News

Otedola Bridge Fire: Survivors Recount Harrowing Experiences

Published

1 year ago

March 18, 2025

Editor

It was supposed to be a typical Tuesday night commute for many, but it turned into a nightmare for those who witnessed the devastating fire on Otedola Bridge.

The inferno, which engulfed a tanker and several vehicles, left a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake.

The fire started when a gas tanker’s brakes failed and quickly spread to nearby businesses, including a mechanic workshop, a hospital, and several provision and clothing stores.

Our reporter who visited the scene of the incident counted 18 vehicles, including a Toyota Venza, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Murano, among others, and about 10 tricycles, all of which were destroyed in the blaze.

The Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, attributed the cause of the accident to poor truck maintenance, citing the failure of truck owners to properly inspect and maintain their vehicles.

Osiyemi disclosed that the truck had violated Lagos State law by ignoring a “no truck allowed” sign on the road, stressing that the Ministry of Transportation would enforce the policy to prevent similar accidents.

A mechanic at the workshop, Adekola Kosoko, recounted the harrowing experience saying, “The tanker was coming from Magodo Road. We heard the driver shouting ‘No break, no break’ and all of a sudden, we heard a deafening sound followed by fire.”

“One of our colleagues here died. He was driving out when it happened and in an attempt to drive back to the workshop, the fire caught up with him and burned him in the car,” Kosoko said, his voice shaking with emotion.

The hospital, De-Twist Dental Specialist, was also affected by the fire. A doctor at the hospital, still in shock, managed to utter, “It was a narrow escape for me.”

Another victim of the fire incident and journalist, Abiola Ismaeel, said his vehicle was among those destroyed.

“My vehicle (Peugeot 607) was among those consumed by the fire. I brought it here three days ago for my mechanic to fix and I am now confused. I do not know what to do,” Ismaeel said.

Despite the destruction, some properties were spared, including a Redeemed Christian Church of God, located just a few meters away from the bridge.

Although the security quarters and a power-generating set were consumed in the inferno, the church’s main building was unaffected except for one of the exit doors upstairs.

Oluwatoyin Akinola, a member of the church, described the experience as “beyond human reasoning.”

“I was called to bring the key to the church’s bus. So I was here that night and I saw the fire. I can’t explain how our church was spared by the fire. It’s just the hand of God. It’s beyond human reasoning, that’s all I can say,” Akinola stated raising her hands in thanksgiving to God.

As the survivors of the Otedola Bridge fire struggle to come to terms with their harrowing experience, they are also counting their blessings.

“I’m just grateful to be alive,” said one survivor. “It’s a second chance at life, and I’m not going to take it for granted.”

The Otedola Bridge fire may have left a scar on the city but it has also reminded us of the resilience and strength of the human spirit. chance at life.

(DAILY POST)

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.