Bridge collapses after heavy downpour in Kwara, 4 feared dead

Four people have been reported dead after a bridge collapsed at Oko-erin, Ilorin, Kwara State.

The bridge collapsed after a heavy downfall on Saturday night.

A car carrying three passengers was on the bridge when it collapsed, according to an eyewitness, who spoke with SaharaReporters. 

The driver and passengers dived into the canal and died before they could be rescued. 

“The bridge collapsed around 10pm on Saturday nightbecause of heavy downfall. The driver was on the bridge when it tore apart and they fell into the canal.

“They died because they could not get help as people don’t have means of rescuing them, we had to standby and expect the emergency team to come.”

El Rufai: Government officials are more likely to suffer mental health issues

Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai has said that Nigerian government appointees are more likely to suffer mental issues after or during political appointments.

El-Rufai, a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) made the disclosure at an interview with Funmi Iyanda on Public Eye Live.

“I think Government officials are more likely to suffer mental issues after and sometimes, during the office than other people….,” El-Rufai said.

“Because they are under greater pressure and they are more likely to face all the evil sides of human nature, like betrayals, double-crossing, and so on… That is why you see that many people when they leave office, just collapse literally.”

El-Rufai, during the interview, gave insights on many topics relating to governance, Kaduna’s response to COVID, his COVID-19 recovery journey, banditry and violence in Northern Nigeria.

The governor also spoke on how the Shiites leader, El-Zakzaky, being ‘lawfully’ detained despite protests by members of his Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) group.

“Today, El-Zakzaky is being in prison on the orders of Kaduna state High Court, not Federal High court,” El-Rufai said.

“So if you want to ask why El-Zakzaky was not released at the time, please ask the Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation, we are not part of it… Right now, he is in lawful custody under the direction of the court.”

Also on the virtual show was human and democratic rights activist Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello, who shared what June 12 means to her having lost her dad, MKO Abiola and mom, Kudirat Abiola to the struggle of Nigeria’s democracy.

“June 12 is a very emotional day for me, but having it being Nigeria’s democracy day, it has been beautiful and affirming, because it makes it feel like it wasn’t for nothing,” Abiola-Castello, the executive president of Women in Africa Initiatives (WIA) said.

Supported by MacArthur Foundation, Public Eye Live with Funmi Iyanda airs 8 PM every Friday on Instagram Live.

Resident doctors begin nationwide strike today

After 6 hours deliberations, the National Executive Council, NEC of the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD have resolved to proceed with its planned nationwide strike on Monday morning. This follows the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued to the Government to meet their demands.

NARD President, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba who confirmed this to ait.live says the resident doctors however appreciate the efforts of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and other stakeholders for their sincerity in resolving the issues.

The NEC of NARD resolved that the doctors managing Covid -19 at the treatment centres in Nigeria are exempted from participating in the strike as demonstration of goodwill to Nigerians.

Robbers attack POS shop in Plateau, 4 customers shot

Four unfortunate customers got shot by armed robbers during a robbery attack on a PoS shop in Panyam District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau.

The incident, which happened between 9 p.m and 9.30 p.m on June 14, threw the people of Panyam town into panic and fear.

An eye witness, one Dakok, told NAN that armed robbers came in a commando-style and began shooting in the air to scare people around as they headed straight to the PoS shop belonging to Mr. Ifeanyi Ide.

“Immediately they entered the shop, we heard gunshots and we concluded that they have killed the PoS operator.

“After the robbers have left, we got to know that he was left untouched but not the four people they met in his shop as they were shot and wounded,” Dakok said.

The Mangu Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Yusuf Balami, confirmed the incident, saying: “It is true that armed robbers attacked the PoS shop and carted away some undisclosed amount of money leaving behind four wounded persons.”

He said that when the distress call came to his office, he immediately mobilised his men in Mangu town and headed to Panyam, but that “before we could arrive, the robbers had finished their operations and left”.

He also confirmed that the four persons shot had been taken to COCIN Rural Health Hospital, Panyam, for treatment.

The DPO said although no arrest had been made so far, but that efforts were being made to track the robbers to face the full wrath of the law.

You have failed us : Northern Elders to Buhari over insecurity

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has lamented over the high rate of insecurity in the north, accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of failing to tackle the situation.

In a statement on Sunday, Ango Abdullahi, convener of the forum, said the situation is getting worse by the day.

He said the constant attacks by bandits and Boko Haram insurgents are indications that the Buhari administration “has failed woefully” in terms of security and welfare of citizens.

“Northern Elders Forum (NEF) is alarmed at the rising insecurity of communities and their properties in the North. Recent escalation of attacks by bandits, rustlers and insurgents leave the only conclusion that the people of the North are now completely at the mercy of armed gangs who roam towns and villages at will, wreaking havoc,” the statement read.

“It would appear that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and governors have lost control over the imperatives of protecting people of the North, a constitutional duty that they swore to uphold.

“The situation is getting worse literally by the day as bandits and insurgents appear to sense a huge vacuum in political will and capacity which they exploit with disastrous consequences on communities and individuals.

Abdullahi said the north has never experienced this level of insecurity, accusing Buhari of issuing threats and promises that have no effect.As a responsible body, the forum has joined millions of others in prayers and in giving advice and encouragement to all authorities that have responsibility to protect our communities,” he said.

“It is now time to say, enough is enough. Our people are known for their patience and respect for constituted authorities, but all governments must be aware by now that all Northerners have been pushed to the wall.The forum is aware that some citizens are contemplating peaceful protests, which are their constitutional rights, to draw attention of President Buhari and all levels of authority to the plight of people of the North.

“The forum urges all citizens to conduct themselves in peaceful and responsible manner & it urges governments to respect the rights of citizens to express their opinions peacefully.”

Abdulahi said NEF is consulting other groups and organisations which share its goals in order to come up with demands from the government over the “unremitting assault” on the lives and livelihood of northerners.

“The Forum reminds President Muhammadu Buhari that provision of security and pursuit of economic welfare of citizens are the only two constitutional responsibilities of the state which all leaders must achieve,” the statement read.

“Our current circumstances in the North clearly demonstrate that President Buhari’s administration has woefully failed to achieve either.This is unacceptable.

“We demand an immediate and comprehensive improvement of our security in the North. We are tired of excuses and verbal threats which criminals laugh at, and our fellow citizens see as a clear failure of leadership which they see as part of them. Enough is enough.”