Metro

Fire Destroys Goods Worth Millions In Rivers

Published

2 years ago

December 29, 2023

Goods and property worth millions of naira were destroyed in two separate fire outbreaks in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State respectively on Thursday.

The first was recorded at the Marine Base axis of the metropolis opposite the Plank shade market.

Eyewitnesses said the fire started from a shop at the plank shade in the morning, as thick black smoke was seen billowing into the atmosphere.

One of the eyewitnesses who spoke on condition of anonymity said the fire was almost put out by residents and shop owners before the arrival of the firefighters.

He stated, “I was just called upon that there was fire in Marine Base. So when I came to the place, it was opposite the plank shade but the boys around did well to see that they stopped the fire.

“Fire service came later and completed what the boys started but smoke is still coming out.”

Another resident, who gave his name as Obi, said initially when the fire service personnel came, some boys started chasing them and stopped them from doing their job.

“But they (firefighters) were later allowed and the fire was put out. Though a lot of damage has been done and people have lost properties and valuables,” he explained.

Meanwhile, another fire was recorded at a parking space in the Rumueme axis of Mile 4 along Ikwerre Road on Thursday evening which also destroyed several properties.

The PUNCH correspondent who visited the scene noted that a rented space was used by a trader to store items including furniture and mattresses, but the cause of the inferno could not be ascertained.

One of the affected residents said, “I just locked my door and I went out. When I returned, I saw a crowd. Reaching here, I saw all the mattresses at the back have burnt. It affected my window and most of mu things got lost.”

Another resident said, “We just saw the fire but we could not identify where it started from. I picked my phone and started calling the fire service. Though they were not picking but they later came. There is this man that stored many goods. Some of the goods just came in.”

Speaking, an official of the Federal Fire Service said they got to the scene as soon as they received the distress call and expressed happiness that some properties were salvaged by residents.

Meanwhile, residents of the state have called on the state government to make the state fire service functional in order to promptly respond to such emergency situations.

Metro

Lagos: Police Arrest Security Guard For Stealing Generators, Others

Published

10 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 38-year-old security guard for allegedly breaking into an apartment and carting away household items worth about N1.8 million.

Police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed the arrest in a statement released on Saturday, adding that the suspect was tracked down by officers attached to the Iju Police Division.

He said operatives from the Iju Division apprehended the suspect following a report from a resident of the Ifako area, who returned home on August 15 to find his house burgled.

“Stolen items included a Sumec generator, a Fireman generator, a National air conditioner, and three air conditioner compressor engines, all valued at N1.8 million.

“Detectives arrested the suspect in the same neighbourhood after investigations revealed he conspired with others, who are still at large, to commit the crime,” Hundeyin said.

He added that the stolen items have been recovered, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices.

Hundeyin said the case would be charged in court upon completion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, assured residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in bringing criminals to justice and urged employers to conduct proper background checks before hiring staff.

Metro

NAF Kills 35 Terrorists In Border Airstrikes Near Cameroon

Published

10 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Air Force said it had killed more than 35 jihadists in raids Saturday on militant fighters that had gathered near the Nigeria–Cameroon border following an attempted attack on ground troops.

The air strike was the latest by the Nigerian military, which is battling a resurgence of attacks in the country’s embattled northwest.

“Acting on multiple intelligence from several sources, the Air Component executed precision strikes in successive passes, engaging the terrorists and neutralising more than 35 fighters at four identified assembly areas,” said a Nigerian Air Force statement.

It re-established communication with the ground troops that had been threatened, and they confirmed that the “situation around their location had been stabilised,” the statement added.

The strike had “intensified efforts” to dominate the battles field and “deny terrorists freedom of action,” said the statement.

While Nigeria’s 16-year-old insurgency has slowed since violence peaked around 2015, attacks have picked up since the beginning of the year.

The Air Force said the latest operation demonstrated the force’s commitment to providing close air support to ground forces, “while also disrupting terrorist logistics and movement corridors along the north east border regions.”

AFP

Metro

Police Arrest Man For Allegedly Dismembering Pregnant Sister-in-law In Kwara

Published

11 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The police command in Kwara says it arrested a man, who allegedly dismembered the body of his pregnant sister-in-law, Mrs Esther Enemo at Egbejila Road in Temidire community, Ilorin.

This is contained in a statement by the command Spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Saturday in Ilorin.

According to Ejire-Adeyemi, the command wishes to inform members of the public of a tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of Aug. 21, at Temidire community in Ilorin.
‎
‎”At about 9 a.m., a resident of the area reported a suspected foul play within the residence of one Mrs Esther Enemo.

“In a swift response, a team of police detectives visited the scene, where the dismembered body of Mrs Esther Enemo (aged 39 years) was discovered in the bush behind her residence.

“Further search led to the recovery of other parts of her body concealed in a sack and dumped beneath a nearby community bridge.
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‎”The suspect, (names withheld), aged 29 years, younger brother to the victim’s husband, who was seen leaving the house a few minutes before the discovery of the incident, has been arrested in connection with the crime.

”Meanwhile, the husband has also been contacted for necessary clarification.
“The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) morgue for autopsy.

‎”The Commissioner of Police (CP), Ojo Adekimi, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter, assuring that the command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served,” he said.
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Ejire-Adeyemi expressed the command regret of the unfortunate incident and appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid speculations that would incite fear or tension within the community.

He assured that the police would unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the perpetrators to face the full weight of the law.

He urged the residents to continue to cooperate with the police by providing useful information that would aid ongoing investigations and security operations.

He reiterated the command to resolve to protect all residents and ensure peace prevailed in the state.

NAN