Metro

Lamentation As Night Fire Destroys Goods In Rivers Market

Published

3 months ago

June 12, 2025

Goods and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed following a fire which destroyed goods and property at the popular ‘Rumuomasi Morning Market’ in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday night.

Already, most of the victims are counting their losses while a few struggled to salvage what they could lay their hands on.

Some of those affected told The PUNCH that the fire started between 7:30 pm and 8 pm on Tuesday following a spark immediately after power was restored.

The PUNCH correspondent who visited the scene of the fire on Tuesday night reports that scores of traders were seen crestfallen while some cried openly as they watched their goods go up in flames helplessly.

Federal and Rivers State firefighters as well as those from oil firms who were handy did great to battle the fire but had difficulty in accessing the main point of the inferno, though they later put it out eventually.

Also, policemen kept vigil at the scene of the fire to ensure that miscreants didn’t take advantage to loot goods and other items.

One of the affected traders and former Chairman of the Rumuomasi Morning Market, Mr Anthony Chikere, who spoke to our correspondent on Wednesday afternoon said he was at home when he received several telephone calls about the incident.

Chikere, who deals in wholesale materials, including laces, said he lost goods of over N100m to the fire and appealed to the state government to assist the victims.

He stated, “We closed yesterday (Tuesday) and left here (the market) some minutes past 6 pm to 7 pm. Not up to an hour after we got home, we were called that there was a fire incident.

“So, before we got here, the fire had destroyed many places. They said it happened when power was restored. My shop and those of a lady selling weavon were the major victims on this line because we lost everything.

“I sell big laces, Damat, Senator materials, satin materials. There is no type of bale material you won’t find here. We even have machines for urgent sewings.”

On the estimate of what he lost, he said, “If I didn’t lose anything, I have lost N180m in this shop because we have not even opened three bales we brought in within the week. They all got burnt.

“We are calling on the government to come and assist us because things are so rough now. Maybe, the government can help us financially and otherwise. We will appreciate it.’

Another victim, a widow and mother of four, Mrs Nkiru Olisemeka, who trades in foodstuffs, wondered how she would cater for her children who are in the university.

“I trade on foodstuffs, rice, beans, oil, tomatoes, anything foodstuffs, she said in an emotion-laden voice, even as she corroborated the first speaker that she was at home when several calls trickled in.”

She added, “So, I called my first daughter to ask what was happening. She said nothing that I should calm down. I live along Stadium Road, so getting to the market, the fire was much.

“Even before my children got there, they said the fire was much and that all the goods had burned into ashes. I’m a widow with four children in the university. Next month will be two years since I lost my husband.

“This is what I use to survive and sponsor them. All my goods, everything, was burnt down,” she tearfully said.

She put the value of what she lost at about N50m, including cash.

“I was supposed to pay somebody N500, 000 but the person did not meet up before I closed and left. So, I said when I came today (Wednesday), I would give the man the N500,000. Now, what do I do,” she asked rhetorically.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Grange-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying an investigation was ongoing.

“An investigation is ongoing to ascertain what happened. I can tell you that the Divisional Police Officer and his men were on the ground yesterday and the fire was put out.”

Metro

Army Kills Notorious Bandit, Babangida, In Kogi

Published

9 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army under Operation ACCORD III, in conjunction with Other Hybrid Forces (OHF), have killed Babangida Kachala, a notorious bandit and second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, the leader of a bandit group operating within Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State.

The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Hassan Abdullahi Lieutenant in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen, said on 11 September 2025, following credible intelligence on the movement of bandits within Ofere Forest and Ayetoro Gbede general area, the combined troops laid an ambush at a suspected bandit crossing point.

The statement read: “Although initial contact was not made, the troops, while withdrawing to base, ran into an ambush staged by the criminals along their route.

“In the ensuing firefight, the gallant troops engaged the bandits with superior firepower, neutralizing one of the criminals. The troops thereafter exploited the area, during which they recovered 1 fully loaded magazine, 31 mobile phones, a blood pressure machine, packs of Tramadol tablets, fetish charms, and the sum of ₦16,000 cash. Bloodstains observed at the scene further suggested that several other bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.

“Subsequent intelligence confirmed that among those who fled with gunshot wounds was Babangida Kachala, a notorious bandit and second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, the leader of a bandit group operating within Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State. He was later confirmed dead.

