Metro

Fire Razes 200 Shops In Rivers Market

Published

3 years ago

April 14, 2023

Goods and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed when fire gutted over 200 shops at the Ojoto market in the Mile 2 area of Diobu, Port Harcourt on Thursday night.

The incident happened around 9:15 pm when most of the traders had already closed for the day.

Though the cause of the inferno could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, eyewitnesses said it was from an electric spark when the public power supply was restored that night.

Some of them also said some people were cooking in the market which may have ignited the fire.

One of the eyewitnesses, a lady who did not want her name mentioned, said, “There was no light that night. So as soon as light came. We saw an electric spark.

“They said some people were cooking inside the market. So, as soon as that electric spark happened, the fire started in that shop. Before you know it, there was fire everywhere. All the shops burned down.”

Following the incident, the area was thrown into confusion as some of the traders in the market who live nearby raced to see if they could salvage some of their goods to no avail.

It was gathered that some residents were seen making frantic calls to family members and friends informing them about the tragic development.

The PUNCH reports that when men of the fire service arrived at the scene at about 10:42 pm over an hour after the incident, some angry youths chased them and pelted stones at their vehicles.

Speaking to newsmen about the fire outbreak, the Chairman, Ojoto Market, Arinze Akupue, said nothing was removed from the market, saying he was at home a few minutes to 10pm when a security man called him and that there was flame coming out of the market.

Akupue said after discovering it was a fire outbreak, he put calls across to some people around the market to see what they can do to put out the fire, while he drove to the state fire service.

He stated that at the state fire service, he was advised to go to the Federal Secretariat to inform the Federal fire service, as the state fire service was handicapped.

Akupue disclosed that he drove to the Federal Secretariat where he informed the Federal fire service and their Commander approved immediately and they followed him to the scene.

He debunked claims that there were people storing petroleum products or cooking in the market and condemned the attack on the firefighters.

“Nothing was removed from the market. The fire has nothing to do with somebody cooking. The market had closed and traders had gone home.

“It was a security operative who told me that there was a fire in the market. I asked him which area he told me and immediately I started calling the state fire service.

“There was no response, so I had to drive down to their office. They told me they cannot do anything. In fact, they directed me to the Federal Fire Service. I drove down to their office at the Federal Secretariat and they gave me attention.

“I said please the market is going down. They called one of their bosses who approved immediately and they had to call one of their trucks stationed at the INEC office to join me to the market immediately.”

He further said while they were on their way, he put a call across to the Divisional Police Officer of Iloabuchi Disional Station and they responded because the fire service needs security too to be on the ground.

“But as we got there, a lot of hoodlums were entering and looting. And they started throwing bottles and stones at the fire truck and their officers and tried to mob them,” Akupue stated.

The Ojoto market chairman said he pleaded with the hoodlums to allow them to do their job, saying they paid deaf ears and continued pelting stones to the extent that the firefighters with the help of policemen drove to the Illabuchi Police Station for cover.

“At this point the market was already 85 percent down. I lost three of my shops and I didn’t pick up anything and others too. We have over 200 shops in that market. A lot of people have lost their livelihoods,” he said.

While noting that none of the traders picked anything out of the marker, he called on the state government to assist the traders start their lives again.

When contacted, the Commander, Federal Fire Service in Rivers State, Abdullahi Alfa, confirmed the attack on his men and their truck, describing it as “unfortunate”.

Alfa stated, “One of our major mandates is to save lives and property and we try our best to respond to distress calls and we must do our job.

“In this case, I was part of the team that went there to put out the fire. We were attacked by these boys and one of our trucks was slightly damaged and we had to run for our lives.

“We were not the ones that caused the fire. Ours is to go and help. So if they continue to attack us like this, what do we do?”

Metro

Police Intercept 400 Ammunition, Arrest Suspect In Delta

Published

4 hours ago

October 19, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command says it has intercepted 400 ammunition at the Bridge Head, Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Bright Edafe, who disclosed this on Saturday in a statement in Asaba, noted that the command under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has continued to sustain its proactive operations against criminal elements across the State.

He said, “Through intelligence-led policing, operatives of the command have recorded significant breakthroughs in the fight against illicit drugs and illegal possession of ammunition.

“Operatives of the ‘C’ Division, Asaba, led by CSP Ogbe Emmanuel, intercepted a major movement of ammunition bound for Edo State.

“While conducting routine surveillance and stop-and-search operations at the Head Bridge, Asaba, the operatives flagged down a Toyota Hiace Hummer Bus with registration number NGK 16 XB, driven by one Ozoemenam Sylvanus.

“The driver, appearing uneasy during questioning, drew the suspicion of the officers, who proceeded to conduct a thorough search of the vehicle. 400 live cartridges were discovered carefully concealed within the bus.

