Metro

Teenage Girl Sets School On Fire, Kills 19 Students Over Seized Phone

Published

2 years ago

May 25, 2023

A dormitory blaze that killed 19 children in Guyana was set by a teenage student who was upset that her cell phone had been taken away, officials say.

The fire broke out at the Mahdia Secondary School in the South American country late on Sunday. A statement from the Guyana Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze was “maliciously set.”

National Security Adviser Gerald Gouveia told the Associated Press that the suspect in the incident, a pupil at the school, was accused of setting the dorm on fire after being disciplined for having a liaison with an older man.

“A female student is suspected of having set the devastating fire because her cellular phone was taken away by the dorm mother and a teacher,” Mark Ramotar, Guyana Police’s communications chief, said in a statement seen by the local news outlet Stabroek News.

The AP reported that the dormitory had been locked to stop the girls from sneaking out at night.

Gouveia told the AP that the house mother had been asleep inside the building and panicked when she could not find the keys to unlock the doors. She made it out but “lost her five-year-old child in the fire,” he said.

When firefighters arrived, the wood-and-concrete building that housed the 57 children was “engulfed in flames,” the fire service said.

The building’s windows were heavily barred and five doors were locked, it added.

The AP reported that the dormitory had been locked to stop the girls from sneaking out at night.

Gouveia told the AP that the house mother had been asleep inside the building and panicked when she could not find the keys to unlock the doors. She made it out but “lost her five-year-old child in the fire,” he said.

When firefighters arrived, the wood-and-concrete building that housed the 57 children was “engulfed in flames,” the fire service said.

The building’s windows were heavily barred and five doors were locked, it added.

Metro

Police Evacuate Expertriates As Thugs Invade MOWAA In Benin

Published

3 minutes ago

November 9, 2025

Editor

Pandemonium erupted on Sunday when thugs invaded a private exhibition hosted by the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City.

The event, organized as an exclusive viewing for select investors, artists, and international dignitaries, was violently disrupted when the thugs forcefully stormed the premises, saying “say no to MOWAA.”

The exhibition was ahead of the scheduled commissioning of the museum on November 11, 2025.

In a video that has gone viral, a fair in complexion middle-aged man is seen with others saying
“We are illustrious sons and daughters of Benin Kingdom, standing right here to say no to MOWAA.

“Politicians cannot stand against the kingdom of Benin.

“We are joining all the socio-cultural groups to ensure MOWAA does not stand in the Benin Kingdom.

“We come in peace; harmless, we are standing for justice to stop MOWAA.”

The thugs in the video are heard chanting songs in their local language seems to be solidarity songs.

Also, in another video that surfaced online on Sunday, policemen are seen seeing expertriates out of the MOWAA building; a scene seems to be a forceful eviction.

But reacting to the incident, Edo Police Command’s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said operatives of the command went to the scene to restore normalcy and to safely evacuate the expertriates to their respective hotels, and not forceful eviction.

“Intelligence was received regarding a planned protest aimed at disrupting the official launch of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City. In response, the Command made adequate security deployment to the venue to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

“The protesters were addressed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, thereby de-escalating the tension.

“Normalcy was immediately restored, while expatriates and other guests at the venue were safely evacuated to their respective hotels without any hitch,” she said.

Efforts to get reaction from representative of MOWAA proved abortive as he number was busy. Message sent to him was I replied as at press time.

Metro

Teenager Allegedly Kills Cousin For Ritual In Edo

Published

13 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Editor

A 12-year-old boy identified as Emiliano Egwunbare, was allegedly kidnapped and killed by his 18 years old cousin, identified as Tega Emajuwa.

The incident was said to have happened in Obagie Community, Egor local government area of Edo State.

The suspect and two of his friends allegedly kidnapped their victim and collected ransom from parents of the deceased but didn’t release him.

The suspect had reportedly stayed with parents of late Emiliano for few months before carrying out the dastardly act on September 16th, 2025.

Sources said the police were involved after payment of ransom, and through due intelligence, Emajuwa was tracked down and arrested.

Police source said Emajuwa confessed to the crime one week after his arrest, adding that two of his accomplices, Edugie Destiny, aged 20 and Osayande Vincent, aged 23 were arrested.

Their confession led police to where they dumped the body of Emiliano inside a well.

Some vital organs of late Emiliano were reportedly harvested.

Deputy spokesman of the Edo Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident and denied allegations that the suspects have been released.

She said the case was initially reported at Ogida Police Division and later transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit, Benin, for discreet investigation.

“Following sustained tactical and technical intelligence, operatives of the unit arrested three suspects — Tega Emajuwa ‘m’ aged 18, Edugie Destiny ‘m’ aged 20 and Osayande Vincent ‘m’ aged 23 — who all made confessional statements linking them to the crime.

Sadly, during the course of investigation, the victim’s body was later discovered inside a well in Obagie Community.

“The remains were evacuated and deposited at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) mortuary for autopsy.

“In a viral video recently circulated on social media, the mother of the deceased alleged that the suspects have been released from Police Custody.

“The Edo State Police Command wishes to categorically state that this claim is false, misleading, and unfounded.

“The suspects remained in lawful custody until they were charged to court on 16th October 2025, where the case is currently, while they have all been remanded for prosecution.

“The said mother was of the deceased was present in court during the proceedings.”

Metro

Police Rescue Seven Kidnap Victims In Edo

Published

13 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have rescued seven kidnapped victims in Ewohimi, Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state.

The Command’s deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Emem Ikoedem, disclosed this on Saturday in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin.

She said the victims were abducted in the Ikeken Forest, where they had gone to farm by armed men suspected to be kidnappers.

The statement reads, “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its relentless onslaught against kidnapping and violent crimes in the State, as operatives of the Command have successfully rescued seven kidnapped victims in Ewohimi, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

“The incident occurred on Saturday, 1st November 2025, when one Enoch Omozokpia of Ikeken Ewohimi reported that his father, William Omozokpia (65 years), who went to his farm in the Ikeken Forest, was abducted by armed men suspected to be kidnappers alongside six others.

“Acting swiftly on the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Ewohimi, led a team of operatives in a joint rescue mission with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups.

“The team stormed the forest in a well-coordinated operation, engaging in an intense bush combing effort that forced the abductors to abandon their captives and flee.

“All seven victims were rescued unhurt and have since been reunited with their families. The rescued victims are: William Akhabue, Innocent Ebarekor, Rachel Ebarekor, Efuah Ebarekor, Winner Ebarekor, William Omozokpia and Lucky Igiese (popularly known as Bulala).”

She stated that the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command CP Monday Agbonika commended the gallantry and professionalism displayed by the Police operatives, soldiers, and vigilantes who participated in the rescue operation.

Ikoedem, reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to the safety of all residents and assured that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.

Ikoedem urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or persons to the nearest police station.