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Passengers Panic As Man Dies Of COVID-19 Aboard Flight

By
Shalom Ekelaka
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Passengers Panic As Man Dies Of COVID-19 Aboard Flight

Panicked passengers sitting in various parts of the crowded cabin took photos as the drama unfolded before them which saw paramedics attempt to revive the passenger who was pronounced dead shortly after an emergency landing in New Orleans.

Medics who were allowed on board once the plane had landed attempted to save him while his wife revealed within earshot of other travelers that her husband had been showing symptoms of COVID-19 for the past week, having lost his sense of taste and smell.

In a terrifying ordeal for nearby passengers, the man was seen on the plane shaking and sweating and having a hard time breathing even before the flight took off.

Once in the air, his condition deteriorated rapidly and the captain made the decision to perform an emergency landing in order for the man to receive medical attention.

Just over an hour into the flight, the passenger who was sitting in seat 28D stopped breathing.

The crew asked if there were any doctors onboard and a number of people got up to help.

Some have detailed how during CPR, his bones could be heard to crack as chest compressions were carried out before he started turning blue.

Tony Aldapa was one of the passengers on board who helped perform CPR on the man.

‘I got up out of my seat, let them know “Hey I know CPR” and asked “Do you need some extra help?” I can tap in and help with chest compressions. That’s how it all started.

‘By the point that I got there to the point where the fire department got on board, it was at least 45 minutes,’ Aldapa explained.

‘There was no mouth-to-mouth at all. We were doing chest compressions and they had him on the oxygen mask from the plane, then once we had a medical bag that is kept on board we used an ambu-bag which is a bag that you squeeze to give breaths, that’s what we used for breathing,’ he detailed.

 

On Saturday night, on Twitter, Aldapa went into further details as to why he decided to get involved and what happened after the man had been removed from the aircraft.

‘By now most of you know I was on the United flight that has been in the news. I made the decision to attempt to save the passengers life and along with 2 others performed CPR for close to an hour until we landed. And continued to help the firefighters when they came onboard.

‘I knew the risks involved in performing CPR on someone that potentially has COVID but I made the choice to do so anyways. I spoke with the passengers wife about his medical history and she never mentioned he was positive, she said he was scheduled to have a test done in LA.

‘I spent the remainder of the flight covered in my own sweat and in that man’s urine. I have since become symptomatic myself and am awaiting the results of my second test. I have not been contacted by the airline or by CDC as of this time.

‘Looking back I would not change my actions, but I may have stepped up earlier. Knowing I had the knowledge, training and experience to help out, I could not have sat idly by and watched someone die.’

Aldapa told DailyMail.com that despite the photographs snapped by other travelers, there was no sense of chaos in the cabin at any point.

‘There was no chaos on board. The photos look like it but that’s because there were a lot of people in one spot in a small space. Just like when boarding a flight, it’s organized but a photo will make it look like a mob. The flight crew had everything under control to the best of their ability and any passenger that was not actively helping was sitting calmly in their seats. I’ve been in chaotic situations before and that was absolutely not the case. It definitely could have been, but the flight crew did an amazing job.’

While talking to EMTs in New Orleans, the man’s wife admitted that her husband had tested positive for coronavirus meaning he likely lied when checking in for the flight.

During check-in, all United passengers have to self-report on whether they have experienced any coronavirus symptoms.

After the passenger was offloaded in New Orleans, his seat was wiped down, and the plane, a Boeing 737-900 with capacity for 179 people, continued its journey to Los Angeles.

In a statement to DailyMail.com United Airlines has confirmed that it was contacted by the CDC, and was informed that the man did have coronavirus.

Police Investigate Alleged Murder-Suicide Of Nigerian Doctor, Wife In US

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Police Investigate Alleged Murder-Suicide Of Nigerian Doctor, Wife In US

Sugar Land Police are investigating the deaths of a Greatwood Nigerian couple found in their home Friday morning.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that a Nigerian Doctor in the United States, Dr Ben Okigbo, shot himself to death on Friday. The tragic incident happened at his Greatwood, Texas, United States home.

Police haven’t said how they died, but an investigator on the scene said it’s a possible murder-suicide.

“It’s a dynamic situation still right now. We’re getting information in, literally, by the minute, but we’re still standing by waiting to process the scene and determine more,” Sugar Land Police Sergeant, Matt Levan, said.

Okigbo reportedly shot his wife, Theresa who was a licensed nurse before killing himself. Both of them hailed from Delta State of Nigeria.

