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Akufo-Addo grants Presidential Charters to 14 private University Colleges

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has granted presidential charters to 14 private University Colleges in Ghana.

The granting of the presidential charters is to empower these institutions to award degrees, diplomas and certificates independently, thereby enhancing their autonomy and capacity to innovate.

The Presidential Charters were given to these institutions on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at a colourful ceremony held at Jubilee House, Accra.

African University of Communications and Business receiving its charter from President Akufo-Addo

INSTITUTIONS

The 14 private university colleges that were granted the charters included; Academic City University College, Haatso-Accra; KAAF University College, FettehKakraba; Entrance University College of Health Sciences, Spintex-Accra; Garden City University College, Kenyase-Kumasi; Family Health University College, Teshie-Accra; Ensign Global College, Kpong; andThrivus Institute for Biomedical Science and Technology, Lashibi-Accra.

The rest are Heritage Christian University College, Amasaman-Accra; University College of Gold Coast (formerly known as Accra Business School), Spintex-Accra; Knutsford University College, East Legon-Accra; Nobel International Business School, South Legon-Accra; Accra Metropolitan University College (formerly known as Laweh University College), Nungua-Accra; African University College of Communications and Business (formerly known as African University College of Communications), Adabraka-Accra; and National Defence College (formerly known as Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre and Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College), Teshie-Accra.

PERSEVERANCE 

In his speech, President Akufo-Addo said the ceremony was an affirmation of the vision and perseverance that these institutions have demonstrated over the years.

He recalled the number of such institutions that had earlier been granted presidential charters, depicting his government as committed to continuously providing an enabling environment to see more university colleges becoming autonomous.

He acknowledged the journeys of these institutions and reflected on the significance of the achievement, as well as the profound impact it has on Ghana’s future.

He said that the grant of a presidential charter represents the highest recognition that a tertiary institution in Ghana can achieve.

He said, “The journey of these 14 institutions has been one of relentless effort and dedication.Through mentorship by established universities, they have built robust governance structures, invested in modern facilities, expanded their academic programs, and upheld the highest standards of teaching and research. This is not only a reflection of their commitment to quality education, but it’s also an acknowledgement of their contribution to the broader development of the nation.”

President Akufo-Addo giving his address

ENCOURAGEMENT

President Akufo-Addo encouraged the leadership of these institutions to embrace this new chapter with a renewed sense of purpose.

He told them to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and foster an environment of inclusivity and diversity. And prioritise the holistic development of your students.

“Let your institutions be exemplars of excellence that inspire others to follow. The students and alumni of these institutions know that you are the torchbearers of this legacy. Strive to make the most of the opportunities afforded to you,” he remarked.

CRITERIA

A University College must follow a rigorous process and must meet stringent criteria established by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

These criteria include excellence in governance, quality assurance, academic delivery, research, and community engagement.

The tertiary education system in Ghana is composed of public and private institutions.

Public universities are established by acts of parliament with presidential assent to award their own degrees and diplomas.

On the other hand, private university colleges go through periods of academic mentorship and supervision by mentoring public institutions for the award of degrees and diplomas.

Until recently, private university colleges, after 10 years of having demonstrated sufficient capacity in governance, finances, academic matters, and infrastructural development, could then apply to the National Accreditation Board for a presidential charter to enable them to award their own degrees and diplomas.

However, following the creation of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 Act 1023, it is no longer mandatory for new tertiary education institutions to go into affiliation arrangements with existing chartered institutions to be accredited.

This means that new institutions will have to demonstrate their capacity to operate effectively from the word go.

On his part, the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, said the world of post-charter, which is an uncharted territory for you, would be smooth for them “with the fierce determination that you have.”

Editorial: Refusal To Accept EC Invitation: Police Have Raised Legitimate Concern

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THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

Ghana’s 9th general election under the 4th Republic, held on December 7, 2024 has become a hallmark of her political history. We, as a nation, have achieved this historic milestone at a time when democratic processes worldwide, particularly in Africa, are often marred by violence.

We believe that this triumph is not an accident, but a reflection of the cooperative efforts of stakeholders, whose work guaranteed the success of the polls. It is important, therefore, that we guard against snippets of the aftermath of incidents that portend doom.

We have become aware of attacks at re-collation centres created by the Electoral Commission to tally election results. Of utmost concern is the re-collation centre at the Ghana Police Academy Training School, Tesano, Accra, set up by the EC to collate results it rejected from 12 constituencies across the country.

