Metro

Court Remands NURTW Official In Correctional Centre Over Tricyclist’s Death

Published

3 weeks ago

October 1, 2025

A Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ebute Meta yesterday ordered the remand of a National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) official, Samsideen Oladiti, also known as Shamelon, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over the death of a tricyclist in Lagos. Oladiti was arraigned before the court on a three-count charge for the first time since his arrest by the Lagos State Police Command.

The 55-year-old NURTW official allegedly attacked a dispatch rider, Omale Samuel, on September 17, 2025, at about 3:00 p.m. on Lagos Island, using a helmet and his fists to inflict serious injuries. The victim was rushed to hospital, placed on oxygen, and is still receiving treatment.

The following day, at about 11:00 a.m., police said another complaint was lodged against Oladiti in connection with an incident on August 28, 2025. During the altercation, the suspect allegedly used a metallic ring to repeatedly strike one Imam Ramon on the head and face, leaving him with severe injuries. Despite medical intervention, Ramon was confirmed dead by a doctor on September 17. His body has since been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.

Oladiti appeared before Chief Magistrate A. O. Akinde at Court 2, Ebute Meta, wearing a hooded black top and trousers, a face mask, and holding Islamic prayer beads. He stood in the dock as the three-count charge was read to him in English. He was called into the dock at 10:38 a.m. and exited at 10:53 a.m. after the magistrate ordered his remand at the correctional centre until October 28, 2025.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Shamusideen Oladiti, on August 27, 2025, at about 10:00 a.m., at Lewis Street, Lagos Island, in the Lagos State Magisterial District, did unlawfully beat Imam Ramon with fist blows all over his body, causing him harm. He was rushed to Lagos Island General Hospital, Marina, Lagos, where he later died, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. ”

Second-in-Command, Legal, Lagos State Police Command, Anthony Iyeye, said: “The case is a capital offence. Since he could not take a plea, the file will be duplicated and taken to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.”

When asked about the accomplices seen in a video of the incident, he said: “We have only been able to apprehend the one we charged, but the police are still looking for others.”

Also speaking, Uthman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Human Rights Committee said: “We were briefed by the family of the deceased to watch their brief. The court reviewed the file and determined that a prima facie case has been established against the defendant.”

Speaking at the court premises, the assaulted dispatch rider, Omale Samuel, said: “I was on the other side of the road to carry goods and I climbed on my bike to leave when he came to me saying that I was blocking the road and that dispatch riders are stubborn. He dragged my helmet and started using it to hit me. Others came and said, ‘Don’t you know Shamelon?’ And they started beating me.

They pushed me down and called the police to arrest me.

“I was taken to the police station and they realised that they could not keep me there because of my condition. I woke up three hours later and a police officer told me that I was placed on oxygen. I was told to return to the station the next day. I got there and saw a crowd of people and I was told he had been arrested.

“I haven’t been able to work since September 14, 2024, and I have been living off people. I want justice. I want the court to give me justice.”

Metro

31 Die In Niger Fuel Tanker Explosion

Published

10 hours ago

October 21, 2025

Editor

At least 31 people died and several others were injured while scooping fuel from a petrol tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit, which exploded along the Bida-Agaie highway in Niger State on Tuesday.

According to a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, the accident occurred around 2:40 pm near Essa Village via Katcha.

“There was a lone tanker vehicle accident along the Bida/Agaie highway, and as a result, the tanker conveying PMS fell by the roadside,” he said.

Abiodun added that residents rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the overturned tanker, at which point it was suddenly engulfed in an inferno.

“Unfortunately, members of the public living around Essa village via Katcha rushed to the scene and were scooping PMS and in the process, the tanker suddenly engulfed in inferno.

“Forty-eight persons were affected by the fire, and among these victims, thirty-one persons lost their lives while others are still receiving treatment in various nearby hospitals.

“Three motorcycles were also burnt,” the spokesperson said.

