Metro

Three Schoolchildren, Okada Rider Crushed To Death In Oyo

Published

11 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

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

18 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.