Calabar

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that he conceived the project during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State nearly 3 decades ago.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja. He said the ministry approved the new name after consultations with its leadership and staff.

“That highway is named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway,” Umahi said.

He added, “By the powers conferred on me as minister of works, in consultation with my permanent secretary, the minister of state, directors and staff of the ministry, we decided to name it after him because of his dream for it.”

The minister said Tinubu first envisioned the project about 27 years ago while serving as Lagos State governor.

“He had that dream about 27 years back as governor of Lagos state. It is one thing to dream and another thing to have the grace of God to actualise that dream. This is one man who dreams and has the grace and divine mandate to actualise that dream,” Umahi said.

He also announced that President Tinubu approved the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres. The approval increases the total length of the corridor to about 1,100 kilometres.

Umahi further disclosed that the president approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with reinforced concrete pavement. He said the approvals also cover the completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State, the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge and the dualisation of another 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.

The minister said work was progressing on several sections of the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. He explained that the first section, which stretches from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in Lagos State, serves as a model for modern highway construction.

According to him, the second section from Eleko to the Lagos-Ogun boundary is about 60 per cent complete. He said the project is expected to reach substantial completion by November. He added that construction is also underway in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Ondo states.

Umahi expressed confidence that the approved road projects would improve transportation across the country, strengthen national unity and stimulate economic activities.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A mother of four in Cross River State, Mrs. Martina Itagbor, was murdered by some frustrated youths over accusation of a witchcraf in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.

The deceased was accused of witchcraft following the death of two brothers in a motor accident. It was on the heels of the accusations that the mother of four was beaten to death and her fingers chopped off.

It was reported that the frustrstrated youths also set her dead body ablaze, a development many people described as horrible.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Gyogon Grimah, directed that the perpetrators be tracked down, arrested and prosecuted according to the law.

This was relayed Saturday in a statement by the Command’s PPRO, SP Irene Ugbo, and made available to journalists in Calabar, the state’s capital.

The statement reads in part, “The issue of jungle justice is one crime that the Police does not take lightly and, as such, we have already commenced manhunt for those responsible for the dastardly act.

“Those responsible, no matter how highly placed, will be arrested and prosecuted according to the laws of the land.

“We are going to treat them like the criminals that they are, and no stone would be left unturned on this matter.

“They can only run but won’t hide. Enough is enough. Jungle justice is not the solution.All those involved in the murder of Mrs Itagbor would be brought to book, and the law will take it’s full cause. We won’t relent until they are in our custody,” CP Grimah assured.

By Muhammad Sabiu

A lady who looked to be in her early 20s was found stoned to death at the famous Eleven-Eleven junction in Calabar.

The incident is believed to have occurred early on Friday. A few stones were found next to her at the roundabout, and there were some visible wounds all over her remains.

Despite sympathizers having gathered around her motionless body in an attempt to identify her, the identity could still not be established.

At around 8 a.m., a pickup vehicle with some police officers arrived on the scene, preparing to evacuate the body.

As of the time of filing this report, The Daily Reality source has not been able to get information indicating that the police in Cross River State have reacted to the incident.

Eleven-eleven roundabout is next to The Millennium Park, where the military and the State government stage significant parades and celebrations.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of the Uyo Zonal Command has apprehended no fewer than 33 suspects, alleged to have been involved in Internet fraud, in different places in Calabar, Cross River State.

This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the anti-graft agency via its official Facebook account.

According to the commission, “The suspects aged between 22-35 years are Modey Terrence Akong, Detoo Bem Daniel, Godson Topbie, Moses Valentine Nkpung, Idang Confidence, Chinagorom Edward, Enwereuzo Chidiebere, Obioma ThankGod, Richard Reinhard, Clinton Christopher, Raymond Samuel, Etim Paul, Okechukwu Caleb and Joseph Akobo.

“Others are Morayo Jerry, Ogar Jemyford, Emmanuel Chika, Okpubeku Prosper, Onedo Caleb, Enajemo Oghenekaro, Great Asume, Ebuka Uzokwe, Obikwelu Ugochukwu, Oloko Pius Monshe, Gideon Ani, Effiong Akaninyene, Agoh Oscar, Agu Favour, Abang Godswill, Amalam Micheal, Luka Kaben, Ifeanyi Enwereuzo and Achilonu Moses.”

Not only the arrests were made, but the commission also recovered mobile phones and computers in the course of their raid on the locations the suspected fraudsters were nabbed.

“At the point of arrest, several laptops and mobile phones were recovered from the suspects. Also recovered from them are three Lexus saloon cars with registration numbers: LAGOS AKD 56 FQ, ABUJA KUJ 79 BM and IMO UMG 956 KU; a Toyota Camry and a Honda Accord with registration numbers LAGOS -APP 368FY and OYO-BDJ 476AQ respectively,” the commission stated

It also added that “The arrested suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”