Metro

Six Feared Dead As Tankers Explode In Rivers

Published

3 years ago

August 14, 2022

File copy

A wildfire from two petrol tankers has resulted in the death of six persons who were said to be scooping diesel in Eteo, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

It was gathered that the truck containing 33,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas popularly known as AGO was set on fire by security men.

The incident occurred in a bush near Trailer Park Junction, a popular business point at the Eleme section of the East-West Road.

An eyewitness identified as Gideon said drivers of two tankers were forced at gunpoint to drive into the bush, where the security agents set the tankers on fire.

Gideon alleged that the drivers may have refused to part with some cash which spurred the men to take such action.

He said, “They (security men) forced the truck owners at gunpoint to drive to the point where this happened.

“Remember, things like this often happen when the tanker drivers refuse to settle them for the amount of money they demand from them.

“I saw many residents scooping and transporting it (fuel) away. As the fire was set on the tankers, they started to burn, exploded and the products spilled. They scooped it at a distance while it was burning.”

He further said since the AGO did not burn as fast as petrol, especially as it was poorly refined, it was easier for locals to scoop the product as it oozed out from the truck into drainages.

Speaking on the development, an activist and executive director, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Fyneface Dumnamene, condemned the action of the security men.

Dumnamene advocated a provision in the Petroleum Industry Act, where security officials who set ablaze petrol tankers and vessels should be tried in court.

He explained that security agents should be dragged to court under the PIA, since host community people who caused pollution could forfeit their three per cent as stipulated in the Act.

“The burning of two tankers of 33,000 litres each has caused the spilling of 66,000 litres of AGO into the environment.

“So, if the PIA says communities will be criminalised and penalised even with the withholding of the per cent, then we can see how to push this advocacy for security officials that set ablaze tankers and vessels to also be dragged to court under this Act.

“In fact, they can set ablaze tankers, but they should not spill its contents.

“The number one reason for confiscating and impounding the tankers is because they’re allegedly carrying illegal petroleum products.

“The reason for setting it ablaze is a combination of the fact that it is carrying illegal petroleum products and they also refused to settle them with something substantial, thus wasting their time,” he said.

On the casualty figure, he said about six persons, including a security official lost their lives, while others were hospitalised in an undisclosed facility on Sunday.

Dumnamene added, “As a result of the increased product scooping activity, with some of the scoopers climbing the tankers that were still standing with some product in them, an explosion occurred in the process, leading to the alleged deaths, burns and injuries to those caught in the fire including a dead body said to be in security uniform.”

He further said fire service arrived at the scene to out the remnants of fire and the area cleaned.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident but said she was yet to get the actual death.

She promised to get back to our reporter, but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

PUNCH.

Metro

Police Foil Robbery, Recover Weapons In Enugu

Published

10 hours ago

August 9, 2025

Editor

The Enugu Police command has foiled a robbery attempt, neutralised one suspect, and recovered firearms, ammunition, and other exhibits from the crime scene.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed in a statement on Friday that the incident happened around 4:10 a.m. on Aug. 6 in Enugu.

Ndukwe stated that a distress call alerted the Independence Layout Police Division to a robbery in progress at Premier Layout, Enugu.

Responding swiftly, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised police operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group to the scene.

On sighting the operatives, the gang opened fire. The team returned fire, killing one suspect. Others escaped. The dead suspect’s identity is unknown.

A search of the area and the suspect’s body yielded a cut-to-size locally made single-barrel gun and one live cartridge.

Also recovered were a locally fabricated Beretta pistol, one live round of ammunition, and a Nokia torch-button phone belonging to the suspect.

Other items included two iPhones belonging to victims, a red-and-black torchlight, a small red bag, and ₦9,000 in ₦1,000 notes.

Ndukwe added that further investigations on Friday led to the recovery of a pump-action gun with four live cartridges.

The weapon was found abandoned near the scene and is believed to have been left by fleeing gang members.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, praised the operatives’ bravery and professionalism during the operation.

