The Lagos State Council of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria has called for stricter profiling of e-hailing drivers after a female passenger, Pascaline Akusionwu, was stabbed by her driver in the Sangotedo area of the state.

Akusionwu who worked in a mall booked a ride on Saturday, February 23, after the close of work at about 2 am.

During the journey to her destination, the driver took a detour from the intended route, stopped midway and robbed her of her valuables.

The chairman of the union, Azeez Jaiyesimi, who spoke to our correspondent on Monday, said the victim was stabbed in the ear and on her thigh in the process adding that she had since been receiving treatment after the incident.

In a video sent to our correspondent, the injuries of the victim were being treated by medical personnel at an undisclosed hospital.

Meanwhile, Jaiyesimi said the union had since taken swift action, engaging with key authorities, including the Department of State Services, the police, and the Lagos State Government, to ensure a thorough investigation and justice for the victim.

According to him, the union had formally reported the matter to the app company, urging it to enforce stricter background checks on drivers before onboarding them.

“AUATON has taken significant steps in response to the recent robbery and stabbing incident involving Akusionwu Ogechukwu Pascaline. The union has moved swiftly to address the matter, collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure justice and enhance safety within the app-based transport sector.  Also, in light of the severity of the attack, AUATON has taken proactive measures to support the victim and to hold the perpetrator accountable.

“After the incident, the union immediately engaged with the Department of State Services, the police, and the Lagos State Government to escalate the matter and facilitate a thorough investigation.”

“We also visited the victim personally to offer support and reassurance during this difficult time. AUATON has formally reported the incident to the company and urged it to take concrete steps to prevent similar occurrences through background checks on drivers before allowing them to operate on app-based platforms.”

Jaiyesimi added that AUATON maintained a comprehensive database of drivers’ profiles, which could be utilised to enhance safety and accountability within the app-based transport sector.

He further called for enhanced verification processes for drivers and passengers, stressing that proper profiling is crucial to preventing similar attacks.

“We recommended that app companies collaborate with the union to validate driver credentials and background information as part of the registration process. Furthermore, the union has pledged to work closely with all stakeholders, including the government, security agencies, and app-based transport companies, to implement improved security measures and safeguard the interests of both drivers and riders,” he added.

Amid the controversy surrounding the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe, has claimed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara never spoke as a governor.

According to Igbokwe, the embattled governor only speaks and behaves like a student union president and not a governor.

A post on his Facebook page reads: “In actions and deeds, Fubara never spoke as a sitting governor. He behaved and spoke like a Student Union President.”

According to report President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State over the political crisis in the state and consequently suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all elected lawmakers, a move that has divided Nigerians.

Many stakeholders, especially opposition figures, have strongly opposed the proclamation, stating that it is illegal for the president to suspend elected officials.

Despite the outrage, the Senate and the House of Representatives on Thursday gave approval for the emergency rule in Rivers State.

The traditional ruler of Nimo Community in Njikoka local government area of Anambra State, Owelle Maximus Ike Oliobi has dragged two leaders of his town union before a Magistrate Court for allegedly assaulting him and members of his cabinet.

The accused persons who were arraigned before the Abagana Magistrate Court 3 presided by Magistrate Obiora Nwajiaku on Thursday include a 35-year-old Messrs Chukwuemeka Ezeaputa and Chigbo Aniedobe, 39 years, who are youth provost and Ist President-General of the Nimo Town Development Union, respectively.

In the three-count charge in charge No: ANJ/21c/2025, the duo of Ezeaputa and Aniedobe, as well as, “others now at large” were accused of conspiring among themselves to assault “Igwe Maximus Ike Oliobi by pushing and shoving him around in a public gathering”.

The defendant were further alleged to have on 20th February, 2025 at the venue of a funeral ceremony for the wife of Chief Bobby Chinedu-Moore, SAN, threatened to deal with the monarch and members of his cabinet.

The prosecutor said the offences are punishable under sections 496(a), 252 of the Criminal Code cap. 36 vol. 11 Revised Laws of Anambra state of Nigeria, 1991 respectively.

The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to all the three charges respectively.

Magistrate Nwajiaku declined the prosecution’s application to remand the accused persons, but instead granted them bail in the sum of N300,000 each with two sureties, who must be residents within the magisterial jurisdiction.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to April 2, 2025 for continuation of hearing.

The management of Kaduna Electric and its striking workers have agreed to restore electricity to Kaduna State and all its franchise States with immediate effect.

The resolution was reached after Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State convened a meeting with both parties at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna, on Friday night.

It will be recalled that the electricity workers union of Kaduna Electric had embarked on an industrial action since last Sunday, following the decision of the management of the DisCo to sack 444 workers, thereby plunging Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States in darkness.

At the end of the meeting, Governor Sani promised to be the guarantor as he would ensure fairness to both sides, after both parties agreed to sit down and take a joint decision.

‘’The Unions praised the Governor for his intervention. They also commended the Management, ably led by Dr Hashidu, for moving Kaduna Electric forward,’’ the resolution stated.

The workers union also “noted that the Management is operating under stringent conditions, given the prevailing economic situation in the country but promised to help it to succeed.’’

The parties also noted that both the Management of Kaduna Electric and the labour union are partners in progress, adding that what happened was as a result of a breakdown in communication.

The meeting also argued that “there must be a give-and-take on the side of both the Management and Labour in order to find an amicable settlement of the dispute.’’

The resolutions were signed by Dr Umar Abubakar Hashidu, the Managing Director of the electricity distribution company, Comrade Wisdom Nwachukwu, the Vice President (Distribution) of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Rilwanu Shehu, Deputy President North of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).

Other union members that signed the resolutions included Comrade Muhammed Musa, Deputy President North of NUEE and Comrade Haruna Ahmed Tinau, Deputy Secretary General (North).

Engr Idris Ahmed Idris, the Managing Director of Kaduna Power Supply Company, also signed the resolutions.

The Ijaw Progressive Union of Aborigines (IPUA) has expressed deep concerns over the alleged ongoing marginalisation of the Ijaw people and the severe lack of infrastructure in their region.

In a statement signed by the executive coordinator of IPUA, Mr Amaye Major, the group disclosed it had petitioned several government agencies, highlighting the urgent need for the Nigerian government to address deteriorating roads, insecurity and inadequate social amenities in the region.

The union urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritise these issues, emphasising that inclusive development is crucial for the Ijaw communities, particularly in light of their historical neglect despite being a significant ethnic group in Nigeria‘s oil-rich Niger Delta.

Amakor stated in the statement, „We have written to NDDC urging improved accountability and support for local development, adding that the agency must stick to the mandate of NDDC as specified by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and re-emphasized recently by President Tinubu.

„We have also demanded an improved healthcare system, the re-establishment of the riverine police, and the construction of a modern hospital to meet community health needs. We have called on Shell, requesting assistance with infrastructure development, amongst other things.

„The Nigerian government must, as a matter of urgency, prioritise inclusive development and address the historical neglect of the Ijaw communities. The government can promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. It would be recalled that due to an infrastructure deficit, good-spirited Ijaw indigents in the diaspora under the auspices of Ijaw Women of   America (IWOA) and Ijaw National  Alliance of  America (INAA), a non-governmental and non-profit making organisation, have taken it upon themselves to carry out routine medical outreach to Ijaw communities every year.“

„IPUA stands with Chief Edwin Clark, emphasising that oil-rich Ijaw areas deserve meaningful representation and development rather than neglect“.

The IPUA‘s call to action highlights the need for urgent attention to the plight of the Ijaw people.