3 killed in Rivers cult war

Published

9 hours ago

February 3, 2025

…3 suspects in Police net

Three persons have reportedly lost their lives as fresh cult war broke out between two rival groups in Onne community, in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

It was gathered that latest attack which occurred on Saturday with one death, was a reprisal of two killings on Friday between the two cult groups which names remain unidentified.

Community sources disclosed that among the deceased was a cultist known as ‘Small Lighter,’ who had allegedly been unleashing terror on the area.

The cult war, it was gathered, had threatened the peace of the community, forcing residents to flee their homes fearing escalation of attacks.

State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), has confirmed the cult clash to journalists on Sunday.

She confirmed the death of three persons and also arrest of three suspects.

The PPRO was quoted, saying, “Yes, I can confirm the cult clash. Three persons were killed, and three suspects were arrested.

“From the information available to me, one of the suspects, called ‘Small Lighter,’ who has been terrorising the Eleme axis, killed one person from the other cult.

“So, in retaliation, they went after him and killed him. One other person was killed earlier; so, three people in total.”

The PPRO added that the Police Command has deployed its tactical operatives to forestall escalation of killings.

She said: “Our men (Police) have been deployed to the area, and calm has been restored. The investigation is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects and ensure they are prosecuted.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of Eleme LGA, Brian Gokpa, has pledged to support security operatives in apprehending and prosecuting those responsible for the killings.

Gokpa urged Onne youths to remain calm and maintain peace in their areas, assuring that security operatives have contained the situation.

He commended the State Police command and other security agencies for their swift response to the cult clash and professionalism in handling this crisis.

He said: “Security agencies have been deployed to Onne. Everything is under control because we are working with the relevant security agencies. So, there is no need for panic.

“Let me also use this medium to advise Onne youths to remain calm. Nobody should take the law into their own hands as security agencies are on top of the situation.”

DailySun

Electricity, telecom tariffs increase unconscionable, should be stopped – Shehu Sani

Published

2 hours ago

February 3, 2025

Seyi Babalola

Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has described the planned increase in electricity and telecom tariffs as unconscionable.

The statement comes after the telecoms regulator last week approved the increase in mobile tariffs.

The federal government also recently said that plans were ongoing to increase electricity tariffs “over the next few months.”

However, Sani, who said the government’s plan is unreasonable, insisted that it should be halted.

The ex-lawmaker also expressed his support for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the scheduled protest against the government’s proposal, calling it a welcome development.

“The planned increase in electricity tariffs in the midst of poor power supply and the proposal to increase telecom tariffs is unconscionable and should be halted. The scheduled labour union protest is a welcome development,” he posted on X.

News

Trump to cut off funding to South Africa, gives reason

Published

2 hours ago

February 3, 2025

Seyi Babalola

The United States President, Donald Trump, has revealed his decision to cut off all future funding to South Africa, citing poor treatment of “certain classes of people.”

Trump made this known on Sunday in a post on Truth Social, his social media platform.

According to Trump, South Africa was seizing land and mistreating some citizens without concern for the violations of their rights.

“South Africa is confiscating land and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.

“I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!” Trump wrote.

Reports suggest that the American leader may be defending White South Africans, some of whom have alleged that the South African policy is unfair to them.

News

Telecoms tariff hike: Nigerian govt in last-minute move to avert NLC shutdown

Published

2 hours ago

February 3, 2025

Seyi Babalola

There are indications that the federal government will on Monday meet with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to stop the planned Tuesday nationwide protest against the 50 percent telecommunications tariff hike.

A reliable source familiar with the matter, who preferred anonymity, disclosed this on Monday morning, noting that the meeting between the NLC leadership and the federal government is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday.

The source said the meeting was a “dialogue on matters of national interest as it affects Nigerian workers.”

According to the source, it will be an inter-ministerial meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), purposely to resolve issues raised by the NLC concerning the federal government’s approved upward adjustment to telecommunications tariffs, which the NLC, its allies, and others are vehemently opposing.

This comes as the NLC is already mobilizing workers for a mass protest tomorrow (February 4) against the 50 percent tariff hike approval.

On Thursday last week, in a letter to affiliate unions and state councils, NLC General Secretary Emma Ugboaja urged them to mobilize other Nigerians to send a serious message to the government.

The planned protest follows the 50 percent telecom tariff approval by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on January 20, 2025.

The approval had sparked widespread rejection among telecom subscribers.