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BREAKING: Four Feared Killed As Tanker Explosion Rocks Rivers

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No fewer than four persons were feared killed following a multiple explosion at the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State on Friday night.

It was gathered that a tanker laden with petroleum products exploded, affecting other vehicles in the area known for its gridlock.

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The incident started arpind 9:15pm adjacent to the Indorama Petrochemical Company located along the Akpojo-Onne axis of the East-West Road leading to some critical national assets.

A source living in Akpajo, Eleme Local Government Area, said he heard a deafening sound twice from his residence.

READ ALSO: Citizens Groan As Petrol Sells For Over N1000 Per Litre In Kaduna

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The source who gave his name as Vikko said, “I heard a very loud sound about 20 minutes ago, and people were shouting.

“The sound came from the Petro-Chemical company area. So when I came out, I saw a thick smoke with fire from a distance.”

A Port Harcourt-based broadcast journalist, Segun Owolabi, who gave a live update from the scene aired on his company’s Radio Station (Super FM, 93.3) painted a gory picture and said he counted four bodies burnt.

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Owolabi stated, “I saw four dead bodies burnt. Some may have been in the bushes because many ran away. I saw a whole stretch of vehicles burnt down, trailer burnt down.”

READ ALSO: Sad Story: Nigerian Who Relocated To UK In 2022 Beat Wife To Death With Skateboard

On what may have caused the fire which he said was still raging, he said, “There seems to be a truck carrying substances and it was as if it had a collision with another vehicle that may have ignited the fire. Over 20 vehicles burnt down and several people trapped.

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“There may be more bodies. Oh my God this is a tragedy. A stretch of vehicles burnt,.”

He, however, said three fire-fighting trucks from the Indorama Petrochemical company had arrived at the scene and were trying to put out the fire which was still raging.

He added, “Our call right now is to other companies to assist in putting out the fire because it may overwhelm the three fire trucks by the Indorama Company.

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“Some security agents are here too, but we call for security presence to ensure nothing else happens here. Also the Rivers State Government and other relevant agencies should rise to the occasion in seeing that the situation is brought under control.

READ ALSO: Neglected Charcoal Fire Engulfs 40-room Building In Kwara

“Also, the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area should swing into action and make every necessary call he needs to make to save people of his area and others using the road.”

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Owolabi said the fire was still raging as of the time he left with thick smoke billowing into the atmosphere.

Following the incident, it was gathered that hundreds of travellers and passengers were stranded as the road which leads to Akwa Ibom, Cross River and others were blocked.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said though she was yet to get a situation report on the incident, she would find out and revert.

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She had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report on Friday night.

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Lagos Man Killed In Fight, Suspect Arrested

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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man, Ebuka Adindu, for allegedly stabbing Sodiq Ibrahim to death during a violent confrontation in the Mandillas area of Lagos on Wednesday.

A social media user, @JackFleet, who first raised the alarm on X.com, wrote, “There’s a fracas going on presently in Lagos Island, Mandillas to be precise.

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Two guys were fighting, and it resulted in the death of one of them. Right now, street urchins have taken the law into their hands, stabbing innocent people on the street.”

Reacting to the post, the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, dismissed the claim that miscreants had taken over the area.

READ ALSO:Lagos: Police Arrest Security Guard For Stealing Generators, Others

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“Your claim of street urchins taking over the street is false. Please do not cause unnecessary panic. DPOs Lion Building and Ebute-Ero are currently on the ground with their men, maintaining the restored peace.

“Also, the suspect has been arrested and is in custody for further necessary actions,” Hundeyin stated in a post on Wednesday.

In a follow-up message to PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, Hundeyin clarified that the incident was not a tribal clash, as was being speculated.

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The Lagos State Police Command hereby wishes to inform the general public that there was no tribal clash or disturbance between any ethnic groups and others inside Balogun Market today.

READ ALSO:Man Kills Self In Imo Over Hardship, Family Neglect

“There was an incident of a free-for-all between some hoodlums and miscreants in the Balogun Market in the early hours of today at around 11 am.

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“During the fight, one Ebuka Adindu from Abia State stabbed one Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State to death, and the said Ebuka Adindu in turn stabbed himself on the shoulder and became unconscious.

“He is currently under arrest in the hospital, where he is being treated. Investigation into the matter will be concluded, and he will be prosecuted after he has been discharged from the hospital,” Hundeyin explained.

The police stressed that no innocent lives were lost, no other injuries were recorded, and no goods or property in the market was destroyed.

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READ ALSO:Bandits Kill Worshiper, Abduct Others In Sokoto Mosque

The statement read, “The Lagos State Police Command wishes to reiterate that the incident is not a tribal clash but purely between miscreants and hoodlums around the Balogun Market. Normalcy has been restored.

