Crime
Osun State: Students Hospitalized After Tear Gas Incident During Police Drill
Approximately 35 students from Fakunle Comprehensive High School in Osogbo, Osun State, were promptly taken to the hospital after being exposed to tear gas discharged by mobile policemen in the early hours of Tuesday.
According to reports, the mobile policemen were engaged in morning exercises at the 39 Squadron Division, situated across from the school premises in the Powerline area, along the Osogbo-Ikirun road.
A teacher in the school, who pleaded anonymity stated that over 35 students collapsed after inhaling the gas.
He said “We hurriedly rushed about 13 of them to a private hospital around Aderin while O’Ambulance took others to Uniosun Teaching Hospital.”
In the meantime, Adelani Adetoro, the Permanent Secretary of the Osun State Ministry of Education, has confirmed the incident and assured that the situation is being managed effectively.
Roseline Olawuni, the Information Officer of the ministry, conveyed Adetoro’s statement, saying “The tear gas shot during mobile policemen drill affected the students in the school and were quickly carried to hospitals for treatment. I can assure the public that the situation is under control.”
Also, Osun Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, said the incident was not deliberate, adding that the policemen have been told to stop that type of drill around the area. “The situation is regrettable. The tear gas was not shot into the school,” she said.
Likewise, Arowosafe Elizabeth, the Head of Operations at Osun Ambulance Services, reported that their rescue team arrived at the school within five minutes of the incident and swiftly transported 11 students from the school premises to the hospital for further medical care.
She said: “We moved 11 patients, six to Uniosun Teaching Hospital and the others were taken to Spring Hospital near the school because before we got there the school authority had already taken the students to a private hospital. You know we cannot just disagree with them because the lives of the students are so important to us.
“When the Spring Hospital was occupied, we moved the remaining students to Uniosun Teaching Hospital. We have 11 at Uniosun Teaching Hospital and the remaining students are at Spring Hospital. In all, about 35 students were rushed to the hospitals, according to the information given to us.” she added.
Crime
#EndBadGovernance2024: Atiku Decries Dehumanisation Of Minors
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Nigeria’s 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has lamented that minors were subjected to sub human conditions for daring to stand up for their fundamental rights by allegedly participating in the #EndBadGovernance2024 protests.
The former Vice President wept bitterly in a statement on his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Friday.
He expressed shock that the horror was being perpetrated “on the orders of the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government”.
He cited extant legal provisions guaranteeing the rights to protests and children’s rights to dignity.
ALSO READ: #OndoDecides2024: INEC Ends PVC Collection
“I find it reprehensible that a man who claims to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy and had led protests now demonises those who decide to demonstrate against the effects of his harsh and draconian policies,” he added.
He made the assertions in reaction to a group of minors who collapsed at the court while being arraigned for participating in the #EndBadGovernance2024 protests in August 2024.
Atiku wrote, “A disturbing video of malnourished children being arraigned before a Federal High Court on the orders of the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has been brought to my notice.
“The horrible scene reminiscent of a Nazi concentration camp once again reflects the low premium the current government places on the lives of the vulnerable, especially children.
“For emphasis, Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act guarantees dignity of the child.
“It states that, “Every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no child shall be ‐ (a) subjected to physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, neglect or maltreatment, including sexual abuse; (b) subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
The children are being prosecuted for their alleged role in the #EndBadGovernance protests, which took place between August 1 and August 10, 2024. If they are just being arraigned three months later, one can only imagine the sort of dehumanizing conditions they had been subjected to and have been detained all this while.
“I find it reprehensible that a man who claims to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy and had led protests now demonises those who decide to demonstrate against the effects of his harsh and draconian policies.
“Children who are the most affected by these policies have every right to protest peacefully, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the Child Rights Act. A nation can be assessed by the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens. It is saddening that even underage children are not spared from the wickedness of T Pain.
“The disturbing condition under which the alleged accused children were brought to court projects the very justification for their participation in the protest in the first place. -AA”
Crime
BREAKING: NPF Arraigns VDM Over Impersonation
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Friday, arraigned social media influencer cum critic, Martins Otse, also known as, VeryDarkMan (VDM) for impersonation.
The NPF made the disclosure in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Friday.
Recall that VDM was arrested by the FCT Police Command after he appeared in a video clip dressed like an Inspector of Police.
ALSO READ: VDM Apologises Publicly For Wearing Police-Like Attire
He has also tendered his apologies.
However, the NPF revealed under the subject ‘Impersonation: VDM to appear in Court today, FCT Command leading prosecution’ that the action wastto underscore “commitment to upholding the integrity of its symbols and preventing their misuse.”
The NPF wrote, “In response to recent developments, VDM, whose real name is Mr. Martins Otse, is set to appear in court today following allegations of impersonation related to the unauthorized use of Nigeria Police Force uniforms in a viral social media video.
“The FCT Police Command is actively handling the case, underscoring the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to upholding the integrity of its symbols and preventing their misuse.
“Interested persons are encouraged to follow up on the proceedings as the case unfolds.”
Crime
Bobrisky Removed From KLM Flight To Amsterdam, Alleges Arrest By EFCC
Popular Nigerian social media personality and cross-dresser, Okuneye Idris, known as Bobrisky, was detained by immigration officials late Thursday night at the airport while preparing to board a KLM flight to Amsterdam.
In a post shared with his followers on Instagram, Bobrisky claimed he was injured during a confrontation with immigration authorities and alleged that his detention was orchestrated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
READ ALSO: EFCC Probes Top Bankers, Bobrisky Case Still Ongoing
“Nigerians help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured,” he wrote.
The incident marks the latest chapter in a series of legal and social controversies for the social media star.
Just two weeks earlier, on October 22, Bobrisky reportedly faced a similar situation when he was intercepted by authorities at the Sème border, allegedly attempting to flee Nigeria.
This recent series of detentions follows Bobrisky’s high-profile legal case earlier this year.
In April, he was sentenced to six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos for naira abuse, initially serving time at Kirikiri Prison.
However, rumors quickly emerged claiming that he spent only three weeks in custody before being discreetly moved to a private facility.
The alleged preferential treatment reportedly involved a ₦15 million bribe paid to authorities, fueling widespread speculation about celebrity influence in legal matters.
In late September, the situation intensified when social media influencer VeryDarkMan released an audio recording purportedly implicating Bobrisky.
In the leaked recording, Bobrisky allegedly suggested that musician Falz and his father, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, had approached him in prison, requesting ₦10 million in exchange for helping secure a presidential pardon.
Following the leak, Falana and Falz issued a cease-and-desist letter to Bobrisky on October 16, demanding a retraction and a public apology for what they described as defamatory comments.
Bobrisky however denied the allegations, stating that he was not responsible for the audio content and urged the Falanas to address their concerns to VeryDarkMan instead.