Darth Vader actor Dave Prowse died of coronavirus, his daughter said yesterday.
The 6ft 6in former body-builder played the legendary villain in the original Star Wars films.
The Bristol-born star — also road safety superhero The Green Cross Man — had been in a London hospital for two weeks with Covid. He was 85.
Luke Skywalker star Mark Hamill, 69, tweeted: “So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader.
Actor, Husband, Father, Member of the Order of the British Empire, three-time British Weightlifting Champion and Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man.
“He loved his fans as much as they loved him.”
Because of the father of three’s stature, he played a variety of bad guys and monsters.
But daughter Rachel, 50, said: “He might have looked quite scary but as a person he was a sweet, kind and generous man.
“He really was a gentle giant. And to us he was our dad.”
Rachel, of Croydon, South London, confirmed Dave had previously been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
She added: “It’s horrible that Covid restrictions meant we did not get to see him and say goodbye.
“But when we went to collect his stuff from the hospital the nurse said what a cool guy he was.
“He was such a larger-than-life character. He would have loved to see himself trending on Twitter.”
Among his clients was Christopher Reeve, who he helped to train for the part of Superman.
In the 1960s and 70s he starred in cult series including The Saint, Department S, Space 1999, The Champions and Doctor Who, opposite Jon Pertwee.
His movie debut was 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale, as Frankenstein’s creature. He played the monster twice more in Hammer horror films.
On TV he worked with the two Ronnies, Morecambe and Wise, Benny Hill and Frankie Howerd. the Green Cross Code Man, appearing in a TV campaign and touring schools.
He was awarded the MBE for helping cut road deaths — before turning to the dark side as the legendary Sith baddie Vader.
Star Wars director George Lucas offered him a choice of parts, Vader or Chewbacca. Asked why he went for the former he said: “Everyone remembers the villain.”
Princess Leia actress Carrie Fisher nicknamed him “Darth Farmer” for his thick West Country accent, and his lines were dubbed by James Earl Jones.
Lucas is believed to have feared Dave leaked plot details — which he denied — and the pair had not spoken since Return Of The Jedi wrapped in 1983.
But last night Lucas said on the official Star Wars website: “David brought a physicality to Darth Vader that was essential for the character.
“He made Vader leap off the page and on to the big screen, with an imposing stature and movement performance to match the intensity and undercurrent of Vader’s presence.
“David was up for anything and contributed to the success of what would become a memorable, tragic figure. May he rest in peace.”
Darth Vader became one of the most iconic characters in cinema history and, until his retirement in 2016, Dave visited fan conventions all over the world.
The estimated 25 million Nigerians that will benefit from the Federal Government’s Solar Home Systems that commences this week will be expected to pay about N4,000 monthly, the presidency has said.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday titled, “25m Nigerians to own 5m solar systems at N4,000 monthly.”
Akande was giving further insight into earlier reports that the Federal Government will, from next week, commence the process of installation of five million solar home systems in underserved and off-grid communities across the country.
The installation is in continuation of the implementation of the government’s Economic Sustainability Plan.
The earlier report, however, elicited questions from Nigerians who wanted to know the cost of owning the solar system.
Akande explained that beneficiaries would be expected to pay about N4,000 monthly over three years.
He said the solar programme, nicknamed Solar Power Naija, for which installations starts in December, is being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency.
“An important aspect of the scheme is the option of outright ownership by beneficiaries at a cost ranging from N1, 500 per week to N4, 000 monthly depending on the capacities, for three years,” Akande said.
He noted that that the arrangement allows as many as 25 million Nigerians to own personal solar systems in their homes.
He added that as indicated in the Economic Sustainability Plan, the five million connections initiative is a private sector-led electricity access acceleration scheme to be facilitated by a low-cost loan facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria and implemented by REA.
“Because of the scale of materials required, solar equipment manufacturers/assemblers will be incentivised to set up facilities in Nigeria, thereby offering additional job opportunities to Nigerians.
