Metro

Breaking: Millions Feared Lost As Fire Engulfs Another Market In Benin

Published

5 years ago

December 22, 2019

Barely a week fire gutted popular Oliha market, another fire outbreak was this afternoon recorded at the popular Ekiosa Market, Benin City, Edo State capital, destroying property worth millions of naira.

However, no life was lost at the the time of filing this report.

The fire which started at about 12.noon was said to have broke out at the section where animals are sold.

An eyewitness, Osas Ugiagbe, told journalists that the fire started when power was restored in the market.

“I was at gate of the market when I heard a noise from the place where they sell goats and chickens. Then we saw balls of fire coming out. We called the Fire Service, but they didn’t respond and some people said, they don’t have water in thier vehicles”, he said.

Popular Ekiosa market in Benin City on fire on Sunday afternoon

Another eyewitness, Rita, said she was called when she was coming from the church, saying she operates a shop close to the market.

She said while sobbing, “I was coming from the church, when somebody called me to inform me that Ekiosa Market is on fire. On getting to the market, I found out that the whole market is on fire though, I don’t know if it will get to my shop.”

Callers on a popular radio station in Benin City said all calls put across to Fire Service in the state did not yield any positive result, as they refused to show up even after two hours of reporting the incident to them.

The immediate cause of the fire outbreak was yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

Recall that Ekiosa market is the 4th that will be engulfed by fire in the last 4 months in Benin City.

Metro

JUST IN: Gunmen Kidnap Rivers Monarch’s Police Orderly, Driver

Published

48 mins ago

September 14, 2024

Editor

Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped a police orderly and driver working with a respected royal father in Rivers State.

The victims were abducted on Saturday at the residence of the monarch, His Royal Highness(HRH) Chief Cornwell Ihunwo around Eagle Island.

It was learned that Ihunwo is the paramount ruler of Rumu-Elechi community in Nkpolu-Orowurokwo, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.

An Executive member of Diobu Vigilante and Chief Security Officer of Nkpolu-Orowurokwo Godstime Ihunwo, who confirmed said the incident happened around 8pm.

Godstime alleged that the intent of the kidnap was the traditional ruler, condemning the move to abduct the community leader.

He said, “I received a call about abduction of HRH Cornwell Ihunwo about 9pm on Saturday 22ndJune,2024. I rushed down to his house at Eagle Island where I met him. Chief Cornwell told me it is his driver and Police orderly who were abducted.

“We condemn the planned abduction of HRH Cornwell Ihunwo and call on the Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident.”

However, when contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Metro

Soldiers Allegedly Torture Poly Student To Death Over Allegation Of Cultism

Published

4 hours ago

September 14, 2024

Editor

Terhile Timothy Achinya, a mechanical engineering student with the Isa Mustapha Agwai l Polytechnic Lafia, was allegedly beaten to death by yet-to-be-identified military men.

The news of the death of Achinya has sparked outrage within and around the Polytechnic community, however, the Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Nurudeen Mu’azu Maifata has called for calm.

The Students Union Government, President of the Isa Mustapha Agwai l Polytechnic Lafia, Comr. Jacob John Mutuwa narrated the situation leading to the death of the student.

“It all started when a student named Samuel Ejembi informed some military men in Lafia of some students who are alleged to be involved in cult activities. the soldiers searched and picked up some of the accused students at Eji World, an entertainment centre opposite the Poly campus.”

The president explained that both the informant and the accused were picked up and taken into custody by the military on Friday last week.

Mutuwa disclosed however that Achinya died while undergoing interrogations and torture by the military men and the corpse was deposited at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.

Mutuwa expressed sadness over the unfortunate death, lamenting that if the management of the institution had allowed students to use the student accommodation built by former governor Tanko Almakura, things like this would not have occurred.

The Union president commended the students for taking a calm position despite the tragic death of a fellow student.

He assured that legal action had been instituted against the killers and called for calm.

Also reacting, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for prompt action to bring the perpetrators to book.

Coordinator, NANS Zone C, Comr. Daniel Friday Egga appreciated the action taken by the Management and SUG Leadership of the institution in addressing the matter.

Daniel called on the government and well-meaning individuals to join hands in seeking justice for the victim and his family.

NANS, however, alleged that the soldiers who were attached to the 123 Special Force Battalion were the ones responsible for the killing and urged military authorities to take immediate action.

Metro

Accident involving Edo APC Campaign Convoy Claims Five lives

Published

4 hours ago

September 14, 2024

Editor

A campaign convoy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was involved in a fatal accident on Thursday, resulting in the death of five persons.

The incident occurred along the Warrake-Afuze Road in Owan East local government area when a heavy truck fitted with musical and sound systems collided with an oncoming car.

The driver of the car, Emmanuel Edionwe, and four other occupants died on the spot, while the fifth victim was rushed to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in critical condition.

An eyewitness reported that the campaign convoy was negotiating a bend when the accident occurred.

The deceased were returning from a funeral ceremony when they met their death, leaving their families traumatized and devastated. The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Edo State University, Uzairue Mortuary in Etsako West Local Government Area.

A relative of Edionwe expressed devastation, describing him as a good and easy-going person who. The family source explained that Edionwe died at the Irrua Specialist Hospital, where he was transferred.

The Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, was contacted but did not provide a confirmation of the accident.