He reaffirmed the command’s determination to tackle violent crime and maintain public safety across Enugu State.

He urged residents to stay alert and share credible information to support proactive policing efforts in their communities.

Residents should report incidents to the nearest station, call 08032003702 or 08086671202, or contact the Command Centre via 112.

Metro

Courts Jail Six For Fraud, Order ₦2.8m Restitution To Victims

Published

10 hours ago

August 9, 2025

Editor

Justices H.H. Kereng and Abdulhamid Yakubu of the Gombe State High Courts 2 and 3, sitting in Gombe, have convicted and sentenced six men to various jail terms for fraud.

The convicts, Maigari Abba, Joseph Samuel Bulus, Kasheaure Joseph, Emmanuel Dilibe, Livite Ibrahim, and Awolowo Martins, were jailed on Wednesday, after being arraigned on separate one-count charges bordering on breach of trust, cheating, and impersonation by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

This is contained in a statement by the EFCC on Friday, noting the convicts’ arrest followed intelligence on their activities, after which they were apprehended and prosecuted.

One of the charges against Bulus reads,”That you, Joseph Samuel Bulus, sometimes between 2024 and 2025, at Gombe, Gombe State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, dishonestly impersonate one Peter Elis, by pretending to be a former Kings Guard in the UK, creating and operating fake Facebook and TikTok accounts and luring unsuspecting individuals to deliver money to you (mostly via gift cards) and in the process gained to your advantage the sum of $1,500 (One thousand Five Hundred Dollars) and thereby committed an offence contrary to 321 and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Law.”

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting prosecution counsel S.E. Okemini and A.B. Kware to urge the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Defence counsel, however, pleaded for leniency.

Justice Kereng sentenced Abba to six months in prison or a fine of ₦60,000, while Martins bagged six months or a fine of ₦50,000.

Justice Yakubu handed Bulus, Joseph, Dilibe, and Ibrahim 24 months’ imprisonment each, with an option of ₦50,000 fine.

The courts also ruled that the ₦2.8 million recovered during investigation, being proceeds of crime, should be used to restitute the victims.

It was stated that One laptop and five mobile phones seized at arrest were forfeited to the Federal Government.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Bandits Kill Pastor, Two Others In Fresh Plateau Attack

Published

12 hours ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

Bandits have again struck Suwa and Ding’ak villages in the Mushere chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, and killed three persons, including a pastor.

It was learnt that the attack occurred between 1pm and 2pm on Friday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.

The Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, Kefas Mallai, confirmed the killings to The PUNCH in Jos on Friday night.

Mallai identified the victims as Pastor Gideon Katings of COCIN Suwa, Sunday Ringkang, and Meshach Bukata.

He added that one Michael Kamshak and several others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Cottage Hospital, Bokkos.

Mallai also confirmed that hundreds of residents had been displaced due to the attack.

Mallai said, “Between 1:00 hours and 2:00 today, Friday, 8th August 2025, Suwa and Ding’ak villages in Mushere chiefdom of Bokkos LGA were attacked by terrorists leading to the untimely death of three including Pst Gideon Katings of COCIN Suwa, Sunday Ringkang, and Meshach Bukata; while Michael Kamshak and others were injured and currently receiving treatment at Cottage Hospital Bokkos.

“Several residents in their hundreds have been displaced.”

Spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, was not readily available when contacted by our correspondent, as his phone indicated that it was switched off.

The killings on Friday is the latest in a series of violent attacks experienced in Bokkos and surrounding areas.

In recent times, the council area has faced heightened insecurity, with more than 20 villagers killed in separate attacks in the last month and properties destroyed.

The chairman of Bokkos LGA, Amalau Samuel Amalau, had called on security agencies to take decisive action against these militias, citing the need to protect innocent lives and prevent further displacement.

The state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has equally condemned the attacks, describing them as “genocide” and “a coordinated attempt at land grabbing.”

The governor has vowed to work with security agencies to bring perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of residents.