Abiodun said officers and other security agencies were deployed to the scene for rescue operations.

He said further investigations are ongoing to identify the driver and owner of the tanker involved.

“Teams of policemen and other security agencies were moved to the scene for a rescue operation. Further investigation is ongoing to identify the driver and the owner of the said tanker,” Abiodun concluded.

Meanwhile, Federal Road Safety Corps told the News Agency of Nigeria that 35 persons are feared dead, while 46 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the explosion.

The Niger FRSC Sector Commander, Aishatu Sa’adu said the injured victims were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, with the support of FRSC personnel, villagers, and some good Samaritans.

She also warned members of the public against scooping fuel from accident scenes, describing it as a dangerous act that had claimed many lives in the past.

“It is God that gives wealth. People should avoid greed and be content with what God has given them,” she added.

An eyewitness told NAN that the accident occurred around 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Essan/Badeggi communities along the Bida–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area.

(PUNCH)

Metro

Teenager Arrested For Allegedly Removing Sister’s Eyes For Money Ritual

Published

12 hours ago

October 21, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 17-year-old boy, Auwalu Muhammad, for allegedly gouging out his sister’s eyes for a money ritual in Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Council of Bauchi State.

Police said the incident occurred on October 17, 2025, when Auwalu lured his sister, Rukayya Muhammad, into a bush and attacked her, removing both of her eyes in what he described as an attempt to acquire wealth.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakil, said the victim’s father reported the matter to the police after discovering the brutal act. He added that a medical specialist confirmed that Rukayya had lost her sight permanently.

“During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime. Investigation is ongoing to uncover the motive behind the act and to bring all individuals connected to justice,” Wakil said.

The police also arrested six others in connection with the incident. They were identified as Auwal Dahiru (17), Mohammed Rabiu (19), Saleh Ibrahim (20), Nasiru Muhammad, Hassan Garba, and Garba Dahiru (43), all residents of Ganjuwa Local Council.

Metro

Bauchi: Auto Crash Claimed 432, Injured 2,070 Persons In 1 Months — FRSC

Published

2 days ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says no fewer than 432 persons had been killed while 2,070 persons were injured in auto crashes within one month across the country.

Shehu Mohammed, the Corps Marshal of FRSC stated this in Bauchi on Monday in a news conference to flag off the 2025 Ember Months public enlightenment and sensitisation campa on road safety.

According to him, the figure was as a result of 533 reported cases of auto crashes that took place between January 15, 2024 and January 15, 2025 in the country.

Represented by Corps Commander Apaji Boyi, the Sector Commander, FRSC, Bauchi, Mohammed said that some of the major causes of those crashes were driver fatigue, overloading of persons, conveyance of persons in haulage vehicles and traveling with fuel in plastic containers.

While emphasising that driver behaviour was a fundamental element in determining safety on highways, said some road traffic infringements by drivers responsible for the previous road crash records included speed limit violations.

“These infringements also include failure to adhere to road traffic rules and regulations, speed limit violations, driving under influence of alcohol and drugs, seat belt violations as well as using of phones while driving among others.

“Therefore, the choice of the 2025 end-of-year campaign with the theme ‘Taking Responsibility for Your Safety’ was deliberate and well thought out.

“It was carefully chosen to address road traffic infringements by drivers which were largely responsible for the previous road crash records.

“In line with our commitment to achieve the desired outcome of the 2025 end of year campaign, FRSC has deployed personnel and Special Marshals across major highways and crash-prone corridors nationwide,” he said.

The Corps Marshal added that the corps would also be embarking on free-vehicle check exercise to improve vehicle road worthiness, conducting motor park rallies and motorcar carnivals nationwide to raise awareness level of motorists and the general public.

Mohammed, who said that the Federal government’s support had been responsible for the modest achievement of the FRSC over the years, appreciated the government for its advisory oversight.

He called on all and sundry to continue to support the Corps as it strives to create a safer motoring environment for the nation.