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Nigeria Customs rolls out NICIS platform at PTML, KLT commands, others to come onboard

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Nigeria Customs rolls out NICIS platform at PTML, KLT commands, others to come onboard
Compt. Aremu Modupeola Adeyanju
CAC, PTML Customs Command

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has rolled out the Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) platform at the Ports and Terminal Multservices Limited (PTML) command. The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Modupe Aremu who disclosed this in Lagos when the ANLCA Presidential aspirant, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji and his campaign team paid her a courtesy visit in her office said that the launch which was preceded by training of the licensed customs agents on how the platform works had earlier been rolled out at the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) and would soon be launched in all the commands across the federation.

Aremu noted that the agents initially had problem grappling with the new platform which according to her may not be unconnected with age and other factors on the part of the agents admonishing the agents to embrace the NICIS, understand it and to know how to use it as she stated that without having the password, one could not clear goods at the command.

She said,” PTML is a model port; we rolled out NICIS on the 12th of February and I am sure most of you here were part of the training on the NICIS platform. My facilitator is here, we are at the stage of implementation and we know that agents are coming up on board gradually.“Initially, it was a bit difficult for some of us, you know with age and everything therein. We have to change, we have to embrace NICIS, we have to understand it, we have to know how to use it because without having the passwords, you cannot clear your goods in PTML.

“So, I know this is just a forum to encourage us once again and announce it because when you talk to some people, they will tell you they don’t know what NICIS is. We have some of them calling from Lokoja, all over customs formations; they don’t know what NICIS is. I think you need to take the message down because your followers need to know what NICIS is.

“NICIS is going to go everywhere very soon, it has been done in KLT and they are just finishing with PTML, it is going to go all over. So, we have to understand it, we have to change, you know it’s a new thing and we have to move with the change”.

While congratulating Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji for his courage to run for the highest office in ANLCA, she prayed that the best man wins the election even as she promised to keep praying for his ambition pledging to support him in any way he could need her support.

Responding, Mr. Nwokeoji harped on the need for the agents to be trained on how NICIS works before its launch so as to enable the agents adapt to the use of the platform.In his words,” Controller Sir, Madam, it’s a great pleasure disrupting your activities today just for this moment. For this place to be the second command that is hoisting that NICIS, this port must be great but I am really worried and jealous that Onne seaport which is my main port is yet to benefit from it. So, we look forward to having it at Onne.

“And then we will appreciate having this training before rolling out the NICIS, it will help us to really adapt to the platform because when the roll out is already there before the training, It’s like you are now running the train. So, if you can do it, let us all e eager to receive it so that by the time it comes, it will be easy to adapt and it will help us a lot”.

Speaking on his ambition, he informed that having served ANLCA as a Secretary and a two time Chairman of Onne chapter, Zonal Chairman of the eastern zone and presently a member of Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) a member of the subcommittee on the Single Window under the Chairmanship of the Comptroller General of Customs and ANLCA Vice President for almost to eight years now, he felt he had learnt enough to be able to do the job of the National President hence the reason he was presenting himself to his people.

“But we cannot come to a place like this, a customs port without paying this courtesy call to you. So, that’s why we are here, we are seeing that the traffic is something else, you can imagine the environment that you people are working and how you manage to meet the target when trucks cannot come in and when they come in, they cannot go out, when officers resume work late and leave early so that they can easily get home, we know that it’s only God that is keeping you safe and we pray that he continue to keep you.

“We look forward to adding our little value to the relationship we have enjoyed over the period with the customs, we are licensed customs agents, without you licensing us, we not to be seen in the ports, without license, we cannot enter the traders’ zone if we are not licensed. We are talking about password, we can’t get password if we are not licensed.

“So, since you licensed us, we have been working and trying to help you in reaching out to meet your target. I will say we thank you, you made a statement that you will support us, the most important thing I am taking away from here is your prayers”, he added.

Maritime University, Okerenkoko Takes Off April 2018 – VC

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Maritime University, Okerenkoko Takes Off April 2018 – VC

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Vice Chancellor of the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, Engr. Prof. Ongoebi Maureen Etebu says academic activities will commence in mid-April 2018.Prof. Etebu made the disclosure at the Kurutie take-off campus of NMU, Okerenkoko, where about 1,300 prospective academic staff shortlisted from over 6,000 applications, were interviewed for recruitment, at the weekend.

Seventeen  panelists who are dons drawn from various universities in the country conducted the interview at Kurutie with a representative of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) Mr. Owojaiye Samson being on ground to ensure national distribution in the eventual recruitment.

Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, also said in Kurutie: “We are here to see the smooth conduct of the interview of prospective academic staff for the take-off of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, which the Federal Government (FG) has directed”, adding: “I am delighted that despite the riverine nature of the environment, people from across the nation indicated interest and came for interview in bid to contribute their quota to the advancement of education”.

The Vice Chancellor who stressed that academic session will commence mid-April said: “We are 100% set for the take-off of academic activities. The FG has graciously given us funds and all facilities are in place. We don’t have any challenges thus far. The FG is solidly behind us, so we are good to commence academic activities”.

Prof. Etebu, who thanked JAMB for one week extension to enable the Maritime University Okerenkoko send its students admission list, appreciated the Federal Government for approving the institution which she said will establish foundation/open up the area and Nigeria, for growth, economically and in all ramifications.

 

Source : Grassroots Publishers

Lagos FRSC to embark on ‘Operation Show Your Driving Licence’

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Lagos FRSC to embark on ‘Operation Show Your Driving Licence’
FRSC Lagos Sector Commander Hyginus Omeje

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC),Mr Hyginus Omeje has disclosed that 56, 767 driving licences were yet to be collected by their owners.

Omeje who disclosed this on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) urged the owners of the licences to collect them as the command would soon embark on “Operation Show Your Driving Licence.’’He added that the corps would embark on the mission across all units of the command.

“We are embarking on this assignment so that   motorists will come to our office to collect their driving’ licences.“We have no backlog of new driving licences in Lagos State.   “There are 56,767 licenses yet to be collected by their owners.“We have sent SMS to their owners that their licences are ready for collection but they ignored responding to our messages,’’ the FRSC boss said.

Omeje frowned at the attitude of some road users driving without valid licences saying that such licences remained the only certification to drive on the road. According to him, the fine for a driver driving without a valid licence is N10, 000 and the offender must produce the licence within 24 hours.

Omeje said that if after 24 hours such offender could not produce a valid licence, the vehicle of such offender would be impounded. He said that in such situation, it would be assumed that the driver was not licensed to drive.

Omeje said that the corps was not interested in the fines or depriving anyone the comfort of his vehicle, but advised motorists to do the right thing and be safety conscious. He, however, revealed that between Feb. 26 and March 2, no fewer than 4, 644 licenses were collected by the applicants. (NAN)

Setraco doing what ULO could not do in two years …Asaba airport runway which will be ready in four months

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Setraco doing what ULO could not do in two years …Asaba airport runway which will be ready in four months

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]etraco is doing what ULO could not do in two years,  Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state has expressed confidence that commercial activities will be in full swing at the Asaba international Airport in July, this year. Speaking during an inspection visit to the airport, the governor expressed joy that the contractor handling the reconstruction of the runway, Setraco had proven that the project could be delivered within three months.

According to him: “It took two years for ULO to construct 900 metres of the runway but it gladdens my heart that in just three weeks, Setraco has done 1.1kilometre of the runway.

“From the work programme, it may be possible for Setraco to complete the project in three and half months, the speed with which they mobilized to site is wonderful, we thank God for intervening which made us to re-award the contract,” the governor said, emphasising, “We are confident that in another four months, there will be a lot of bigger planes landing here.”

Engr Jihad Yahgi, Area Manager, Setraco who explained the level of work done so far, disclosed that apart from the runway, the company was in the process of completing the water channels at the airport.

He assured Delta State government that work would be completed on schedule according to specifications.

Examination malpractice worrisome: WAEC

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Examination malpractice worrisome: WAEC

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Saturday identified examination malpractice as a major challenge militating against its operations in its 64 years of existence. The council’s Head of Test Administration, Mrs Frances Iweha-Onukwu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to her, the scourge is a canker worm that has eaten deep in the fabric among candidates, not only in Nigeria, but also in member countries. She, however, noted that the council was gradually winning the war as it kept introducing new cutting-edge technology to stop the ugly trend.

“One major challenge we are battling against, since inception, has been that of examination malpractice, but we are happy that we are winning the war.“We know that the candidates might want to beat our technology, but we will continue to make sure that we check them in any way they try.”

According to Iweha-Onukwu, another major challenge is the ‘rogue website.’

“Tackling ‘rogue website’ has been a serious challenge the board is facing.”

NAN reports that a rogue website is one that subverts a legitimate web site by appearing to replace it. Iweha-Onukwu said that perpetrators of such act use rogue website to distract lazy candidates, who, instead of studying hard for their examination, busy themselves logging onto the rogue website.

She, however, said that many operators of the fake sites were being apprehended with the help of security agents.The official said her desire was to see the council compete favourably with international examination bodies like the Educational Testing Service (ETS) among others.

