Three killed as helicopter crashes in Port Harcourt

Published

2 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

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Three persons have been killed in a helicopter crash in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

Odutayo Oluseyi, spokesperson of the ministry of aviation and aerospace development, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement, the helicopter had eight persons aboard and was on a routine flight from Port Harcourt military base to an oil rig when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

The ministry confirmed that three bodies have been recovered so far, while search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the remaining passengers.

“The helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5NBQG and operated by East Wind Aviation, was en-route from Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the NUIMANTAN oil rig,” the statement reads.

“The aircraft, with eight persons on board, ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean.

“The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and emergency response teams were immediately activated, and search and rescue operations are ongoing with the support of the Nigerian Search and Rescue Unit, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies. Neighbouring aerodromes have also been notified for support.

“While no Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, manual efforts to plot the location of the accident are underway, and all available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed to assist in locating and rescuing any survivor(s). So far, three bodies have been recovered.”

Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, is said to be working with relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to “minimise casualties from the incident”.

Nigeria’s army chief dies age 56

Published

3 hours ago

November 6, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

Nigeria's Chief of Army General Taoreed Lagbaja was appointed to his position in 2023

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Nigeria’s army chief General Taoreed Lagbaja has died after a “period of illness” aged 56, President Bola Tinubu has announced.

He died on Tuesday night in Lagos. The exact details of his illness were not shared.

In a statement shared on X by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his “heartfelt condolences” to Gen Lagbaja’s family.

“President Tinubu wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honors his significant contributions to the nation,” the statement read.

His passing marks a significant loss for the Nigerian Armed Forces, where he “played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations”, it said.

Gen Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.

Equatorial Guinea VP Suspends Officials Involved in Sex Scandal

Published

19 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

Equatorial Guinea VP Suspends Officials Involved in Sex Scandal

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Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Teodoro Nguema, has taken swift action by suspending all government officials implicated in a shocking sex scandal.

Nguema announced the suspensions on his social media platform, emphasizing that severe measures will be taken against such behavior, which violates the country’s Code of Conduct and Public Ethics Law.

The scandal involves Baltasar Ebang Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency, who was caught on tape engaging in illicit activities with multiple women, including his brother’s wife, cousin, and the President’s sister.

This development comes amid concerns about corruption and abuse of power in Equatorial Guinea. The country has faced criticism for its human rights record and lack of transparency. The international community has been calling for accountability, with organizations like Human Rights Watch highlighting the need for protection of human rights and prevention of corruption.

Photo source: Instagram

Nigerian govt drops treason charges against EndBadGovernance protesters

Published

1 day ago

November 5, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

Nigerian govt drops treason charges against EndBadGovernance protesters

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Nigerian govt drops treason charges against EndBadGovernance protesters

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the treason charges brought against the #Endbadgovernance# movement by the Inspector General of Police.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu dismissed the charges on Tuesday after they were withdrawn by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, on behalf of the federal government.

Fagbemi, SAN, represented by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), M.D. Abubakar, had announced during the proceedings the exercise of his powers under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution to take over the case from the Inspector General of Police.

Upon the court granting the request, the AGF then invoked the same section of the Constitution to discontinue the trial of the 150 accused persons.

With no objections from the various lawyers representing the accused persons, Justice Egwuatu granted the request and struck out the charges.

Although the accused persons were not in court, the judge ordered their immediate release from prison remand.

President Bola Tinubu had on Monday directed the AGF to terminate the charges against the accused persons, most of whom are reportedly minors and legally exempt from such trials.

Details later.