“Also, installation, servicing and payment collections are expected to provide thousands of other jobs. In all, at least 250, 000 jobs will be created.”
It was further learnt that the World Bank, which is also participating in the plan, is providing a grant to finance 20 per cent of the retail cost of the solar system across the country.
The REA, which is the lead implementing agencies of the Solar Home System, had through its off-grid solar programme connected the people of Olooji community (Ijebu East) in Ogun State to electricity, for the first time in 200 years.
Olooji solar hybrid has a total capacity of 100KW completed with 304 solar panels, 72 batteries and over 30KM of distribution network cables, serving over 4,000 people.
Saturday’s killing of rice farmers at Kwashebe by Boko Haram insurgents in the Jere Local Government Area of Borno State attracted strong condemnations from eminent Nigerians and groups on Sunday.
The AFP had on Saturday reported that the insurgents attacked Kwashebe and killed no fewer than 43 rice farmers.
The terrorists were reported to have tied up the farmers, who were working on rice fields, before slitting their throats.
Although a member of the state Civilian Joint Task Force, Babakura Kolo, who assisted some of the survivors, put the number of people killed at 43, the United Nations on Sunday said 110 rice farmers lost their lives during the attack.
Groups and individuals, including All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria; the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and the Coalition of Northern Groups, lamented that the attack would affect food security in the country.
On Sunday, the UN shed more light on the attack, contrary to earlier reports, it said 110 civilians were killed by Boko Haram.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, who disclosed this, also said, many other persons were injured in the deadly attack by the terrorist group.
Also, the Amnesty International in a tweet on Sunday disclosed that 16 of the victims were internally displaced persons.
But Kallon, in a statement on Sunday, titled, ‘Statement on attack against civilians in Koshobe, Borno,’ stated, “I am outraged and horrified by the gruesome attack against civilians carried out by non-state armed groups in villages near Borno State capital Maiduguri. At least 110 civilians were ruthlessly killed and many others were wounded in this attack.”
He disclosed that the afternoon attack was carried out by armed men on motorcycles, who murdered men and women, who were harvesting their fields in Kwashebe and other rural communities in the Jere Local Government Area.
Kallon, while condoling with the government and people of Nigeria, also said many women might have been kidnapped during the attack.
He noted, “We have also received reports that several women may have been kidnapped. I call for their immediate release and return to safety. My thoughts are also with the rural communities in the area, who are shocked by the brutality of yesterday’s (Saturday’s) attack and fear for their safety.”
“The entire UN system and the humanitarian community working to provide life-saving and development assistance to the most vulnerable in Borno State are outraged by the incident. Such direct attacks against innocent civilians jeopardize the ability for the most vulnerable people to survive the adversity they are facing, and which we are striving to alleviate.”
The UN described the incident as “the most violent direct attack against innocent civilians this year,” and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
“It is, unfortunately, one of too many such attacks targeting farmers, fishermen and families who are trying to recover some livelihood opportunities after over a decade of conflict. I strongly condemn this attack and any act of violence against innocent civilians and I firmly urge all actors on the ground to respect international laws and humanity,” the UN official stressed.
The global organisation observed that rural communities in Borno State were facing untold hardships, adding that helping them to farm land and rebuild livelihoods were amongst the UN priorities and the only way to avoid the looming food crisis in the state.
It said civilians needed to be protected and spared from any kind of violence.
The statement read, “Innocent women, children and men desperately need food and other support and assistance, particularly at a time when we are recording some of the highest levels of food insecurity in Borno State. We owe to do our utmost to help them survive these difficult times.”
10 women still missing
Meanwhile, the Amnesty International has said that 10 women working in the rice farms where Boko Haram slaughtered 110 persons are still missing.
The organisation in a tweet on Sunday stated that 16 out of the victims were IDPs.
It read, “Boko Haram and other armed groups must renounce their unlawful and vicious campaign of violence against civilians. The Nigerian authorities, for their part, must do more to protect civilians and bring the perpetrators of all such attacks to justice.