CP. Muhammad A. Mustafa Parades 35 suspects, sets up team to Mop up illegal fire arms in the State

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CP. Muhammad A. Mustafa Parades 35 suspects, sets up team to Mop up illegal fire arms in the State
CP. Muhammad A. Mustafa of Delta State

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Delta State Commissioner for Police CP. Muhammad A. Mustafa, mni, today paraded 35 suspects encapsulating 16 suspected Kidnappers from 4 kidnap cases, 7 suspected cultists from 1 cult case, 4 suspected robbers from 5 robbery cases, 3 suspected murders from 2 murder cases and 5 suspects from 4 other cases.

The CP while parading the suspects disclosed that 7 locally made guns, 2 live cartridges, 3 Ak47 riffles, 193rounds of ammunition’s and 1 vehicle was recovered stressing that the success recorded so far is a credit not only to the Police, but to all well-meaning persons who have been assisting us by providing us with timely and useful information in the fight against criminal elements in the state.

Mustafa further said that It is equally important to acknowledge and appreciate the collaborative efforts of sister security agencies, taking cognizance of breakthroughs in recent past wish is evident in facts of the different cases as in one of the cases which he said “following information received through discreet Intelligence gathering that one Ignatius Ogboi, a business man and Pastor of Salvation Army Church Mbiri, Ika North East LG, Delta State who specializes in sponsoring kidnapping/armed robbery operations within Agbor, Umunede and its environs, operatives of SAKCCS Asaba led by the O/C , stormed his residence with a duly signed search warrant, arrested him and recovered a loaded English Made double barrel gun, three thousand eight hundred and seventy one live cartridges, some prohibited drugs and undisclosed amount of money believed to be ransom collected from victims.”

The CP informed that In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police for total enforcement of the firearm Act banning the possession and use of illegal and prohibited firearms, ammunition, weapons and devices locally fabricated or modified that can cause death or injury to persons, the Delta State Police Command has constituted a task force headed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge Operations Department, ACP. Wagbara Peter to immediately commence the mopping up of the afore-listed categories of weapons in the state.

Consequently, the general public, individuals and groups such as vigilantes and neighbourhood watch, town unions, hunters and watch night men or any group or association under any capacity or guise other than statutory Security Agencies recognized and gazetted by the Federal Government of Nigeria to bear firearms of specified category, who are currently possessing and using prohibited/illegal firearms such as pump action gun of all categories and the likes for whatsoever purpose in the state are hereby given twenty-one (21) days with effect from today, 1st March, 2018, to surrender them to the Commissioner of Police through the Area Commanders of their places of domicile.

No license will be given or recognized in respect of prohibited firearms and ammunition except if granted by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police. I therefore implore concerned citizens, general public, and Local Government Authorities to prevail on their vigilantes, neighbourhood watch, civil security outfits and watch night men and others attached to any organization including public and private institutions in the state to surrender within the time limit of 21 days, all the prohibited firearms in their possession. Anyone found with prohibited firearms after the expiration of the 21 days will be arrested, investigated and prosecuted, as the police will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on any individual or group whose conduct, under any guise, run contrary to the law of the land.

Speaking further CP Mustafa stressed that members of the public should be vigilant enough to report to Commissioner of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers nearest to them anyone bearing, possessing or in custody of the above mentioned prohibited firearms anywhere in the state and to continue to repose confidence in the police and give us necessary cooperation in our desire to reduce crime to the barest minimum level in the state.

Asaba Drainage Hazards: Worries as CCECC Worker Dies After Crashing into Manhole

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Asaba Drainage Hazards: Worries as CCECC Worker Dies After Crashing into Manhole

 Collapse Asaba-Drainage that killed Mr Okon Bassey

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here is a growing tension among workers employed by Chinese Construction firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), over the rising cases of deadly body injuries inflicted on them in the course of working on the Jesus Saves/DLA drainage project along Nnebisi road, Asaba.

Deltans have expressed their fears and displeasure over the frequent tragedy being experienced in the course of the construction work by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), handling the completion of the water Storm project in Asaba.

These worries are coming on the wake of a fatal injury dealt on one of their colleagues by an excavator operator on Thursday, 22nd February 2018  and the painful death of another on Saturday, 24th February 2018, when the deceased, Mr. Okon Bassey from Akwa -Ibom got crushed under the rumbles of a collapsed manhole at a section of the drainage at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) main gate.

According to a co-worker to the deceased who pleaded anonymity and also an eye witness to the sad event, narrated that, Mr. Okon was with them when they went to dismantle the boards of the manhole at the FMC main gate. Suddenly the top soil which was soft due to the heavy down pour the previous night, collapsed on on him crushing him through the manhole into the drainage and by the time they got to his rescue, Bassey had lost his left lower leg completely.