According to Sugar Land police in Texas, the deceased also attempted to kill his 21-year-old sons by strangling them after shooting his wife.

The sons survived the attack with injuries that are not life-threatening.

“On Friday morning, a daughter, who doesn’t live at home, went there after she became concerned. She wasn’t injured.

“Someone in the house called 9-1-1 Friday morning around 10 a.m. from home in the 1500 block of Brookstone Lane. When officers arrived, they found the couple’s bodies inside. They were both in their 50s.

“A neighbour said they were originally from Nigeria but had lived in the Greatwood home for about 20 years. She said she spoke to the wife a few days ago and nothing seemed out of the ordinary,” the police said.

A Whatsapp message on the tragedy obtained by SaharaReporters read, “At sunrise, this cold Saturday, Dr Ben Okigbo, a medical doctor in Houston, pulled up a handgun and fatally shot his wife. His wife was a nurse too. A few seconds later, he turned the gun on himself.

“These hours, their three children are dealing with the tragedy of losing their parents at home. We will never know why Dr Okigbo, decided to kill his wife and commit suicide after that.

“It’s my understanding that Dr Okigbo was originally from Idumuje Unor while his wife was from Akwukwu Igbo, both towns are in Delta State of Nigeria.”

Age Falsification: NJC Recommends Two Judges For Retirement

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Age Falsification: NJC Recommends Two Judges For Retirement

The National Judicial Council has recommended the compulsory retirement of two judicial officers: the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Shu’aibu Talba, and Justice Abdulkareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq of Osun State High Court, for alleged age falsification.

The NJC’s Director, Information, Mr Soji Oye, stated in a statement on Sunday that the council took its decision at its 93rd meeting held virtually on December 16, 2020.

He stated that the council’s findings showed that by their real ages, Grand Kadi Talba ought to have retired in February 2020, and Justice Abdulrasaq ought to have retired in September 2020.

He added the council “has” in the exercise of its constitutional disciplinary powers “suspended Hon. Grand Kadi Talba and Hon. Justice Abdul-Kareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq from office pending the approval of the recommendation of their compulsory retirements by their respective governors”.

He also stated that the council requested the governors of their respective states to deduct from their gratuities, the cumulative salaries they had received from when they ought to have retired till date.

The statement noted that “Grand Kadi Shu’aibu Talba was recommended for compulsory retirement following an investigation into a petition against him written by one Malam Zakar Adamu, Chairman, Movement for Justice in Nigeria, alleging that His Lordship falsified his age on two occasions, i.e. from February 1, 1955 to August 27, 1955 and later to December 30, 1959.”

It added, “Findings revealed that he was supposed to have retired on February 1, 2020 by virtue of his declared date of birth of February 1, 1955.

“Council, after deliberation, decided to recommend His Lordship’s compulsory retirement to Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.

“Furthermore, Council requested the Government of Yobe State to deduct all salaries received by His Lordship from February 1, 2020 till date, from his gratuity, and remit same to the National Judicial Council that pays salaries of all judicial officers in the federation”.

For Justice Abdulrasaq, Oye stated that the council “considered a petition by Chief Yomi Alliyu, SAN, and found merit in his allegation against Hon. Justice Abdul-Kareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq that His Lordship falsified his date of birth from September 3, 1955 to September 3, 1957.”

The statement also stated, “Council, therefore, recommended His Lordship’s compulsory retirement to Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State with effect from September 3, 2020. It also requested the Osun State Government to deduct from His Lordship gratuity, salaries received by him from September 3, 2020, and remit same to the National Judicial Council.”

The statement added that the NJC considered the reports of its two Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees and adopted the recommendations to dismiss 18 petitions against 14 judicial officers.

They include four judges of the Federal High Court, Justices Simon A. Amobeda, Taiwo O. Taiwo, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, and Justice R. O. Dugbo Oghoghorie.

They also include Justices T. O. Uloho and Michael N. Obi of the Delta State High Court, and Justice G. M. Onyeabo of Lagos State High Court.

Among others against whom petitions were dismissed are, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice A. I. Iyayi-Lamikanra, as well as Justice A. U. Kingsley-Chuku, Justice J. N. Ukpugwnum.

The rest are the Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice F. B. Andetur, Chief Judge, Justice Comfort Ani of the Enugu State High Court, Justice M. A. Pindiga of the Gombe State High Court, and Justice M. M. Umar of the Kebbi State High Court.

