Metro

Lamentation As Night Fire Destroys Goods In Rivers Market

Published

1 month 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

Police Arrest For Sexual Assault Of Minor Leading To Pregnancy

Published

14 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

Kebbi State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 11 suspects for allegedly impregnating a 13 years old unsound mind girl in the state.

The Command said that the arrests were made as part of its determination to rid the State of all forms of Gender Based Violence.

This was contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday by the spokesman of the command, CSP Nafiu Abubakar.

In the statement, Abubakar said, “The Divisional Police Officer, Shanga, had on 13th July, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, arrested 11 suspects namely: Ibrahim Bakanike, Danladi Nauyi, Danjuma Meli, Ibrahim Dankura, Ibrahim Isiaka, Masta Maishayi, Bello Muhammad, Danjuma Kodo, Aminu Isah, Zayyanu Isah and Ahmed Usman, all ‘m’ of Tungar Giwa village, Shanga LGA of Kebbi State.

“The suspects took advantage of one Sa’ima Dauda ‘f’ aged 13 yrs, who walked around in the village due to unsound mind by giving her money ranging from #200 to #500, lured her severally in different locations and had sexual intercourse with her which resulted to pregnancy and she safely delivered a baby boy on 8th July, 2025.”

The statement added that during the preliminary investigation, all the suspects arrested in connection with the case have confessed to the commission of the crime.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M Sani has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department to intensify efforts in arresting the remaining two fleeing suspects and ensure diligent investigation”

The CP equally reiterated the Command’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and speedy investigation of Gender Based Violence cases in the State.

Metro

Varsity Lecturer Dies In Company Of Female Student

Published

14 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

Mr Olabode Ibikunle, a lecturer at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Ayingba, Kogi State, reportedly died on Thursday.

The lecturer, in the Department of Social Science Education of the institution, reportedly dies while in company of one Miss Glory Ojochegbe, of the same department.

But his death has been linked to one Miss Bello Lubabat.

Reacting,, the management of the university, however, dispelled the rumour, stating that investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his death.

It urged people to wait for the outcome of the ongoing investigation by the appropriate authorities and avoid jumping into unverified conclusion.

The Registrar of the school, Yahaya Alilu, in a statement on Friday, urged the media and the public to refrain from speculation to avoid jumping into false conclusions.

The statement read, “Prince Abubakar Audu, University, Ayingba expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate passing of Mr Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle, a lecturer in the Department of Social Science Education.

“His sudden demise in company of Miss Glory Ojochegbe Samuel (24GE2034) of the same department is a tragic and disturbing occurrence that understandably generated public concern and interest.

“The university wishes to state that the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle is currently under investigation by the appropriate authorities.

“We therefore kindly urge the public and the media to refrain from speculations or drawing premature conclusions until the facts are fully established.

“We are also aware of some unverified reports linking the names of other students including Miss Bello Yahaya Lubabat of the Department of Educational Administration and planning, to the incident.

“The university firmly dissociates Miss Bello and other students from the matter and cautions against the spread of unfounded information that may harm the reputation of innocent persons.

“Prince Abubakar Audu University remains committed to upholding the value of truth, fairness and justice , and we respectfully appeal for restraint and responsible reportage as investigation continues.”

Metro

Tragedy As Suspect In Ondo Varsity Students’ Murder Dies In Police Custody

Published

15 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

The Ondo State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the death of a murder suspect, Femi Oladele, also known as Tallex, during a brief illness.

Oladele was arrested for his alleged role in the abduction and death of two students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko – Andrel Okah and John Abba.

The two students, who were friends – Andrel Okah of the Department of History and International Studies, and John Abba of the Department of Economics – were said to be in 200-level in their departments before their disappearance on campus.

After their disappearance for three weeks, their colleagues raised the alarm and reported the matter to the police.

Thereafter, the command swung into action and began an investigation which led to the arrest of Oladele and two other accomplices. Oladele was said to be a landlord of one of the victims.

During interrogation of the suspects, the police said one of the suspects confessed that the victims had been killed, while their bodies were dumped at different locations in Ekiti State.

The police later disclosed that Okah’s body had been recovered and deposited at a morgue, while efforts were ongoing to recover Abba’s.

A source informed our correspondent that while in police custody, Oladele fell sick and was rushed to a hospital by the police, where he gave up the ghost.

“The suspect (Oladele) was sick in the custody where he was kept by the police. When his health condition was getting worse, he was quickly rushed to the hospital, where he later died.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the death of the suspect, stating that Oladele had been receiving treatment but succumbed in the early hours of Friday.

“Yes, he is dead. He had been under medical supervision since his arrest and had been in and out of the hospital. He passed away yesterday (Friday). We have recovered the decomposing body of Okah and are still searching for Abba’s remains.

“We urge the public to disregard any attempt to twist the facts. The command remains fully committed to justice. Everyone involved will face the full weight of the law,” the PPRO stated.