Metro

Mysterious Fire Guts Secondary School In Akwa Ibom, Proprietor Cries For Help

Published

4 years ago

August 15, 2021

Tragedy struck at the weekend at Annang Secondary Commercial School, Idung Esimuk, Odoro Ikot, Akwa Ibom State as ‘strange’ fire gutted the school and consumed documents, buildings and other property worth millions of naira.

The cause of the fire, according to the proprietor, Rev. Joseph Ada who spoke with morenews.ng, remains a mystery, explaining that the school has no electricity connection or generating plant to cause such, wondering what would have caused such inferno which wrecked so much havoc on his property.

Rev. Ada who is also the Chairman, National Association of Private Schools (NAPS) Essien Udim Chapter, told Morenews.ng that the inferno has rendered both the teachers and students of the school helpless as the September 2021 resumption date in Akwa Ibom State approaches.

Mr Ada who is also the Chairman, National Association of Private Schools (NAPS) Essien Udim Chapter, told Morenews.ng that the inferno has rendered both the teachers and students of the school helpless as the September 2021 resumption date in Akwa Ibom State approaches.

Further narrating the incidence, Rev Ada said: “I was at home that night when I received the unfortunate news and before I could rush down to the scene it was already late to control the fire. Some concerned neighbours had tried to quench the fire when it started before my arrival but their efforts proved abortive as flame kept increasing.

“When I arrived, I was helpless as I was confused of what to do at that point because that fire could only be controlled or quenched by fire fighters and the only Fire-Fighting Station we used to have in Essien Udim was attacked and burnt during the recent crisis.

“Here I am left with nothing except God. Everything I had in this school has gone. Both classroom and administrative blocks have been razed and all documents completely damaged, destroyed and burnt to ashes,” the Proprietor explained.

Rev Ada, who is also a cleric of the Christ Faith Church, prayed God for divine intervention as the school was all he has to take care of himself and family.

He called on parents and guardians to remain calm as the management is doing everything possible to ensure that their students resume in time despite the fire incidence adding that the school remains the top choice for parents who wish to give their wards qualitative education.

The school proprietor appealed to both Local and State Governments, corporate bodies as well as public spirited individuals to assist him reconstruct the school which he said has been a source of livelihood to him and many others and citadel of learning in the locality.

A staff of the school, Mr Emmanuel Akpan, who spoke with Morenews.ng, also pleaded with the governments at all levels and philantropic organisations to support the proprietor to rebuild the school which he said has helped put food on the table of many and also provided educational services to children in the community.

He described the school as one of the best in the area in terms of academic standard.

“The school is one of the best around here and as such itl should not be allowed to go down the drain like that despite the fact that it is owned by private individual. We appeal to governments to assist the proprietor for the sake of the students.

“As you can see, candidates who are writing NECO and WAEC examinations now are stranded as there is no hall for them to use,” Akpan lamented.

Metro

Abducted NDLEA Director In Anambra Rescued — Police

Published

14 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

The Police Command in Anambra says the Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state, Mr Daniel Onyishi, who gunmen abducted on June 12, has been rescued.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Awka.

It would be recalled that Onyishi was abducted by unidentified persons along Winner Road, Awka, on June 12.

“He is currently in a safe custody and receiving medical attention,” Ikenga said.

According to him, the police, in collaboration with sister security agencies, especially the high-powered covert operations of the NDLEA, led by the Zone-12 Commander, Mrs Florence Ezeonye, complemented the aggressive rescue efforts.

He said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikioye Orutugu, had briefed the police high command on the issue.

Ikenga also said that the commissioner had activated the Inspector General of Police’s directive to ensure the perpetrators were brought to book through a manhunt.

Metro

Owo Massacre: Tension In Ondo Over Govt Demolition Of Cenotaph Honouring Victims

Published

14 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Tension has gripped the ancient town of Owo in Ondo State following the demolition of a cenotaph erected in honour of victims killed in the terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in 2022.

The cenotaph, constructed by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to immortalize over 50 worshippers murdered during the tragic incident, was pulled down on the orders of the current administration, led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The move has sparked mixed reactions across the state.

A viral video circulating online shows bulldozers tearing down the monument and adjoining structure where the names of the slain victims were inscribed, drawing public outrage and rekindling painful memories of the gruesome massacre.