Following reports from its returning officers that results in those constituencies were declared under duress, the Commission decided to reject them. So far, the electoral body has re-collated results from Fanteakwa North, Akwatia and Suhum constituencies.

Regrettably, the police have come under severe attacks for allowing the exercise on their premises. On Wednesday, this week, the Director of Training at EC, Dr. Serebuor Quaicoe, said the police had declined their request to provide security for the re-collation to resume for the nine outstanding constituencies. The police are reported to have said that the environment was not conducive for re-collation to resume.

Yesterday, the chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, held a press conference and appealed to the sitting President and the incoming President to help provide the necessary security for the process to resume and end. Mind you, the EC has to gazette all the election results before they become official.

What it means is that the EC has to submit a list of the gazetted MPs-elect for the 9th Parliament to the Speaker, for them to be sworn in on the eve of January 6, 2025. The potential crisis, should the re-collation not resume, is that these constituencies would not be gazetted for the MPs to be sworn in.

But the big question is: why are the police ‘refusing’ to provide security for the re-collation exercise? Though the security outfit has reportedly cited security concerns as their main concern, other factors cannot be ruled out.

As the adage goes, there is no smoke without fire – when the political parties descended heavily on the security agency for allegedly aiding the EC to declare people who ought not to have been declared winners in the disputed constituencies, the EC failed to go to their aid.

If the electoral body had done that, it would have demystified the suspicion of the police aiding the EC to engage in the alleged illegality, especially as the public was told that it was the National Election Security Taskforce that was providing security for the election process.

The Commissioner in charge of CID, who was strictly enforcing the laws at the Tesano re-collation centre, was branded as NPP women’s organiser. The IGP, Dr Akuffo Dampare himself, was not spared of this wild allegation of setting up the re-collation centre to rob people of their legitimate victories.

Former US president, Barrack Obama came to Accra to tell us about how to build strong institutions and not personalities, but we failed to heed his advice. Otherwise, how can police officers who are just applying the law be accused of aiding and abetting a supposed crime? As we earlier indicated, the EC should have gone to the aid of the police by insisting that they set up the re-collation centers and not the police, but this did not happen and the latter was vilified publicly for committing no crime.

In view of this, how can the police provide security for the next re-collation centre? Should they accept this invitation from the EC again, for the political parties to make another round of unsubstantiated allegations against them?

Again, from the look of things, both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are determined to protect the victories they claimed to have won in these disputed constituencies. This means that the probability of violence erupting during these re-collation exercises cannot be ruled out.

The police, in such situations, will definitely try to use their weapons and consequences could erode the gains made during the national election itself.

The Chronicle would, therefore, appeal to the parties to agree to disagree. We think that the safest way out is for both parties to compromise at some point, regarding these disputed seats.  Taking an entrenched position in this situation could plunge the nation into chaos and we do not want that to happen.

Ghana’s success in the just-ended elections stands in stark contrast to the unfortunate experiences in other parts of Africa and the world, where elections have triggered violence. We do not want this to happen in our motherland.

The ORAL Search

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admin
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Opinion

Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) instituted by the in-coming John Dramani Mahama’s administration sounds a very good idea, if and only if it will genuinely do the job without targeting certain institutions and personalities to settle scores, while leaving others.

The fairness of this operation devoid of political vengeance and personal vendetta will turn it into an independent state institution like EOCO, OSP and CHRAJ. If the outcome of its operations turnout to be very genuine and successful, who knows, ORAL might be given the powers to prosecute those found to have looted the state.ORAL must recover loots acquired by thugs suspected to be NDC youth during the period after the elections.

In as much as ORAL is seen to have been established to recover loots amassed by appointees of the out-going Nana Addo’s administration, it will just be fair to extent it to at least one person, who stole state funds during the Mills/Mahama administration.

Before I proceed, this write-up is not to protect anyone from the out-going administration. In fact, if I know of anyone who has ill-acquired any state funds, properties, etc., etc., I will surely inform the ORAL team about them.

In 2009, during the first year of the Mills/Mahama administration, a certain gentleman called Alfred AgbesiWoyome, confidently stole from state coffers a cool GH¢ 51,283,480.59, which was USD equivalent of $35,613,528.19 at that time. We are talking of GH¢508,561,182.52, today. This amount can surely do something good for the people of Ghana.

Ghanaians know how Woyome lied about doing business for Ghana during the Kufuor administration, but when the contract was breached, he was not paid off. The truth is, GoG had contracted Waterville to construct stadia and when it was found out that it would not complete them on time, the contract was terminated and Waterville,was paid off, as per terms of the contract. Waterville went ahead to pay off Woyome, who it had employed as financial engineer, for his service.

