• The suspects

Four arrested suspects linked to the killing of Ibrahim Mabaya, a Political Science Student of University of Jos, have narrated how they killed their fellow student over alleged phone theft.

The suspects made the revelations while being paraded at the State Police command.

Emmanuel Newyear, a 30-year-old, admitted that he participated in the torture of the deceased.

“On the 26 of this month, my cousin came to my place informing that his phone was missing. He said they have called the deceased and had come to the apartment.

“When we interrogated him, he told us the phone was at the Naraguta hostel beside a tree but we checked and we didn’t see it. He later told us that the phone was at Rayfield and we went there but din’t see it. We all returned to the hostel. People had already gathered at the compound.

“I first slapped him inside the room and later brought him outside. I was the one that hit him with plank three times. I beat him because I want him to tell me where the phone is. I know him through my cousin brother,” Newyear explained.

Teslor Joshua, another suspect, admitted that he participated in the torture of the deceased, noting that he participated in holding his hand, when they were tying him with rope.

Rinji Daniel, the owner of the phone, also gave an account of the incident.

Daniel said, “We came back from an event on that day and Ibee said he would pass the night in my room. He later said he wanted to go outside to answer a call. He did not come back on time and my brother and I later slept while my phone and my brother’s power bank were charging. I woke up around 4 a.m. and didn’t see the deceased. Only two of us were on the bed. I expected three of us because he only told me he was going to answer a call outside.

“I checked for my phone and discovered it was not there and the power bank was missing too. I checked outside and didn’t see him. I called his number and he was not picking. I tried my phone but it was switched off. I used another person’s phone to call his number, he then picked the call and cut it again. I then reported the case to my cousin. That is where the whole thing started.”

• Awuche | BBC

Ghana’s tallest man, Sulemana Abdul Samed, popularly known as Awuche, has died at the age of 33.

His demise has prompted an outpour of grief, particularly in northern Ghana where his extraordinary height made him a local celebrity.

The BBC reported that Awuche died on Monday at the Tamale Teaching Hospital after being admitted with infected sores on his legs.

He was being treated in the northern city of Tamale, about 160km (100 miles) from his home village of Gambaga.

A relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, described the late giant as a generous and well-loved figure.

“Everyone knew how generous and kind he was. From when he died until now a lot of people are still coming to the house to find out what exactly happened,” Kudus told the BBC.

Diagnosed with gigantism in his 20s, Awuche measured 7ft 4in (223cm) when the BBC measured him in late 2022, though it is believed he may have grown even taller before his death.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to the newly established Nigerian Army Divisions.

This followed the approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the establishment of four additional Divisions.

A statement by Col Appolonia Anele, Acting Director, Army Public Relations said, “The landmark development forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s force structure, expand its operational footprint, enhance command and control as well as improve the Service’s capacity to effectively respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.”

“The newly established Divisions will immediately commence operations, in the respective locations, on attainment of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) while deliberate measures are being implemented to progressively attain Full Operational Capability (FOC).”

“This phased approach will ensure seamless operationalisation, operational continuity and rapid force projection across the country”.

“Consequently, the Nigerian Army has undertaken a comprehensive reorganisation of its Divisional Areas of Responsibility.

Under the new structure, 1 Division Kaduna will be responsible for security in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States, while 2 Division Ibadan will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.The 3 Division Jos will oversee Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.

The newly established 5 Division, with Headquarters in Makurdi, will assume responsibility for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will cover Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

The 7 Division Maiduguri will be responsible for Borno and Yobe states while 8 Division Sokoto will retain responsibility for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.

(Vanguard)