Metro

Residents Groan As Flood Takes Over Delta Communities

Published

3 years ago

September 28, 2022

Residents of many flood-prone communities in Delta State are groaning as their areas have been submerged following two days of heavy torrential downpours.

The early morning heavy downpours on Monday and Tuesday, which lasted for several hours respectively, disrupted business activities while many students, soaked in their uniforms, were sighted returning home as they found it difficult to get commercial buses and tricycles to convey them to their destinations.

Many residents could not even attempt to come out of their flooded environment for the fear of the unknown.

Mostly affected areas, according to PUNCH Metro investigations, included the popular Ginuwa community in Warri South Local Government Area as well as some streets in Oduma Layout, off new Okpe road, former Cranefield road, and the Red Beret Police Road notably parts of Jeddo, Ughoton, Ugbokodo and other neighbouring communities in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

Consequently, many residents of the affected areas have been lamenting over the havoc caused them following the flooding in the localities which they attributed mainly to bad drainage systems.

In their submissions, affected residents in Jeddo, Ughoton, Ugbokodo and in main Warri metropolis accused the Delta State government of being adamant about the prior flood warnings from different relevant Federal Government agencies notably the Nigeria Environmental Management Agency, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency and Nigeria Meteorological Agency.

They are urging the state government to immediately intervene by coming to the rescue of the flood victims as well as evacuate those living in flood-prone areas across the state.

Commenting on the incident, the Chairman of Odume Layout residents association, Osuogu, appealed to the Delta State Government and other interventionist agencies to come to their aid by constructing the access roads in the adjoining streets to the New Okpe road as well as constructing bigger drainages in the locality to pave way for easy flow of the water to the drains.

Metro

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

16 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Fire Service Rescues Woman From 60-foot Well In Ikorodu

Published

17 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved a 32-year-old woman who accidentally fell into an uncovered well approximately 60 feet deep at No. 14 Mustapha Bolatiwa Street, off Agric Bus Stop, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The incident, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, was described by residents as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Eyewitnesses said the woman, whose identity had not been immediately confirmed, reportedly wandered from a nearby compound and was seated on the edge of the well before losing balance and falling in.

Following a distress call, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived swiftly and launched a well-coordinated rescue operation.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the woman was pulled out alive after a tense and delicate rescue effort.

“She was immediately stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Adeseye said.

She cautioned residents to ensure all open wells and similar structures are securely covered to prevent avoidable accidents.

Adeseye also praised the professionalism and prompt response of her team, reaffirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

Metro

DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

Published

17 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested two dismissed officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accused of impersonating the Service to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The DSS, in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirmed that both individuals, earlier declared wanted in separate public warnings, have been arrested and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Department of State Services recently issued disclaimers on two dismissed personnel of the Service, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin. These individuals were alleged to be cloaking under the Service to engage in fraudulent activities.

“The public is hereby notified that these culprits have been apprehended and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the Service said.

This comes after a series of alerts by the DSS warning Nigerians against dealing with the former officers dismissed for misconduct but still parading themselves as active operatives.

Recall that the secret police had raised the alarm over the activities of Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accusing him of using the DSS name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

In the same vein, on October 8, a separate statement was issued concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer alleged to be impersonating the agency for fraudulent purposes.

The DSS said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from impostors and maintaining public trust in the Service. It also revealed plans to publish the names of other previously dismissed personnel to prevent citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

The DSS urged members of the public to verify all official engagements through its verified communication channels and to report any suspicious activities involving persons claiming to represent the Service.