Metro

10 Perish In Akwa Ibom Boat Mishap

Published

2 years ago

June 27, 2023

At least 10 persons were reportedly dead when an outboard engine boat capsized off the coast of Mbo local government area in Akwa Ibom State.

It was gathered that, of the 10 victims, five were from the same family from the Udung Uko local government area of the State.

They were returning from a fishing settlement, Ine Ataobong in Bakassi Peninsula when they sailed into a fierce storm which capsized their boat with only two persons surviving the tragedy.

A relation of one of the survivors, Mrs Eno Effai who deals on sea foods described the incident as tragic as according to her, there was no life jacket in the boat.

She said: “It is really so sad. The sea has been so rough this period. Many people have lost their lives in the sea while travelling to Mbo or Oron. And this particular one is really sad in the sense that a family of five including the mother and school children were involved in the mishap. “

Meanwhile, a group, Mbo Concerned Citizens has advocated for the establishment of a Coast Guard to assist the government in checkmating the nefarious activities of sea pirates in the waterways.

Besides, the group noted that such an outfit would go a long way in helping the people involved in the boat mishap thereby saving lives

Their position is contained in a tersely worded statement signed by its Coordinator, Uloj Amba and made available to Vanguard in Uyo, the State capital.

“It is becoming very necessary for the government either federal or state to establish a Coast Guard with the mandate to checkmate the unholy activities of sea robbers.

“Our people especially the fishermen have suffered immensely in the hands of these pirates. No day passes by without any incident on the waterways which is affecting the livelihood of our people which is fishing.

“Also, the outfit will be of great help to sea travellers as it is being done in the developed countries. Nothing stops us from starting it here as well which will give opportunity to young and energetic people to be gainfully employed. So, we are appealing to the government to give this a thought. Many of our people have died during this period because of lack of help when they have boat mishaps.”

Metro

16-year-old Killed As NDLEA Operatives, Drug Barons Clash In Edo

Published

12 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, and drug barons reportedly clashed at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area, leading to the death of a 16 -years -old boy, identified as Emmanuel Monday George.

Two others identified as God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), were said to have sustained serious injuries during the gun duel which reportedly happened on Monday.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Thursday.

Ofoyeju said that one of its officers sustained an injury after being struck on the hand with a sharp object.

Recall that Army and NDLEA officers were recently attacked by drug barons in the agrarian community, notable for cannabis cultivation.

Metro

JUST IN: Fire Guts Store At Abuja Mall

Published

15 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

A fire incident occurred at the Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday.

The cause of the fire, which started around 3am, could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

It was gathered that only the Adidas Sports shop was affected.

It was further gathered that firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, the Berger Fire Department, and the FCT Fire Service, as well as police officers, were deployed to the scene.

A resident of Jabi, Saliu, who informed our correspondent of the incident, said the fire had been contained.

He said, “Around 3am., this morning, there was a fire incident at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja. No loss of life or injury was recorded. Only the Adidas Sports shop was affected by the fire.”

The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH.

Adeh said police officers were deployed to the location to secure the area and prevent looting.

“We received a distress call at about 3:40 a.m. We immediately deployed our men there to secure the place and prevent any breach of public order,” she said.

Metro

JUST IN: Hausa, Benin Youths Clash Over Killing Of Suspected Yahoo Boy

Published

1 day ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

Photo: file copy

Several persons were on Wednesday night injured in a clash between Hausa and Benin youths, in Ogheghe community, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, over the killing of a suspected yahoo boy identified as Chizi Benz.

According to sources, Chizi Benz was said to have been stabbed to death by a Hausa youth over a sour deal.

Though details of the deal were not available as at press time, the killing of Chidi Benz sparked outrage as youths stormed the streets with dangerous weapons in a revenge mission.

According to sources, many ‘Abokis’ were injured in a reprisal attack while others fled for safety.

News of the killing was to have spread to nearby communities of Uwelu along the Siluko Axis, forcing Hausa youths who do petty trading and rides okada closed their businesses and fled for safety.

According to sources, policemen who were deployed to the area fired tear gas to disperse the angry youths.

Edo Police Spokesman, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident, promised to send a detailed statement.

He was yet to do so as at press time.