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Anti-Tinubu Passenger: Reps Demand Tighter Security At Airports

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The House of Representatives has called for tighter security in and around airports across the country for better protection of lives and property of air passengers.

The call followed the unanimous adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by a member, Jide Jimoh, at the plenary on Tuesday.

Adopting the motion titled ‘Need to Ensure Strict Security in and Around Our Airports and Other Critical Facilities,’ the House urged the Federal Government to “improve on security standards at the airports, especially exploring technology.”

The lawmakers also urged the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and other relevant agencies in the aviation sector to “pay more attention to security concern and ensure the lives of citizens are not in any way endangered.”

The House further urged security agencies to “ensure that unscrupulous elements are not allowed to foment trouble in any guise at the airports.”

Jimoh based the motion on an incident that occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja where a passenger aboard an Ibom Airplane on an Abuja-Lagos flight, Obiajulu Uja, on Friday evening protested against the inauguration of Bola Tinubu as President on May 29, 2023.

In the viral video that made the rounds on Saturday, Uja was carried off the plane after he started a lone protest, demanding that the President-elect must never be sworn in as President

It took the efforts of no fewer than six airport security officers to evacuate him after holding up the aircraft for more than an hour.

Moving the motion, Jimoh said, “The House notes that a man reportedly caused a stir on an Abuja-Lagos flight over the weekend, thereby holding the aircraft for over an hour as it could not move until operatives of the airport eventually evacuated the man.

“The House further notes that security comes first and there is a need to take permanent and aggressive steps to improve the security of our airports. The event of Friday, March 31, 2023, is a call to take precautions on passengers’ activities in the airports.

“The House is concerned that security at the airports seems relaxed, as the said man should not have been allowed into the aircraft in the first place since reports had been made that the man had allegedly portrayed himself as an irritant around the airport before being cleared into the flight, only for him to constitute himself into a risk.

“The House is further concerned that the lives of the innocent law-abiding citizens on board the aircraft were avoidably endangered by the security breach, whereas the government had the responsibility to protect the citizens at all times.

“The House is convinced that the government or any of its agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, will not shy away from its responsibility.”

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US Agency To Probe Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ System After Pedestrian’s Death

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The US government is set to launch an investigation into Tesla’s “full self-driving” system following reports of four crashes in low-visibility conditions and the death of a pedestrian.

According to international media, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made the announcement on Thursday, citing incidents where multiple Tesla vehicles encountered poor visibility environments, including sun glare, fog, and airborne dust.

In addition to the pedestrian’s death, another crash resulted in an injury, the agency stated.

Investigators will examine the capability of “full self-driving” to “detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions, and if so, the contributing circumstances for these crashes.”

The NHTSA said the probe will cover approximately 2.4 million Tesla vehicles from the 2016 to 2024 model years.

The agency also plans to determine whether any other similar crashes involving “full self-driving” have occurred under low visibility conditions.

The NHTSA is also seeking information from Tesla regarding any updates to the system that may have influenced its performance in these environments.

“In particular, his review will assess the timing, purpose and capabilities of any such updates, as well as Tesla’s assessment of their safety impact,” the agency said.

Tesla has already recalled “full self-driving” twice following investigations by the NHTSA, which in July gathered information from law enforcement and the company after a motorcyclist was struck and killed by a Tesla using the system near Seattle.

Reports from the Associated Press indicated the recalls were due to the system being programmed to run stop signs at low speeds and other violations of traffic laws.

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Students Set Kebbi College Provost’s Residence Ablaze Over Alleged Extortion

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Students at the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, have “set the residence of the Provost, Alhaji Haruna Saidu-Sauwa, on fire” and “vandalised his vehicle.”

The protest began due to allegations that the college management “extorted N23m from the students” for “index registration for 250 graduating students.”

According to a source, the controversy started with a newly introduced Public Health programme initially affiliated with the Reproductive Health and the Public Health Association of Nigeria.

The college then merged the programme with the Department of Environmental Health, leading to a demand for an additional “N65,000 from each student for index registration,” on top of the “N30,000 already paid.”

In response to the allegations of extortion, the students resorted to violent actions, including “stoning vehicles and setting the provost’s residence on fire.”

Several staff members fled before security personnel arrived.

The provost, Saidu-Sauwa, described the allegations as “fictitious, baseless and mischievous,” denying any involvement in extorting students.

He stated that the college uses a “Single Treasury Account” where all funds are deposited, and “no one has access to the account, including me.”

He further claimed that the protest was fueled by an anonymous source attempting to discredit the college, urging students and staff to “exercise restraint” while the cause of the unrest is fully investigated.

Following the intervention of security agencies, normalcy has returned to the college.

The Kebbi State Police Command indicated that more details will be provided after a report from the Divisional Police Officer in Jega is available.

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Army Seeks Nigerians’ Support In War Against Terrorism, Says “We Can’t Do It Alone”

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The Nigerian army has urged the public to provide support in the fight against terrorism. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, noted that Nigeria is facing “asymmetric warfare” with non-state actors operating in various parts of the country.

In a video message on Friday, Musa emphasized that while the army is dedicated to restoring peace, success requires a “whole-of-society approach.”

He mentioned that Nigeria has a significant history of peacekeeping efforts both in Africa and internationally. Musa outlined the country’s current security challenges, including “Boko Haram and ISWAP in the northeast,” “banditry in the northwest,” “pipeline vandalism and sea piracy in the south-south,” and IPOB’s push for “secession” in the southeast.

Despite these ongoing issues, the armed forces are fully committed to ensuring peace across the nation. Musa also highlighted efforts to enhance “troop welfare” and training, aimed at creating a sense of normalcy in markets, schools, and the economy, especially in affected regions.

He reassured Nigerians that the military is a professional force focused on fulfilling its mission to restore “peace and security.” Musa urged the public to continue supporting the “government, the armed forces, and other security agencies” in this effort.

He concluded by stating, “We cannot do it alone… Together, we will succeed.”

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