The statement added that the council considered and adopted the report of the Interview Committee recommending the appointment of 69 judicial officers as heads of court, judges of High Court of states, Kadis of States/FCT Sharia Courts of Appeal and Judges of the Customary Courts of Appeal.

It added, “In another development, Council also received and approved the Report of its Committee on Appointments, Promotion and Discipline which recommended the promotion of 70 members of Staff of the National Judicial Council.

“The notifications of retirement of 12 judicial officers and notifications of death of three judges of federal and state courts were also received and noted by the council.”

SERIE A: AC Milan’s Leao Scores Fastest-Ever League Goal

By
Akintomide Aroso
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SERIE A: AC Milan’s Leao Scores Fastest-Ever League Goal

AC Milan forward, Rafael Leao, scored after just six seconds for the fastest-ever goal in Serie A history on Sunday at Sassuolo.

Milan launched straight into an attack from kick-off, with Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu setting up Leao to slot home.

The previous fastest goal had been Paolo Poggi’s for Piacenza against Fiorentina in December 2001 after eight seconds of play.

Portuguese Leao, who usually plays on the left wing, started at centre-forward with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic still out with a leg muscle problem and his replacement Ante Rebic also injured.

It was the 21-year-old’s third league goal this season and fourth in all competitions.

COVID-19: Germany Considers Banning UK And South Africa Flights

By
Akintomide Aroso
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COVID-19: Germany Considers Banning UK And South Africa Flights

Germany is considering banning flights from Britain and South Africa to prevent the spread of new, more infectious coronavirus strain circulating in the two countries, a source close to the German health ministry told AFP on Sunday.

Following the example of the Netherlands, where a ban on all passenger flights from the UK came into effect on Sunday, the German government was considering a similar move as “a serious option” for flights from both Britain and South Africa, the source said.

A health ministry spokesman said the government in Berlin was monitoring developments in Britain very closely and working at “high pressure” to evaluate the new information and data regarding the new strain.

Germany was in touch with its European partners, the spokesman said.

Belgium similarly announced a ban on all flights and trains from the UK.

The Dutch ban, from 6:00 am (0500 GMT) on Sunday until January 1, came hours after Britain announced a stay at home order for part of the country to slow the new variant, which British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said was “out of control”.

In Germany, however, the new strain of the virus has not been detected so far, according to the chief virologist at Berlin’s Charite hospital, Christian Drosten, on Twitter.

Security Operatives Rescue 80 Pupils of Islamic School In Katsina

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Security Operatives Rescue 80 Pupils of Islamic School In Katsina

A combined team of security operatives on Saturday rescued 80 abducted pupils of Hizburrahim Islamiyya, an Islamic school in Mahuta, Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State.

This was made public in a statement issued on Sunday in Katsina by the Police Public Relations Officer in Katsina State, Gambo Isah.

The statement said in part: “On 19/12/2020 about 2200hrs, a distress call was received by DPO Dandume that some Islamiyya students of Hizburrahim Islamiyya, Mahuta village, Dandume, Katsina state, numbering about 80, while on their way back from Maulud occasion celebrated at Unguwan-Alkasim, Dandume to Mahuta, were accosted by bandits.

” The bandits had already kidnapped four persons and rustled 12 cows from Danbaure village, Funtua, and were trying to escape with them into the forest.

“On receipt of the report, the DPO  led Operations Puff Adder, Sharan Daji and  Vigilante group to the area and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel.”

The statement said the team succeeded in dislodging the bandits and rescued all the kidnapped victims as well as recovered all the 12 rustled cows.

It said search parties are still combing the area with a view to arresting the injured bandits or recovering dead bodies while investigation is on going.

Just a few days ago, 344 students kidnapped from a secondary school in Kankara, Katsina State, were successfully rescued without the loss of any of them.

Buhari’s Nominee Scores Low, Set To Lose ICC Job

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Buhari’s Nominee Scores Low, Set To Lose ICC Job

Nigeria has failed to clinch a seat at the International Criminal Court after the nominee of President Muhammadu Buhari failed to obtain the necessary votes.

Buhari’s nominee, Justice Ishaq Bello, who is the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, obtained five per cent of the total votes cast.

The ICC stated on its website that Bello polled 12 votes out of the 117 votes in the first round of the election, making him one of the lowest nominees, second only to Milandou Prosper of the Republic of Congo.

An earlier report by the ICC stated that Bello is fluent in English and knowledgeable in criminal law but seems to lack the required skill needed for the ICC job.

