NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Foreign

Nigerian Union in South Africa seeks transparent probe of doctor’s death

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By Mufutau Ojo

The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) has called for a transparent investigation into the death of Dr Francis Idika, a Medical Manager at the Vryheid Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal.

 

NUSA made the call in a statement on Monday after its officials visited the widow of the deceased in Pretoria.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idika, who served the Vryheid community for 18 years, was found dead on March 30.

 

NAN reports that the deceased is survived by a wife and two children.

 

NUSA, in the statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Akindele Olunloye, rejected claims by the hospital authorities that Idika committed suicide.

 

It demanded accountability from the South African authorities regarding the true circumstances surrounding Idika’s death.

 

The statement, however, said NUSA would collaborate with South African National Civic Organisation, Public Servants Association of South Africa and

the Nigerian Doctors Forum of South Africa on the matter.

 

It also said Nigerian government

Missions in South Africa would be involved to ensure that the systemic abuse of Nigerian professionals was dealt with.

 

NUSA, in the statement, further claimed that it had unveiled “a troubling pattern of harassment and mistreatment directed at Dr Idika before his death.”

 

“Dr Idika endured years of

victimisation, wrongful disciplinary actions, and abuse at the hands of certain managers at Vryheid Hospital.

 

“We demand justice for the late Dr Idika who served the Vryheid community with commitment for 18 years.

 

” Before his death, he was harassed multiple times.

 

” At one point in December 2024, he was humiliated out of his apartment.

 

” His things were found in a separate room, with his personal belongings scattered all over,” it said.

 

The apex body of Nigerians in South Africa requested that the Department of Health should provide support for his family in this time of grief.

 

It also demanded that the department retracts its statement on SABC and eNews that he allegedly committed suicide.

 

” The report of the post-mortem states that he died of natural causes.

 

” We are certain from our assessment of this case that Dr Idika died of frustration from the continuous bullying, pressure, and gross abuse from

the hospital management,” the union said.

 

The body demanded an immediate forensic, transparent, and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Idika’s death.

 

It also called for accountability for those responsible for the alleged bullying and harassment of Idika.

 

NUSA, in the statement, further called for a review of policies protecting foreign professionals working in South African institutions.

 

According to the statement, NUSA will continue to ensure that justice is served and that no other Nigerian professional in South Africa suffers a similar fate.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Defence/Security

FRSC Corps Marshal bemoans death of rescue operative, 16 others

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Death
By Ibironke Ariyo

The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has bemoaned the tragic death of 17 persons in a road crash, including one of its emergency rescue operatives.

Mohammed expressed his condolences in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide.

The FRSC boss, however, added that the personnel who lost his life was deployed to carry out rescue operation at the scene of the crash.

He also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and urged motorists to make vehicle maintenance a priority and adhere to speed limits.

This, he said, would also help to prevent reoccurrence of such tragedies in the future.

Mohammed recalled that the fatal multiple crash occurred as a result of excessive speed and break failure at exactly 1600hrs in Gbara area of Ogun State.

He said that the crash involved 7 vehicles in the category of a white DAF truck with registration number T14007LA, Toyota Hiace Bus with registration number AGL752YC.

A Honda saloon car bearing the registration number HET680, and a Nissan Pick up Van with registration number STF10204, were also involved in the accident.

“Others are; a Nissan Pick up Van with the following registration details STF10204 belonging to Nigeria Police Force,.

” 2 Bajaj motorcycles with the registration numbers AGG448Q and PKA214WS, as well as a white DAF truck with no evidence of registration.

“The multiple crash also involved 18 victims (12 male adults, 5 female adults and 1 female child).

“Out of the number, 17 victims were killed comprising of ( 11 male adults, 5 female adults,1 female child). Only 1 victim was rescued with injury,”he said.

The FRSC corps marshal emphasised that the Corps was committed to ensuring the safety of all road users.

Mohammed, however, said that the alarming rate of speed-related crashes on the roads was a pressing concern.