“Amnesty International’s findings show that, of the 43 farmers slaughtered by Boko Haram yesterday, 16 were Internally Displaced Persons resident at Farm Centre IDP Camp while 10 women working in Kwashebe rice farm are still missing after the attack.”
A resident, Hassan Mohammed, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said insurgents met the farmers at their rice fields and gathered them at Kwashebe, a village four kilometres from Zabarmari. He said the insurgents shot some of them and slaughtered others.
Another resident, Labbo Tahiru disclosed to The PUNCH that almost all the people in Zabarmari, Kaddamari and surrounding villages were rice farmers.
He said, “We are rice farmers in this locality. We have not had this tragic experience before, although we have had some encounters with these insurgents.”
According to him, before the attack, there were intelligence reports indicating the terrorists were planning the attack, but soldiers only embarked on their regular patrol in the area.
Terrorists came to kill innocent people after soldiers left – Resident
“Soldiers went round the area to patrol in their vehicles. It was after they had left that the terrorists attacked the innocent farmers.”
On Sunday, the murdered farmers were given a mass burial at Zabarmari, 20 kilometres from Maiduguri.
The burial was attended by the Borno state Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum.
In his address after the burial, Zulum said the security situation in the communities must improve.
He stated, “We shall recruit more of our youths into the volunteer services and mobilise them to take the fight to the terrorists especially around Zabarmari axis so that the entire population of this locality can be secured.
Zulum, who said more than 43 people must have been killed, stated, “This is very sad. We are still appealing to the Federal Government to ensure recruitment of more of our youths into the CJTF (civilian joint task force) and hunters into the Nigerian military so that they can form part of the agro-rangers that will protect farmers.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will today (Monday) re-arraign a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and six others, for an alleged fraudulent N544m grass-cutting contract, The PUNCH has learnt.
This will be the second re-arraignment of the defendants, who were first arraigned before the late Justice Jude Okeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, Abuja on February 13, 2019.
Lawal, along with his younger brother, Hamidu Lawal, Suleiman Abubakar, Apeh Monday and two companies – Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd – had pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to them before Justice Okeke.
The prosecution was to open its case on March 18, 2019, when they announced that they had amended the 10 counts, bordering on fraud, diversion of over N544m and criminal conspiracy.
The development necessitated a re-arraignment of the defendants, who again pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial had proceeded before Justice Okeke with the EFCC still calling its witnesses, when the judge died on August 4, 2020.
Justice Okeke, aged 64, died after a brief illness at the National Hospital, Abuja.
Following the judge’s demise, the case was re-assigned to Justice Charles Agbaza of the Jabi Division of the FCT High Court, where the trial will have to start afresh.
Our correspondent gathered that the judge fixed today for the re-arraignment.
The EFCC alleged, in the 10 counts, that the defendants fraudulently converted cumulative proceeds of grass-cutting contracts worth over N500m which Lawal, as then SGF, allegedly awarded to companies in which he had interests.
A Singaporean woman, who was infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy, has given birth to a baby with antibodies against the virus.
According to Straits Times, a Singaporean publication, the baby was born earlier in November.
The birth of the child offers a new clue as to whether the novel virus can be transferred from mother to child.
Celine Ng-Chan, the mother of the child, was quoted to have said her doctor suspected that she transferred the antibodies to her child during pregnancy.
“My doctor suspects I have transferred my COVID-19 antibodies to him during my pregnancy,” she reportedly said.
Ng-Chan is said to have been mildly ill from the virus and was discharged after two and a half weeks in the hospital.
According to studies from China, antibodies that protect against COVID-19 are present in newborns of mothers who have had the the virus and possess these antibodies.
In transmission of the virus from mother to fœtus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is unknown if a pregnant woman infected with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her fœtus or baby during pregnancy or childbirth.
The active virus has not been found in samples of fluid around the baby in the womb or in breast milk till date.
