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No fewer than five people were killed, scores unconscious, while others sustained serious injuries in a stampede at the entrance of Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday.

Thousands of football fans, who had thronged the stadium to watch the match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria in action against the Chipolopo of Zambia on Saturday, suddenly found themselves all at one gate.

A surge followed with the fans pushing and falling over one another.

The blood stain of those who died, and those who sustained serious injuries as well as those who were in coma, were seen everywhere around the gate of the stadium.

A journalist with The PUNCH newspaper was among the victims who were injured by the soldiers who were controlling the crowd.

Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps personnel were seen standing beside some unconscious fans.

Shoes of those who had fallen victims to security manhandling were seen in every section of the stadium.

Some of the fans who spoke with our correspondent said they escaped death narrowly.

One of them, Aniema Ekong, said that apart from the five people that were taken away in ambulance dead, she did not see any possibility for some fans who were in coma to survive.

She said, “I thank God that I’m alive. This is not the first time this incident has occurred. It’s been happening. In fact, in every major tournament, there is always a tale to tell of security agents injuring or killing people.

“To me, it seems as if this stadium is a blood-sucking demon. My experience today is different. Today’s experience is a near dead one. Let them be with their stadium. To me, watching matches here again, will be impossible.”

Another fan said his girlfriend had been severely injured by security personnel manning the gate.

According to him the security pushed the lady to the gate, where she hit her left shoulder and arms against the gate and fell flat on the ground.

He said the lady had been taken to a nearby hospital.

He said, “I don’t know why there is always trouble in this stadium (Godswill Akpabio International Stadium). Each time there is a match; there is always one problem or the other.

Many people were seen leaving the stadium thanking God for their lives.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Elkana Bala, could not be reached for confirmation as his phone lines were switched off.

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We Never Seized Her Passport — NIS Denies Natasha’s Allegation

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The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has rejected claims by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central that its personnel seized her passport in an alleged attempt to stop her from travelling.

Speaking to Channels Television on Tuesday, NIS spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi responded shortly after the senator released a video alleging she was being prevented from flying. He explained that the situation was a normal part of airport immigration clearance.

According to Akinlabi, “NIS didn’t seize the distinguished senator’s passport, but rather she went through routine immigration checks and was allowed to travel.” He emphasized that the officers were carrying out standard duties and acted within the law.

He further stated that immigration officials sometimes take passports temporarily to conduct necessary checks, but that does not amount to confiscation. “The NIS officers needed to conduct their checks. They may take your passport to do so, but that doesn’t mean it was seized as alleged.”

Akinlabi noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan completed her checks and travelled as planned. He added that the senator may have assumed she was being stopped because she was waiting for the process to be concluded. “She has since been allowed to travel. Perhaps while waiting for the checks to be completed, she assumed she was being stopped from travelling.”

He pointed out that the senator’s video was recorded during the routine process, and she did not provide an update after clearance was granted. “She has travelled since then. The video was made while she was going through the checks, not after. The passport was never seized,” he said.

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Firm Seeks ‘Remote Prayer Warrior’ For N500k A Month

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A company has advertised a job vacancy for a “dedicated and spiritually grounded” prayer warrior who will serve as a corporate intercessor for its executive leadership and business operations.

The listing was posted on the recruitment platform Indeed by Betafans NG, which is identified on the website as a firm operating in the broadcast media sector.

According to the advert, the ideal applicant must be a Christian prayer warrior who will offer consistent prayer support, spiritual guidance and prophetic covering to help ensure “divine alignment, peace, and progress” across multiple business ventures.

The responsibilities outlined in the posting include leading daily and weekly intercessory prayers for the leadership team and ongoing projects; preparing and observing a structured prayer calendar with themes such as growth, protection, wisdom, partnerships and expansion; and hosting remote prayer meetings or vigils via Zoom or other virtual platforms.

The successful candidate will also be required to maintain a private prayer journal documenting topics, scriptures, insights and testimonies; provide periodic spiritual briefings on prayer focus areas; uphold confidentiality and discretion in all company-related issues; and offer spiritual support during special moments such as new product launches, crisis periods or major business decisions.

Other expectations include a strong personal commitment to a consistent prayer routine with at least three prayer sessions daily, prior experience as an intercessor or prayer coordinator, and high moral standards and humility.

The firm indicated that preference will be given to applicants with verifiable experience praying for individuals, organisations or ministries, as well as familiarity with business or startup environments, and prior ministry or intercessory background.

Spiritual mentorship was listed as an added advantage.

The advert states that the role will attract monthly pay ranging from N400,000 to N500,000.

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Tinubu Nominates Enugu Commissioner As Minister

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated a member of the Enugu State Executive Council to serve as a Minister in the Federal Government.

This development comes three weeks after Governor Peter Mbah left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The nomination was disclosed on Tuesday via an official WhatsApp platform of the Enugu State Government.

According to the announcement, the nominee is Kingsley Udeh, the Enugu State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

A message accompanying the announcement stated: “…Gov Peter Mbah is connecting Ndi Enugu to the centre.

“It’s more development, more dividends of democracy. APC all the way.

“Ndi Enugu, this is why we ALL MUST support APC and Gov Mbah’s leadership.”

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