Foundation raises awareness on drug abuse among youths

At least eight people have been confirmed dead, and thousands stranded without power after violent storms ravaged central and southeastern Brazil on Friday. The storms come after the country experienced its worst-ever drought, intensifying the impact of the severe weather. According to Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology, winds reached speeds of up to 100 km/h
Eight dead as violent storms sweep brazil after record drought

At least eight people have been confirmed dead, and thousands stranded without power after violent storms ravaged central and southeastern Brazil on Friday.

The storms come after the country experienced its worst-ever drought, intensifying the impact of the severe weather.

According to Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology, winds reached speeds of up to 100 km/h (60 mph), with some areas receiving as much as 10 cm (4 in) of rain in a single day.

The state of São Paulo, Brazil’s most populous region, has been hardest hit, with seven fatalities reported.

The deaths were primarily caused by falling trees and collapsing infrastructure due to the intense winds and heavy rainfall.

Many residents of São Paulo described the storm as sudden and overwhelming, with blackouts plunging large areas of the state into darkness.

Water supply issues have also been reported. Energy company Enel stated that more than 1.3 million homes and businesses remain without power.

The firm is working to restore electricity, with full reconnection expected by Monday.

In response to the prolonged outages, residents of the Parque São Roberto neighbourhood in São Paulo staged a protest on Saturday, banging pots and pans after enduring more than 24 hours without electricity.

Meanwhile, in the capital city of Brasília, a soldier was killed and another injured during the storm at the military police headquarters.

The rain was so intense that water leaked through the roof of the Chamber of Deputies, forcing officials to use umbrellas indoors.

Despite the devastation, some residents of Brasília have welcomed the rainfall, as it brings relief after an unprecedented 165-day dry spell.

Brazil’s severe drought has been linked to climate change and the El Niño weather phenomenon, which has fueled wildfires across the country, ravaging the Amazon rainforest and Pantanal wetlands.

In July, the number of wildfires in the Amazon reached a 20-year high, choking major cities with smoke and threatening vital ecosystems

Eight dead as violent storms sweep brazil after record drought

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has vowed that his administration will track down those who killed three persons during a recent attack in Umuahia. The governor directed the Police and other security agencies to fish out the killers and bring them to book. Otti gave the directive at Government House, Umuahia, during a media chat
Otti vows to fish out killers of banker, 2 others in Umuahia attack

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has vowed that his administration will track down those who killed three persons during a recent attack in Umuahia.

The governor directed the Police and other security agencies to fish out the killers and bring them to book.

Otti gave the directive at Government House, Umuahia, during a media chat with journalists.

He lamented that one of the victims, a banker, was his friend.

The governor assured the residents that his administration is doing everything to ensure the security of citizens through regular support to the various security agencies.

“I am aware of the unfortunate incident of the attack on three persons. One of them, a banker, and actually a younger brother of very close friend of mine.

“I have given an instruction that the perpetrators of of that dastardly act be fished out. The Police is working round the clock to get the culprits fished out,” Otti said.

Two weeks ago, a popular banker working in Umuahia was shot dead by unknown persons who were reportedly trying to kidnap him at Isi Court, before killing two other persons in Umuahia South LGA.

Otti vows to fish out killers of banker, 2 others in Umuahia attack

Thousands of armed bandits loyal to two deadly criminal gangs called, ‘Full Fire’ and ‘Chain’, are presently occupying the forests and bushes of Ukum Local Government Area of Sankara axis of Benue State. This was disclosed to journalists over the weekend by the executive chairman of Ukum Local Government Council, Jonathan Modi. Modi stated that
Insecurity: Thousands of armed militias occupying Ukum in Benue – Council Chair, Modi

Thousands of armed bandits loyal to two deadly criminal gangs called, ‘Full Fire’ and ‘Chain’, are presently occupying the forests and bushes of Ukum Local Government Area of Sankara axis of Benue State.

This was disclosed to journalists over the weekend by the executive chairman of Ukum Local Government Council, Jonathan Modi.

Modi stated that what they have in Ukum is a mafia, and lethal criminal gangs consisting of Full Fire and Chain that have recruited so many boys who permanently lived in the forest and bushes where they come from to unleash terror on people of the area.

Ukum LGA is one of the three local government areas that form the Sankara axis of the state.

The axis has continued to witness an unprecedented wave of kidnappings, maiming, killings, displacements of people, and disruption of socio-economic activities as well as holding communities hostage for ransom.

He added that he issued a directive as the chief security officer of the local government area, that nobody should be arrested on account of being a militia.

Modi explained that upon assumption of office barely one month ago, he was able to create a platform where he engaged the criminals in discussions and instilled confidence in them on the need to embrace peace and restore security to Zaki-Biam and the entire Ukum axis.

He said through such interactions and engagements, over 300 armed bandits have already come out of the forest to embrace peace while more are still being expected.

“Two days ago, Bishop Dugu was with the Full Fire group where he engaged the leader, and they spoke and the young man had already surrendered himself.

“He said he is no longer interested in criminality and banditry, that his people should go back to the farm, that he wants to rest, and that he is tired of being in the bush.

“I also talked to these boys, we took photographs together and I have been giving them that confidence. They are many in number.

“We have over 1000 of them in Ukum LGA alone. I don’t know of other local government areas in the Sankara axis yet, but in Ukum there are over 1000. And so far, over 300 of them are already out of the forest and we are communicating steadily with each other.

“Most of them have confessed that for the past three to four years they have not seen the town called Zaki-Biam. That confession is on record. I made that possible because I was called to serve.

“I am well prepared for this job of chairmanship and am barely three weeks in office and I have done a lot in the aspect of security.

“I used diplomacy to bring these boys out of their hideouts. It’s brain work, not magic, I have to think because am a youth and I know what is good for the youth.

“I have that confidence and for me to do that, most of them have been calling that I made them to come to Zaki Biam town. Right now as I talk to you peace has returned to Ukum LGA up to 75%. I have engaged the militias and they are out now.

“The traditional rulers are also doing a lot by engaging these boys. Also, the church is headed by the Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala diocese, Rev. Fr. Dugu is also doing well by engaging them.

“So, today the Bishop has also engaged the other group headed by Chain. I have been talking to them as a brother, as a friend and I have given them a platform and asked them to come out and they have come out.

“So, I have already given instructions through our security heads that we have in Ukum LGA as chief security officer, that nobody should be arrested.”

Insecurity: Thousands of armed militias occupying Ukum in Benue – Council Chair, Modi