He urged all motorists to take responsibility for their actions and respect speed limits.

He lamented that the consequences of speeding were devastating, and FRSC could not afford to lose more lives on Nigerian roads.

While bemoaning the death of the marshal who was killed in active service along 16 other innocent Nigerians, the corps marshal vowed that the driver responsible for the carnage would definitely be prosecuted.

“There is ongoing efforts of the Corps to ensure that all drivers involved in fatal crash face the wrath of the law.

“FRSC will continue to work tirelessly to promote road safety awareness and enforce traffic laws and the Corps will not relent in its efforts to make our roads safer for all users.

“We appeal to all stakeholders, including motorists, pedestrians and the general public to join FRSC in the crusade against speed limit violations. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Stanley Nwanosike/Kevin Okunzuwa

Defence/Security

Ritual killings: Why I advocate death penalty for perpetrators-Campaigner

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By Monday Ijeh

A campaigner against ritual killing, Mr Sunday Oyinloye, has advocated death penalty for perpetrators of the act.

 

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja that the increasing cases of ritual killings had become a source of worry.

 

Oyinloye, who blamed the development on the decay in family values, laziness and desire to get rich at all cost, said death penalty would be a great deterent.

 

The campaigner said that society, schools, families, religious bodies and government were not doing enough to address the vice.

 

Oyinloye called for more engagements on ritual killings in the country, adding that the seeming nonchalance about the menace over time was part of the reasons for its increased rate.

 

“As it is now, there is no conversation about ritual killings and we keep having cases on daily basis.

 

“Relevant stakeholders must rise up against this menace and speak out against this ugly trend where women and young girls are often the victims.

 

“Youths must be responsible, hardworking, embrace the teachings in their places of worship and shun belief in get- rich-quick syndrome,” he said.

 

Oyinloye, a media executive, also said the police and other security agencies were doing their best to address the challenge of ritual killing.

 

He, however, added that their efforts were being frustrated by the slow pace of the criminal justice administration system.

 

According to Oyinloye, the duty of the police and other security agencies ends at the point of arraigning the suspect in court.

 

He called for comprehensive reforms of the nation’s laws to make them responsive to the current realities.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Mufutau Ojo)

Defence/Security

Police confirm death of woman in Lagos hotel

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By Deborah Akpede

The police command in Lagos has confirmed the death of a young woman, whose identity is unknown, in a hotel at the Dopemu area of the state.

The spokesman of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to journalists on Sunday in Lagos.

He said the incident occurred about 9:30 p.m. on Friday.

Hundeyin said the manager of the hotel reported the case to the Dopemu Police Division.

“The manager of the hotel reported that a man walked into the hotel with a lady to have a short rest.

“The identities of the man and the lady were,  however, not taken by the hotel.

“He stated further that after an hour, the lady rushed out claiming she was feeling hot. The manager said that he gave her cold water to drink but the lady was still not feeling well.

“The lady was later rushed to a hospital on Dopemu Road where she gave up the ghost while the man that brought her to the hotel absconded, ” Hundeyin said.

He said the police detained the manager of the hotel to faciltate investigation, adding that the corpse of the lady had been deposited at the Lagos Mainland General Hospital mortuary.

According to him, investigation is on to unravel the cause of the death and trace the identity of the deceased as well as apprehend the fleeing lover. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Ijeoma Popool

General News

Ex-Kaduna Governor Makarfi loses first son

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By Abdul Hassan

Faisal Makarfi, the first son of Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, a former Governor of Kaduna State, is dead.

Alhaji Ibrahim Makarfi, a brother to the former governor, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday evening.

He said that Faisal died as a result of injuries he sustained from an accident involving his car on the Kaduna-Zaria Highway on Saturday afternoon.

He the deceased was returning from a condolence visit to the family of late Dan Isan Zazzau, who died recently.

The family member said that the deceased’s remains would be buried on Sunday at Makarfi town at 1:00 pm, in accordance with Islamic rites.

The late Faisal, aged 46, survived by a wife and a child. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mark Longyen

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