terrorism and civil unrest, Associated Press reports. A Palestinian group, Hamas, had launched its biggest attack on Israel early on Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets from Gaza and sending fighters across the border. In response, Israel said it was on a war footing and began its own strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza on Sunday, hitting housing blocks, tunnels, a mosque, and the homes of Hamas officials in Gaza. The fighting continued in several locations Monday morning. At least 700 people have reportedly been killed in Israel and more than 400 have been killed in Gaza. The PUNCH reports that the European Union, Russia, the United States, and Niger...

Nigerian Government No Longer Paying Subsidy On Petrol; Reasons Why Marketers Are Unable To Import – NNPCL The Nigerian government is no longer paying subsidy on Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as petrol.  The Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Monday in Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. He said that contrary to insinuations on social media, the federal government was no longer paying subsidy to any person or group for bringing petroleum products into the country. “No subsidy whatsoever. We are recovering our full cost from the products that we import. We sell to the market. “We understand why marketers are unable to import. We hope that they begin to do so very quickly and these are some of the interventions government is making. There is no subsidy,” he said.  Kyari further stated that the pockets of low queues witnessed across some states r...

Uche Ogbodo and husband Bobby Maris welcome baby boy. This is the actress' first son. She has two daughters – one from a previous relationship and another with husband Bobby Maris. More photos below. 

COAS COMMISSIONS FIRE STATION, BLOCKS OF ACCOMMODATION FOR SOLDIERS IN LAGOS The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has commissioned a newly constructed Fire Station at Bonny Cantonment. The Army Chief noted that the Fire station became necessary to ensure the safety of lives and property in the cantonment. He added that the station would also serve to support emergency and response agencies, when the need arises.  Similarly, the COAS has equally inaugurated newly constructed 30 blocks of flats to accommodate soldiers of the rank Corporal and below at 174 Battalion, Odogunyan Barracks, Ikorodu, Lagos state. According to the COAS, the project was executed to improve the welfare of troops and that of their families. Other projects commissioned by the COAS in the barracks are three renovated and remodeled 12 units Corporal Below Quarters. The commissioning of the housing projects ignited moments of electrifying joy, as soldiers and their families, who witn...

There is uproar in India after police officers were caught on camera throwing the body of a road accident victim into a canal. In the viral video taken by a passers by, the three uniformed police officers are seen carrying the bloodied victims to a bridge barrier. The officers in the Bihar State’s Muzaffarpur district, are then seen pushing body over the edge into the waters below. The video posted on Sunday, October 8, 2023, ha s gone viral on social media.  Rakesh Kumar, a Senior Superintendent of Police in Muzaffarpur district has admitted that the officers committed a big mistake and have since been suspended. However, he says that the accident victim was badly mangled after he was crushed by a speeding truck, and they only threw the lower half of the body. “It was the body of an elderly man who is yet to be identified. The upper half was sent for post-mortem but the lower half was badly mangled so they threw it in the canal,” Rakesh says as reported by local media. Watch video...

 TROOPS OF OPERATION SAFE HAVEN ARRESTS 3 PRISON ESCAPEES, SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS, VILLAGE ATTACKERS, RECOVER ARMS, AMMUNITION FROM 2 - 9 OCTOBER 2023 Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV from 2 to 9 October 2023 have arrested 13 criminal suspects in connection with kidnapping, prison break, cattle rustling as well as recovered arms/ammunitions and illicit drugs.  The troops arrested 3 prison escapees, Chekirmak Tapir, Senmacong Tapir and Swaroong Tapir at Barkin Ciyawa village in Qua’pan Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects escaped from Police custody in Mangu LGA. Troops also foiled an attempt by unidentified gunmen to attack Washina and Razak Villages in Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State respectively. The gunmen were engaged by own troops in a gun battle forcing them to flee due to superior firepower from troops. However, one suspect was captured during the engagement....

Many killed, 300 houses destroyed as communal conflict erupts in Cross River 9th Oct 2023 Two communities, Ovonum and Ofatura, in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State, are locked in communal strife, which has left many dead and over 300 houses destroyed. The conflict, which was caused by a dispute over a parcel of land at their farm areas, has left thousands of people homeless, following the destruction of residential houses and farmlands. “In April, this year, there was an outback of conflict between the two communities which left many dead and houses destroyed. Recently, on Independence Day, the misunderstanding arose again inside the plantation and fight started between youths of both communities “The crisis got to the climax when youths from both sides got home and related the information of what took place at the plantation to their elders and at about mid-night , there was an outbreak of violence between the two communities”. A resident of the area, Elom Obongha told...

Passport home delivery begins February 2024 — Interior minister The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said Nigerians will have their passport delivered to their homes, offices, and other locations of their choice from February 2024. Speaking on Monday at the opening ceremony of the International Week of the University Of Lagos, titled, ‘Breaking the Borders of Partnership,’ Tunji-Ojo said that by January next year, Nigerians would be able to complete the application process online. He said, “We have commenced the automation of our end-to-end passport application process, and we have given a timeline from which Nigerians will begin to experience the “sweet experience.” “By implication, Nigerians will not need to wait longer than two weeks before they get their passport. By January next year, Nigerians will be able to complete this application process online, and by February next year, with collaboration and partnership with other relevant stakeholders, Nigerians will have...

Kebbi Quarantine Service Destroys Over  N16m Worth Of Donkey Skins The Kebbi State Command of the Nigeria Agriculture Quarantine Service has destroyed eight hundred and fifty (850) confiscated donkey skins worth over sixteen point five million naira.  Speaking shortly after a brief ceremony at the outskirts of the State Capital, the Zonal Commander of the service, Dr. Adamu Isa said, the contraband was intercepted along Koko-Yauri road en route Lagos following an intelligence reports from the locals.  Dr. Isa, stated that, the skins were supposed to be exported to China by unscrupulous elements in the society, warning that the wrath of the law will never spare any person caught in the business as the agency would work round the clock to ensure donkeys never go into extinction in the country.  He said, Nigeria as a signatory to the charter protecting domestic and wild animals against extinction, the Government would respect the treaty to the later saying, the Agency h...

Petrol Tanker Explodes In Nasarawa State              A petroleum tanker laden with fuel has exploded at a filling Station in Sandaji in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital destroying property worth millions of naira. One of the pump attendants, Comfort Igwe told Radio Nigeria that the explosion occured while a tanker was discharging petroleum product.  At the time Radio Nigeria visited the scene, firefighters were working to bring the fire under control, while security personnel were controlling movement of people and vehicles along the Lafia-jos road where the filling station is situated.  A staff of the filling station who sustained injury from the fire outbreak has been rushed to hospital and is receiving medical attention.  Acting Director, Nasarawa State fire Service, Mr. Ombugu Joshua in an interview said his men were working round the clock to put out the fire. He advised residents to always alert the fire service on time whenever ...