BIG STORY

Terror Alert: British Airways Cancels London-Abuja Flight

Published

2 years ago

October 29, 2022

Porscheclassy News

Foreign Airlines may have started boycotting the nation’s capital over terror alerts issued by some foreign countries.

It would be recalled that foreign missions in Nigeria issued security alerts over likely terrorist attack on Abuja.

The embassies of Denmark, Ireland, Bulgaria, Finland and Germany in Abuja also joined United States and the United Kingdom to issue similar alerts following advisories warning of risk of terror attacks in Abuja.

Also, the US Department of State in a further escalation of the threat approved the departure of its citizens willing to leave Nigeria due to the alert. The US embassy also suspended consular services in Abuja.

On account of this development, British airways cancelled its flight which was expected to arrive in Abuja in the early hours of Saturday.

The development comes after a BA83 flight from London-Heathrow to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, was suddenly diverted to Lagos.

However, passengers affected by the cancellation and diversion have lamented that there was no adequate notice.

Passengers also said that the airline did not provide any reason for the decision, but said the diversion might not be unconnected with the terror alert in Abuja, with several foreign missions issuing travel warnings to their citizens.

It was further gathered that after BA brought Abuja-bound passengers to Lagos on Thursday, the passengers, mostly Nigerians, refused to disembark, and insisted on the flight terminating in Abuja.

One of the passengers who wrote in a WhatsApp group said, “When they refused and insisted on the flight terminating in Abuja as contracted, the crew threatened to launch tear gas at the mostly Nigerian passengers right in the plane.

“They had been telling people on board since they boarded last night, Abuja. Why must you go to that place! After an uproarious session and an hour on ground, the plane finally took off and arrived in Abuja around 11am.

“There is a lot of mischief afoot on this terror attack warning and it smells like we need to talk less and pull out antennae to their highest gain heights. This is not just a terror warning; there is more schemes and actions of enemies within and without.”

The Abuja-bound flight which was supposed to depart London by 10 p.m and arrive by 4:40 am on Saturday has been cancelled.

This was also shown on the flight radar, which indicated that the Abuja-bound flights for Friday and Saturday had been cancelled.

But the return flight from Abuja to London departed normally, it was learnt.

Efforts to make the Regional Commercial Manager Nigeria & Ghana, British Airways, Adetutu Otuyalo, react to the development were unsuccessful as SMS sent to her phone were not replied as at the time of filing this report.

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BIG STORY

Alleged N110bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello, Other’s Bail Ruling To December 10

Published

1 hour ago

November 27, 2024

PorscheClassy News

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned to December 10 for a ruling on the bail application by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others.

Bello had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The former governor, along with Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as the 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh N110bn 16-count charge instituted against them by the EFCC.

Bello, the 1st defendant, vehemently denied the allegations before Justice Maryanne Anenih as they were read out to them.

After taking their plea, the Defendant’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, moved an application for bail.

However, the EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the application, arguing that it had expired in October.

Clarifying the issue, the Defendant’s Counsel stated that the only relevant application before the Court was the motion for bail in respect of the first defendant, which was filed on November 22.

Relying on all the paragraphs of the affidavit, he added that the bail application was also supported with a written address.

Justice Anenih ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.

The EFCC had filed an N110bn alleged fraud suit against the former governor.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Court Remands Yahaya Bello In EFCC Custody Amid Alleged N110bn Fraud Case

Published

4 hours ago

November 27, 2024

PorscheClassy News

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has remanded Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello was arraigned on a 16-count charge related to alleged money laundering on Wednesday.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

More to come…

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BIG STORY

First Phase Of 10,800-Bed Hostel In LASU Ready — Tokunbo Wahab

Published

4 hours ago

November 27, 2024

PorscheClassy News

The first phase of a 10,800-bed hostel project at the Lagos State University (LASU) is now ready for inauguration, according to Tokunbo Wahab, former special adviser to the governor on education.

Wahab, who is now commissioner for environment and water resources in Lagos, describes the project as ambitious and transformative.

“ It remains one of the most ambitious and transformative projects undertaken during my time as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education,” he wrote on X.

“It was executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement which involves seven reputable investors.”

Wahab commended Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, for his leadership and continuous support.

“Proud of the work done here and to have been a part of this special one,” he added.

“Through the grace of God and the unwavering support and the dedication of the Lagos State Office of Public-Private Partnerships, the relentless efforts of the management staff of LASU, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, and the cooperation of other key stakeholders, the first phase of this landmark project has now been completed.”

Wahab emphasized that the project showcases the state government’s commitment to leveraging public-private partnerships to address critical infrastructure needs in the education sector.

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