Metro

Three Schoolchildren, Okada Rider Crushed To Death In Oyo

Published

3 months ago

July 9, 2025

A commercial truck, on Tuesday, crushed three Junior Secondary School students and one commercial motorcyclist, popularly called Okada rider, to death in the Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The incident occurred on the Abanla–Idi-Ayunre road in the morning when the students were going to school.

Multiple witnesses said that the driver of a commercial truck operating in the area rammed into the motorcycle carrying the three students after a failed attempt to overtake another vehicle and crushed them.

The driver of the truck has reportedly run away from the accident scene immediately.

One of the eyewitnesses, Akinola Owoeye, told our correspondent, “The commercial motorcyclist and two students died immediately while the third student was eventually pronounced dead at a nearby hospital where he was rushed to.”

Another eyewitness, who did want her name in print, said, “The truck fatally crushed the commercial motorcycle carrying the three students, all at once. All of them including the rider are dead now.”

Witnesses further said that distraught students poured into the streets shortly after the incident, blocking the road and demanding justice and urgent government intervention.

It was also learnt that emotions ran high as other commercial motorcyclists and residents joined in solidarity, condemning the recurring danger posed by heavy-duty vehicles on the route.

The LG chairman, Akeem Olatunji, who quickly rushed to the scene, confirmed the accident to The PUNCH.

While expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the young lives, the chairman condemned the recklessness of some trailer drivers operating in the area and commercial motorcyclists in their rush for quick money.

He explained that if the commercial motorcyclists had adhered to all necessary traffic rules including the number of passengers allowed, the rider would have been able to navigate and manoeuvre his way to prevent the ghastly accident from occurring.

Olatunji, therefore, assured the families of the students that justice would be served on the case as the council would not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the driver was found and brought to book.

The chairman also assured the public that the construction company that owns the truck would be made to compensate the bereaved families.

“This is one tragedy too many. I can only imagine what the parents and families of these future leaders are going through emotionally, psychologically and physically, right now. I’m a father and I can tell it is better imagined.

“We cannot continue to lose our children to preventable road accidents due to reckless drivers and riders who are bent on violating our laws at will,” he lamented.

He, therefore, directed that speed bumps be constructed on the road without delay, saying “We must take firm steps to slow down these trailers and protect our people, especially schoolchildren.”

As of press time, the state Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Rosemary Alo, could not be reached for comment.

Metro

Why DSS Questioned Me Over Viral Threat Video — Lagos NURTW Boss

Published

5 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Mustapha Olanrewaju, popularly known as Sego, has explained why he was grilled by the Department of State Services following a viral video in which he was accused of making threats ahead of the 2027 elections.

In the clip, Sego was heard speaking in Yoruba, saying: “Anyone who makes any mistake in 2027 will be dealt with. Let it be known: the APC is your party. Those who don’t comply will face us.”

The video sparked outrage online, with critics accusing him of incitement and political intimidation.

Speaking after his session with the DSS, Sego said, “Good afternoon everyone. My name is Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle Olanrewaju. I have been with the DSS since morning. I just left them around after 7. They just released me on bail.”

He insisted the claims against him were false. “I heard they invited me because of a propaganda that I insulted some people or something like that. So that is a fake rumour. What I was talking about was national union (NURTW),” he said.

Sego argued that rival groups within the union were behind the controversy. “We all know that every profession has its rival. As politicians have rivals, mechanics have rivals too. So it is the NURTW rivals that don’t want my work in Lagos to be successful. So they are looking for means to scatter it and cause trouble. They are the ones I was talking to and letting the world and the DSS and the Police know that NURTW is a peaceful union.”

He described the allegations as propaganda. “It is the naysayers that want to be peddling false rumours. So what the DSS have been grilling me about is not what it seems. It is just propaganda. I concentrate on my work. You can be part of any association. We all know the party we want to associate with.”

Sego added that the invitation was aimed at distracting him from his duties. “Since morning, I am supposed to be in my office but I have been with the DSS. This is an attempt to destabilise me and the NURTW in Lagos,” he said.

The NURTW have been accused in past elections of being used to intimidate opponents or sway voters, allegations the union has consistently denied.

During the 2019 and 2023 polls, clashes linked to transport union factions raised concerns about the use of motor park leaders in political disputes.

Metro

Youths Beat Ondo Monarch, Wife, Son During Festival

Published

5 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

Crisis erupted in Idogun community, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Friday as some irate youths allegedly beat up the town’s monarch, Oba Moses Bakare, his wife, and his son, identified as Victor.

The incident, which occurred during the annual New Yam festival, left the monarch injured while his wife was reportedly beaten and stripped half-naked by the angry youths.

Though the cause of the attack could not be immediately ascertained, a resident of the town, who pleaded anonymity for fear of reprisal, said some residents had long been at loggerheads with the monarch.

The source stated, “The angry youths really assaulted the monarch and his wife and son. We don’t know what caused it but we know that some youths in the community don’t like the Oba; we don’t know why.

“If not the swift intervention of security operatives, the matter would have degenerated to a full-blown crisis in the town.”

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, told PUNCH Online that an investigation had commenced.

“The case is under investigation and we are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served,” the PPRO stated.

Metro

Police Arrest Officer, UNIPORT Student Over Cult-related Violence

Published

5 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command says it has arrested two suspected cultists and recovered firearms and ammunition during a signing-out ceremony for final-year students at the University of Port Harcourt.

In a press release signed on Friday by its Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, the command said the suspects, a police officer and a student, were getting ready for clash with rival cultists before their arrest.

Iringe-Koko said, “On September 26, 2025, at about 1600hrs, during the activities marking the signing out of final-year students at the University of Port-Harcourt, the University’s Internal Security team confronted a suspected cult member , Police Corporal Onwukwe Godswill ‘m’ attached to the Elimgbu Division and a 200-Level Biomedical Technology undergraduate student of the University, Ifeanyi Israel ‘m’ in anticipation of a clash with rival Cultists on campus.”

Both suspects were taken into custody and searched, the statement added.

During the initial search, the PPRO said weapons, including pistols, ammunition, and axes, were recovered.

“A subsequent search of the house of the suspected cult leader, Cpl Onwukwe, by the operatives, resulted in the recovery of the following additional exhibits: one (1) locally made pistol and two (2) machetes,” she added.

The command said the suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody as an in-depth investigation is underway to determine the full extent of their involvement and identify any accomplices.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, reiterated the force’s commitment to maintaining peace.

He warned that “there will be no hiding place for criminals in the State” and urged the public to report suspicious activity to security agencies.”

PUNCH Online recalls that the Rivers Police Command last week also arrested a security guard simply identified as Godday over the alleged abduction and defilement of a 14-year-old girl in the Mothercat axis of Trans-Amadi in Port Harcourt.

The suspect was said to have been arrested last Tuesday by officers of the Amadi Police Division in partnership with security personnel of another bank adjacent to the scene of the crime.