Connect with us


the-abducted-children

An apprentice, identified only as Grace, has allegedly absconded with the two children of her employer, Mrs. Suliyat Azeez, in the Okokomaiko area of Lagos State.

The victims were identified as Farouk, 4; and six-year-old Kafayat.

According to PUNCH, Grace fled with the children on Friday, less than 24 hours after she resumed apprenticeship at their mother’s workshop on Ora Street, PPL bus stop, Okokomaiko.

It was learnt that the children had returned from school and gone to their mother’s shop.

Grace was said to have claimed she was going out to buy food and asked the children to accompany her.

She was, however, alleged to have absconded with the children.

Our correspondent was told that nobody had her contact or knew her place of residence.

The victims’ mother, Suliyat, said she had gone for a meeting of hairdressers when the incident happened.

She said, “The girl came to my shop on Wednesday and said she wanted to learn hairdressing. I asked who her guarantor was because she said she came alone. She said she stayed with a friend in the area and she would have come with her, but the friend had gone to work.

“On Thursday, she returned and bought soft drinks and biscuits to celebrate the commencement of her apprenticeship. I even shared the drinks with people. That was the day she started working.

“On Friday, I planned to go to her place of residence, but I had to first attend a meeting of hairdressers in the community. When I returned from the meeting around 4pm, I was told nobody knew where she went to with my children and we started searching for them. I believe she hypnotised my children.”

The victims’ father, Fatai, a mechanic, said the family had reported the incident at the Ojo and Okokomaiko police divisions.

He said other efforts at finding the children had been abortive.

“The girl just identified herself as Grace. She should be about 20 years old. My wife couldn’t collect her phone number because her phone (Suliyat) was faulty. She just decided to admit her because the girl asked for help. We don’t know any of her relatives and friends,” Fatai added.

A relative, Mr. Sanni Saidi, blamed Suliyat for not getting a snapshot of the suspect, adding that it could be difficult to find her.

He said, “On the day of her induction, Suliyat could have taken her snapshot. She could have taken her phone number. But she didn’t do all these and I think she should take the blame. This shows the extent that people could go to execute their devilish intentions. How could you steal two children without any fear of God? We appeal to the security agencies to help us find the children.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the matter was not reported at the police stations.

She urged the parents to go back to the station nearest to them, “so that invetigation can commence.”

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Dangote’s CNG Trucks Begin Product Loading At Refinery

Published

on

Dangote Refinery’s fleet of newly acquired Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks has officially kicked off product loading at its facility in Lagos.

On Monday, the trucks began taking turns at the gantry to load petroleum products for direct supply to filling stations across Nigeria.

The move follows the refinery’s August announcement that it had received the first batch of its 4,000 CNG-powered trucks—part of a fuel distribution programme valued at over ₦720 billion.

During a courtesy visit by the AfricaRice Centre on Sunday, Aliko Dangote explained that the direct distribution system was designed to reduce dependence on third-party carriers and cut out unnecessary costs.

“Losing ₦75 per litre to intermediaries who cannot guarantee delivery is not a viable option. We are committed to ensuring petroleum products get to Nigerians transparently and affordably,” the refinery said in a statement.

This rollout comes amid recent criticism from the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), who accused Dangote Refinery of offering cheaper rates to international buyers while quoting higher prices to local offtakers. Dangote has denied this, stressing that bypassing costly Single Point Mooring (SPM) systems will save the economy about ₦1.5 trillion annually.

Beyond costs, the 4,000 CNG trucks project aims to:

  • Lower logistics expenses in fuel distribution
  • Cut environmental impact compared to diesel trucking
  • Support over 42 million MSMEs by reducing energy costs

With this launch, the refinery is positioning itself not just as a supplier, but also as a distributor—reshaping how fuel reaches Nigerian consumers.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Nnamdi Kanu Seeks Transfer From DSS Custody To National Hospital

Published

on

The Federal High Court in Abuja will today (Monday) hear an application filed by Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seeking transfer from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to the National Hospital, Abuja, for urgent medical attention.

The motion, filed on September 3 by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), followed what Kanu’s lawyers described as a “worrisome decline” in his health while in detention.

Vacation judge, Justice Musa Liman, had earlier granted leave for the case to be heard during the court’s annual recess, stressing its urgency.

In a supporting affidavit, Emmanuel Kanu, the IPOB leader’s brother, said recent medical tests revealed kidney and liver complications, dangerously low potassium levels, and a swelling under Kanu’s armpit requiring immediate investigation.

Agabi told the court that doctors led by Prof. Austin Agaji had advised Kanu’s transfer to the National Hospital as an interim step. He noted that letters to the DSS on the issue had not been answered.

“The applicant’s health is seriously deteriorating considering the nature of his confinement,” Agabi argued, adding that granting the transfer would not prejudice the DSS.

Kanu has been in DSS custody since 2021 following his arrest in Kenya and repatriation to Nigeria. He is currently facing terrorism-related charges before Justice James Omotosho of the same court.

A bail application filed in May is still pending. The court is expected to hear arguments from both sides before ruling on the transfer request today.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

World Bank, IMF Forced Nigeria To End Petrol Subsidy — Femi Falana

Published

on

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) says the federal government’s removal of petrol subsidies was not a domestic policy choice but a condition imposed by international lenders.

Speaking on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, Falana argued that no country in the world has fully abolished subsidies.

“Even the United States, the United Kingdom, France and others subsidise electricity, agriculture and many aspects of people’s lives,” he said.

Falana accused the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of pressuring Nigeria to scrap the policy.

President Bola Tinubu announced the end of petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, alongside a foreign exchange market unification policy. Both measures triggered record inflation and worsening living standards.

Falana also warned against the federal government’s plan to introduce a five percent fuel surcharge, urging it not to worsen economic hardship. He said existing laws already mandated a fuel levy, but funds were never remitted to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

Between 2007 and 2011, Falana said FERMA confirmed it received nothing despite deductions from petrol sales.

“By 2022, even the Senate confirmed that over one trillion naira was owed to FERMA. Before introducing new levies, the government must explain what happened to those earlier deductions,” he said.

Falana also called for an end to the dollarisation of the economy, stressing that rejecting the naira remains a criminal offence.

Continue Reading

Most Popular