“The suspect initially lied that it was padlocks, but was left speechless when the parcel was opened and the true content was seen. He was immediately arrested, and both he and the exhibit recovered”

Edafe said that the investigation to unravel the source and criminal network behind the illegal arms movement was ongoing.

In another development, the command confirmed the arrest of a notorious drug baron known for distributing large quantities of hard drugs within Warri.

According to Edafe, following credible intelligence, operatives of the Orerokpe Division arrested one 37-year-old Onos Afokoghene, a notorious drug baron known for distributing large quantities of hard drugs within Warri and adjoining communities.

“Acting promptly on a tip-off, the Divisional Police Officer, Orerokpe Division, CSP Paul Oboware, mobilised and led his patrol teams to the identified flashpoint in Jeddo Community, where the suspect and other suspected hoodlums were reportedly engaged in selling and consuming illicit substances.

“Sensing the approach of the police, the suspects attempted to flee, but the team swiftly closed in and arrested the suspect, Onos Afokoghene, after a brief pursuit. A thorough search of the scene led to a startling discovery of illicit substances and paraphernalia used in large-scale drug sales,” he added.

Edafe said exhibits recovered include 3kg of Canadian Loud, 10kg of Indian Hemp, 24 litres of soaked weed suspected to be Indian Hemp, several sachets of Tramadol of various milligrams, and two POS machines suspected of being used for drug sales, among others.

Metro

Islamic Cleric Arrested For Brutalising 10-year-old Boy In Kwara

Published

6 hours ago

October 19, 2025

Editor

An Islamic cleric, identified as Folorunsho Olaoti, has been arrested for allegedly brutalising a 10-year-old boy living with him in the Akerebiata area of Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday, October 16, 2025, when the cleric allegedly beat the boy mercilessly after accusing him of reporting to his mother that someone had spoken ill of her.

Sources said the Alfa, who is a relative of the boy’s late father, became enraged by the child’s action and subjected him to severe physical assault, leaving him with visible injuries.

Speaking to The PUNCH on the incident, on Sunday, the Secretary of the Child Rights Implementation Committee, Kwara State, Antonia Oshiniwe, said she received a distress call from the victim’s uncle and immediately alerted operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who arrested the suspect on Friday.

“I was informed about the matter by an anonymous source. When I visited the area, I confirmed the incident and reported it immediately to the civil defence.

“The child has been rescued and placed under government protection, while the suspect will be charged in court for child abuse,” Oshiniwe said.

Oshiniwe advised parents to take full responsibility for their children’s welfare, warning against entrusting them to clerics or guardians who may end up maltreating them.

“Parents should learn to keep their children with them and not hand them over to clerics or guardians who may abuse or mistreat them.”

When contacted on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in Kwara State, Ayoola Michael, confirmed the incident, adding that the case was receiving the command’s full attention.

He said, “We have commenced a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served, and our findings will be made public once the process is concluded.”

Meanwhile, the rescued child is said to be receiving medical attention while further legal proceedings against the suspect continue.

Metro

Police Recover 75 Stolen Phones, Five Laptops In Lagos

Published

1 day ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has recovered 75 mobile gadgets and five laptops abandoned by fleeing suspects during a routine patrol conducted by the Rapid Response Squad in Ikeja.

The operation, according to the command, was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and combat property crimes across the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the recovery followed the interception of two suspects who abandoned two large “Ghana Must Go” bags upon sighting police operatives near Allen Roundabout, Ikeja.

“On Sunday, 5th October, 2025, at about 5:30 a.m., operatives inspected the bags and discovered 32 iPhones of different models, 38 other smartphones of various brands such as Samsung, Redmi, Tecno, and Honour, as well as five laptops, several smart wristwatches, AirPods, a Samsung Tab, and a Sorapad.”

Speaking on the recovery, the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said, “Preliminary investigation indicates that the items were stolen property hurriedly abandoned by the suspects.”

“Members of the public who may have lost similar devices are advised to visit the RRS Headquarters, Alausa, with verifiable proof of ownership for proper identification and reclaim,” the statement read.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, commended the RRS operatives for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention.

He assured residents that the command would continue to enhance patrol visibility and maintain public safety across all parts of Lagos.

The command had earlier arrested four members of a notorious car-snatching and armed robbery syndicate said to be responsible for several violent attacks on vehicle owners within and outside the state.

In a statement on Friday, Adebisi said the suspects were arrested by officers of the Command’s Tactical Squads following intelligence-led operations between October 15 and 17.

Adebisi said, “The notorious and vicious armed robbery and car-snatching gang was responsible for a series of violent attacks on vehicle owners.”