Metro

Just In: Fire Razes Former Senate President’s House

Published

5 years ago

January 2, 2020

At least two vehicles and 15 motorcycles were said to have been burnt to ashes after a section of the Otukpo residence of the former Senate President, David Mark went up in flames.

The fire, according to eyewitnesses, was said to have spread from a nearby bush bordering the fence of his guest house and gutted the section of the premises where the two ambulances and the 15 motorcycles kept.

Some workers within the residence who saw the raging fire quickly moved to put it off but couldn’t as the fire was said to have moved so fast destroying everything in sight.

However, officials of the Benue State Fire Service, Otukpo Office were quickly alerted when efforts by workers and neighbours to put out the fire failed and they moved in to quench the fire.

“We made every effort to quench the fire but the more we tried the more it continued to spread. It was when we noticed that we could not stop it so that it did not burn the guest house that we called fire service,” one of the workers told newsmen.

Confirming the incidence in a statement signed by one of his aides, Elijah Adakole, said no life was lost in the fire incidence which occurred early hours of Thursday destroying some property including 15 motorcycles and two vehicles.

The statement titled, “Fire incident at David Mark’s Otukpo house”, read thus, “Earlier this morning (Thursday 2nd 2020), fire incident was reported in the Otukpo residence of the former Senate President, Senator (Dr) David Mark.

“The cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained but some properties including 15 motorcycles and two vehicles were burnt.

“The arrival of the Fire Service personnel prevented the inferno from spreading to the entire building. The fire has since been put out. No life was lost,” the statement concluded.

(SUN)

Metro

JUST IN: UNIBEN Students Trapped as Three-storey Building collapses

Published

1 day ago

September 14, 2024

Editor

Several students of the University of Benin have been trapped in a three-storey building that collapsed in Ekosodin, an off-campus community dominated by students of the University.

The collapse could be attributed to a heavy downpour that started in the early hours of Saturday which fell till about 10 am.

A staff of the University said: “The incident happened earlier morning on Saturday. We were on duty when we got the call and we are on the scene, some people have been rescued others are still trapped, we are calling for more hands to ensure that the occupants are rescued. I am still at the scene.”

The university management has yet to release an official statement to that effect.

Metro

JUST IN: Gunmen Kidnap Rivers Monarch’s Police Orderly, Driver

Published

1 day ago

September 14, 2024

Editor

Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped a police orderly and driver working with a respected royal father in Rivers State.

The victims were abducted on Saturday at the residence of the monarch, His Royal Highness(HRH) Chief Cornwell Ihunwo around Eagle Island.

It was learned that Ihunwo is the paramount ruler of Rumu-Elechi community in Nkpolu-Orowurokwo, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.

An Executive member of Diobu Vigilante and Chief Security Officer of Nkpolu-Orowurokwo Godstime Ihunwo, who confirmed said the incident happened around 8pm.

Godstime alleged that the intent of the kidnap was the traditional ruler, condemning the move to abduct the community leader.

He said, “I received a call about abduction of HRH Cornwell Ihunwo about 9pm on Saturday 22ndJune,2024. I rushed down to his house at Eagle Island where I met him. Chief Cornwell told me it is his driver and Police orderly who were abducted.

“We condemn the planned abduction of HRH Cornwell Ihunwo and call on the Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident.”

However, when contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Metro

Soldiers Allegedly Torture Poly Student To Death Over Allegation Of Cultism

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2024

Editor

Terhile Timothy Achinya, a mechanical engineering student with the Isa Mustapha Agwai l Polytechnic Lafia, was allegedly beaten to death by yet-to-be-identified military men.

The news of the death of Achinya has sparked outrage within and around the Polytechnic community, however, the Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Nurudeen Mu’azu Maifata has called for calm.

The Students Union Government, President of the Isa Mustapha Agwai l Polytechnic Lafia, Comr. Jacob John Mutuwa narrated the situation leading to the death of the student.

“It all started when a student named Samuel Ejembi informed some military men in Lafia of some students who are alleged to be involved in cult activities. the soldiers searched and picked up some of the accused students at Eji World, an entertainment centre opposite the Poly campus.”

The president explained that both the informant and the accused were picked up and taken into custody by the military on Friday last week.

Mutuwa disclosed however that Achinya died while undergoing interrogations and torture by the military men and the corpse was deposited at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.

Mutuwa expressed sadness over the unfortunate death, lamenting that if the management of the institution had allowed students to use the student accommodation built by former governor Tanko Almakura, things like this would not have occurred.

The Union president commended the students for taking a calm position despite the tragic death of a fellow student.

He assured that legal action had been instituted against the killers and called for calm.

Also reacting, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for prompt action to bring the perpetrators to book.

Coordinator, NANS Zone C, Comr. Daniel Friday Egga appreciated the action taken by the Management and SUG Leadership of the institution in addressing the matter.

Daniel called on the government and well-meaning individuals to join hands in seeking justice for the victim and his family.

NANS, however, alleged that the soldiers who were attached to the 123 Special Force Battalion were the ones responsible for the killing and urged military authorities to take immediate action.