Metro

31-year-old Footballer Drowns While Rescuing Victims Of Boat Mishap In Bayelsa

Published

2 years ago

October 22, 2022

Editor

A 31-year-old grassroots footballer from Bayelsa State, Ernest Peremobowei, has reportedly died while trying to rescue victims of a boat mishap in the raging flood of Bebelebiri Community, in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

The corpse of the deceased was, however, recovered two days after while some of his body parts were allegedly eaten up by fish in the river.

It was gathered that Peremobowei, one of the three joint top scorers in the just-concluded Prosperity Cup, a local tournament organised by the Bayelsa State Government met his untimely death while returning home in a canoe shortly after taking his wife and three children to a higher ground to escape the raging flood.

According to eyewitness accounts, the canoe which was conveying him and six other persons from the Federal Medical Center waterfront capsized because it could not withstand the current of the raging flood.

Confirming the incident, the coach of Bebelebiri FC which he played for during the last edition of the competition, Kenneth Dreams, said that the popular footballer died in the process rescuing other occupants of the canoe.

He said “He took his family to an IDP camp because the flood had taken over his house. So, while returning home, he boarded a canoe with six others when the current of the raging flood capsized the boat.

“We heard that he was able to save four persons who were involved in the boat mishap before drowning at the end. He was a great player during the tournament but we have no other choice but to accept the loss.”

The younger brother to the deceased, Earnest Komboye, who also confirmed the incident.

He said, “Due to the high current of the flood, they lost control of the boat when they smashed into the Government Jetty Barge. He was the only one that knew how to swim well and he rescued the five persons with him. I think he was exhausted and was washed away by the current.”

He also confirmed the last person rescued by his late brother is at the Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa for treatment.

Komboye, said the loss of his brother to flood is painful and a huge loss to his wife and two children, aged between 10 months (girl) and 3 years (boy), “the family is appealing to the State Government to assist the deceased’s children and the family at this trying moments.”

Metro

Delta Police Kill Suspected Kidnapper, Rescue Victims, Arrest Armed Robber Cultist

Published

18 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command in collaboration with vigilante and hunter groups, have neutralized a suspected kidnapper during a fierce gun duel and rescued two abducted victims in Ughelli Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, who made this known in a statement on Sunday, April 28, 2024, said the suspect sustained gunshot injuries when he and members of his gang engaged the security operatives in a shootout in their hideout.

The suspect was rushed to a hospital where he died while receiving medical treatment. Other members of the gang escaped from the scene.

“On 26/4/2024, at about 0900hours, the command received an intelligence report that some suspected kidnappers were hibernating in Okuno, Orogun, where they were hiding alongside some kidnapped victims, the Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Abaniwonda Olufemi directed the DPO Abraka Division SP Fabian Ayameh to lead police operatives to their hideout,” the statement read.

“The DPO swiftly mobilized police operatives alongside members of the Abraka vigilante, and hunters group, stormed the bush, and engaged the suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun duel during which one of the suspects sustained serious gunshot injuries while others escaped. One AK-47 rifle and eleven (11) rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.

“The two kidnapped victims (name withheld) were rescued unhurt and have been reunited with their families, while the injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment. Manhunt for the other fleeing suspects is ongoing,” the statement added.

The PPRO further disclosed that police arrested a motorcycle rider, Orji Timothy with illicit drugs, two cutlasses and a locally made double barrel pistol with two live cartridges along Ovirigor Road in Ughelli.

“On 24/04/2024, at about 1445hrs, Eagle Net Special Squad Surveillance team while on routine patrol along Ovirigor Road Ughelli, flagged down a motorcycle. Upon search, a sizeable quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp was recovered. This necessitated the arrest of the 38-year-old motorcycle rider, Orji Timothy of No. 21 Olotu Street Ughelli,” the statement read.

“The operatives further extended their search to the suspect’s residence, where a Locally Made Double Barrel Pistol with Two Live Cartridges, Twenty Sachets of 100mg Tramadol, One Sachet of Swinol, and two Cutlasses were recovered. The investigation is ongoing.”

Meanwhile, police in the Ovwian-Aladja Division arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered an English Berretta pistol from him.

“On 22/4/24 at about 0300 hrs, a distress call was received at the Ovwian/Aladja Divisional Police Headquarters, that one Anthony Odumegwu, a 44 yrs male indigene of Ihiala, Anambra State, was arrested in an attempt to steal a Daylong Motorcycle with from one Mohammed Yusuf of Ekete Inland Waterside. Upon receipt of the information, the DPO Ovwian/Aladja, CSP Bulus Musa swiftly mobilized to the scene of the crime, and on a thorough search of the suspect and scene of the crime, an English Berreta Pistol without a magazine was recovered. The investigation is ongoing.”

CP Abaniwonda Olufemi noted that the swift and decisive action of officers of the command serves as a testament to the commitment to curbing criminal activities in the state and ensuring the safety of the state.

The commissioner further encourages the public to never hesitate to call the Control Room Numbers: 08036684974; 08125958005; and 09053872287; to report criminal activities or assist the police by giving credible information.

Metro

Gunmen Assassinate Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Campaign Coordinator In Ondo

Published

19 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

Unknown gunmen have killed Alaba Excel Abbey, one of the campaign coordinators of the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the incumbent governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

It was gathered that Abbey was also the Returning Officer for Ward 10 in Supare Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State in the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election.

The deceased who served as a ward coordinator for the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot-Soldiers (LACO-SF), was shot dead in front of his house.

The deceased’s elder brother, Samuel Abbey, who confirmed the incident to Leadership, said Alaba was assassinated around 9 pm on Saturday, April 27, 2024, shortly after returning home.

In a statement released by its State Information Director, Mr Kayode Fasua, the group revealed that the late Abbey was actively involved in campaigning for the election of Governor Aiyedatiwa until his untimely demise.

Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya said an investigation has begun into the case.

“In brief, the command is aware of the incident at Supare, and the investigation is ongoing to unravel all that happened,” she added.

Metro

Five Injured As Vehicles Collide In Lagos

Published

19 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

Five yet-to-be-identified persons have sustained varying degrees of injuries in an accident that occurred around 6:00 p.m. at Gbagada Bridge in Lagos State.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday.

According to the statement, a three-year-old suffered a head injury, while the four other individuals had fractures in different parts of their bodies.

Taofiq added that a preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a Benz car with registration number JJJ-219 XU lost control while using a mobile phone and collided with a Volkswagen Commercial bus with registration number APP-46 GZ parked on the roadside for battery repair.

He noted that the driver of the Mercedes car had been turned over to police officers from the Alonge Police Station and that the victims had been taken to Gbagada General Hospital.

The Special Advisor to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, expressed condolences for the injured victims while urging motorists to drive safely.

The statement partly reads, “Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) operatives responded swiftly today at 6:00 PM to a collision on Gbagada Bridge heading towards Gbagada Express Way, Lagos, rescuing a 3-year-old girl and four others.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that a driver of a Benz car (JJJ 219 XU) lost control while using a mobile phone and collided with a Volkswagen commercial bus (APP 46 GZ) parked on the roadside for battery repair.

“Mr Adebayo confirmed that the 3-year-old girl sustained a head injury, while the four others, including the commercial bus driver, suffered fractures in various parts of their bodies.

“The rescued individuals were promptly taken to Gbagada General Hospital by LASTMA officials and Lagos State Ambulance Service personnel.”