“Marketers and the general public on the Island and other parts of Lagos State are encouraged to go about their businesses and other lawful endeavours without fear or apprehension.”

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Hundeyin, quoting the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, called on Lagos State residents “to remain law-abiding and cooperate with the police command to sustain existing peace in the state and not to spread fear in the mind of the public, as Lagos is generally peaceful.”

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JUST IN: NLC Defies Edo Assembly Resolution, Inaugurates Factional Caretaker Committee

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has inaugurated Professor Monday Igbafen as Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Edo State Council despite resistance from the state House of Assembly.

This particular faction is supported by the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajero, while the Edo State government is in support of the Comrade Bernard Joman Egwakhide-led faction.

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The swearing-i was initially slated to take place at the Adams Oshiomhole Labour House in Benin City on Thursday, but the venue was locked and secured, apparently in a bid to block the event from taking place.

This came two days after the state House of Assembly passed a resolution urging the NLC to suspend the inauguration and instead recognize Comrade Bernard Joman Egwakhide as the rightful leader of the union in Edo.

READ ALSO: Strike: NLC To Shutdown FCT After Tinubu’s Project Inaugurations Labour

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In spite of this, the NLC delegation from the national secretariat, led by Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday, pressed on with their plans.

The group initially moved to the ASUU Secretariat within the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin, however, after information about that location was leaked, the team quickly relocated.

The inauguration was eventually conducted at an undisclosed venue under tight security.

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Speaking during the ceremony, Comrade Oluwole charged the newly constituted faction to restore unity within the state chapter.

You are to resolve all contending issues and work towards electing new executives,” he said.

READ ALSO: May Day Shocker: NLC Cancels Celebrations In Rivers, Edo States

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In his acceptance remarks, Professor Igbafen pledged to mend divisions within the Edo NLC, assuring stakeholders of a renewed focus on solidarity and internal cohesion.

At NLC Secretariat, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force sealed off the Edo State secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress otherwise known as the Adams Oshiomhole Labour House.

Similarly, the main gate of the University of Benin was beefed up with police personnel.

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Some suspected thugs were also seen loitering around the secretariat.

READ ALSO: NLC Turns May Day Into Protest March For Fubara In Rivers

A police Armoured Personnel Carrier was deployed to the NLC secretariat,
while heavy security at the Labour House and the UNIBEN main gate were present.

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Some NLC leaders from neighbouring states, who were scheduled to attend the inauguration, at the Labour House, expressed regret that they could not access the secretariat.

Speaking, Comrade Augustine Igben from the Maritime Workers Union, said he was embarrassed when he was not allowed entry into the Edo Labour House.

“I felt embarrassed about the whole thing. How can the police barricade the Labour House when there is no war. It is a Labour issue. They should allow Labour to settle the issues themselves.” He said.

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Access Holdings Names New GMD/CEO

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Access Holdings Plc has appointed Mr. Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, effective August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval.

The announcement, contained in a statement released on Wednesday and signed by the company secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, comes hours after Roosevelt Ogbonna resigned from the company’s board in compliance with new corporate governance rules issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

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Ike takes over from Ms. Bolaji Agbede, who has steered the company in acting capacity for the past 18 months after the death of former Group CEO, Herbert Wigwe, in 2024.

She will now return to her role as Executive Director, Business Support.

READ ALSO:How UNICEF’s Initiative Changes Narrative Of Access To Healthcare Services In Bauchi

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According to the statement, Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said Ike’s appointment signals a new phase for the group.

He said, “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Innocent Ike as we move forward. At the same time, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Ms. Bolaji Agbede.

“Her outstanding contributions over the past 18 months have been invaluable, and we appreciate her dedication in navigating the Company through challenges and opportunities. While regulatory requirements necessitate this change, we are grateful for the strong foundation that has been laid.”

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Under Agbede’s leadership, the company achieved major milestones, including workforce stability, the execution of a N351bn rights issue, and the seamless hosting of two annual general meetings.

READ ALSO:FG Security Agency, Nigerian Army Move To Tackle Illicit Small Arms, Light Weapons

Speaking on the appointment, Ike said, “I am honoured to take on the role of Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and excited to work alongside the talented team at Access Holdings.

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“I look forward to building on the strong legacy established by Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede, and driving our vision forward, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value to our shareholders and stakeholders.”

Ike, a graduate of the University of Lagos and Best Graduating Student in Accounting in 1988, is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

He is also a certified IFRS expert.

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With over 30 years’ experience in banking and financial services, Ike previously spent a decade at Access Bank, rising to General Manager before serving as Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank from 2020 to 2022, where he introduced VULTe, the bank’s award-winning digital platform.

 

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