Metro

How Delta Speaker Survived Boat Mishap

Published

8 months ago

November 27, 2024

Editor

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, has been identified as one of the survivors of a devastating boat accident in the Warri South Local Government Area on Tuesday, which resulted in the loss of five lives.

A statement issued by Guwor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, on Wednesday revealed that the speaker, though a survivor, remains deeply shaken by the tragedy.

According to the statement, Guwor was on his way back to Asaba from Warri after engaging with his constituents when the accident occurred on the afternoon of Friday, November 22, 2024.

The boat carrying the speaker nearly collided with another vessel, leading to the loss of five lives. In addition, six people were injured, and twenty passengers are still missing.

Guwor expressed his profound sadness over the tragic event, extending his condolences to the families of the deceased.

He thanked God for sparing his life and that of other survivors, and acknowledged the swift actions of the rescue teams and medical personnel who responded to the scene.

The speaker also called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident to prevent future occurrences and ensure the safety of travelers.

He ended his statement by praying for the families of the victims and for the souls of the deceased to rest in peace.

“Mr speaker is deeply saddened by the tragic boat mishap that occurred over the weekend along Bennett Island River in Warri South-west local government area of Delta State, in which he was involved but miraculously survived.

“Unfortunately, five precious lives were lost in the incident.

“Mr Speaker was returning to Asaba, enroute Warri after engagement with constituents on the faithful Friday afternoon, November 22, 2024, when the boat he was being ferried almost had a head-on collision with another, resulting to the death of five persons and several others injured.

“His heart goes out to the families of the deceased, and he prays that God grants them the strength to bear these irreparable losses.

“Mr. Speaker is still in shock over the incident and can only imagine the pain and grief that the families of the victims must be going through.

“He thanks God for sparing his life and that of others who survived the mishap. He also appreciates the prompt response of the rescue team and the medical personnel who attended to them.

“Mr Speaker has asked that relevant authorities should conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident, with a view to preventing such tragedies in the future.

“Once again, Mr Speaker commiserates with the families of the victims and pray for the repose of their souls,” the statement read.

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Metro

Police Foil Robbery, Recover Weapons In Enugu

Published

7 hours ago

August 9, 2025

Editor

The Enugu Police command has foiled a robbery attempt, neutralised one suspect, and recovered firearms, ammunition, and other exhibits from the crime scene.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed in a statement on Friday that the incident happened around 4:10 a.m. on Aug. 6 in Enugu.

Ndukwe stated that a distress call alerted the Independence Layout Police Division to a robbery in progress at Premier Layout, Enugu.

Responding swiftly, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised police operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group to the scene.

On sighting the operatives, the gang opened fire. The team returned fire, killing one suspect. Others escaped. The dead suspect’s identity is unknown.

A search of the area and the suspect’s body yielded a cut-to-size locally made single-barrel gun and one live cartridge.

Also recovered were a locally fabricated Beretta pistol, one live round of ammunition, and a Nokia torch-button phone belonging to the suspect.

Other items included two iPhones belonging to victims, a red-and-black torchlight, a small red bag, and ₦9,000 in ₦1,000 notes.

Ndukwe added that further investigations on Friday led to the recovery of a pump-action gun with four live cartridges.

The weapon was found abandoned near the scene and is believed to have been left by fleeing gang members.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, praised the operatives’ bravery and professionalism during the operation.

He reaffirmed the command’s determination to tackle violent crime and maintain public safety across Enugu State.

He urged residents to stay alert and share credible information to support proactive policing efforts in their communities.

Residents should report incidents to the nearest station, call 08032003702 or 08086671202, or contact the Command Centre via 112.

Metro

Courts Jail Six For Fraud, Order ₦2.8m Restitution To Victims

Published

8 hours ago

August 9, 2025

Editor

Justices H.H. Kereng and Abdulhamid Yakubu of the Gombe State High Courts 2 and 3, sitting in Gombe, have convicted and sentenced six men to various jail terms for fraud.

The convicts, Maigari Abba, Joseph Samuel Bulus, Kasheaure Joseph, Emmanuel Dilibe, Livite Ibrahim, and Awolowo Martins, were jailed on Wednesday, after being arraigned on separate one-count charges bordering on breach of trust, cheating, and impersonation by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

This is contained in a statement by the EFCC on Friday, noting the convicts’ arrest followed intelligence on their activities, after which they were apprehended and prosecuted.

One of the charges against Bulus reads,”That you, Joseph Samuel Bulus, sometimes between 2024 and 2025, at Gombe, Gombe State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, dishonestly impersonate one Peter Elis, by pretending to be a former Kings Guard in the UK, creating and operating fake Facebook and TikTok accounts and luring unsuspecting individuals to deliver money to you (mostly via gift cards) and in the process gained to your advantage the sum of $1,500 (One thousand Five Hundred Dollars) and thereby committed an offence contrary to 321 and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Law.”

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting prosecution counsel S.E. Okemini and A.B. Kware to urge the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Defence counsel, however, pleaded for leniency.

Justice Kereng sentenced Abba to six months in prison or a fine of ₦60,000, while Martins bagged six months or a fine of ₦50,000.

Justice Yakubu handed Bulus, Joseph, Dilibe, and Ibrahim 24 months’ imprisonment each, with an option of ₦50,000 fine.

The courts also ruled that the ₦2.8 million recovered during investigation, being proceeds of crime, should be used to restitute the victims.

It was stated that One laptop and five mobile phones seized at arrest were forfeited to the Federal Government.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Bandits Kill Pastor, Two Others In Fresh Plateau Attack

Published

9 hours ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

Bandits have again struck Suwa and Ding’ak villages in the Mushere chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, and killed three persons, including a pastor.

It was learnt that the attack occurred between 1pm and 2pm on Friday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.

The Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, Kefas Mallai, confirmed the killings to The PUNCH in Jos on Friday night.

Mallai identified the victims as Pastor Gideon Katings of COCIN Suwa, Sunday Ringkang, and Meshach Bukata.

He added that one Michael Kamshak and several others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Cottage Hospital, Bokkos.

Mallai also confirmed that hundreds of residents had been displaced due to the attack.

Mallai said, “Between 1:00 hours and 2:00 today, Friday, 8th August 2025, Suwa and Ding’ak villages in Mushere chiefdom of Bokkos LGA were attacked by terrorists leading to the untimely death of three including Pst Gideon Katings of COCIN Suwa, Sunday Ringkang, and Meshach Bukata; while Michael Kamshak and others were injured and currently receiving treatment at Cottage Hospital Bokkos.

“Several residents in their hundreds have been displaced.”

Spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, was not readily available when contacted by our correspondent, as his phone indicated that it was switched off.

The killings on Friday is the latest in a series of violent attacks experienced in Bokkos and surrounding areas.

In recent times, the council area has faced heightened insecurity, with more than 20 villagers killed in separate attacks in the last month and properties destroyed.

The chairman of Bokkos LGA, Amalau Samuel Amalau, had called on security agencies to take decisive action against these militias, citing the need to protect innocent lives and prevent further displacement.

The state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has equally condemned the attacks, describing them as “genocide” and “a coordinated attempt at land grabbing.”

The governor has vowed to work with security agencies to bring perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of residents.