Mixed reactions have continued to trail plans by the private sector Coalition Against COVID -19 (CACOVID), to spend N100 billion in rehabilitating all the 44 damaged and destroyed Police Stations nationwide, during the EndSARs protests.
Some respondents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday, commended the initiative, while some described it as a “misplaced priority “.
NAN reports that the private sector-led Coalition Alliance against COVID-19 on Thursday unveiled a N100 billion equipment support to retool the Nigerian Police Force over the next two years.
Similarly, the Bankers Committee, in collaboration with the CACOVID, agreed to support government’s efforts in rebuilding confidence in the nation’s economy in the aftermath of the EndSARs protests.
The Managing Director of BIC Consulting Services, Dr Boniface Chizea, who commended the group`s kind gestures, said that philanthropic gestures were second nature to some of its key members.
“Of course it is a laudable move, they have done a lot since their formation, including construction of isolation centres and massive provisions of palliatives.
“Philanthropic gestures is second nature to key members such as Elumelu, Dangote etc. That is what they have always done and been known for,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of Arvo Finance, Mr Ayotunde Bally, advised that the funds be used to empower and educate the members of the police force for better service delivery.
“In my opinion, gadgets and equipment should not be the first priority for funds allocated to the Nigerian police force. Those monies should be channeled towards improving the lives and working conditions of the police officers.
“The police are human and, therefore, need the right conditions and incentives to give 100 per cent to this essential vocation. I will suggest that the funds be used to adequately empower and educate the police force so that they can do their job with pride.
“Without improving their living standards and sensitising the police force, the cycle of corruption within the force will persist and such a huge amount would be wasted.
“We need the police to take pride in what they do and re-earn the respect of the citizens, this can only happen if they are well trained and well compensated,” he said.
Chief Martin Onovo, a Political Economist and a former Presidential Candidate of the National Conscience Party in 2015, urged Nigerians to insist on transparency in the CACOVID intervention.
According to him, details of all transactions from the fund should also be scrutinized, saying that the intervention can be seen as patriotic but the history of failing banks in Nigeria and the economic crisis, had created a mystery around the CACOVID intervention.
“We know how Nigerian banks accumulated over N5 trillion toxic debts for AMCON a few years back. We must insist on public transparency in this intervention.
“As these are publicly quoted companies, we can have access to information to verify their financial performance and contributions to this cause,” he said.
Grace Abdu, a journalist with Voice Of America, was on Saturday assaulted and arrested by Nigerian soldiers for ‘interviewing residents of Oyigbo in Rivers State’.
It was gathered that Abdu was illegally detained by the soldiers for several hours.
“She went there around 11, so around 12pm, the soldiers saw her and arrested her. They also seized her equipment. She was kept at the Army Post in Oyigbo for several hours before they released her this evening,” a source told SaharaReporters.
Recall that army operatives were deployed to Oyigbo amid the violence that broke out in the town after some alleged Biafran agitators clashed with security agents.
The soldiers have, however, been accused of extra-judicial killings and abuse of human rights.
The security agents are allegedly moving from house to house killing people.
Also Amnesty International said it received reports that soldiers were invading homes and that “some residents reported seeing dead bodies on the street,” allegedly shot by soldiers, but the army denied this allegation.
“Amnesty International is receiving disturbing information from Oyigbo, Rivers State.
“Despite the existing curfew, soldiers are allegedly invading homes. Some residents reported seeing dead bodies on the street, allegedly shot by soldiers.
“We are calling on the military authorities to exercise restraint and stop the killings,” the organisation tweeted.
Twenty-three-year-old Olalekan Faleye, a survivor of the shooting that greeted the peaceful #EndSARS protest at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, says he has become an amputee after the gunshot injuries he sustained to the leg on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.
He had undergone surgical amputation of his bullet-ridden right leg.
