One Imo Etimudo, a staff of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has accused officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of beating him up on the order of a Port Harcourt Electricity Company (PHEDC) official over refusal to give bribe.
Etimudo alleged that he was assaulted on Saturday, October 17, by the NSCDC officers on the directives of a senior staff of PHEDC identified as Umoh Joseph Offiong.
Narrating his ordeal to Daily Trust in Uyo, Etimudo said that Umoh led the PHEDC team to the estate where he lived to disconnect the electricity lines of residents that have not paid their bills.
He said he was surprised at the PHEDC official’s request because the estate had been without electricity for close to six months and the company has stopped bringing bills.
“The PHEDC people came to where I live at Anniversary Estate along Idoro road in Uyo. We have not had light in the estate for over a year until [Saturday]. They came and knocked at the gate and I opened for them. They demanded for my electricity bill and I told them I don’t have it because we have not had light for over a year and that is maybe why they don’t give us bills,” Etimudo explained.
“They said okay that I should give them money and I asked them what the money they demanded was for. They said their ‘oga'(boss) said I should find them something so I went out to see their ‘oga’. As soon as I went to see their boss, they dropped my wires. At that point I demanded to know why the wires were dropped because we have not enjoyed electricity supply from PHEDC for a very long time,”
“They said they are disconnecting me and going with my wires because I refused to give them money. I insisted they can’t go with their wires after disconnecting me. I tried to stop them from taking the wires away. I wasn’t the only person. There is a serving Army Major-General who is my neighbour. He is in Maiduguri but his family lives here. The man has a prepaid meter inside his house but they still brought down his wires,”
“The branch manager of Keystone Bank lives here too. He has a prepaid meter also. They met him in person and demanded money from him. The man refused to give them money and they brought down his light. I tried reaching the NUJ chairman to intervene but he said he was indisposed so I decided to drive out in my car to seek help,”
“On my way out, close to my apartment, I was blocked by NSCDC and the PHEDC officials who attacked and beat me up and inflicted serious injuries on my head and back. Six of them in addition to eight others supposedly working for PHED. They shot sporadically with live ammunition and everyone ran for safety.
“The Civil Defence guys hit me with their guns, my head had a deep cut, and serious wounds in other parts of my body as well as my shoulder that became dislocated. I bled unconsciously. They “arrested” me into the Toyota Camry which they used for the illegal job. My wife and my parents were equally assaulted for attempting to rescue me. My cousin and my neighbours defied the gun shots and came for me. That delayed their whisking me away like a criminal.
“I began to regain consciousness and put calls to the Chairman of NUJ in Akwa Ibom State and my lawyer friends. I was about to dial the number of the PPRO in Akwa Ibom State when they snatched the phone from me. They told me repeatedly that they can kill me and nothing would happen. When the residents came out again, they disappeared with the speed of light. I was taken to Itam Police Station to report the incident before going to the hospital.”
It was learnt that the State Commandant of NSCDC, Samuel Fadeyi had reached out to the State Chairman of NUJ, who admitted that a meeting was scheduled on Monday to address the matter.
Meanwhile, Etimudo posted photos of the PHEDC staff and NSCDC officials involved in his assault.
See his posts below…
At 31, Lagos-born Espago is redefining what it means to be a late bloomer in the Nigerian music
space. After spending years as a chef, designer, and farmer, Espago turned to music just a year
ago on a journey sparked by deep loss, life experience, and self-discovery.
What makes him different? It’s not just his sound, it’s his story. Espago brings a calm but
confident energy that mirrors his Lagos upbringing: a blend of vibrant Fuji rhythms and soulful
Afrobeat traditions like King Sunny Ade, shaped by global legends like Michael Jackson and
Celine Dion. His voice? Professionally trained. His brand? Stylish, grounded, and intentional.
Espago didn’t wait for the industry to find him; he found his own way in, teaching himself,
searching out producers, and building his identity from scratch. With no major label backing and
no big-name features, he has still built a brand marked by boldness, emotion, and Lagos street
authenticity.