Sadly, Mr. Bassey who just joined the team few weeks ago, was skeptical about coming to work that very day and died few hours after the incident. Another worker who also pleaded anonymity said that, two days ago, one of their carpenters lost his foot to an excavator, just after the excavator was used to lift him up and a generator from the depths of the drainage and he is now undergoing treatments as sponsored by CCECC.

Speaking further, he lamented that the payments they receive is also not co-measurable to the labour they put in, as they have to work round the clock all week and that the payment was  too poor for the nature of their jobs and its possible hazards. He stressed that they had made an appeal to the management of the company for an upward review of their salaries or they will stop work, but the company insisted that they should continue work in wait of an upward review of their salaries soonest.

We have made all efforts to meet with the Chinese firm image maker on ground to get the company’s view on the growing numbers of work hazards and the alleged poor payments and why their field workers were not insured as stipulated by Nigeria Labour law .

Moreover,our Investigations revealed that, since the commencement of the drainage project  months ago, both commercial transporters in the State capital and the construction workers have had their fair shares of the fatal accidents of a CCECC worker which was shielded from the public and the press.

10,000 housing units approve for civil servants in Delta, construction of Ibusa/Achalla road in Asaba

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10,000 housing units approve for civil servants in Delta, construction of Ibusa/Achalla road in Asaba
Gov. Okowa Ifeanyi

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]elta state government has approved the construction of ten thousand housing units for civil servants by Greenfield Assets Limited in Illah, Oshimili north local government area of the state.This was made public by the state commissioner for information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, after the state executive council meeting held inside the EXCO chambers in government house, Asaba, on Tuesday.

He said that the approval is to alleviate the housing challenges facing civil servants in the state, especially Asaba, the state capital, with a view to making them more comfortable to meet the demands of their offices.

Also approved is the Phase 1 of the completion of the Udu Harbour Market, as well as the construction of concrete drains and discharge channel from refinery road through Aribogha street, Jesus is Lord Street to the natural waterway by Regal Clinic, Jakpa Road, Effurun, in anticipation of the raining season.

In its avowed determination to connect all communities to major cities in the state, Mr. Ukah said that the government approved the continuation of the construction of Ibusa/Achalla/Asaba Road (Phase 1: 4.125 km) in Oshimili North local government area, in addition to the construction of Ogulagha/Youbebe/Biniebiama Road (1,500 metres) in Burutu local government area and the rehabilitation of Orogun-Emevor road and Erhieta Road  (4.6 kilometres).

Also approved is the completion of the New General Hospital Road with a spur to Joy Ariguzor Street, off Okpanam Road, in the state capital territory, the construction of Arhagba–Orogun Road (11.294 kilometres) in Ughelli North Local Government Area and the construction of Upper Ojekpolor Street, (1,150 metres) in Ika North East local government area.

Source :Grassroots Publishers

Helping people gives me utmost pleasure – Onwa n’etilora 1 of Anam Kingdom

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Helping people gives me utmost pleasure – Onwa n’etilora 1 of Anam Kingdom
Chief (Com.) Daniel Chukwudi Obiorah
The Onwa n’etilora 1 of Anam Kingdom

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he popular cliché, ‘first impression sticks’ is not applicable to Chief (Comrade) Daniel Chukwudi Obiorah (The Onwa n’etilora 1 of Anam Kingdom).If you profile and categorize him based on the spur of the moment kind of judgment, then you have done so using the wrong barometer and faulty premise. This is because at first encounter, you are confronted with a man you could pass for a middle income earner. He wears no airs and there are none around him. He is as simple as air itself. The calm ambience he exudes is just natural. He is just being himself.

However, many would be shocked to later learn that this unassuming Youngman who mingles with the lowly and the downtrodden without discrimination is workaholic, a business czar, corporate tiger and sits atop multi-billion dollars investments spanning several interests.Chief (Comrade) Daniel Chukwudi Obiorah (The Onwa n’etilora 1 of Anam Kingdom) is a tested Philanthropist, an achiever-a job creator,and an employer of labour . And he makes no noise about these.In Nigeria those often considered the greatest are the politicians, fraudulent exploiters, violent conquerors and evil geniuses turned heroes and heroines, who have out done others by stealing the community’s common wealth and sharing crumbs amongst their praise singers but Chief (Comrade) Daniel Chukwudi Obiorah (The Onwa n’etilora 1 of Anam Kingdom)people by giving them comfort with he ultimate fulfillment to them,his people.