The shooting incident had attracted national and international outcry, with the Lagos State and Federal governments being urged to unravel the identity of the shooters and who deployed them.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH HealthWise a few days after he was discharged from the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, Olalekan said until the Lekki shooting, he had temporarily worked as a labourer with a construction company in Ikoyi to raise money for his ‘freedom’ as an apprentice cobbler.
He also planned to use whatever was left after his freedom ceremony to rent a shop where he could carry out his cobbler trade.
“Any time we had little or nothing to do at the construction site, I would join the #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate to demonstrate against Police brutality and bad governance.
“I recalled attending the protest on three different occasions (October 15, 16 and 17) before the soldiers’ invasion on October 20,” he said.
Struck By Soldiers’ Bullet
Olalekan arriving Igbobi.Family
Looking pale and sad, he struggled to recollect the incident of the Black Tuesday, saying the whole episode still feels like a bad dream.
“They (soldiers) arrived in a group and, without warning, started shooting at us. As people ran helter-skelter, I recalled hearing the protest coordinators screaming, ‘Don’t panic, sit on the floor together and keep waving the Nigerian flag.’
“But it was too late. People panicked when they saw the soldiers advancing and shooting at us.
“In the panic that ensued, I was hit on the right leg by a stray bullet. The force of the shot was so intense that I found myself on the ground, writhing in pain and with so much blood gushing out of my leg.
“I was there for some seconds, feeling weak and fatigued, before some fellow protesters came to my rescue. I was held by both hands and legs as they continued running while also dodging the flying bullets,” he said.
Olalekan disclosed that after his bullet-riddled leg was tied up with what looked like a shirt, he was rushed along with three other victims of the shooting to Vedic Hospital in Lekki.
“At Vedic, I was denied admission when the medical official saw the state of my bloodied leg,” he alleged.
The 23-year-old said he kept getting weaker as he was being conveyed by the rescue team in search of another hospital.
“That was how I ended up at Grandville Trauma Centre. After examining the leg, one of the doctors who attended to me announced that my limb was in a sorry state because the high-velocity projectile forcefully pierced through the muscles and blood vessels in my leg from one end before coming out at the other end.
“Consequently, I was asked to drop the contact of my parent or guardian because of the complex nature of my case,” he said.
Olalekan’s Diagnosis At Grandville
Olalekan’s medical statement, which was written on Grandville’s letterhead and secured by our correspondent, states, “To whom it may concern, OLALEKAN FALEYE MALE/23 years. The above-named patient presented to our facility four days ago (20/10/2020) around 23.28pm due to a gunshot injury to his (R) leg in about 2 hours after the incident.
“He sustained this injury as a result of his involvement in the #ENDSARS protest that occurred at the Lekki toll gate.
“He was initially taken to Vedic Hospital and then brought in here for further management.
“On presentation, GCS 15/15 O2 Sat; 98% pain and severe bleeding from the gunshot site with a point of entry and exit of the bullet. He was unable to lift his leg and move his toes.
“Diagnosis made was (i) leg injury from gunshot (ii) imminent compartment syndrome.”
The medical paper which was signed by a certain Dr. Adebayo and countersigned by Dr. Umukoro further reads, “An exploratory fasciotomy was done on the right lower limb to litigate severed blood vessels. Five units of packed RBCs were transfused over the course of admission as the patient came in with Hb of 5.6g/cll. No pulse (dorsal pedis, tibia post and ant. Arteries) was felt.
“Patient was placed on antibiotics (IV Rocephin, IV Flagyl, treated for malaria (Im arthemeter 160mg) and analgesics.
“Patients relatives have been counselled on the need for an amputation of the patient’s leg but they would need a second opinion. For further clarifications and enquiries, kindly call the hospital.”
Experts say a fasciotomy or fasciectomy is a surgical limb-saving procedure when used to treat acute compartment syndrome.
At Igbobi Hospital
After four days of admission at Grandville Trauma Centre, the patient was given a referral letter to a federal teaching hospital in Lagos for intensive treatment.
