Metro

Panic As Fuel Tanker Falls On Bad Asaba-Onitsha Road

Published

2 months ago

May 7, 2025

Residents and commuters deserted the Asaba-Onitsha expressway in Asaba, the Delta State capital, after a fuel tanker fell on the expressway.

It was learnt that residents and commuters fled the area over fear of an explosion as fuel poured down the road into the Ajaji (Bonsac) gutter.

It was gathered that the truck that fell around 7 p.m. on Tuesday by Ezenei axis as a result of a bad road created apprehension among the residents and commuters plying the road.

The deplorable road, which had become a nightmare for residents and commuters, had caused several accidents over the years.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police and state fire service who were on the ground blocking both sides of the road were said to have slept at the scene to avoid scooping as water tankers were also on standby in case of an explosion.

When The PUNCH visited the scene on Wednesday morning, the truck was still there along the road, causing traffic gridlock, as substances (chemical) and water were said to have been poured on the road, though there was still apprehension from the residents and passersby.

Some residents who spoke to The PUNCH, Mr Eugene Ekene, expressed disappointment over the recurrence of accidents on the road and the sufferings of the masses.

“We thanked God that there was no explosion last night. The tanker fell around 7 pm, and every one of us started running. I even saw my leg; I broke my leg when we were running (sic).

“This morning we came and the fuel is smelling everywhere, my fear is that let it not draw fire from this woman frying akara here (sic). We have been talking but won’t she won’t listen to us because the police have gone,” he lamented.

A human rights activist and resident of the area, Mr Okolo Linus, expressed appreciation to the state police command and the state fire service for their efforts to prevent scooping that would have led to the explosion.

He said, “I want to commend Delta State Police command and the State fire service for the efforts put in to prevent scooping and possible explosion, I criticise the lackadaisical attitude of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori towards this road.

“Even though the road is a Federal road, conscience would have compelled the governor to fix the road for the sake of the road users, since President Bola Tinubu is adamant on fixing the road, maybe because he derives joy in the tears of Nigerians when bloodshed happened.”

Metro

Petrol Tanker Explodes In Ibadan

Published

11 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Editor

File Image

A petroleum tanker carrying 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, on Thursday, exploded in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

According to The PUNCH, the incident occurred at Celica junction, on the new Ife Expressway in Ibadan.

Eyewitnesses explained that the fire incident was as a result of break failure, which made the vehicle lose control.

One of the witnesses said, “The tanker hit a Prado jeep and another car. And in the process, the tanker fell and exploded.

“Although no casualty was recorded, the fire affected the car and the Prado jeep.”

Confirming the incident in a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, the state Fire Service Chairman, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the development to our correspondent, adding that no casualty was recorded.

He said, “The incident was reported at exactly 18.27hrs on Thursday.

“The firemen swiftly swung into action by applying chemical foam compound and restricted the fire from spreading to the nearby Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation petrol station and surrounding properties. The fire was jointly extinguished with officers from the Federal Fire Service.

“The fire incident was as a result of failure of breaking in system of the truck whist on motion which made the vehicle lose control, hit a Prado jeep and a car, then fell and caught fire.

“No casualty was recorded but the fire affected the trailer tanker and a car, while a Jeep was hit by the trailer into the nearby gutter,” he explained.

Metro

Alleged $9.6bn P&ID Fraud: Fleeing Briton’s Surety Arrested, Produced In Court

Published

17 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Editor

Chief George Kadiri, who stood surety for Mr. James Nolan, a British national, at the centre of an ongoing $9.6 billion Process and Industrial Development (P$ID) scam trial, has been arrested.

Kadiri, a retired civil servant living in Gwagwalada, Abuja, was on Thursday produced before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court at the resumed hearing in the matter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the surety, a traditional chief in Gwagwalada, had, on Nov. 4, 2022, sought more time within which to appear in court to show cause why his bail bond should not be forfeited.

He made the plea in a motion on notice marked FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020 filed by his lawyer, O.J. Aboge, before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, before he was elevated to the Court of Appeal.

Justice Mohammed had, on Sept. 28, 2022, revoked the N100 million bail granted to Nolan, a director in P&ID, following his refusal to appear for his trial.

The judge, in the ruling, issued a bench warrant against Nolan and ordered that he should be arrested by security agencies, including Interpol, anywhere he is sighted within or outside Nigeria and be produced in court to stand his trial.

The judge also directed the surety to appear in court to show cause why his bail bond should not be forfeited.

The order followed the application made by EFCC’s lawyer, Bala Sanga, that Nolan had jumped bail.

However, after the case was reassigned to Justice Lifu, Kadiri had not been coming to court, and an order for his arrest was granted.

When the case was called, Sanga said the commission had brought Kadiri to court in obedience to a court order.

“This charge here is different. I humbly apply for the bail bond to be forfeited,” he said.

Aboge, who appeared for Kadiri, sought a date to address the court on the issue of forfeiting the bail bond of N100 million.

“The cases before Justice Egwuatu and the one here are the same.

“I want to produce arguments on the various points raised before the court,” he said.

The lawyer then prayed the court for the surety to be released to him on bail.

Defendant’ lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN, agreed to take Kadiri on bail.

“Chief Kadiri, the surety, is a traditional chief in Gwagwalada.

“He will not run away. I stood surety for him at EFCC.

“This is my first time taking someone on bail,” Erokoro begged.

The anti-graft agency’s lawyer neither opposed the submission made on bail nor objected to the request for an adjournment.

I have no objection to an adjournment.

Justice Lifu consequently adjourned the matter until Nov. 5 for further proceedings and a hearing on the issue of forfeiture of the bail bond entered by Kadiri.

“Meanwhile, the surety, Chief Kadiri, is herein released to Chief Paul Erokoro, SAN, on bail to be produced in court until this issue of forfeiture of bail bond is resolved or determined by the court; I so ruled.”

NAN reports that the anti-graft agency had, on Aug. 18, 2020, arraigned Nolan before Justice Mohammed in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/143/2020.

While Lurgi Consult Limited is the 1st defendant, Nolan is the 2nd defendant in the matter.

Nolan, alleged to be at large, is also standing trial in about eight other cases for his involvement in the controversial 9.6 billion dollarcontract awarded to P&ID.
(NAN)

Metro

FCT Police Arrest Man Over Death Of 3-year-old Boy Who Drowned In Uncovered Septic Tank

Published

17 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Editor

Police operatives from the Durumi Divisional Headquarters under the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command have arrested a man, identified as Philip Jallo, following the tragic death of a 3-year-old boy who drowned in an uncovered septic tank in Durumi 2, Abuja.

The heartbreaking incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, July 16, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., when the toddler, reportedly playing within the residential compound, accidentally slipped and fell into the exposed soakaway filled with human waste.

In a statement released by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the suspect was accused of gross negligence, having allegedly ignored repeated warnings and pleas from neighbors to secure the hazardous septic tank.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the uncovered soakaway had long posed a danger to residents in the area,” Adeh said. “Several warnings and pleas were reportedly made by concerned neighbours to the suspect, who failed to take the necessary action.”

The child was eventually pulled out of the tank and rushed to the hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead.

Jallo is currently in police custody as investigations continue. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, has expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

The Commissioner also used the opportunity to issue a strong advisory to residents, urging them to prioritize environmental safety and ensure potential hazards in their surroundings are properly managed.

“Parents and guardians must be vigilant and ensure their wards are properly monitored at all times to prevent such needless loss of life,” he stated.

The FCT Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability in matters that endanger public safety.