He’s not just making music; he’s building a lifestyle brand. His creative roots are in food,
fashion, and music fused into something richer than just a “sound.” It’s a full experience. While
he hasn’t performed live yet, he’s putting in the work behind the scenes, mentoring new artists,
recording regularly to sharpen his voice and brand for bigger stages ahead.
In a scene dominated by speed, Espago’s journey is about intentional growth, honest
expression, and emotional connection.
As the new class of Afro‑HipHop begins to take shape, Espago stands out not just for what he’s
making, but for who he is becoming.
Rising artist Derriq isn’t just making music for entertainment; he’s building a legacy rooted in culture, resilience, and pride. The Lagos-based Afro-soul and Afrobeats singer has his eyes set on something bigger than streaming numbers: putting his hometown of Benin City on the global creative map is his dream.
A native of Edo State, Derriq’s musical journey began as a child organizing school parties just for the chance to perform. Since then, he’s gone from studio assistant to full-fledged artist, releasing impactful tracks like “Position,” “Vibration,” and “Confidence.” His sound, described as smooth, calm, and party-ready, reflects the duality of his personality: laid-back yet determined, quiet but powerful.
Derriq is more than just a promising name on Nigeria’s growing music roster; he’s a symbol of the next generation of artists who blend regional identity with global appeal using his distinctive voice, a strong sense of direction, and his signature slang “Yehboo! Yezaiii!” making waves among fans, Derriq is proving that cultural authenticity still cuts through the noise.
His next single, “Omo n’ Ogie,” is a tribute to his heritage and a signal that he’s just getting started. Keep your eyes on Derriq, he’s not just singing for the moment, he’s singing for a movement.
Follow @DerriqMusic on all social platforms
For interviews and press: derriqmusic@gmail.com
Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:
1. President Bola Tinubu will address the nation in a broadcast today, Sunday, August 4, 2024. Mr Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced this in a statement, on Saturday, saying the broadcast would hold at 7am.
2. The Commissioner of Police in Borno State, Yusuf Lawal, on Saturday confirmed the killing of four persons along Baga Road in Maiduguri, Borno State during the nationwide #EndBadGoverment protest. He said Boko Haram elements infiltrated the protesters and killed four persons on Thursday with explosives at a filling station.
3. Many persons have been feared killed while others sustained injuries as hoodlums clashed with security operatives in Kano. It was gathered that Rijiyar Lemo, Kurna to Bachirawa areas in Fagge Local Government, Kofar Nassarawa in Kano municipal and Unguwa Uku area of Tarauni Local Government are the worst hit areas.
4. The leadership of the organised labour, on Saturday, warned the Nigeria Police Force and other security forces to stop what it described as a “massacre” of protesters carrying out nationwide demonstrations against hunger in the land.
5. Leading Human Rights group, Amnesty International Nigeria, has said over 50 protesters were arrested in Abuja on the third day of the demonstration against hardship in the land.
6. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged the police and other security agencies to stop shooting and killing protesters demanding good governance in Nigeria. Atiku in a statement on Saturday, questioned the professionalism of the security agencies in the handling of the ongoing demonstrations.
7. Some of the organisers and supporters of the ongoing protest have set up pages to raise over N4bn through GoFundMe, a popular online crowdfunding platform. A check on Saturday showed that a total of N4.1bn had been benchmarked to be donated through accounts created by three GoFundMe users.
8. Tragedy struck again in Imo State on Saturday evening when some gunmen reportedly shot dead the President-General of Umucheke Okwe autonomous community in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State, Hyginus Ohazurike. Six village heads from the autonomous community were also allegedly killed by the gunmen.
9. The Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh has said his men were not responsible for the death of a teenager in the Kubwa area of the FCT. In a viral video, a man claimed that police, while dispersing protesters, shot dead a teenager in the Kubwa area.
10. The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu has said President Bola Tinubu is keeping an eye on the ongoing #EndBadGovernance demonstrations across the country.
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