“My admission request at the teaching hospital was rejected by the management over inadequate bed space. They, however, recommended a private amenity ward within the same facility.
“When we got there, the officials said I could only be admitted if my people made a down payment of N50,000. Consequently, my mother had to secure an ambulance that took me down to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos,” he said.
“Before then, I recalled hearing the doctor at Grandville saying that my leg might likely be operated. That was the same comment I received again on the day the ambulance brought me to Igbobi. My mother screamed ‘God forbid!’
“I was completely dejected. I kept looking at the affected leg, wondering if that would be the last time I would see it. However, I braced up myself and signed the consent form against the will of my mother. It was like a death sentence and I feel it would forever remain the worst decision of my life,” he added.
PUNCH HealthWise visited NOHIL on Wednesday, and requested to speak with the medical director of the hospital, Dr. Mustapha Alimi; but he was said to have travelled out of Lagos for a conference.
Further attempt to see the facility spokesperson, Mrs. Ayo Adenike, also proved futile as she was also not available.
However, one of the consultant surgeons on duty agreed to speak with our correspondent on condition of anonymity.
Why Some Gunshot Patients Undergo Surgical Amputation
“I think I have a pretty good idea of the patient you are talking about now. That particular boy presented late,” the surgeon began.
Continuing, he said, “Let me tell you how it works. When a patient sustains a gunshot injury either to the upper or lower limb (arm or thigh) and it ruptures the major blood vessels, it will distort the flow of blood from reaching down.
“When this happens, such a person must be rushed quickly to the hospital for immediate surgery. If this is not done on time, such a limb cannot be salvaged.
“Two things are involved. First, it is about the extent of the injury. Secondly, it is also about the duration between the injury and patient presentation to the hospital.”
The surgeon said it was not a matter of just wheeling anybody into the theatre for surgical amputation because he received bullet wounds to any of the limbs.
“No, I can tell you that here in our facility at Igbobi, we have several patients with gunshot wounds who still have their arms and lower limbs intact.
“There are still people going about their normal lives with pellets lodged somewhere in their body. Because they look like small beads, people won’t know they are there unless you tell them.
“However, pellets are more injurious at close range. They are not like the usual bullets from police rifles that can be fired from long range. Those are high-velocity missiles that can even be shot from 500 metres,” he emphasised.
A Family’s Many Challenges
Back home at her one-room apartment in Alimosho Local Government of Lagos when PUNCH HealthWise visited, Olalekan’s mother, Mrs. Temitayo Faleye, struggled to put up a smile and gently roused her son from sleep.
A popular noodle seller in the community, Mrs. Faleye told our correspondent that she sensed something was wrong with her son on the night he was shot.
“I was feeling uncomfortable throughout the night. At a point, I had to rouse myself from sleep to pray against perceived evil or demonic attack. It was shortly after the supplication that I received a call that Lekan had been shot at the toll gate and hospitalised somewhere in Lekki.
“At first, I feared he had probably died and that people were not willing to tell me. I headed to the health facility around midnight just to be sure he was still alive. That was the first time I would be in Lekki in my entire life,” she said.
N206,000 Bill At Igbobi
The woman said she almost fainted when she was presented with a bill of N 206,000 at Igbobi.
She protested that her son was a survivor of the #ENDSARS protest and shouldn’t have to pay for his treatment.
“The medical team didn’t believe me and wanted to know why he didn’t present early at the facility that fateful night or the day after. It wasn’t until they saw the Grandville’s medical record that they agreed to reduce the bill. That was in addition to some injectable and pints of blood donation that we secured.
She said the crutches currently being used by her son was donated by some sympathetic workers at Igbobi.
My Son Now Miserable, Temperamental
When asked how she was coping with the challenges of having to bathe, feed and cater for her son all over again, Mrs. Faleye broke into tears.
“This trial is too much for me, considering the fact that his father has been down with stroke for seven years.
“Sometimes, I spend as much as N15,000 on transport fare to convey him [her husband] from Alimosho to Igbobi or Island General Hospital for check-up and back again.
