News
BREAKING: Four Feared Killed As Tanker Explosion Rocks Rivers
Published
2 weeks agoon
By
EditorNo 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.
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
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.
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.
“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.
“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.”
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.
She had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report on Friday night.
You may like
Rivers: Siblings Flog Teacher, Lock Up Admin Officer For Flogging Brother
JUST IN: Gas Explosion Rocks Abeokuta
Court Stops Rivers Govt From Withholding LG Allocations
Military Aircraft Bomb Illegal Refining Sites In Rivers
NSCDC Uncovers Illegal Refinery In Rivers Community
Odili Pronounces Fubara Political Leader Of Rivers State
News
Benue To Build Brewery As Residents Spend N850m On Beer Monthly
Published
56 mins agoon
May 7, 2024By
EditorBenue State Government has concluded plans to start production of beer brand to stop capital flight to other states.
The Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday.
He said that the beer’s name will be unveiled during its launch in December.
Asemakaha, who took journalists on a tour of the proposed brewery, water, and bakery factories in Makurdi, the state capital, said that the initiative to set up a brewery came as a result of recent studies showing that a huge amount of money leaves the state every month on beer consumption.
READ ALSO: Nigerians To Pay More As Breweries Again ncreases In Prices Of Beer
Asemakaha said the company was out to give Benue and Nigerians a high-premium quality beer made in the state using local raw materials.
He said that BIPC was not in competition with any brewery company therefore, would do everything for the people to enjoy a beer with a difference.
He said, “Basically, when we came on board, we understand that the rate of alcohol consumption in the state is between N850 million per month.
“We understand that the people that are selling these beers have taken this money out of Benue State.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Breweries Hikes Prices Of Beer As Production Costs Soar
“So, we discovered and said no, all what we need to do is to float a new company that we can be able to observe and retain the cash flow within the system. That is why we are embarking on beer production.
“This N850 to N870 million is a monthly sale of beers in the state, and within the month of December, they have made one billion naira in sales. So, one of the things we are doing is to help retain the cash flow within the system.”
According to the MD, the estimated production capacity is 180,000 bottles per day, and the fermentation period is 15 days.
READ ALSO: Drink-a-thon For Beer Thieves; Jealous Nurse Manipulates DNA To Cause Divorce
“We will crash the price of beer in the state, but we are not going to compete with them (other breweries). We want to retain the cash within us. It is our own thing. So, the people here, our brothers and sisters, should be able to key in and take our products,” he said.
While stating that raw materials will be locally sourced, Asemakaha stated that the factory would commence full production by the first week of December.
“What we want to do is that this season, we want to give people seedlings so that we can go back to production and take those products from them to plant and harvest,” he added.
The managing director said that the brewery project would cost between ₦700 and ₦800 million, just as he expressed assurances that the amount would be sourced.
News
JUST-IN: Terrorists Kill Two, Abduct 18 In Fresh Kaduna Attack
Published
1 hour agoon
May 7, 2024By
EditorTwo people have been reportedly confirmed killed and 18 people kidnapped by terrorists, in Ungwan Dantata in the Gefe community of Kallah Ward, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A resident, Sujada Ayuba, who confirmed the incident to PUNCH Online on Tuesday, said the terrorists invaded the village on foot on Monday morning at around 1:am.
The victims killed were identified as; Ezra Badama and Nagode Ibro while those abducted are identified as; Nehemiah Sukuni, Rebecca Nehemiah, Sadam Gane, Alice Sadam, Jashu’a Sukuni, Rhoda Isaac, Isaac Dako, Patience Godwin, A’ishatu Ezra, Damaris Nathan, Justina Afis, Gabriela Nathan, Daniela Nehemiah, Jackson Sadam, Amame Ezra, Benedict Monday, Enoch Yohanna and Igwe Saleh.
He disclosed that since November last year, terrorists have been constantly disturbing the people of the Gefe community and they cannot recount the monies spent as regards the payment of ransom.
“This community is in dire need of Government support and their major activity is farming. We’re already in the Rainy season now, and most of them cannot access their farmlands for fear of being kidnapped. They’ve sold all that they harvested and some even sold their lands just to raise money for the ransom of their loved ones, adding no food, and money to buy fertilizer. We need Government intervention like; food and fertilizer to help cushion the effect of hunger in our Community.
“We’re appealing to the Government to assist deploy security operatives in the area to help restore the confidence of the community. Some victims had earlier told us that they trek with terrorists passing different Villages and crossing major roads to their destination.
“Having security forces around the area will help in apprehending these terrorists that have been causing nightmares in our Communities. There are vantage positions where security forces can block the moment people are kidnapped or killed by terrorists,” Sujada added.
He said no contact has been made yet with the terrorists as regards the negotiation of ransom.
He said the two dead victims have been buried today, Tuesday, 7th May 2024 according to Christian rites.
The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, when contacted did not respond to calls and text messages sent to him by our correspondent.
Recently, terrorists kidnapped 87 people after launching a fresh attack on the Kajuru-Station community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A member of the Kajuru-Station Youths, Harisu Dari, confirmed the incident to our correspondent in Kaduna.
Harisu said the terrorists also broke into some shops and stole food items and other valuables.
He said the terrorists invaded the village around 10 pm.
News
JUST IN: Ladoja Withdraws Suit Against Olubadan-in-Council
Published
2 hours agoon
May 7, 2024By
EditorThe Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja, on Tuesday, finally withdrew the suit filed against members of Olubadan-in-Council.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Ladoja Drags Makinde, Olubadan To Court Over Chieftaincy Review
High Chief Ladoja instituted a suit against the members of the Council over the beaded crown worn before the demise of the late 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun.
The coast is now clear for the enthronement of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
One of his aides, Adeola Oloko, told The PUNCH on Tuesday.
Edo Poll: PDP Gubernatorial Aspirant Resigns From Party
Benue To Build Brewery As Residents Spend N850m On Beer Monthly
JUST-IN: Terrorists Kill Two, Abduct 18 In Fresh Kaduna Attack
Trending
- News4 days ago
15-year-Old Public School Student Scores 362 In UTME
- Headline3 days ago
PHOTOS: Moment 23-year-old Miss Ecuador Beauty Queen Is Gunned Down In Hail Of Bullets
- Headline4 days ago
Shock As Woman Who Visited Hospital For Scan Was Told She’s Dead
- Metro1 day ago
Kidnappers Sleep Off After Abducting Pastor’s Wife, Others In Ondo
- News2 days ago
JUST IN: SERAP Drags 36 Govs, Wike To Court Over N5.9tn, $4.6bn Loans
- Headline3 days ago
VIDEO: Arsenal Pay Tribute To 14-year-old British-Nigerian Fan Daniel Anjorin Killed In UK
- Metro2 days ago
Man Dies On Top Of Married Woman In Akure
- Headline3 days ago
Find The Man Who Stole $30000 From Me, Get $2000 Reward – Nigerian Man Cries Out
- Metro4 days ago
Delta Lady Dies After Friends Allegedly Pushed Her Into Pot Of Boiling Pepper [Photos]
- News3 days ago
Why I Refused To Return Govt Vehicles – Ex-Edo Gov, Shaibu