This is the Signature TV News Update
IGP Orders Immediate Probe of Invasion Of Abuja Residence Of Justice Odili, Says perpetrators must face the wrath of the law
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Bala, on Monday, ordered the immediate detailed investigations into the reported invasion of the Abuja residence of Justice Mary Odili by security agents last Friday
The order was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba.
According to the statement, the decision became necessary as the IGP declared that the leadership of the force is not aware and did not at any time order police operatives to carry out such assignment.
The IGP described the reported violation of the sanctity of the residence of the Justice of the Supreme Court as unfortunate and unacceptable, assuring the commitment of the force to the safety and security of the members of the Judiciary and Nigerians in general .
Ikoyi Building Collapse : Over 50 people trapped in the rubble, as 21-storey building collapses in Lagos
No fewer than 10 persons were feared dead on Monday when a 21-storey building collapsed on Gerard Road in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
According to reports, many people were still trapped in the rubble, including the Managing Director, Fourscore Heights Limited, Mr Femi Osibona, who owned the building, and some of his clients and engineers.
One of the workers who survived the incident, Gabriel Bassey, told newsmen that about 50 persons were still trapped in the rubble.
An eyewitness, Blessing Feyijimi, who lamented the lack of equipment by the first responders, stated that more people would have been rescued if they were better equipped.
However, the South-West Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, said four corpses were recovered from the building, adding that four were rescued.
The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, however, said the owner of the collapsed 21-storey building, under construction in Ikoyi, was given approval to construct only 15 floors, adding that the materials he used are so inferior and terrible.
ASUU confirms abduction of two professors, others in UNIABUJA
The University of Abuja chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has confirmed the abduction of two professors from the staff quarters of the institution.
The armed men suspected to be kidnappers invaded the school premises on Tuesday morning shooting sporadically and later whisked about six persons away.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command had confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, DSP Josephine Adah.
She stated that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Babaji Sunday, had dispatched additional tactical and conventional policing resources to the university’s main and satellite campuses to forestall further attacks.
Also confirming the abduction, the ASUU chairman, UNIABUJA, Dr Kassim Umaru told newsmen that the institution is working towards rescuing the victims.
According to him, those abducted were Professor Obansa and his son; Professor Oboscolo, his son and daughters, as well as Sambo Mohammed and Dr Tobins.
IN BUSINESS
FG hopeful Dangote Refinery, others will meet local fuel demand
The 650,000 Barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other modular refineries are expected to be the major drivers of Nigeria’s demand for petroleum products, which is projected to grow massively in the nearest future.
Speaking at the just concluded 15th Oil Trading and Logistics (OTL) Africa Downstream Week in Lagos, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, said NNPC Refineries’ 445,000 barrels-per-day, Dangote Refinery’s 650,000 Barrels per day and the 250,000 BSD expected to come from the Condensate Refineries through the private sector partnership respectively would supply the requirement of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) needs in Nigeria.
Kyari, who was represented by the Group Executive Director, Downstream, NNPC, Adeyemi Adetunji, explained that the diversification of NNPC’s portfolio through the acquisition of 20 per cent equity valued at $2.6 billion in the 650,000 BPD Dangote Refinery located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone would ensure national energy security and guarantee market for Nigeria’s 300,000 Barrels per day.
Dangote who was speaking on his refinery project in Lagos said it was the unsavoury situation the nation found itself that made him take up the challenge to embark on the construction of the gigantic refinery project, which he said is one of the biggest in the world.
According to him, some 29,000 Nigerians would be employed in the refinery when completed and that would also help in the employment generation drive of the federal government.
Deadly explosions hit a military hospital in Afghanistan
Taliban security official has said at least 15 people are believed to have been killed and 34 wounded after two explosions followed by gunfire hit Afghanistan’s biggest military hospital in Kabul.
According to the interior ministry spokesman Qari Saeed Khosty, the explosions took place at the entrance of the Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan hospital in the city centre and security forces had been sent to the area.
The Italian aid group Emergency, which runs a trauma hospital 3km from the site of the blast, said nine wounded had been brought in so far.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The official Bakhtar news agency quoted witnesses saying a number of Islamic State fighters entered the hospital and clashed with security forces.
The blasts add to a growing list of attacks and killings since the Taliban completed their victory over the previous Western-backed government in August, undermining their claim to have restored security to Afghanistan after decades of war.
IN SPORTS
Antonio Conte: Tottenham expected to finalise the deal with Italian on Tuesday after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo
Antonio Conte is expected to finalise a deal to become Tottenham head coach on Tuesday after a day of productive talks following Nuno Espirito Santo’s sacking.
Former Chelsea boss Conte, who Spurs targeted before appointing Nuno in the summer, has been offered an 18-month deal by Tottenham and arrived in London on Monday for face-to-face talks.
Negotiations with the Italian, who has been out of work since leaving Inter Milan in the summer, entered the final stages on Monday after Nuno was dismissed less than five months after he was appointed head coach.
Tottenham are eighth in the Premier League, 10 points off leaders Chelsea, after the 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United on Saturday.