Metro

Protest As Task Force Allegedly Kills Two Motorcyclists In Delta

Published

2 years ago

March 20, 2024

Editor

The Delta State Government task force has allegedly killed two motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders, at the Koka junction area by Ibusa road, Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Okada riders, on Monday, took to the streets to protest the killing of their colleagues, which took place on Sunday, blocking major roads in the Oshimili South and the Oshimili North Local Government Areas of the state.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, told The PUNCH correspondent via text that the deceased motorcyclists were killed in a clash between the Okada riders and officers of the task force on Sunday in a raid of a makeshift bar where they usually hung out.

According to him, the task force officers raided the place because motorcycles were banned in the area.

He said, “I was informed that two people were killed by the police last night at a makeshift bar where Aboki people always come to hang out every weekend. I heard the gunshot last night, so, they came protesting this morning. I suspect that they tried to fight the officers who went to bust the place because bikes are not allowed in that area.

“Yes, I was at the front of my estate gate when I noticed a sea of Aboki guys protesting the killing of their person by the Nigeria police. They were violent, but in front of my estate, which is Agu mega city estate by GRA police station area, the police did not open fire on any protester.”

Another eyewitness told PUNCH Metro that the task force relocated the motorcyclists from the area, and the bikers were resisting the relocation, which led to the killing of a motorcyclist.

He said, “Government task force relocated the Okada riders; so, as a result of that, they were resisting that they could not get passengers where they moved them to.

“In the process, one Okada man was killed. Unfortunately, it was a Hausa Okada man who died.

“And his people gathered and started destroying things. The killing happened in the Koka junction, but they moved to post-primary board and midwifery to start destroying things.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the killing.

He said, “The incident happened yesterday night. It was between the task force and the Okada riders.

“Two were killed, and this morning the people started protesting but we are on top of the situation. We are investigating the killing.”

Metro

18-year-old OAU Medical Student Dies While Sleeping

Published

6 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has announced the death of an 18-year-old part-three medical student of the institution.

The student, identified as Timilehin Adetoye Toromade, was a student of the College of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery.

According to a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, Timilehin with matriculation number CLI/2022/133, reportedly died in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

The statement revealed that the “university received the news of the student’s passing with shock and deep sorrow”.

It also described the incident as devastating to the academic community.

According to the statement, “preliminary information suggested that the student might have died shortly after 2 a.m., as one of his roommates reportedly said the deceased opened the door for another student around that time.

“The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, expressed condolences on behalf of the Visitor, the University Council, Management, Senate, staff and students”.

The VC, Professor Bamire, described the incident as a painful loss, saying, “The loss of a young life filled with promise, purpose, and potential is a tragedy that words alone cannot adequately capture.”

He added that the university community was united in grief over the passing of a student who had embraced the rigours of medical training with the aim of serving humanity.

According to him, the death had left a void among the student’s peers and all those who knew him within the university community.

The university management stated that it was working closely with relevant authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident, in line with established medical and administrative procedures.

It also disclosed that appropriate support measures were being put in place to assist students and members of the university community who may have been emotionally affected by the loss.

The management called on students, staff, alumni and friends of the institution to remain calm and compassionate, while extending sympathy to the family of the deceased.

Metro

Panic As BRT Bus Catches Fire On Third Mainland Bridge

Published

6 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Panic gripped motorists on Tuesday afternoon following a fire outbreak involving a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, vehicle on the Third Mainland Bridge, leading to massive traffic disruption.

The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. near the Adekunle section of the bridge, heading towards Iyana Oworo.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, confirmed the development in a statement posted on its official X handle.

According to the agency, the high-capacity BRT bus suddenly went up in flames, prompting anxiety among road users in the area.

Footage shared online showed the bus completely consumed by fire, with thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky as motorists slowed down or sought alternative routes to avoid the scene.

While no injuries or loss of life were reported, the incident caused a heavy traffic buildup extending from Adekunle towards Iyana Oworo.

“A high-capacity bus is currently on fire on the Third Mainland Bridge by Adekunle, inward Iyana Oworo, and this is impacting traffic flow,” LASTMA stated.

“Our personnel are on ground managing traffic, while efforts are ongoing to extinguish the fire,” the agency added.

Subsequent updates indicated that officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene and worked to control the blaze to prevent further damage.

Traffic officers were also deployed to redirect vehicles away from the affected area as emergency responders tackled the situation.

As of the time this report was filed, the cause of the fire had yet to be determined.

Metro

Kwara Vigilante Men Arrested By Soldiers In Edo State Released

Published

9 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Six Kwara State vigilante men arrested by the Nigerian Army on December 31,2025, along Auchi-Ikpeshi highway in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, have been released after a thorough investigation by the authorities.

Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, confirmed the development in a statement in Ilorin on Tuesday.

The statement read in part; “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to confirm that on Wednesday, 31st December, 2025, it received six vigilante members who were earlier arrested by personnel of the Nigerian Army along the Auchi–Ikpeshi Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

“The Vigilantes, travelling in a vehicle belonging to Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, were formally handed over to the Kwara State Police Command by the Brigade Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Brigadier General N.N. Rume, for the purpose of investigation and profiling.

“Following a thorough investigation, it was established that the individuals are legitimate members of a vigilante group operating in collaboration with recognised security agencies in the ongoing efforts to combat banditry and other forms of criminality.

“Consequently, having been exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing, the vigilante members were released to their respective leaders,” the statement added.

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, reiterated the command’s commitment to synergy among security agencies and community-based security outfits, while urging all groups to continually operate within the confines of the law.

He assured members of the public that the command remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure the safety and security of all residents of the state.