Metro

PHOTOS: Fire Razes Kwara COVID-19 Centre

Published

2 years ago

January 3, 2024

The COVID-19 Centre, situated in the Kwara state government-owned Sobi Specialist Hospital, Alagbado, Ilorin, has been razed by fire.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the fire was caused by a yet-to-be-identified person who was said to have set an undergrowth around the facility on fire.

It was also gathered that the fire later spread to the COVID-19 Centre ward.

The incident, which was confirmed by the state fire service, however, recorded no loss of lives or injuries.

According to the statement issued by Head of Department (HOD) Media and Publicity of the service, Hassan Adekunle, to journalists on the development, the swift response by the Kwara State Fire Service prevented major damage at the COVID-19 Centre.

“On Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024, at 08:47 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service swiftly responded to a fire incident at Sobi Specialist Hospital (COVID-19 Centre) Alagbado, Ilorin.

“Upon arrival, the firemen found one of the six wards ablaze and immediately began firefighting efforts to contain and extinguish the flames, showcasing their expertise to prevent extensive damage.

“Investigation revealed an unidentified person had set an undergrowth on fire, which then spread to the COVID-19 Centre ward. Fortunately, no lives were lost, and no injuries were recorded.

“Present at the scene was Dr. Abdulraheem Malik, Executive Secretary of the Hospital Management Board, who commended the firemen for their prompt response and commendable performance at the scene.

“The Director of Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, took this opportunity to advise residents of the state at large to prioritise safety.

“He also urged the general public to be more careful in their day-to-day activities, adding that they should desist from sending under-aged children to fetch water in domestic well.”

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

19 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

19 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.