Metro

Residents Protest, Blast Fashola, Obaseki Over Bad State Of Benin – Sapele Road

Published

4 years ago

October 12, 2021

Residents and road users on Tuesday took over the bad portion of the Benin –Sapele Road, near the by-pass, popularly called Setraco Junction over the dilapidated state of the road.

The bad state of the road has adversely affected the usually smooth drive from Benin City to Sapele, Warri and other places in Delta State.

The protesters who accused the Edo State Government over its insensitivity to the plight of the people, expressed disappointment in the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA)

They argued that the Edo State Government could have fixed the portion of the road to the benefit of the people and then get a refund from the Federal Government.

Led by human rights activist, Patrick Eholor, protesters carried placards with various inscriptions and vowed to continue the protest until the road is fixed.

Speaking to journalists at the protest ground, Eholor said, “we are tired of this kind of insensitivity of the government to the plight of the people.

“We must remind them of their responsibilities. We will make sure that we shut this road. They think that we are going to continue to suffer and smile. We are saying to Babatunde Fashola and the Minister of Works that if your hands are tied because President Buhari has failed to do the needful, then resign, if you don’t do that we are not leaving this road.

“This is just the beginning. We have been peaceful but we can take it to their doorsteps if there is need for that. They have to fix this road. We are tired of seeing police die; we are tired of seeing soldiers die; we are tired of seeing security agencies and other people die on this road. Accidents don’t recognize tribe and class.”

He continues, “The Governor ought to have taken action because this is his state by informing the state House of Assembly and then referring the issue to the National Assembly through our representatives, because people are dying and businesses have been destroyed.

“The people who we have elected into various political positions have failed us so we the citizens are saying that we are going to continue this protest until the minister comes here to fix this road. We are here to stay, if they can force us to take COVID-19 injection, we must force them to fix this road.”

Metro

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

8 minutes 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

1 hour 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

1 hour 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.