Metro

Ikoyi Building: RCCG Pastor, 22 Artisans Stuck In Rubble

Published

4 years ago

November 3, 2021

A pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Ola Ogunfuwa and 22 of his workers are among those stuck in the rubble of the 21-storey building that collapsed on Monday on Gerrard Road, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

The pastor, who is in charge of the Living Water Parish in Ibafo, Ogun State, was said to be working as a contractor on the project but has not been heard from or been identified among those rescued or brought out lifeless.

A friend of Ogunfuwa and an RCCG pastor, Omotosho Shola Emmanuel, confirmed to The PUNCH correspondent that the victim doubled as an engineer and came with 22 other artisans, comprising bricklayers and welders, from Ibafo to work in the building.

He said, “I am here this morning because one of my pastor friends is working here, he is an engineer. He came with about 22 people all the way from Ibafo (Ogun State) to work here; labourers, bricklayers, welders, about 22 different guys that came together with him to work on the project.

“Till now, out of those that have been rescued, we’ve not seen any of those 22 and he himself is still there because we learnt that yesterday (Monday), at break time, he came out to eat but as he was about washing his hands to eat, he was summoned by one of his bosses and he went back inside but about five to 10 minutes later, the building collapsed and he was trapped.

“He is still there now and we pray that God will have his way upon those still there.

“As a church, we prayed all through yesterday night and we’re still believing that there is nothing God cannot do because we know that people are still many there, they said they are over 50.

“The ones they’ve rescued are not up to 10, definitely we are still expecting more people to be rescued,” Omotosho added, praying God will bring more survivors out.

Since the rescue operations on the collapsed building on Gerard Road began, no rescued person has been identified but they have all been taken to an undisclosed hospital.

The PUNCH had reported that 10 people were feared dead when the incident happened, as many others were still trapped in the rubble, including the Managing Director, Fourscore Heights Limited, Mr Femi Osibona, who owned the building.

The building crumbled around 2pm when workers were on the site.

The South-West Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, on Tuesday, said a total of 20 bodies, including that of Osibona’s personal assistant, had been recovered.

Related Topics:Ikoyo building Collapse RCCG Pastor

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Metro

Teenager Allegedly Kills Cousin For Ritual In Edo

Published

12 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Editor

A 12-year-old boy identified as Emiliano Egwunbare, was allegedly kidnapped and killed by his 18 years old cousin, identified as Tega Emajuwa.

The incident was said to have happened in Obagie Community, Egor local government area of Edo State.

The suspect and two of his friends allegedly kidnapped their victim and collected ransom from parents of the deceased but didn’t release him.

The suspect had reportedly stayed with parents of late Emiliano for few months before carrying out the dastardly act on September 16th, 2025.

Sources said the police were involved after payment of ransom, and through due intelligence, Emajuwa was tracked down and arrested.

Police source said Emajuwa confessed to the crime one week after his arrest, adding that two of his accomplices, Edugie Destiny, aged 20 and Osayande Vincent, aged 23 were arrested.

Their confession led police to where they dumped the body of Emiliano inside a well.

Some vital organs of late Emiliano were reportedly harvested.

Deputy spokesman of the Edo Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident and denied allegations that the suspects have been released.

She said the case was initially reported at Ogida Police Division and later transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit, Benin, for discreet investigation.

“Following sustained tactical and technical intelligence, operatives of the unit arrested three suspects — Tega Emajuwa ‘m’ aged 18, Edugie Destiny ‘m’ aged 20 and Osayande Vincent ‘m’ aged 23 — who all made confessional statements linking them to the crime.

Sadly, during the course of investigation, the victim’s body was later discovered inside a well in Obagie Community.

“The remains were evacuated and deposited at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) mortuary for autopsy.

“In a viral video recently circulated on social media, the mother of the deceased alleged that the suspects have been released from Police Custody.

“The Edo State Police Command wishes to categorically state that this claim is false, misleading, and unfounded.

“The suspects remained in lawful custody until they were charged to court on 16th October 2025, where the case is currently, while they have all been remanded for prosecution.

“The said mother was of the deceased was present in court during the proceedings.”

Metro

Police Rescue Seven Kidnap Victims In Edo

Published

12 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have rescued seven kidnapped victims in Ewohimi, Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state.

The Command’s deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Emem Ikoedem, disclosed this on Saturday in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin.

She said the victims were abducted in the Ikeken Forest, where they had gone to farm by armed men suspected to be kidnappers.

The statement reads, “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its relentless onslaught against kidnapping and violent crimes in the State, as operatives of the Command have successfully rescued seven kidnapped victims in Ewohimi, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

“The incident occurred on Saturday, 1st November 2025, when one Enoch Omozokpia of Ikeken Ewohimi reported that his father, William Omozokpia (65 years), who went to his farm in the Ikeken Forest, was abducted by armed men suspected to be kidnappers alongside six others.

“Acting swiftly on the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Ewohimi, led a team of operatives in a joint rescue mission with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups.

“The team stormed the forest in a well-coordinated operation, engaging in an intense bush combing effort that forced the abductors to abandon their captives and flee.

“All seven victims were rescued unhurt and have since been reunited with their families. The rescued victims are: William Akhabue, Innocent Ebarekor, Rachel Ebarekor, Efuah Ebarekor, Winner Ebarekor, William Omozokpia and Lucky Igiese (popularly known as Bulala).”

She stated that the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command CP Monday Agbonika commended the gallantry and professionalism displayed by the Police operatives, soldiers, and vigilantes who participated in the rescue operation.

Ikoedem, reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to the safety of all residents and assured that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.

Ikoedem urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or persons to the nearest police station.

Metro

PHOTOS: Residents Cry For Help As Flood Ravages Delta Community

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2025

Editor

Natives of Souragbene community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have cried to the Delta State Government and the local government council chairman for urgent help as flood submerges the community.

In a video that has gone viral, a young lady is seen with school pupils and other adults lamenting “we are at this moment gathered here inside water in Souragbene to tell the whole world that flood has taken over our community.”

According to her, “Our children had to literally swim in the flood to get to their schools. They get soaked; they get so dirty in the process.”

“Our houses have been submerged — we have nowhere to go. We are literally swimming in the flood to our children’s schools. Is this okay? Yet we have well-connected people as indigenes; we have wealthy people; we have those politicians who are connected to the government, yet they feel no concern about the community.”

Another woman appears in the video with the pupils inside the flood, saying in a sober voice: “We greet the government from here. We know you are trying your best. Today, we are gathered here in Saurogbene community, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.”

The woman, while lamenting in the video that the flood has lasted for seven days, added: “Because of the flood we can no longer do anything. Our children do go to school but because of the flood, they can no longer go to school. We have to use a woodenboat to ferry them to school in the flood. You can see the suffering of the children.

“When the flood starts, for 3 to 4 hours, everything stands still. And if everything stands still, we cannot do anything. Imagine we, not doing nothing for four hours because of flood, how do we survive?”

She appealed to Delta State governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the local government council chairman, Chief Sylvester Oromoni, and well-meaning Nigerians and Deltans in particular to come to their rescue.

A man identified in the video as the
spokesman of the community appears in the video lamenting: “Because of the flood, everyone literally swims. Hon Sylvester Oromoni, you are the chairman of this local government. We are begging you to come to our rescue.”