Metro

Fire Razes 200 Shops In Rivers Market

Published

2 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

NAFDAC Seals Illegal Chemical, Water Firm In Abuja

Published

6 hours ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) sealed a chemical and water packaging factory in the Damangaza district, Apo Waru, in the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday.

Mr. Embugushiki Godiya, Head of NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement unit in Abuja, said the factories were sealed following their illegal operation within their premises.

Godiya explained that the agency embarked on an enforcement operation within the Apo Waru area following intelligence gathered concerning the area.

He said that the water factory was discovered to be producing saturated water at night to evade detection.

He noted that when NAFDAC inspectors arrived, they found 88 bags of packaged water and traces of unauthorised production.

“This is an illegal factory, not certified by NAFDAC. Even the registration number on the product is fake. We are going to investigate further and apply the necessary sanctions,” Godiya explained.

The NAFDAC official stated that, similarly, in the same area, an illicit chemical laboratory operated by Ikechukwu Elijah was uncovered.

“According to reports, Elijah produces products ranging from disinfectants to air fresheners and even banned substances without regulatory approval.

“Initially, he denied ownership of the materials, but evidence found in his home, including his ID card, confirmed his involvement,” Godiya said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the operations, NAFDAC seized cylinders, sealing machines, and large containers of mixed chemicals as well as finished products ready for distribution.

NAN also reports that Elijah and one of his workers were arrested while the facility was sealed.

Godiya said that NAFDAC would not only prosecute the suspects but also investigate their supply chains.

“We want to know where he was getting these chemicals from, and who he was supplying to. Our major interest is to mop these products out of the market,” he said.

The agency also signalled it would examine the role of landlords who rent out properties for illegal manufacturing.

“If you own a house, you cannot claim ignorance of such activity. That is aiding and abetting, and it is punishable by law,” the NAFDAC official stressed.

He added that the agency would ensure that necessary sanctions were enforced.

Metro

Nine Suspected Cultists Arrested In Edo

Published

11 hours ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Special Security Squad in collaboration with other security agencies arrested nine suspected cultists and recovered firearms in Iguoshodin N’ Ikpemaba, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The coordinator of the squad, Idemudia Noah, made this known in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State governor, Fred Itua.

Noah in the statement said the suspected cultists were arrested after credible intelligence was received from residents.

He said operatives stormed the community in the early hours of September 3, 2025, following a distress call that members of a cult group were terrorising residents.

He added: “On arrival, our men moved swiftly and arrested nine suspects. A thorough search of the area led to the recovery of two Baretta pistols, two cut-to-size double-barrel guns, and live AK-47 ammunition.”

According to him, arms and ammunition were recovered from the premises of a building allegedly belonging to the Okaighele of Omi, Osazuwa Igbineweka, who has since been declared wanted by the police for allegedly constituting a threat to peace in the community.

He said: “Prior to this operation, we had received multiple reports that cult members were causing serious unrest in Omi. Our raid not only led to their arrest but also exposed the dangerous weapons they used to perpetrate crime.”

The coordinator said that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects being members of the Eiye confraternity, a cult group notorious for violent clashes and criminal activities across several Edo communities.

“From intelligence gathered and from the relief expressed by residents, it is clear that some of those arrested belong to the Eiye cult group. Their arrest has restored confidence among the people, who are pleased to see decisive action being taken.

“Among the weapons recovered were Baretta pistols, cut-to-size double-barrel shotguns, and AK-47 ammunition, all of which point to the extent of the threat posed by these individuals,” he noted.

Metro

Three Killed In Lagos Masquerader Festival Clash

Published

13 hours ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

At least three persons were brutally murdered during a masquerader festival that began on Sunday in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State.

While the exact cause of the killings remains unclear, reports indicated that some members of the family involved in the festival, who are also believed to belong to various cult groups in Lagos, hijacked the event and turned it into a supremacy battle.

A resident of the community who craved anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident told The PUNCH on Wednesday that the situation descended into chaos shortly after the festival ended.

“We had just finished the festival when a fight broke out among some boys suspected to be cultists. And before we knew it, they had started throwing bottles at one another while also wielding some dangerous weapons. Nobody could even wait to calm the situation other than to run for cover,” the resident narrated.

Videos of the violence, obtained by The PUNCH on Wednesday, showed heavy gunfire as suspected cultists chased one another along Lagos Street.

In one of the clips, at least five gunshots were heard, while no fewer than 10 assailants were seen gang-beating a victim.

Another resident who identified himself simply as Kazeem said the clash lasted for hours, causing panic among residents.

“The fight started in the evening and continued till midnight. Some of us could not sleep due to the intensity of the violence and loud noise from their voices and the destruction,” he said.

Naija Confra, an account known for showcasing cult-related violence in Nigeria, further highlighted the chaos.

It stated, “We received reports of a clash in Lagos Island that has been going on since Sunday, following a masquerade festival. The fight involved street gangs whose members are mostly cultists.”

In response to the clashes, the Lagos State Police Command, in a statement on Tuesday, announced tightened security across Lekki, Ajah, and surrounding areas, including Ogombo and Elemoro.

The measures, according to the command, were aimed at safeguarding lives and property while securing private and public investments.

The statement, signed by the command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, read, “As part of these measures, the Command has redeployed some Divisional Police Officers in the affected area, to bring new impetus towards curtailing crime and criminalities in the area and also improve on the operational efficiency and a proactive response to distress situations.

RES ALSO:Lagos Task Force Arrests 32 Drug Suspects In Midnight Raid

“To further reinforce the security, the Eko Strike Force, a specialized intervention unit, has been deployed to Lekki and Ajah to address all forms of crime and criminality in the Lekki area and its environs.

“The Lagos State Police Command calls on residents to cooperate fully with the intervention team to ensure the success of the operations and maintain safety and security for all.”

Hundeyin further disclosed that the command had launched a discreet investigation into the killings.

“The command wishes to inform the public that it has commenced a discreet investigation into the unfortunate incident that occurred on Sunday in Lekki Phase 1, where an inter-cult clash resulted in the death of three cultists.

“The clash occurred at a security duty post in an uninhabited open land space around Wole Olateju Street, involving members of rival cult groups at about 0500hrs. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally mobilised to the scene with joint police teams to attend to the situation and ensure swift action.

“The recently established Anti-Cultism Team and other Tactical teams under the Elemoro Area Command were immediately deployed to Lekki Phase 1, and several arrests of suspects linked to the crime were made in connection with the incident.”

According to Hundeyin, raids were carried out on several criminal hideouts in Lekki, leading to the arrest of 23 suspects.

Those arrested include: Frank Okpara (27), Friday Ebuka (27), Babatunde Mufutau (24), Suleiman Muri (25), Olamide Malik (24), Nwaka Lucky (34), Raphael Ashim (30), Wasiu Kareem (33), Sadiq Olabisi (40), Ibrahim Abdul (22), Ibrahim Aminu (37), Nasiru Musa (27), Friday Nwafor (51), Ahmed Fatai (26), Aro Abiola a.k.a. Zino (25), Tijani Shehu a.k.a. Abana (26), Gift Igedi (31), Ugochukwu Chike (30), Ridwan Alex (37), Happiness Otigbo (27), Abiodun Adegun (37), Adedayo Adeoti (27), and Afeez Ahmed (31).