Chief (Comrade) Daniel Chukwudi Obiorah (The Onwa n’etilora 1 of Anam Kingdom) is a courageous and dogged fighter, unassuming, highly principled and very modest in all aspects of life. His lifestyle and philosophy is worthy of emulation. A great philanthropist who has empowered numerous youths in Anam Kingdom and Delta State.
In this interview with Grassroots Publishers, he explained why he finds love in humanitarian services.

Excerpts:

Briefly tell us about your background?

Chief Daniel Obiora ( Onwa N’Etili Ora 1 of Anam Kingdom) hails from Anam in Anambra West local government area of Anambra state. I am from a very noble and humble background. I was born into a royal family of six as the fourth child. My respected Father who was also a Chief until his death. Then my lovely mother who has been a source of inspiration and motivation for me. I came from a family of farmers. After my primary and secondary education, I proceeded to Benin-Republic for further studies.

Why do you like helping people?

There is saying that goes: “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” For it is in giving that we receive. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving. Making money is happiness; making other people happy is a superhappiness. The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity. We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. Therefore, my foundation for giving is passionate; it is inborn. Life is like a circle; the more we share with others, the more the society gets better and the better we are.

What are some of the positive impacts you have made?

Some of my interventions are designed to alleviate the social, cultural and environmental issues, which is aimed at reducing the impact of poverty among the most vulnerable while creating equal opportunities for all for exponential impact on even the global society. I have engaged most seriously in Youths supportive programmes because youths they say are the leaders of tomorrow. I have also given scholarships to indigent children; provided equipment to hospitals to enhance proper health care services in Anam Kingdom.

Do you have any political ambition?

I don’t have any right now. Really, I don’t have. I have to focus on making sure that the youths are engaged and that is my joy. My major priority now is how to make life meaningful to people around me. I am not thinking of politics now.

What are the things you detest most?

Well, I do not like people telling lies particularly when they are obvious. I do not like booth licking. I want to be seen as a straight person who will just live his. Another thing I don’t like is somebody who has the skill and has refused to use it or somebody who has refused to acquire skill. You know you really cannot work with such person. So, like I said, the only way out is just to do the right thing.

What legacy would you want to leave behind?

I will want to be seen as a good person who has improved the quality of work and lives of people around me and more importantly the less privileged and youths. In spite of all I have said, I consider myself to be very, very lucky. There lots of people who are not as lucky as I am, it is not because I am special, it is just because the Almighty God made it possible for it to be so. Some people don’t have who pay their school fees yet they are very brainy and diligent students. Such people if identified in the society, I want to be seen as somebody who they can relate with, make them know that it is not the end of the world and that help can actually come from places that they least expected. I want to also use this opportunity to advice the elites to imbibe the idea of contributing to the service to humanity as the government alone cannot do it.

Yahoo boy allegedly used his sister’s son for money rituals in Lagos

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Yahoo boy allegedly used his sister’s son for money rituals in Lagos

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he man identified as Tunde Owolabi popularly known as ‘Money Talks’ was caught using his elder sister’s son, who was just 7 years old for money rituals in Ikoyi, an area on the Island in Lagos.

An internet fraudster, otherwise referred to as Yahoo Boy has been arrested in Lagos after he was caught trying to use his sister’s son for money rituals.The man identified as Tunde Owolabi popularly known as ‘Money Talks’ was caught using his elder sister’s son, who was just 7 years old for money rituals in Ikoyi, an area on the Island in Lagos.

The story was posted on Facebook by a man identified as Odueko Olumide John,and according to him the suspect took security operatives to where he dumped the boy’s corpse. The suspect was pictured with the decaying corpse of the boy while he was being handcuffed to another unidentified suspect.

In his post he wrote:

Luck ran out of another Yahoo big boy named Tunde Owolabi ( aka Money Talks) caught using his elder sister’s 7-year-old son for money rituals in Ikoyi, Lagos State.

He is alleged to be in Police custody and helping the police with investigations.

The post sparked outrage as Facebook users rained curses on the suspected ‘yahoo boy’

The rate at which young guys now use other humans for rituals is quite alarming and it goes to depict the lack of adequate security and surveillance system in the country.

Just some few days back, a guy was allegedly caught trying to clean other people’s urine with a white handkerchief. He was suspected to be doing so for rituals purpose and this enraged the people of the area that he was beaten brutally.

A lady also sometimes narrated how she was saved from the hands of her former boyfriend who happened to be a Yahoo Boy. According to the lady, she overheard the guy talking with his friend on how he disposed the human excreta he ate the day before in his neighbour’s trash can.

She immediately ran for her dear life!

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