Later, Woyome went to government to demand payment. He was driven away by Hon. KwadwoMpiani because he had no contract with the state. Come 2009, with NDC in power, Woyome tookgovernment to court and won by default judgment, an amount of GH¢51,283,480.59. Waterville’s lawyer admitted that Woyome was paid off when GoG terminated the contract. So, where from this?

Even though Woyome could not prove that he indeed had contract with government, the court in default judgment ordered GoG to pay a judgment debt of over the GH¢51 million (over $35 million) to him. President Mills directed that payment should not be made, until the truth of the case has been fully established. Nonetheless, GoG made the payment. I believe that the then Vice president John Mahama could not have authorized payment because as Veep he had no authority over the ministers.

Later in the Nana Addo administration, the Supreme Court ruled thatWoyome was to refund the money into state coffers. Accordingly, the state went ahead to acquire Woyome’s properties to offset the money he stole. Unfortunately, it was speculated that the NDC served notice that anyone who bought any of Woyome’s properties, will lose itwhen NDC came back to power.

ORAL must consider this and clear the minds of Ghanaians that it was not set up, politically, to targetonly NPP politicians and government appointees.

I will suggest ORAL should recover the loot from Woyome, then some credibility will be given to it. I will also suggest again that ORAL must be guided by evidence and conduct operations with blind justice. Rumours, speculations, sensationalism must not cloud minds when operations are embarked.

Only a few days ago, there was speculation that the NPP government was transporting gold out of the country. There was a whole commotion as angry youth led by NDC’s national organizer, Mr. Joseph Yamin stormed the airport to halt what turned out later to be a genuine official business by PMMC. No gold was going to be smuggled out of the country into private accounts of NPP top government officials. PMMC was going about official business for Bank of Ghana. As it is the country has lost some credibility in international circles.

While at this, I will be glad if ORAL investigates the Agyapadie Document, which has created lots of confusion in people’s minds this country. The document which was alleged to have originated from the Ofori-Atta family of Akyem Abuakwa, indicated a well-orchestrated plan to take over this country. On the other hand, members of the Ofori-Atta family have hotly denied knowledge about it.

Statements in this document are indeed very alarming and since the current Nana Addo administration did nothing to commission an independent body to investigate it, it will be very much welcome if ORAL does so. Nobody, no group of people, no family must control this country and decide what we must do.

ORAL is a very good idea, but as said earlier, if it abuses its terms of reference or it is seen to be bias and deliberately protecting other looters, it will collapse. And when it does, the looters will have a field day.

The ORAL search should be conducted without fear or favour.

Hon. Daniel Dugan

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.

FDA takes steps to enforce ‘No Smoking’ regulation   

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admin
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FDA

Dr. Martin Kusi, the Western Regional Director of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), has encouraged smokers to stop the practice particularly in public places.

He indicated that the growing health risks and conditions linked to tobacco usage by some individuals in the public space had become a matter of great concern requiring stringent enforcement of regulations to control the situation.

Dr. Kusi told the Ghana News Agency that the FDA had launched a new campaign to protect public health.

He said the initiative sought to educate the public on the serious consequences of both active and passive smoking, while enforcing regulations to minimize exposure to secondhand smoking.

He highlighted the dangers associated with tobacco usage including life-threatening conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and various cancers.

Dr. Kusi illustrated how smoking impacted negatively on the organs and systems in the smoker’s body.

“The FDA’s primary focus is on protecting non-smokers as secondhand smoking can be even be more harmful, as individuals who do not smoke are involuntarily exposed to harmful toxins.”

This exposure placed non-smokers at greater risk for respiratory diseases, heart complications, and other serious health conditions.

Dr. Kusi stated that all bars, restaurants and public establishments are now required to place prominence on “No Smoking signs”, particularly in spaces where food is served.

He added that establishments must also create designated smoking areas to ensure the safety of patrons, employees and the general public.

With the festive season approaching, Dr. Kusi urged compliance with the regulations, encouraging collective action.

He noted that as the “Christmas season nears, the FDA is stepping up its education and enforcement efforts, calling on everyone to refrain from smoking in public places to protect the health of others, especially non-smokers who are often the unintended victims of tobacco smoke.”

Dr. Kusi said there is a Legislative Instrument, which empowers the FDA to enforce smoking regulations more rigorously.

