Metro

Bye-election: Thugs Snatch Ballot Box In Ondo

Published

2 years ago

February 3, 2024

Editor

Voting was disrupted on Saturday in the Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West Federal Constituency by-election at Unit 5, Ward 13 in Oyinmo, Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State, when suspected political thugs snatched the ballot box.

Eyewitnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the attack by the hoodlums caused panic with many voters taking to their heels.

An eyewitness, who did not want his name published, said that the attack occurred just before noon after not less than 63 people had cast their votes.

He explained that the hoodlums caused some commotion and while security personnel at the polling unit were trying to restore peace and order, one of them snatched the ballot box and fled the scene.

The eyewitness said that though the hoodlums made away with the ballot box, the result sheet, BVAS machine and other materials were not taken.

NAN reports that 407 voters were registered at the polling unit for the election.

Meanwhile, INEC has lauded the turnout of voters in the by-election for Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West Federal constituency in Ondo State.

Prof. Kunle Ajayi, National Commissioner supervising Osun, Ogun and Ondo State, gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen at Okeagbe in Akoko North-West LGA, after monitoring the election.

“From what we have observed since morning, the election is going on peacefully, and the turnout is impressive, no violence, no vote buying anywhere.

“So, we have not recorded any terrible incident since the start of the election and by grace of God everything will end peacefully

“Everywhere we have been to, there was no report of challenges with the BVAS machine or cases of it malfunctioning,” he said.

Commenting on the incident of ballot box snatching at Unit 5, Ward 13, Oyinmo, Ikare-Akoko, the national commissioner said that the situation had been restored to normalcy.

“Is normal that miscreants will remain miscreants, they attempted to disturb the election there but the police overpowered them and we have restored everything to order and no other incident apart from that.”

NAN

Metro

JUST IN: Court Discharges Ibom Air Passenger

Published

54 minutes ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

An Ikeja Magistrate Court sitting in
Ogba, Lagos State on Wednesday, discharged Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour and assault aboard an Ibom Air flight.

Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami discharged Emmason following the withdrawal of the five charges preferred against her by the police.

Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, (SAN), announced the decisions following consultations with stakeholders in the aviation sector.

According to the minister, the resolutions were reached after reviewing the incidents, considering appeals from well-meaning individuals, and considering the remorse shown by those involved.

Keyamo revealed that Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint against Emmanson, who was arrested over the August 10 incident.

Emmason was arraigned on Monday before the court and after being granted bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum, she was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre as she couldn’t meet her bail conditions.

At the resumed hearing of the case,the prosecution, Oluwabunmi Adeitan, informed the court that there were new developments that necessitated the withdrawal of the case.

She tendered application to court for the withdrawal of the case, which was admitted by the court.

Details later…

Metro

Man Dies After Being Accidentally Pinned By Overweight Partner

Published

1 hour ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

What began as an ordinary night in a quiet Porto neighbourhood ended in a tragedy so rare, even seasoned investigators called it “unusual.”

The Daily Mail, quoting Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, reported that the incident occurred at the couple’s home in Campanhã, Porto. While the report was published on August 12, 2025, it did not mention the exact day the incident took place.

In the early hours, a 59-year-old man was fatally pinned beneath his partner after she slipped while getting out of bed. He had been lying close to the wall on the floor when she tumbled, accidentally trapping him in a position that cut off his breathing.

Neighbours, jolted awake by her frantic screams, rushed into the room.

“It took five men to lift her off him,” one neighbour told local reporters. “We were pulling, shouting, trying everything, but it was too late.”

Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but resuscitation efforts failed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police confirmed there was no foul play.

“It’s been categorised as an accidental asphyxia,” a police source said. “It’s a very unusual death, but there was no criminal intent. It was a stumble by the woman as she got out of bed and tried to move closer to her partner, who was lying on the floor, that led to what happened.”

The couple had been together for years, though never formally married. Friends described them as “inseparable,” often seen at the same corner café sharing coffee and conversation.

“She’s completely shattered,” another neighbour said quietly. “She keeps saying she wishes she could take his place. No one should have to carry that kind of guilt.”

Authorities say the woman is receiving psychological support to help her cope with the shock and grief.

For locals, the tragedy is a reminder that even in the most familiar spaces, life can change in the blink of an eye.

Metro

One Dies In Osun Road Crash

Published

2 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

Osun State Police Command has confirmed the death of one Usman Mohammed in a road accident that occurred in Ikirun on Tuesday.

Also in the accident, three other people were injured and subsequently hospitalised.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, during a chat with The PUNCH, explained that the accident occurred around Oja Oba, a market located along the ever-busy Ikirun-Iree-Ila Road.

Ojelabi further explained that a truck carrying granite lost control and ran over four people, killing one of them and leaving three others injured.

“The accident occurred today (Tuesday). A truck and a motorcycle were involved. The truck was carrying granite. The driver lost control due to brake failure.

“The truck hit a motorcyclist and veered off to a nearby shop. Four were also involved.

“Unfortunately, one Usman Mohammed died in the accident. He was standing by the road side. Three others injured in the accident are receiving treatment in an hospital,” Ojelabi said.

He urged road users to be security conscious whenever they are using the road, adding that the command will continue work hard to ensure maximum security for lives and properties in the state.

Osun State Police Command has confirmed the death of one Usman Mohammed in a road accident that occurred in Ikirun on Tuesday.

Also in the accident, three other people were injured and subsequently hospitalised.

Ojelabi further explained that a truck carrying granite lost control and ran over four people, killing one of them and leaving three others injured.

“The accident occurred today (Tuesday). A truck and a motorcycle were involved. The truck was carrying granite. The driver lost control due to brake failure.

“The truck hit a motorcyclist and veered off to a nearby shop. Four were also involved.

“Unfortunately, one Usman Mohammed died in the accident. He was standing by the road side. Three others injured in the accident are receiving treatment in an hospital,” Ojelabi said.

He urged road users to be security conscious whenever they are using the road, adding that the command will continue work hard to ensure maximum security for lives and properties in the state.