Metro

Fire Guts 30 Shops In Anambra Market, Goods Worth Over 300m Destroyed

Published

2 years ago

December 20, 2023

Scene of the incident

Fire has engulfed a section of the popular Nkpor Main market in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state, near the commercial city of Onitsha.

It was gathered that the fire occurred in the early hours of Wednesday.

The PUNCH also gathered that the fire had already razed no fewer than 30 shops before the traders mobilised and managed to put it off before the men of the state fire service arrived at the scene.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the market, Chief Paul Okafor, told journalists in his office that the fire started from a cold room shop and spread to other nearby shops.

He added that over N300 million worth of goods were damaged in the inferno.

The market leader, whose own wine shop was also gutted, said the fire affected shops loaded with paints, curtains, gum, shoe leathers, shoe polish, wines, hot drinks, and thinners, among others.

The market leader lamented that all the phone calls put across to the state fire service did not yield positive results as firefighters did not show up until the traders mobilised and put the fire off.

He therefore called on the state government to station some firefighting vehicles under the flyover bridge at Nkpor main market to serve the three major markets within the vicinity.

He said, “We call on the state and local governments and public-spirited individuals and groups to come to the aid of the affected traders to bounce back to business as soon as possible.

“Goods worth over N300 million were damaged in the inferno and the traders are now counting their losses. This is not good for this Yuletide.”

In his sympathy message to the traders, a patron of Anambra Markets Amalgamated Traders Association and President of Building Materials Traders Association, Chief Jude Nwankwo, expressed his sympathy for the victims and also called on government, individuals and groups to assist the victims.

Nwankwo suggested that market leaders should provide fire extinguishers in their various markets to mitigate the effects of fire particularly at night.

The state Fire Chief, Martin Agbili, could not be reached for comment as calls to his telephone line indicated that it switched off.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.