“Troops of 12 Brigade under Operation ACCORD III continue to dominate the area of responsibility with patrols and ambushes aimed at totally decimating bandits and other criminal elements within the boundaries of Kogi State. The morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remain high as they sustain unrelenting pressure on the criminals.

“The Nigerian Army reassures the good people of Kogi State of its determination to restore lasting peace and security, while encouraging citizens to provide timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.”

Metro

Two Bodies Recovered From Yaba Building Collapse

Published

9 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Photo: File copy

Yaba building collapse
Two male dead bodies have been recovered from a three-storey building that collapsed under construction on Friday night at Yaba, a suburb of Lagos.

Mrs Ibitayo Adenike, Acting Head, National Emergency Management Agency (Lagos Operations Office), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

NAN reports that so far, two dead bodies have been recovered, while four persons have been rescued and are currently receiving treatment.

Adenike said that the building at No 333 Borno Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, collapsed on Friday night by 8.30 p.m. trapping several persons.

She added that search and rescue operation was still ongoing.

She noted that the number of people still trapped under the rubble could not be determined until the building was completely brought down to ground level.

She listed emergency responders at the scene to include the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building and Control Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, among others.

Metro

My Ex-wife Refused To Pack Out Of My House After Our Marriage Was Dissolved, Man Tells Court

Published

15 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

…I contributed N650,000 to the building of the house —Wife

…You’re now a tenant and trespassing, move out, court orders woman

A man, Quadri, has dragged his ex-wife, Gbemisola, before Grade A Customary Court, Mapo, Ibadan, on the account of illegal possession of his properties, a three-bedroom apartment she was living in and also his shop, where she displayed her goods.

Quadri stated that Gbemisola had been in possession of these properties for more than one year, after the court had pronounced their wedlock dissolved.

According to Quadri, since they were no longer husband and wife, he regarded Gbemisola as either a tenant or a trespasser.

He further stated that he served

Gbemisola notices to quit but that she remained adamant.

The plaintiff thus prayed the court to rule that the defendant should vacate both his house and shop without delay.

Quadri in his testimony said: “My marriage to my wife was pronounced dissolved by this honourable court last year August after I brought a divorce suit against her as a result of her atrocities which I could no longer tolerate.

“The court declared that we ceased to be husband and wife and ordered that we go our different ways.

“My lord, my ex-wife has refused to obey the court’s ruling.

“She insisted that she would neither move out of my house nor pack her wares from my shop.

“I raised these buildings through my sweat, but she is now laying claim to them.

“I enlightened my ex-wife in line with the law that she has automatically become a tenant or regarded as trespassing on my property since our marriage has been dissolved, but she obviously did not realise the gravity of these offences.

“I served her quit notices, but she remained adamant.

“My lord, I came to court that it might rule that my ex-wife vacates my three-bedroom apartment and shop without delay.”

Gbemisola, however, refused to be addressed as a tenant.

The defendant explained that she and the plaintiff both contributed financially to the construction of two properties he was now solely laying claim to.

Gbemisola insisted that the properties be sold and the proceeds from the sale shared among her, her ex-husband, and their children.

Gbemisola said in her evidence: “I refused to be addressed as a tenant in the house I contributed my hard-earned money towards its building.

“The two properties my husband is laying claim to are products of our joint efforts, so I cannot be referred to as trespassing.

“He bought the land for N700,000, while I contributed three times towards the building project.

“I contributed N200,000, N150,000 and N300,000 respectively.

“I visited the site at three different times to inspect the construction work going on at that time.

“I did not document the amount I contributed and those of other expenses because I did all I did out of love, and also for the sake of our children.

“He wants me to vacate the said apartment and shop because he wants to remarry.

“He wants to cheat me, and I will not allow it.

“My lord, I pray that the court should rule that we sell both properties and share the proceeds from it into three.

“He will take a share, I will take mine, and our children also will have theirs.”

The court president, Mrs S.M. Akintayo, giving her judgment stated that the defendant had no right to still be in possession of both property, the three-bedroom apartment, and shop since the court had dissolved their union after the plaintiff dragged her to court, laid claims against her and judgment was given after the court had heard both parties.

According to Akintayo, a landlord has unfiltered legal right to terminate a tenancy upon giving adequate notices.

She added that it is a settled position of law and requirement of the law that a landlord can claim possession of a premise once the required statutory notices have been issued and served on the tenant.

Akintayo ruling said, “The court hereby orders the defendant to vacate the three-bedroom apartment and shop on or before September 12,2025.”