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Guests Scamper For Safety As Fire Guts Hotel In Owerri

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Many guests abandoned their belongings and scampered for safety Friday night at Bohncynth Luxuria Hotel, New Owerri, Owerri State, as midmorning inferno wreaked havoc on the hotel.

Others were seen frantically moving their vehicles out of the hotel’s premises during the pandemonium.

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Police officers from the New Owerri Police Division, firefighters, the management of the hotel and sympathizers were already on ground to put the situation under control.

READ ALSO: Just In: Edo APC Crisis: Thugs Set Oshiomhole’s Rally Venue Ablaze

A staff of the hotel who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told newsmen at the scene of the incident that property worth over N22 million was lost in the inferno.

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Stating that the actual course of the outbreak was yet to be ascertained, she disclosed that the incident started from the power house.

The staff said, “We thank God that the men of the fire service responded to our distress calls and quenched the fire outbreak. The actual course of the outbreak is not yet known, but it started from the powerhouse. Four generators were destroyed, including electric wires, doors and Windows, roof housing the generators were not spared.”

Speaking to newsmen, the chief fire officer of Imo State, Mr. Geoffrey Okoroafor, said his men responded quickly to distressed calls and prevented the hotel from being razed down completely.

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READ ALSO:Lassa Fever: Panic As 3 Cases Recorded, 12 Under Surveillance In Bauchi

He said he was yet to get briefs from his men to ascertain the level of damage in the hotel.

Accroding to him frantic efforts were made by the firefighters to ensure the outbreak did not affect other parts of the hotel and the surrounding buildings in the area.

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READ ALSO: Voters Apathy In Akpabio’s Polling Unit, Two Others In Akwa Ibom Rerun

However, four heavy-duty generators and two flashy cars were touched by the fire as well as a nearby private building.

PHOTO: File

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JUST IN: Gunmen Kill Policeman, Abduct Other In Imo

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Gunmen launched a deadly attack on a police patrol team in Imo State on Sunday, resulting in the death of a police constable and the reported abduction of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday and has launched a manhunt to apprehend those responsible.

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The incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. near Finas Gas Station, along the Okigwe-Umuahia Road, specifically in the Old Gariki area of Okigwe, which sources described as a “dangerous zone.”

During the ambush, Police Constable Oluebube was fatally shot, and his service rifle was stolen by the attackers.

READ ALSO: Woman Killed, Five Others Injured In Imo Market Explosion

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ASP Casmir, who was leading the patrol team, has been missing since the attack, leading to fears that he may have been abducted and possibly killed. Other members of his team managed to return to base with their rifles and are currently receiving medical attention.

Police spokesman Henry Okoye stated that preliminary findings suggest the attackers are affiliated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

An intense operation is ongoing to apprehend the miscreants responsible for the attack,” Okoye said. He added, “We are aware that some may question why IPOB is being mentioned, but we cannot ignore confessional statements by suspects who openly associate their actions with the group. As a law enforcement agency, it is our duty to report facts as uncovered during investigations.”

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Police Declare Two Wanted Over Attack On Ahoada-East LGA Administrator, Theft

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The Rivers State Police Command has declared two top officials of the Ahoada-East Local Government Area wanted over their alleged involvement in the brutal attack on the LGA’s Sole Administrator, Hon. Goodluck Iheanachor.

Declared wanted are Mr. Hector Ekakita, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi, Chief of Staff (COS) of the LGA.

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In a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police said the duo is wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy, stealing, assault occasioning harm, and attempted murder. The offenses stem from a violent incident that occurred on June 20, 2025, at the Ahoada-East Council Secretariat.

READ ALSO:Rivers LG Administrator Appointed By Ibas Resigns

According to the statement, Ekakita and Olodi, alongside a group of about 30 others, allegedly conspired to assault the Sole Administrator, inflicted injuries on him, forcibly obtained his signature under duress, stole his mobile phones and sensitive documents, and carted away both personal and official property from his office.

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The police revealed that despite repeated invitations, the suspects have failed to appear for questioning, prompting the declaration.

The Rivers State Police Command has declared the following individuals wanted… Mr. Hector Ekakita – Chief Security Officer (CSO), Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi – Chief of Staff (COS), Ahoada-East LGA,” the statement read.

READ ALSO:Uproar As Senate Okays Non-indigene As Rivers Electoral Commission Chairman

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Their actions resulted in bodily harm to the administrator, who continues to receive medical treatment.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, has urged the suspects to report to the Police State Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, without further delay.

He also warned that anyone found aiding or shielding the suspects would face the full weight of the law.

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The Rivers State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to justice and maintaining public peace and safety,” the statement concluded.
(VANGUARD)

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10 Die In Ogun Night Bus Crash

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No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries in a lone crash involving a Mitsubishi bus on the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Expressway.

Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

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Akinbiyi said the accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Ome Bridge, Awa, along Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan highway in Ijebu North Local Government Area.

READ ALSO:Ten Feared, Others Injured In Oyo Road Accident

He stated that the lone crash involved a Mitsubishi bus, registration number EJ829-LSR, which was conveying 15 passengers at the time.

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According to Akinbiyi, seven male and three female passengers died. Three others were injured, while a toddler and one adult escaped unhurt.

He said preliminary findings indicate that overspeeding and wrongful overtaking led to the accident.

READ ALSO:Seven Die, 23 Rescued In Greece Boat Accident

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Eyewitnesses said the driver wrongly overtook another vehicle at high speed and could not regain control after noticing an oncoming vehicle.

“The driver veered off the road, hit an abandoned gravel pile beside the bridge, and plunged the vehicle into the river,” Akinbiyi explained.

He said the deceased were taken to Ijebu-Ode General Hospital’s morgue, while the injured were also being treated at the same facility.

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The spokesperson urged motorists to avoid speeding and to refrain from travelling at night, stressing the importance of road safety at all times.

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