Metro

Strike: NLC Paralyses Activities In Edo, Public Offices, Others Shut

Published

2 years ago

November 14, 2023

Joseph Kanjo, Benin

The Nationwide strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) recorded a huge success in Benin City, the Edo State capital, as government offices, public schools, courts, some banks were shut by officials of the state chapter of the NLC.

Other public places shut were the National Museum, the house of assembly complex.

The closure of the State Secretariat situated along Sapele Road, Benin was supervised by the chairman of Edo chapter of the NLC, Odion Olaye alongside some workers and union executives.

Speaking, Olaye stated that he had sent members to schools, airports, petrol stations, and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Corporation to ensure that they were shut.

“We are complying with the directive by the national body. I am delighted with what the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Edo State chapters have displayed today. Our enforcement teams were on the ground and the enforcement was total.

“As you can see, we are in the premises of the State secretariat. No official activity is taking place here. We went round. Locked up Banks, NPDC, Airport, Schools and more.”

Also speaking, Comrade Alabi Precious, Chairman Edo State Trade Union Congress said, “Our action was necessitated by the brutalization of the national president of NLC, Joe Ajaero and we are ready to get to the end of this matter.”

Meanwhile, litigants were sighted stranded at the entrance gates to the High Court Complex while some personnel did not also open the judges gates through which High Court judges enter their offices.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN) Afolabi Olayiwola, who couldn’t access the court premises said the strike embarked upon by members of the organised labour was a sign of a failed system.

He expressed shock that despite a court order stopping the strike, the judiciary workers still embarked on the strike and called for a mutual resolution of all the issues.

“Ordinarily, the strike ought not to have been because there is a court order and if judiciary staff cannot obey a court order it shows it is a failed system and if it escalates it becomes a problem. If other sectors go on strike the judiciary arm ought not to have embark on it and they are aware of the court and that is where I am worried”

At the Benin Airport, an official said planes landed and took off from the airport in the morning.

Travellers were also seen making their way into the airport to catch their flight to different destinations.

Banks along Akpakpava, Mission roads, Forestry and other areas were shut down with customers trying to get money from a few ATMs that dispensed cash.

Government schools in the GRA were also shut as students were seen loitering around their schools.

Also, a security officer at NPDC said the staff were complying with the strike with only essential workers allowed in the premises.

Also, Oredo, Egor and other local government Secretariats visited in Benin City complied with the strike as workers in their numbers hung around the councils’ premises.

Metro

31 Die In Niger Fuel Tanker Explosion

Published

2 hours ago

October 21, 2025

Editor

At least 31 people died and several others were injured while scooping fuel from a petrol tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit, which exploded along the Bida-Agaie highway in Niger State on Tuesday.

According to a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, the accident occurred around 2:40 pm near Essa Village via Katcha.

“There was a lone tanker vehicle accident along the Bida/Agaie highway, and as a result, the tanker conveying PMS fell by the roadside,” he said.

Abiodun added that residents rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the overturned tanker, at which point it was suddenly engulfed in an inferno.

“Unfortunately, members of the public living around Essa village via Katcha rushed to the scene and were scooping PMS and in the process, the tanker suddenly engulfed in inferno.

“Forty-eight persons were affected by the fire, and among these victims, thirty-one persons lost their lives while others are still receiving treatment in various nearby hospitals.

“Three motorcycles were also burnt,” the spokesperson said.

Abiodun said officers and other security agencies were deployed to the scene for rescue operations.

He said further investigations are ongoing to identify the driver and owner of the tanker involved.

“Teams of policemen and other security agencies were moved to the scene for a rescue operation. Further investigation is ongoing to identify the driver and the owner of the said tanker,” Abiodun concluded.

Meanwhile, Federal Road Safety Corps told the News Agency of Nigeria that 35 persons are feared dead, while 46 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the explosion.

The Niger FRSC Sector Commander, Aishatu Sa’adu said the injured victims were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, with the support of FRSC personnel, villagers, and some good Samaritans.

She also warned members of the public against scooping fuel from accident scenes, describing it as a dangerous act that had claimed many lives in the past.

“It is God that gives wealth. People should avoid greed and be content with what God has given them,” she added.

An eyewitness told NAN that the accident occurred around 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Essan/Badeggi communities along the Bida–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area.

(PUNCH)

Metro

Teenager Arrested For Allegedly Removing Sister’s Eyes For Money Ritual

Published

5 hours ago

October 21, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 17-year-old boy, Auwalu Muhammad, for allegedly gouging out his sister’s eyes for a money ritual in Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Council of Bauchi State.

Police said the incident occurred on October 17, 2025, when Auwalu lured his sister, Rukayya Muhammad, into a bush and attacked her, removing both of her eyes in what he described as an attempt to acquire wealth.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakil, said the victim’s father reported the matter to the police after discovering the brutal act. He added that a medical specialist confirmed that Rukayya had lost her sight permanently.

“During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime. Investigation is ongoing to uncover the motive behind the act and to bring all individuals connected to justice,” Wakil said.

The police also arrested six others in connection with the incident. They were identified as Auwal Dahiru (17), Mohammed Rabiu (19), Saleh Ibrahim (20), Nasiru Muhammad, Hassan Garba, and Garba Dahiru (43), all residents of Ganjuwa Local Council.

Metro

Bauchi: Auto Crash Claimed 432, Injured 2,070 Persons In 1 Months — FRSC

Published

1 day ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says no fewer than 432 persons had been killed while 2,070 persons were injured in auto crashes within one month across the country.

Shehu Mohammed, the Corps Marshal of FRSC stated this in Bauchi on Monday in a news conference to flag off the 2025 Ember Months public enlightenment and sensitisation campa on road safety.

According to him, the figure was as a result of 533 reported cases of auto crashes that took place between January 15, 2024 and January 15, 2025 in the country.

Represented by Corps Commander Apaji Boyi, the Sector Commander, FRSC, Bauchi, Mohammed said that some of the major causes of those crashes were driver fatigue, overloading of persons, conveyance of persons in haulage vehicles and traveling with fuel in plastic containers.

While emphasising that driver behaviour was a fundamental element in determining safety on highways, said some road traffic infringements by drivers responsible for the previous road crash records included speed limit violations.

“These infringements also include failure to adhere to road traffic rules and regulations, speed limit violations, driving under influence of alcohol and drugs, seat belt violations as well as using of phones while driving among others.

“Therefore, the choice of the 2025 end-of-year campaign with the theme ‘Taking Responsibility for Your Safety’ was deliberate and well thought out.

“It was carefully chosen to address road traffic infringements by drivers which were largely responsible for the previous road crash records.

“In line with our commitment to achieve the desired outcome of the 2025 end of year campaign, FRSC has deployed personnel and Special Marshals across major highways and crash-prone corridors nationwide,” he said.

The Corps Marshal added that the corps would also be embarking on free-vehicle check exercise to improve vehicle road worthiness, conducting motor park rallies and motorcar carnivals nationwide to raise awareness level of motorists and the general public.

Mohammed, who said that the Federal government’s support had been responsible for the modest achievement of the FRSC over the years, appreciated the government for its advisory oversight.

He called on all and sundry to continue to support the Corps as it strives to create a safer motoring environment for the nation.