“Worse still, my son has never remained the same ever since he lost his right limb. Olalekan has become miserable and temperamental. He won’t talk to anybody and prefers staying indoor.
“Imagine somebody who used to love running around, playing football and attending to his shoe cobbling business now confined in one place. Of course, I understand his frustration. He is no longer a happy man,” she said.
She lamented that the October 20 tragedy could, perhaps, have been averted if she had worked harder to raise enough money to pay for her son’s ‘freedom’ and secure a shop for him.
She said the 23-year-old was adept at making shoes, belts, bags and leather sandals and had dreamt of starting his own shoemaking company someday.
“All those dreams are gone. Now, he finds it difficult to adjust to his new life. He felt sorry for everything that had happened. Sometimes, he would look at me, shake his head and say he is sorry for everything.”
The Police in Rivers State have arrested three suspects who allegedly detonated explosives at a Pentecostal church, Christain Universal Church International, located at Mile 3, Diobu area of Port Harcourt.
The church is said to be owned by the father of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Punch reports.
It was learnt that the suspects, numbering about five, attacked the church around 8 pm on Saturday.
It was gathered that the gunmen’s escape plan was blocked after men of a local security outfit in the area noticed strange movements and swooped in.
The Assistant Chief Security Officer of the Azikiwe Street Security, Collins Johnbull, while narrating the incident, said one of his men was hit by a bullet in the process of chasing the suspects and currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
Johnbull said, “On Saturday, November 28, 2020, while I was on my duty post, we observed some movements around 8 pm to 9 pm, and we were on the alert. Before then we saw some strange faces, about five of them, that entered into the governor’s father’s church, and we thought they were church members having their regular evening programme, but we were suspicious of them because of the way they were moving.
“About five minutes after the boys entered the church, there was an explosion; we heard a banging noise like that of a bomb from the church, and we immediately approached the church and saw them (the suspects) jumping out of the church wearing masks and carrying guns and started shooting at my men.
“By God’s grace, we were able to apprehend three of the criminals that attacked the church, while two escaped. We did everything in our power to apprehend the hoodlums. As we are talking now, one of my men who was hit by a bullet is receiving treatment.”
Another member of the security team, Uche Brown, who corroborated the story, said the three suspects had been taken into custody by the police.
“Around 8.43 pm, some hoodlums who attacked the state governor’s father’s church at Azikiwe street tried to bring down the building by throwing dynamites into it but (they) failed.
“When they noticed that the security men were approaching them, they tried to escape, and we apprehended three of them, while two escaped, before the arrival of the police who took them into custody.”
The PUNCH correspondent who visited the area observed that security had been beefed up to forestall further breach of peace.
The spokesman for the Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident to one of our correspondents at the scene of the incident.
Omoni said the three persons arrested in connection with the incident were helping the police with an ongoing investigation.
He explained that the police anti-bomb unit had earlier arrived at the scene.
He said, “I can confirm the attack on the church and three suspects arrested in connection with the attack.
“They are helping us in our investigation. The Bomb Department has swept the church.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed grief over the killing of farmers on rice fields at Zabarmari in Jere Local Government of Borno, describing the terrorist killings as insane.
The president made the condemnation in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday.
President Buhari said the government had given all the needed support to the armed forces “to take all necessary steps to protect the country’s population and its territory.
Buhari said: “I condemn the killing of our hardworking farmers by terrorists in Borno State.
”The entire country is hurt by these senseless killings. My thoughts are with their families in this time of grief.
”May their souls Rest In Peace.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 43 farmers were murdered while unspecified number of others were unaccounted for when Boko Haram insurgents launched attacks on rice fields at Zabarmari.
NAN gathered that nine of the victims were believed to be settlers in search of greener pasture from Zamfara, seven from Kebbi and eight from Sokoto state while the remaining were indigenes of Zabarmari town.
NAN also reports that the victims would be buried today.
