Metro

Three Escape Death As Truck Rams Into Taxi In Ogun

Published

2 years ago

August 31, 2023

No fewer than three persons escaped death when a cement-loaded truck belonging to Dangote Group rammed into a taxi in Panseke area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, in the late hours of Thursday.

Our correspondent who visited the scene of the accident gathered that the Dangote truck with registration number GRZ753XA, Kano, rammed into the taxi with registration number FFF197XB, Ogun, crushed it against the culvert, and damaged the rear windshield of the taxi.

An eyewitness who spoke with PUNCH Metro, Ismat Abdulsalam, noted that the accident occurred when the Dangote truck tried to climb the hill part of the road but lost control, adding that the weight of the load it was carrying forced it to reverse and rammed into the taxi that was packed nearby.

Abdulsalam said, “I am a trader in this area. What I saw was that the Dangote truck was climbing this hill part of the road but I think it lost control or maybe the break failed which forced the vehicle to reverse leading to the collision with the taxi that was parked here.”

Another eyewitness who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the driver of the taxi driver had gone to pray while he parked his cab by the roadside when the accident occurred. He bemoaned the lack of a designated bus stop as the reason why the taki operators often stopped to pick up passengers at the spot of the accident.

He said, “I think the driver of the vehicle who is often called Alfa went to pray when the accident occurred. No designated bus stop along this road, and most taxi drivers often stop and pick up passengers here including, commercial motorcyclists.”

Meanwhile, the intervention of the men of the Nigeria Police Force led to the evacuation of the vehicles and cleared the road of gridlock that was building up due to the accident.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun state, Omolola Odutola, said she had not received any report on the accident. She promised to get back to our correspondent as soon as she got the details. She had not replied as of the time of filing this report.

However, Public Relations Officer of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the agency was not aware of the accident.

Metro

Gunmen Abduct Chief Imam In Edo, Demand N30m Ransom

Published

1 day ago

July 13, 2025

Editor

The Chief Imam of Uromi, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, has reportedly been abducted by unknown gunmen.

Muhammad, who is also the
President of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Edo-Delta Chapter, was said to have been kidnapped at the Angle 90 Area of Uromi, in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, around 2 p.m. on Thursday

Eyewitness accounts revealed that Muhammad had stepped out to buy food for his family near his residence shortly after observing one of the daily prayers when he was forcefully taken away.

Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), while confirming the incident on Sunday to newsmen, condemned the act and called for the immediate release of the Islamic leader.

“I am hearing that they are asking for a very large amount of money, and we don’t have such.

“Even if you have it, if you pay, you are encouraging them,” he said.

The chairman urged the Edo State government to intensify efforts to protect ordinary citizens.

“They are the ones with the apparatus for security. So they should do everything possible to ensure the Imam is released unconditionally and unharmed.

“Government should also make every effort to ensure that citizens can sleep with their two eyes closed and move freely without fear of kidnapping or assassination,” he added.

A family source disclosed that the suspected kidnappers have contacted the family and are demanding a ransom of N30 million.

The incident has sparked widespread concern among the Muslim community in the state, considering the victim’s dual role as a revered religious leader and youth development advocate.

Contacted, the Edo State Police Command confirmed the report, saying: “It was reported to us on 10/7/2025. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim and track down the culprits.”

Metro

NDLEA Intercepts Drugs In Factory-fitted Lipsticks At Lagos Airport

Published

2 days ago

July 13, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a shipment of illicit substances concealed in factory-fitted female lipsticks at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The discovery, which marks the second of such in less than a week, was announced by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, via a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday.

“Ladies beware! It does appear like female lipstick is becoming attractive as an instrument for concealment and trafficking now,” Babafemi warned.

“With yet another consignment of factory-fitted female lipsticks stuffed with illicit substances intercepted at MMIA barely a week after NDLEA officers uncovered a similar cargo at a courier company in Lagos.”

He urged Nigerians, particularly women, to be cautious when purchasing or accepting cosmetic products, especially from unfamiliar or suspicious online sources.

The NDLEA has yet to reveal the identity of the suspect(s) behind the latest smuggling attempt, but investigations are said to be ongoing.

Metro

50-year-old Bandit, Two Informants Arrested

Published

2 days ago

July 13, 2025

Editor

The Zamfara State Police Command has announced the arrest of eight suspected criminals, including a 50-year-old bandit and two informants, as part of ongoing operations to dislodge criminal elements across the state.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Yazid Abubakar, the command’s Public Relations Officer, disclosed these successes during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Gusau.

Abubakar stated that the arrested individuals include Ibrahim Mohammed, a 50-year-old suspected bandit from Maru Local Government Area of the state, two bandit informants, a gun runner, and five other suspects.

He credited the arrests to credible intelligence received from members of the public.

Items recovered during the operations include assorted rifles, a stolen ATM card, leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, and a Toyota Corolla vehicle, among other items.

The arrests are part of the Zamfara State Police Command’s sustained efforts to combat banditry and other criminal activities plaguing the state.