Metro

Fire Razes Vehicle, Buildings In Kwara Market

Published

9 months ago

December 3, 2024

A raging fire on Tuesday destroyed goods worth millions of naira, including a truck loaded with mattresses, buildings, and shops, at a building materials market in the Ita Amodu area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The inferno, which reportedly started around 10 am at Ile Bilewu, Alabi-Owo Junction, Ita Amodu, was caused by a collision between the truck and a high-tension power line, sparking a fire that quickly spread to a building housing 47 rooms and 19 shops, according to the Kwara State Fire Service.

The Principal Fire Officer and Head of Media and Publicity of the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident in a statement.

“Upon arrival at the scene, we encountered a massive inferno originating from a lorry overloaded with mattresses. The fire spread from the lorry to a nearby building containing 47 rooms and 19 shops. Despite the intensity, our firefighters managed to prevent further destruction, saving 31 rooms and 12 shops. Unfortunately, seven shops and 16 rooms were affected,” Adekunle said.

The Fire Service disclosed that the highly flammable nature of the mattresses fueled the rapid spread of the fire.

The situation was worsened by an explosion from a nearby step-down transformer, which intensified the blaze, spreading it to the adjacent buildings.

He commended residents in the area for their assistance, noting that their collaboration with firefighters played a vital role in containing the fire and ensuring the safety of people nearby.

“We appreciate the timely support of the people, who worked closely with our team to control the fire and limit the damage,” he said.

The service also lauded the Nigeria Police Force for their intervention in protecting firefighters from hoodlums attempting to disrupt the operation.

“The police presence ensured the safety of our personnel during a volatile situation,” the statement added.

It extended gratitude to media outlets for their timely updates, which kept the public informed and helped manage panic during the incident.

The Service Director, John Falade, emphasised the importance of adhering to safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“The incident highlights the critical need for safety precautions, especially when handling flammable materials and operating near power lines,” Falade stated.

The fire has left traders and residents counting their losses, with calls for improved safety regulations and response mechanisms to avert future disasters.

Metro

Lagos: Police Arrest Security Guard For Stealing Generators, Others

Published

8 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

8 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

9 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.
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‎”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