Metro

How Fallen Tree Kills Two, Injures 10 In Kwara

Published

2 years ago

October 23, 2023

Editor

Tragedy struck on Monday morning in the Sango area of Ilorin, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State when a big tree suddenly fell and killed two persons and injured 10 others.

The incident was said to have happened about 8 am in the Sango area by the roadside near Baystar Petrol Station, opposite the Oke Adini junction of the town.

It was also gathered that the incident threw the area into confusion as one of the victims (a woman) reportedly died on the spot while others were rushed by sympathisers to a private hospital in the area.

It was gathered from the scene of the incident that the fallen tree was one of the two trees standing side by side in the area.

Some shop owners in the area and a vulcanizer known as Malam Abdulrasheed escaped death as they were yet to open for business when the incident happened.

“The deceased persons and the injured persons were waiting by the roadside beside Baystar petrol station Sango area, opposite Oke-Adini junction, Ilorin to board commercial vehicles to their various destinations when the tree suddenly fell on them,” a source who preferred not to be mentioned explained.

About 10 victims of the accident were rushed to a private hospital where they were given first aid treatment while those with serious injuries were transferred to the state hospital and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital for further treatment.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the incident.

Okasanmi in a statement said, “A branch of a tree fell off a tree at Sango area this morning, seven persons were affected and were rushed to the hospital, two eventually died and others are still undergoing treatment.

“Investigation on the case is ongoing. Details of the investigation would be made available as soon as it is concluded,” the PPRO said.

It was further gathered that efforts were immediately put in place to ensure the safety of people in the area as saw millers were engaged to clear the fallen tree and the others standing side it.

Kwara state government in a sympathy message said that it had directed that the victims of the accident be taken to the state general hospital for treatment.

A statement by the Commissioner of Health, Dr Mariam El-Imam, and signed by Press Secretary of the Ministry, Gbenga Falade said, “The tragic and fatal incident followed the unprovoked falling of a large branch of a tree on passers-by, shop owners and commuters awaiting the next available vehicle.

“In a swift response to distress calls received from the Oke-Andi (Oke-Adini) community following the unfortunate falling of a major tree branch on unsuspecting members of the community using the base of the tree as stalls and commuters awaiting the next bus, a team of experts were deployed from the state Ministry of Health to provide emergency care to the victims.

“The team of experts led by the Deputy Director of Medical Services, Dr. Stephen Arigidi, was warmly received at the site of the incident by the duo of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam and the Commissioner for Environment, Mallam Shehu Ndanusa Usman; who had arrived earlier at the scene of the incident,” part of the statement read.

The Commissioner further assured the public of the government’s continued commitment to their well-being while praying for the speedy recovery of all the affected victims.

Metro

JUST IN: Psychiatric Hospital Staff Shot Dead In Benin

Published

13 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Editor

A yet-to-be identified man was, this evening (Friday, 11 July, 2025) shot dead at Uselu Share, Benin City, in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

The man, who should be in his late 50’s was a staff of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Benin.

He was reportedly trailed by two vehicles – GLK Jeep and a red car – as he drove out from the hospital premises after the close of work.

According to our source, the two vehicles had packed in a nearby place waiting for the man’s vehicle, adding that immediately he drove out, he was trailed to a point where he was caught up and shot at a close range on the head.

Our source who does not want his name mentioned, said: “He works at Psychiatric Hospital. He closed for the day’s work and was about driving home, but unfortunately he drove in less than one minute when he was gunned down.

“It happened around 5pm this evening. We were at a nearby fast food restaurant when we heard the gunshot. It didn’t take the guys one minute to gun him down.

“After they killed the man, they were still shooting as they moved. The guys in the two vehicles were more than five.

“He’s an advance person, but we don’t know why he was killed,” he added.

According to source, security operatives comprising the Nigeria Police, officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Army arrived the scene promptly, adding that before they arrived the assailants had left.

Our source added that the security personnel immediately evacuated the body from the scene.

Our source, who lamented that “three days ago, they came to rob a beer parlour and Baba Ijebu Shop in this same area,” urged the authorities to draft security personnel to the area.

Contacted on the phone by INFO DAILY, Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Moses Yamu, said he was yet to be informed of the incident, promising to make his founding.

Metro

Gunmen Invade Catholic Seminary School In Edo, Kill One, Abduct Three

Published

18 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Editor

Gunmen on Thursday night attacked the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School at Ivianokpodi, Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State and killed a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the school.

The gunmen also abducted three students of the school.

This is coming barely ten months after an attack was carried out in the area. Two people including a priest were kidnapped and one killed during the attack.

The Directorate, Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr Peter Egielewa confirmed the incident on Friday

He said that the gunmen attacked the school at about 9:00 pm at night.

Egielewa expressed displeasure over the persistence attack on the Catholic school, personnel and its facilities.

“This is the second time in 10 months that the school had been attacked

“10 Months ago, a priest was kidnapped.

“And now three seminarians were abducted and a civil defense corps is killed, while a local vigilante sustained gun injuries

“We call on the government to protect the lives of all those who work in Catholic institution and our diocese.

“We hope the security agencies at the local, state and federal level take up the responsibility on that, so our people can be in peace and safety,” Egielewa said

Metro

Pastor Arraigned Over Alleged Rape Of Married Woman In Edo

Published

18 hours ago

July 11, 2025

Editor

A 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem, of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly raping a married woman, Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.

The pastor, who was accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation, was docked before the court in Benin City, on Thursday.

The charges against Pastor Okehielem followed a year 2022 incident in Uholor Community of Benin City where the cleric allegedly drugged and raped the woman leading to the birth of a child.

Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the Nigerian Police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.

The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted an ex-parte order to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.

The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion, told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.

Okehielem was slammed with two-count charge on alleged rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.

The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads: “That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.

“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”

Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Police for its diligence.

“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said.

Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.

The development has stirred debates across Benin City, with residents and religious leaders expressing shock and calling for justice.

The case has been adjourned pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.