He issued a strong warning to businesses and the public, stating that the passage of the LI means one couldn’t smoke anyhow.

The FDA’s renewed campaign delivered a strong message about the importance of protecting non-smokers from secondhand smoke, through education, regulation and enforcement.

Dr. Kusi on the other hand urged consumers to be wary of expired products ahead of the yuletide.

GNA

Battor Citizens Development Association congratulates Mahama

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admin
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President-elect, John Dramani Mahama

The Battor Citizens Development Association (BACIDA) has commended the president-elect, John Dramani Mahama, for winning the 2024 elections.

In a statement issue in Accra yesterday and signed by WO1 Bright Segbefia(rtd), the president of the association, it reminded Mr Mahama of his pledge to establish a public university in Battor. The following is the full statement;

The Battor Citizens Development Association (BACIDA), an incorporated group (Registration Number CG 068541024, Companies Act, 2019, Act 992) with the cardinal objective of uniting all natives of Battor for an accelerated development, wishes to send a word of congratulation to the President-elect, HE John Mahama, on his resounding victory at the 2024 polls, having garnered an unprecedented number of seats in the parliament of the fifth Republic.

BACIDA also takes the opportunity to pat on the back its ubiquitous Member of Parliament (MP), Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, not just for handsomely retaining his seat with the highest number of votes ever as an MP with 93.1%, progressing from 89% in the previous election, but also for his universally acknowledged anti-graft crusading spirit that has saved the country an unquantifiable amount of money.

BACIDA does not have to remind HE John Mahama that it is the very high expectations of the people of the constituency that have given him the biggest presidential score ever in the constituency with 93.3%. It is instructive to state that, in all the pledges in your manifesto, Your Excellency, the one that got us most excited was the construction of a public university on Battor soil.

The benefits of this edifice is indescribable, as it will tremendously curtail, if not completely stop the exodus of the people of Tongu to fishing communities in areas of Buipe, Yapei, Yeji, Abotoase, Krachi and others where they are able to practice their incredibly unproductive natural vocation of fishing; depleted stock due to use of unapproved fishing gear and methods.

This migration has been necessitated largely by the construction of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams, which has drastically reduced the flow of the Volta River, thus allowing the growth of aquatic weeds leading to water-borne diseases like bilharzia, not to talk about the extinction of oysters, a source of lucrative business a few years ago.

While the dams are strategic national assets, those downstream are reaping their negative effects and it is hoped that your administration will carefully look at this, too. We wish to bring to the attention of the President-elect that, since the creation of the North Tongu District Assembly by Professor John Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory, its headquarters, Battor-Dugame, does not have a single street tarred despite what we believe are resources enough to get at least a few tarred.

The district has so far had three chief executives but the least said about their stewardships the better though Mr Collins Arku deserves a little commendation. Take for instance, the third class road from Sege to Mepe, which was beautifully tarred under theregime of now deceased president Jerry John Rawlings, has now been riddled with potholes such that it is as discomforting as nauseating driving on it these days.

It is our hope that the next DCE will be admirably unique in his leadership style, and willing to open up for accountability to the people at regular public fora for the overall development of the district in peace and unity.

We reckon the enormity of the national tasks and assignments ahead of our indefatigable MP, Hon Ablakwa. That notwithstanding, it is the hope of BACIDA that he will continue to have his eyes on the constituency, too.

To the President-elect, BACIDA wishes to reiterate its pledge of unconditional readiness and support for you to fulfil your cherished promises to put up a University at Battor, and to compensate the 2023 flood victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage. We wish you sound health and a successful regime.

To the President-elect, BACIDA wishes to reiterate its pledge of unconditional readiness and support for you to fulfil your cherished promises to put up a University at Battor and to compensate the 2023 flood victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage. We wish you sound health and a successful regime.

‘Abuja almost looking like London,’ Akpabio hails Tinubu’s infrastructure drive

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President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has hailed President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure drive which he says has transformed the nation’s capital and other cities in the country.

Akpabio said this on Wednesday during the president’s 2025 budget presentation to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The lawmaker listed the Coastal Road which runs from Lagos State to Calabar in Cross Rivers as part of the Federal Government’s projects which he said has increased connectivity in Nigeria.

“Notably, your infrastructure renaissance has paved the way for many roads, including the Coastal Road and crucial arteries in Abuja Capital City – imagine Abuja now looking almost like London — and other parts of our country,” the Senate president said.

“These developments are not merely about concrete and asphalt; they represent the lifeblood of our economy, connecting our people and fostering growth.”

