Metro

Three Schoolchildren, Okada Rider Crushed To Death In Oyo

Published

10 months ago

July 9, 2025

Editor

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

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.