Sources revealed that the decision followed persistent complaints from residents of Owo, particularly over the cenotaph’s location — directly opposite the palace of the Olowo of Owo, the town’s paramount traditional ruler. Critics had earlier described the location as a violation of Yoruba customs, referring to it as a cultural taboo.

While many residents welcomed the demolition, calling it a necessary cultural correction, others accused the state government of playing politics with the memory of the slain worshippers. Some alleged that Governor Aiyedatiwa was attempting to erase the legacy of his late predecessor.

Defending the decision, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the demolition was a response to a formal request from the Olowo-in-Council, who argued that the cenotaph’s location was spiritually inappropriate.

“It was a special request from the palace of the Olowo, as it is said to be against culture and tradition to site such a symbol of death near the palace — the sacred seat of life and authority in Owo,” Adeniyan explained.

He emphasized that the action was not an act of desecration but an effort to “restore cultural balance.” He also disclosed that a modern market would be constructed on the site, while the cenotaph would be respectfully relocated within the town.

Adeniyan assured residents that the government remains committed to preserving the memory of the victims and would soon begin work on a new memorial at a more appropriate location.

It will be recalled that on June 5, 2022, gunmen stormed the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo during a Sunday Mass, killing over 50 worshippers — including children — and injuring many others in one of Nigeria’s deadliest church attacks.

Metro

NDLEA Arrests Woman With Cocaine En route To India For ‘Fibroid Surgery’

Published

17 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 43-year-old makeup artist, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for attempting to smuggle 2.20 kilograms of cocaine to India under the guise of traveling for fibroid surgery.

Spokesperson for the agency, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that Adekoya was arrested on Monday, June 16, 2025, after a surveillance operation based on credible intelligence. She was allowed to check in her luggage and was apprehended at the boarding gate of a Qatar Airways flight to India via Doha.

Upon inspection, officers discovered two large parcels of cocaine factory-fitted into the walls of her suitcase. Adekoya later confessed she was promised financial rewards and falsely claimed she was traveling for a medical procedure.

Further investigations linked the illicit shipment to a drug baron, Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, said to be the owner of Rockford Hotel in the Sango area of Ogun State. He is currently at large.

In other operations, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted 1.3kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in sewn female dresses heading to Bahrain via courier. In a separate case, 850 grams of cocaine hidden in cloth hangers were intercepted en route to Australia.

In Bauchi State, NDLEA arrested Ibrahim Galadima (37) and Ibrahim Muhammed (28) on the Bauchi–Darazo road with over 1 million opioid pills, including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5.

In Kaduna, Bishir Isyaku (38) was caught with 14.2kg of skunk and 198kg of rubber solution concealed in sacks of charcoal on June 17.

In the Federal Capital Territory, six suspects, including Murtala Adamu and Ahmed Ismai’l, were arrested in raids at Karu Abattoir and Torabora areas. 6.9kg of skunk and 59 grams of methamphetamine were recovered.

Along the Zaria-Kano road in Kano State, multiple suspects were arrested, including Umar Hamisu (19) and Dahiru Abdullahi (32) with 56.2kg of skunk, and Obiwuru Henry (27) with 23,720 capsules of tramadol and 1,400 ampoules of pentazocine.

In Kwara State, a 22-year-old polytechnic student, Olotin Nifemi, notorious for supplying drugs to students, was arrested in Ilorin with 1kg of skunk.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided Ugbada camp in the Uzebba forest of Owan West LGA, destroying 4,226.11kg of skunk and arresting Albert Shamaki (33). Another raid in Emado community, Esan West LGA, led to the arrest of Esther Abumere (28) and the recovery of assorted drugs like Colorado, Loud, Molly, and opioids. In Igueben LGA, Eko Gift (38) was arrested with 1.143kg of skunk.

NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative with sensitisation programs in schools across Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kano, Enugu, and a visit to the Ooni of Ife in Osun State, promoting public awareness and drug demand reduction.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), applauded the operatives from MMIA, DOGI, and various state commands for their dedication.

“These arrests and seizures reflect a balanced approach between supply suppression and demand reduction. I commend our officers for their professionalism and resilience,” he said.

Investigations are ongoing, and efforts continue to track drug syndicates and dismantle distribution networks nationwide.