Akpabio also raised concerns about ministers and other government appointees shunning the invitation of the National Assembly when summoned.

He said such a behavior is uncalled for.

Credit: channelstv.com

Fuel price drop will not change anything, Nigerians are exhausted –Shehu Sani

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admin
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Senator Shehu Sani

The former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani has said Nigerians are so exhausted with the country’s situation to the extent that an N50 per litre premium motor spirit price reduction will not have an impact.

Sani was on Thursday, through his X account, reacting to Dangote’s announcement of a reduction in its ex-depot petrol price to N899.50 per litre.

He wrote, ‘”People are so exhausted, even if petrol is reduced by N50, they just look and move on,” he stated.

DAILY POST recalls that prior to the latest price cut, Dangote had earlier reduced its ex-depot petrol price to N970 per litre last month.

In the last seven days, petrol retailers have announced reductions in fuel prices.

First, it was the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, which slashed petrol by N20 to N10.40 per litre.

Also, other retailers also reduced their fuel prices.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Dangote Slashes Petrol Price To ₦899 Per Litre for Xmas Yuletide

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admin
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NNPCL trucks lining up for petrol loading at the Dangote Refinery

Dangote Petroleum Refinery says it has reduced the price of its petrol to N899.50K per litre to provide relief for Nigerians ahead of the Christmas and New Year holiday season.

In a statement, the company’s spokesman Anthony Chiejina said the price reduction is designed to ease transport costs during the festive period.

The refinery also said consumers can purchase an additional litre of fuel on credit for every litre bought on a cash basis.

The private-owned refinery had in November lowered the price of its petrol to N970 per litre.

“To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on PMS. From today, our petrol will be available at N899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM.

“Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank,” said Chiejina.

The spokesman for the refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (BPD), also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their continued support as the country enters the festive season.

Chiejina further emphasised the refinery’s commitment to ensuring Nigerians have access to premium quality petroleum products that are competitively priced, as well as environmentally and engine friendly.

He highlighted that the refinery’s operations mark the end of Nigeria being a dumping ground for substandard and ‘blended’ imported products, which have posed significant risks to human health, machinery, and the environment.

Credit: channelstv.com

Bomb explosion rocks Niger community, claims one, injures four

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admin
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Bomb explosion

A bomb explosion occurred in the Bassa community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, resulting in the death of one person and injuring four others.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred on Thursday morning as the victims were on their way to their farms.

Ahmed Almustapha, a resident of the community, revealed that three of the victims lost their legs in the blast and are currently receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital.

Al-Mustapha, who is related to three of the victims, stated that this is the second bomb explosion to occur in Bassa this month.

He recalled that a similar incident occurred two weeks ago, claiming one life as the victim was on his way to the farm.

Almustapha called on the Niger State Government and the federal government to provide assistance and support to enable them to return to their farms and resume their livelihoods.

Credit: dailypost.ng

35 Minors Confirmed Dead In Funfair Stampede, Ooni’s Ex-Wife Arrested                                              

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The event was advertised as free, drawing large numbers

35 minors have been confirmed dead in a stampede at a funfair held at Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan.

The incident which happened on Wednesday drew condemnation from many, including the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who vowed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Makinde also said the state government would arrest those responsible for the incident and commiserated with parents whose children in the stampede.

A day after, the State Police Command announced that seven suspects have been arrested for their roles in the disaster.

The Command’s spokesman, Adewale Osifeso, said ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, Fasasi Abdulahi; and six others were in police custody.

According to the statement, ex-queen was named as the main sponsor of the event.

“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the good people of the State that (8) Persons have since been arrested for their various involvements,” Osifeso said.

“These persons include the main event sponsor, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola ’f’ age 31yrs, Fasasi Abdulahi, ’m’ age 56yrs (School Principal Islamic High School, Ibadan), Genesis Christopher, ’m’ age 24yrs, Tanimowo Moruf,’m’ age 52yrs, Anisolaja Olabode, ‘m’ age 42yrs, Idowu Ibrahim, ‘m’ age 35yrs and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, ’m’ age 25yrs.”

The Command’s spokesman also said that six persons are injured and receiving treatment in a medical facility.

“So far (35) Thirty-Five Minors have been documented Dead while (6) Six others are critically injured and on various Medical Interventions,” he added.

Osifeso said the case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigations.

He called on residents not to panic “as they would witness high level patrols and visible Police presence to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation.”

Credit: channelstv.com

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