The advisory committee classified all nominees into four categories- highly qualified, qualified, only formally qualified and not qualified.

Justice Bello was designated as ‘only formally qualified’ after an assessment.

An earlier report on Bello read in part, “The committee noted that the candidate does not have direct experience in international criminal law and procedure based on his answers to questions regarding the functions and powers of pre-trial and trial chambers and the admissibility of evidence collected in violation of legal provisions, and did not have in-depth knowledge of the Rome Statute or the jurisprudence of the International Criminal Court. He demonstrated, however, good general knowledge of how a judicial body should work in a multicultural environment.”

The ICC also uploaded Justice Bello’s responses to questions on its website.

Only the candidates of the UK and Georgia out of all the 18 countries emerged as ‘elected’.

Nigerian Military: How We Rescued Kankara School Boys

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Nigerian Military: How We Rescued Kankara School Boys

The Nigerian military on Saturday made some disclosures on how it carried out the rescue operation of the 344 boys kidnapped from their school in Kankara, Katsina State, on December 11.

It disclosed that while kinetic and non-kinetic approaches were used to ensure all the boys were rescued unhurt, there was resistance from the abductors who laid ambush against the troops.

Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, and retired Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Jibrin, former Director, Military Intelligence, gave the accounts on Saturday when they featured on a special edition of the Nigeria Television Authority programme, “Good Morning Nigeria.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jibrin is currently the Special Adviser, Technical, to the Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi.

Jibrin said following the abduction of the boys, the minister led a delegation, including the Service Chiefs and National Security Adviser, to Katsina and Kankara.

He said the minister gave the rules of engagement directing the troops to ensure the abducted boys were rescued without casualties and within the shortest time possible.

“Following the directive, the troop closed in on the abductors from four different fronts, including the reinforcement that was made from other divisions to ensure that the entire location was sealed off.

“The bandits were all under siege and they were fully aware of that, feeling the impacts of the presence of the troops both from the air and on the ground.

“When they approached the location where the boys were held, the troops encountered some pockets of opposition which they cleared and moved deeper into the forest.

“Although, there was no casualty on the part of the boys, a lot of the bandits were neutralised because in the attempt by the military to move forward, they laid ambush in two places along the way.

“In-fact, in the second place where they laid ambush, there was serious resistance because they were hiding and occupied the road.

“They delayed the movement of the troop for some hours before they were neutralised,’’ he said.

Jibrin said while the troops were on the field, negotiations were ongoing at another level of the rescue efforts.

He said the troop could not completely demobilise the bandits because of possible collateral damage as the abducted boys were used as human shield.

On the claim by the Boko Haram terrorists that they were responsible for the abduction, Jibrin said the group was only seeking cheap relevance.

“Shekau does not have the reach to carry out the abduction because a lot is being done to stop them in the North-East.

“He is just taking the advantage of what happened to get publicity locally and internationally, it is clear that the abduction was done by bandits

“All their efforts when they were trying to reach out to the bandits, which they did, were monitored,’’ he said.

On his part, Enenche said the rescue mission, like any other one, was a delicate operation because if it was not carried out very professionally, the tide could turn negatively.

“This is an operation where you do not rely on your capacity on platforms and mechanical weapons but your ability to effectively carry out the mission with unarmed combat.

“This means you have to silence your enemies and take your objective away without firing a shot.

“It is very delicate in the sense that if you do not manage the operation well, the children who are in between you and the enemies will now become the victims.

“When they become the victims, the people outside there will attribute it to failure on the part of your security forces,’’ he said.

He said the special troops deployed on the mission were on the spot and could not have blinked their eyes for even one hour all through the days of the mission.

Enenche said the information provided locally were also very encouraging while the support they got from all the stakeholders was of assistance.

“There was no conspiracy of silence. All that we needed were provided even from the locals and before you know it we were able to locate the place.

“All the kinetic and non-kinetic blockade were all effectively monitored.

“This is to the extent that even when they were going to leave their enclave to make bulk purchases from the market, we got information,” he said.

Enenche said a lot was done during the rescue mission to ensure that there was no trigger happy incident as well as fright release from the bandits against the school boys.

Local Government Polls: APC Clears All Seats In Gombe

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Local Government Polls: APC Clears All Seats In Gombe

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won all the chairmanship and council seats in Gombe local government polls conducted on Saturday, according to the declaration made by the Gombe state Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC).

