Metro

‘How I Swam With My Baby, Survived Gelegele Boat Mishap’ – Woman

Published

1 month ago

October 25, 2023

Editor

Fresh facts have emerged about the recent boat mishap that happened along Gelegele River, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Contrary to some reports that one person died in the incident, a survivor of the boat mishap, Mrs Mabel Sule, while narrating what happened to INFO DAILY said eight persons drown in the accident, adding that she was lucky to have survived the horroing incident.

According to the businesswoman, she and other 27 market women were onboard the boat enroute to Ekewan market to sell their goods when the horrible boat mishap happened.

She added that as they moved out of the shore of Gelegele, the engine piloting the boat developed a fault, and as the tide was swaying the boat, its (tide) hit it against two badges stationed in the river which resulted to the boat capsizing and ramming under the badge.

According to her, she was carrying a one-and-half year baby when it happened, adding that she struggled to swim with her baby under the badge, hit her head against it for several times before she eventually swam out of the badge’s covering.

The 31-year-old woman who spoke in local language words are translated thus: “As we left the shore of the Gelegele River, our engine developed a fault, but as the driver was trying to fix it, tide of the river was moving our boat, and suddenly our boat hit two badges that were stationed in the river, and we found ourselves under the badge inside the river.

“As the boat capsized, everyone started scampering for safety by swimming but unfortunately we were under the badge, so some persons couldn’t survived it as they were unable to swim out.

“I was carrying this one-and-half-year-old baby on my lap when the boat capsized and I found myself under the badge inside the river. So, I held the baby with my one hand and used the other hand to swim. But as I was swimming and trying to raise my head above the water, I hit my head against the badge repeatedly for like three times, so I went deep again and started swimming until I saw brightness of the sky while still deep in the river, that was when I raised my head. I thought my baby was already drowned, but fortunately, he survived.

Lamenting that she lost all her farm produce she had bought to resell in the market, she dded, “I am left with nothing as I speak with you. Plantain worth over N200,000.00 that I was taking to Ekewan market to sell all perish in the river.”

She added: “I want the government of Edo State to help me so I can go back to my business. I am pleading to well to do Nigerians to help me. I need to feed , I need to feed my children.”

Metro

Fake Naira Notes In Circulation, CBN Warns Nigerians

Published

2 hours ago

December 8, 2023

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria has warned Nigerians to be wary of counterfeit naira notes in circulation amid reports of currency shortage in the country.

In a statement released on Friday titled ‘Beware of Counterfeit Naira Banknotes in Circulation,’ the apex bank advised Deposit Money Banks, Financial Houses, Bureau de Change, and the public to be vigilant and implement necessary precautions.

The Central Bank assures the public that it is working with law enforcement operatives to apprehend those responsible for circulating counterfeit currency.

The statement, in part, said, “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to the circulation of counterfeit banknotes, significantly higher denominations, by some individuals for transactions in food markets and other commercial centers across major cities in the country.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 20(4) of the CBN Act (2007) as amended, states that: “It shall be an offense punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than five years for any person to falsify, make or counterfeit any bank note or coin issued by the Bank which is legal tender in Nigeria.”

“The CBN is constantly collaborating with relevant security and financial agencies to confiscate fake Naira banknotes and arrest and prosecute counterfeiters. Members of the public are also encouraged to report anyone suspected of having counterfeit naira notes to the nearest police station or branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Meanwhile, all Deposit Money Banks, Financial Houses and Bureau de Change and the general public are enjoined to be more vigilant and take all necessary precautionary measures to curtail the acceptance and distribution of counterfeit notes,” the statement reads.

Metro

Three Operatives Injured As NDLEA Officers, Armed Hoodlums Clash In Edo Forest

Published

24 hours ago

December 7, 2023

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said its operatives repelled gunfire from armed hoodlums in Opuje, Edo State, as they sought to access forest warehouses storing psychoactive substances.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, shared on the agency’s X account on Thursday.

The incident followed a similar attack 11 months ago when NDLEA officers were ambushed during an operation, resulting in the arrest of suspects.

Opuje is known for large-scale cannabis cultivation, with drug cartels investing heavily in protecting their warehouses.

The statement said, “Following credible intelligence that the drug cartels had again stocked their warehouses in the forest to start distribution of the psychoactive substance to various parts of the country ahead of the yuletide season, teams of NDLEA officers were mobilized to enter the Edo forests and block the distribution of the illicit drug by destroying their warehouses.

“Some of the warehouses containing about 6,000kgs of cannabis were first taken down in Ujiogba forest in Esan West LGA last weekend.

“The NDLEA teams, however, came under gunfire attack in the early hours of Monday 4th December when they approached the Opuje forest after the armed hoodlums had blocked all access roads in the community. The NDLEA operatives were able to exit the area after over two hours of gunfight with the armed hoodlums.

“Unfortunately, three of the officers were injured in the attack with one of them shot in the head while some of the vehicles used for the operation were riddled with bullets. The affected officers were rushed to the hospital for treatment while the critically injured one had a major surgery on Wednesday 6th December to remove the bullets in his brain.”

Metro

VIDEO: Policemen Demand Money From Foreign Female Biker

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2023

Editor

Some policemen have been sighted in a video demanding money from a female biker who was on a tour of Nigeria from the Netherlands.

The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, said the officers were recorded along Moniya Road in Oyo State.

The officers had flagged down the biker, asking her where she was from and where she was heading.

The Dutch replied that she was from the Netherlands and she was on her way to Abuja, apparently surprising the two officers.

In the 1:26-minute video, the officers asked the woman to offer them money or whatever she had in her possession.

Interacting with the biker in pidgin, the officers said: “Wetin you bring come? Wetin you won give me. O yah give me something nah.”

The tourist appeared not to comprehend the officers’ message until they clearly said, “Give me money, money,” to which she asked, “Why?”

Reacting to the video shared by an X user, @Oyoaffairs, the Force PRO, Adejobi called on the Oyo State police command to look into the incident.

“Now that is along Moniya in Oyo, @OyoPoliceNG should take necessary steps on that. I have notified the PPRO Oyo of this. They need to be worked upon,” Adejobi reacted.

Watch video below:

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1732749914080194872?s=20