The Lagos state chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress says the opposition Peoples Democratic Party should forget the dream of winning any election in the state in future.

 

The State Chairman of the party, Tunde Balogun made this pronouncement while receiving decamping top members of the PDP at the party’s secretariat in Ikeja.

 

Leading members of the PDP who dumped the party for APC includes; former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former PDP leader in Ikeja constituency, Mutiu Okunola, Alhaji Raman Falawe (Lagos Island), Jebe Dayo (Mushin),Tajudeen Agoro (Lagos Mainland), and Arisekola Afeez from Accord Party, Mushin).

 

Tunde Balogun added that the defectors decided to join the APC because of purposeful leadership the party had been giving to Lagosians in the last 20 years.

 

He also said that since politics is about numbers, their additions will further strengthen the stronghold of the APC in Lagos State.

 

The decampees after receiving APC flag, Mutiu Okunola said he defected to the APC with his supporters to change the narratives and strengthen the stronghold of the party in the south western region of the country.

Six people have died after a mining pit that collapsed on them at Zawan Community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

 

Many others were injured during excavation of mineral resources from the site.

 

Spokesman of the state Police Command, Gabriel Ubah, said that several artisanal miners were on the site with over 20 people trapped in the pit that collapsed.

 

The state government commiserated with families of the deceased and described the incident as unfortunate.

 

It, directed the state Ministry of Minerals Development to investigate the circumstances that led to the tragic incident for proper action to be taken.

 

On his part, President Buhari called for greater compliance with mining best practices and urged medical personnel to give the injured victims the best attention while wishing them quick recovery.

In Lagos, the Executive Chairman of Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area, Omobolanle Akinyemi Obe has announced the immediate suspension of the activities of National Union of Road Transport Workers and Road Transport Employee Association of Nigeria in the area.

 

According to the Council boss, the directive is to ensure the safety and security of residents following the recent clashes of rival gangs in the area.

 

 Akinyemi Obe also directed operators of bars and viewing centres in the Council area to close shop before 9pm while slamming a total ban on Street Carnivals during this festive period.

 

Security operatives from the Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Area C Command, Aguda/Ijesha Division have been deployed to intensify patrol and surveillance in the area.

In Ondo state, the police command says it is not true that the body of a missing child was found at the altar of Sotitobire Miracle Church in Akure, the state capital.

 

Irate youths had set the church on fire on Wednesday over a rumour that the corpse of a one-year-old boy declared missing was exhumed in the church.

 

The baby, Gold Kolawole was declared missing during a church service in November.

 

The spokesperson of the Ondo state police command, Femi Joseph said a popular television station in the state had misled the people to believe the rumour.

 

The state Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie called for peace while also denying the claim that the body of a year-old boy was exhumed from the church.