The Executive Chairman of GOSIEC and Chief Presiding Officer at the polls, Mr Saidu Awak, stated that the results of the election, as returned and declared by returning officers, were in accordance with section 26, sub-section 1 and 2 of the GOSIEC law 2013, as amended.

According to him, the APC won all the 11 chairmanship and 114 council seats in the state.

Speaking with newsmen, Mr. Awak revealed that there was generally a low turnout of voters during the elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while the state chairman of the APC and other executives of the party were present during the announcement of results, those of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, stayed away.

Fredrick Nwabufo: Don’t Fret — Miyetti Allah, Ohanaeze And Afenifere Can Help Tackle Insecurity

By
Akintomide Aroso
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Fredrick Nwabufo: Don’t Fret — Miyetti Allah, Ohanaeze And Afenifere Can Help Tackle Insecurity
Fredrick Nwabufo

Security is everybody’s business. It is a flawed assumption that issues of security must remain strictly within the orbit of agencies with the lawed responsibility. Even security agencies cannot function without citizens’ alliance and community help. Simply, they cannot operate in vacancy of citizens’ collaboration and the support of stakeholders and other institutions – both formal and informal.

The most fundamental ingredient to addressing crime is intelligence. And intelligence does not jump out from the coloured screen of a computer; it comes from people – of all shades and appliances. It is the reason I believe our traditional institutions and socio-cultural organisations can be veritable accomplices in the fight against insurgency and banditry. We are yet to really extract commitment from and forge a partnership with these institutions. Yes, we are yet to give them due recognition as accessories to peace and stability in the country. These institutions are the closest to the people. They know their own; they understand and speak the language, and they know the terrain.

Socio-cultural organisations should not only be cymbals for sounding alarms and making demands. They can be the partners of the security agencies in securing the country. In fact, they hold a bigger share in the security enterprise because they represent their people, and as such any challenge affects them directly.

On Friday, Bello Matawalle, governor of Zamfara, said Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the Fulani socio-cultural group, helped secure the release of abducted the Kankara schoolboys who have spent nearly seven days in grisly captivity. According to him, no ransom was paid. In his words: ‘’Ask anybody, we don’t pay bandits a dime. What we do is to extend olive branch to them because they also want to live in peace.’’

Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina, corroborated Matawalle’s claim.  He said: “Those involved in the negotiation include my adviser, some top military and police operatives. Members of Miyetti Allah; (they) were all involved in the negotiation.”

The alleged involvement of Miyetti Allah in the negotiation for the release of the schoolboys actuated a furore on social media. Some asked why Miyetti Allah would be involved in the parleying while others wondered when the socio-cultural organisation became a security agency and state actor.

The suspicion of Nigerians who have commented on this issue is understandable, but the misgiving is more of emotion than reason. I must say, Nigerians have a right to be cynical about the purported involvement of Miyetti Allah in this matter, considering the past actions, posturing and statements of the group. But was Miyetti Allah’s intervention needed? Yes. Though the group is not a state actor, it is a stakeholder in Nigeria, particularly in the north just like Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo and Afenifere. If we all agree that most of the bandits terrorising the country are of the Fulani stock, does it not make sense that an organisation representing the entire group intervenes in moments of crisis by its own, and most importantly prevail on them to give up their arms?

Perhaps, the reason for the hurly-burly of emotions on social media is that Miyetti Allah, before the Kankara schoolboys abduction, had not condemned the actions of these stray hounds or intervened wholesomely in similar cases of banditry and kidnapping elsewhere. If they had, I am not aware. This is where I think Miyetti Allah comes short. The group should seize this moment to condemn the perpetrators of banditry and intervene actively and consistently in cases of banditry and kidnapping by providing intelligence to security agencies and speaking with its youths to re-channel their energies away from the kidnapping industry.

As I wrote in ‘No need for panic, working with Miyetti Allah in south-east is a security strategy’ in June 2019, we must give no room for conspiracy theories – of domination, invasion or conquest. These are the by-products of distrust and fear. And instead of running wild with emotions, let us give space for rational thinking and disciplined conversations.

Miyetti Allah, Ohanaeze and Afenifere can play crucial roles in rolling back the boulder of banditry and kidnapping. Banditry is not a northern problem, it is a Nigerian snag. It involves everyone. To deal with this challenge we must not isolate any stakeholder or group. Security is everybody’s business.

Fredrick Nwabufo is a writer and journalist
Twitter @FredrickNwabufo

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