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Pensioners give Federal Govt deadline, announces date for naked protest

The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has threatened a nationwide naked protest on Nov. 24, if government fails to pay their outstanding pension increment arrears and palliative allowances.

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The coalition’s National Chairman, Mr Mukaila Ogunbote, announced this during a news conference on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ogunbote, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NIPOST Chapter, said the protest would hold if the Federal Government failed to fulfill the promise of paying the N32,000 approved pension increment arrears and the N25,000 palliative allowance approved since 2023.

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He said the pensioners in the diaspora had identified with the retirees in Nigeria, hence, would join the protest from their various countries, making it not just nationwide, but worldwide protest.

He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and direct the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation to release the funds.

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According to him, many pensioner have died and many are dying due to hardship, as they are unable to feed well and get good treatment when ill.

“We were told that our arrears would be paid within two weeks of the approval, yet nothing has been done.

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“If by Nov. 23, we do not receive payment, all pensioners nationwide will embark on a naked protest on Nov. 24,” Ogunbote said.

He lamented that while workers had received their own allowances, pensioners were left out.

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“Workers received the N35,000 palliative in a month, but up till now, pensioners have not been paid the N25,000 approved for us. We are more vulnerable than anyone else.

“We are appealing to President Bola Ahmed to intervene in the matter,” he said.

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Ogunbote appealed to the government to pay the owed money before December for them to prepare for Christmas celebration.

He criticised the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for not supporting the pensioners more actively in their request for the payments.

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He called for unity among workers to address the injustices perpetrated by the government, adding that government prioritised payment for other purposes while neglecting the pensioners.

He also appealed to the Minister of Finance and the Accountant General to release the owed funds urgently, as many pensioners were struggling to survive.

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The President, Civil Service Pensioners, Mr Francis Oluwo, said the persons surrounding President Tinubu were not executing instructions as mandated by the President.

Oluwo appealed to the Federal Government to act swiftly, noting that many retirees were living in poor health conditions and could barely afford medication or food.

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He said the naked protest was important, so as to pressurise the government to take appropriate payment action.

Mrs Bridget Obieto, the Assistant Secretary, Voice of Nigeria Pensioners Association, called on the NLC to use its influence to address pensioners’ demands.

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Obieto said there was the need for better support and compensation for workers who had suffered due to their work.

She urged the Federal Government to prioritise the needs of workers and pensioners over other expenditures.

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“We have served this country faithfully for over 35 years. Now that we are old, the government must not abandon us.

“We appealed to the President and First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, to ensure the prompt payment of our arrears before December to enable us celebrate the festive season with dignity,” she said.

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Mr Elijah Akindutire, Chairman Emeritus, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NIPOST Chapter, said pensioners were appealing to the Federal Government to pay the arrears so that they could eat well.

Akindutire called for large turnout at the protest on Nov. 24, to show the government protesters’ determination. (NAN)

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Suspected notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnappings arrested by Police

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Suspected notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnappings arrested by Police

The Police Command in Rivers on Wednesday, said it has arrested an alleged notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnapping incidents in the state.

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The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspect was arrested on Jan. 10.

She said that the suspect aged 30, was identified as the ringleader of a notorious kidnapping syndicate, that coordinated several abductions for ransom across the state.

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According to her, the suspect who is responsible for multiple kidnappings along the Port Harcourt International Airport Road, Omagwa, was apprehended by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit.

“The suspect was planning to relocate his operational armoury and camp to Agbonchia/Oyigbo Road in Eleme Local Government Area before his arrest,” she said.

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She said that the recovered items include an AK-47 rifle with breach number 2125 and two magazines loaded with 36 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm live ammunition.

The spokesperson said that during preliminary investigations, the suspect voluntarily confessed to being the ringleader of the kidnapping syndicate.

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According to her, the suspect and exhibits are currently in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang. (NAN)

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Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation

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Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation

The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has acknowledged that the death of Aishatu Umar, a five-time mother, resulted from professional lapses at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, a government health facility in Kano.

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According to a statement issued by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, an internal probe initiated by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, revealed that medical staff failed to remove surgical scissors from the patient’s body after an operation, a mistake that proved fatal.

Following the findings, the Board ordered the suspension of three staff members connected to the procedure, barring them from all clinical responsibilities with immediate effect.

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The case has also been handed over to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee, which will conduct a more detailed inquiry and determine appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing regulations and ethical guidelines.

“The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathizes with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form,” the statement read.

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Aishatu Umar reportedly died after complications arising from a surgery in which surgical scissors were allegedly left in her abdomen.

Her husband, Abubakar Muhammad, said she repeatedly complained of worsening health conditions after the operation, but her concerns were not adequately addressed before her death.

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The tragedy has triggered widespread anger among Kano residents, drawing attention to systemic weaknesses in supervision and accountability within public hospitals.

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Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community

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Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community

The Anambra Police Command says it has detained a masquerade, allegedly involved in unprovoked violent attacks on residents of Awgbu Community in Orumba North LGA of the state.
In a statement issued in Awka and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the incident happened on Monday.
“The Anambra Police Command wishes to inform the public, especially the people of Anambra and other concerned persons, that it has taken into custody the masquerade involved in the unprovoked and violent attacks on innocent citizens.
“The act led to a breach of public peace in Awgbu, Orumba North LGA.
“The suspect is currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice,” Ikenga added.
He described the conduct by the masquerade, as seen in the viral video currently in circulation, as “unacceptable, unlawful, and would not be tolerated under any guise”.
An eyewitness in the community told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the masquerade, accompanied by some youths, went out of its way to attack unsuspecting members of the public and destroyed people’s property.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said that the incident occurred during the last “Ofala” festival in honour of the late Traditional Ruler of Awgbu, Igwe Michael Okechukwu.
NAN reports that the festival was supposed to be a solemn cultural and symbolic celebration of the life and reign of the late monarch. (NAN)

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