Headlines

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old man, identified as Success, for allegedly killing his father with a cutlass in Amukpe community, Sapele Local Government Area.

The incident reportedly occurred at the family’s residence following a heated argument over a monetary request. According to witnesses, Success had demanded N5,000 from his father, who refused, leading to a confrontation.

A neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described Success as a known drug addict with a history of erratic behaviour. “Everyone in this area knows Success as a drug addict who always misbehaves whenever he has taken those drugs,” the neighbour said.

During the altercation, Success allegedly attacked his father with a cutlass, inflicting severe injuries. The victim was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident on Thursday, stating that the suspect is in custody.

The tragic incident has left residents of Amukpe in shock, with many highlighting the dangers of substance abuse and the need for better mental health support in the community.

The Rivers State Government has confirmed five cases of cholera and nine related deaths following an outbreak in Akuku-Toru and Andoni Local Government Areas.

State Commissioner for Health, Adaeze Oreh, disclosed that all confirmed cases were recorded in Akuku-Toru, while fatalities occurred in both affected LGAs.

Oreh revealed that emergency response teams have been deployed to the areas to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread. Sensitization campaigns have also been intensified across the state to educate residents on preventive measures.

She emphasized the importance of hygiene and urged residents to report suspected cases promptly. The Commissioner also advised individuals in affected communities to maintain proper sanitation, drink only safe water, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, or dehydration.

Oreh called on parents to cooperate with health officials as efforts to mitigate the outbreak continue. She assured the public of the government’s commitment to safeguarding health and promised regular updates on the situation.

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 34.80% in December 2024, up from 34.60% in November, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced on Wednesday.

The marginal 0.20% increase was attributed to heightened demand for goods and services during the festive season, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which tracks changes in the prices of goods and services.

“On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 5.87% higher than the rate recorded in December 2023, which stood at 28.92%,” the report stated.

Food inflation for December 2024 stood at 39.84% on a year-on-year basis, up from 33.93% in December 2023. The rise was linked to increased prices of key items, including yam, sweet potatoes, maize, rice, bread, cereals, fish, and beer.

The sharp increase in inflation highlights Nigeria’s worsening cost of living crisis, considered one of the worst in the country’s history since gaining independence.

Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, when inflation was 22.41%, the rate has soared by more than 12 percentage points, reaching 34.80% in December 2024. Economists have attributed the surge to Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of forex rates.

In presenting a ₦49.7 trillion budget to the National Assembly on December 18, 2024, Tinubu outlined plans to reduce inflation to 15% by 2025. However, experts have described the goal as ambitious, given the prevailing economic challenges.