Metro

Thunderstorm Kills Three Anambra Pupils On Football Field

Published

6 months ago

November 5, 2023

Editor

Three male students of a private secondary school (name withheld) in Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have died while playing football on the school field.

It was gathered that the incident happened late Saturday durinh rainfall which was accompanied by breeze and thunderstorms.

According to eyewitness, the students were practising on the school’s pitch in preparation for a football competition before the lightning started.

The eyewitness said about nine students were involved while six of them were rescucitated later at the school’s clinic where they were first rushed to.

The source said, “The boys were practising on the football pitch with their coach in preparaton for a football tournament.

“The coach had ended the practice session before the rains started, but some of the students stayed behind to continue playing football.

“Lightning, accompanied by claps of thunderstorms suddenly enveloped the area and the boys were struck in the process”

Witness reports added that “a teacher heard the students screaming and running. He ran to the field and saw at least nine students trembling and jerking on the turf.

“That was when he raised the alarm and people gathered to help. The boys were immediately rushed to the school clinic, from where they were taken to hospital in Awka.

“Six of the nine boys were resuscitated and are currently receiving treatment, but three did not survive. Their parents have been contacted.”

A resident, identified as Hope Egwu, told journalists that the news of the accident went round the community on Sunday before it was made public, adding that everyone had been held spellbound.

At the hospital in Awka, parents and sympathisers trooped into the ward where the survivors were receiving treatment.

When interrogated, a doctor at the hospital, who craved anonymity, said three out of the nine boys were brought into the hospital dead, but six others were revived.

“As of now, parents of two of the dead boys have taken the corpses away, while one is still in the mortuary.

“It is sad that they were playing on the field barefooted. If they had boots on, the impact of the lightning would probably have been minimised,’’ the doctor added.

When contacted on the telephone, the school principal, who picked his calls after several efforts, simply said, “I am not in the mood to explain anything or make a statement right now” and thereafter dropped the call.

The state’s police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who was contacted, said the incident had not been reported to the police.

Metro

Police Rescue Kidnapped Children In Lagos, Arrest Abductors

Published

4 hours ago

May 14, 2024

Editor

Men of the Lagos State Command have arrested one Tewase Peter and Ternugwa Paul for abducting two teenagers from Benue State.

A statement released today May 13 by the spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, says the victims, Precious and Agera, were rescued from their abductees in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

He stated that the victims were kidnapped while their mother was at the market.

The statement in part reads: “Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were abducted from their home in Benue State while their mother was away in the market.

“After the mother’s numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact the older victim via his mobile phone, a Good Samaritan answered the phone while the suspects were not at home with the victims, and informed the mother that one of the suspects, Peter, accompanied by his friend, one Paul, had taken her daughters to Lagos with intentions to transport them to Ghana for forced labour.

“Upon receiving the information at the Lagos State Police Command, detectives of the State Criminal Investigation Department busted Peter’s place at Itaoluwo, Ikorodu, and rescued the victims successfully.

“Investigation is ongoing to apprehend all other individuals involved in this crime. Suspects would be arraigned at the conclusion of investigations.”

Metro

Three Suspects Connected To Series Of Kidnappings In Delta Arrested

Published

4 hours ago

May 14, 2024

Editor

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested three suspected cultists in connection with a series of kidnappings in Ughelli, Warri, Sapele, and other communities in the state.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, May 12, 2024, said an automatic pump action gun and a new AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine were recovered from the suspects.

“On 9/5/2024 at about 0430hrs, the special team deployed to Ughelli by the commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi led by ASP Julius Robinson acting on technically generated intelligence stormed Oghara town and arrested a 28yrs suspect, who is a member of Eiye confraternity resident in Oghara Delta State,” the statement read.

“The suspect led the operatives to a hotel in Koko Junction Oghara where another suspect aged 46yrs and a member of Eiye confraternity was arrested and an automatic Pump Action gun was recovered from him.

“Consequently, upon further interrogation of the two suspects, they led the operatives to the arrest of another 32-year-old suspect in Sapele Delta State where one new AK-47 rifle with and an empty magazine were recovered.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that suspects are linked to a series of kidnappings in Ughelli, Warri, Sapele, and the environs. The suspects are in custody and the investigation is ongoing.”

Metro

Police Arrest three-member One-chance Syndicate Terrorizing Residents In Rivers

Published

4 hours ago

May 14, 2024

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three members of a notorious one-chance syndicate terrorizing residents on flyovers in Port Harcourt and its environs.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, May 13, 2024, said the gang targeted women exclusively, with victims being severely beaten and robbed.

According to the PPRO, the arrested suspects, including a woman, made useful confessions that would lead to the arrest of the remaining members of the gang.

Iringe-Koko added that the gang managed to extort 1.8 million Naira from one victim using ATM cards and a POS machine.

“The Rivers State Police Command has recently made significant strides in the fight against crimes in the state, with the apprehension of a gang specializing in armed robbery and kidnapping on flyovers,” the statement read.

“This group, notorious for preying on unsuspecting victims using the one-chance tactic, has been a growing concern for authorities and residents of the state

“The gang, consisting of four individuals, operates under the guise of passengers in a taxi, targeting victims on flyovers. The modus operandi involves brandishing weapons such as a locally made pistol and daggers to intimidate victims before robbing them of their possessions.

“The gang’s criminal activities commenced in October 2023 when their leader, Smart Obele (currently at large), initiated the one-chance scheme with Michael Gershon, a native of Ikolinem-Ikot-Okon in Esemudim Local Government Area. Michael, aged 27, agreed to use his vehicle for these operations after a meeting over beer bottles, where the details were discussed.

“Nsikak Ibanga, aged 26, was introduced by Michael, having arrived in Port Harcourt from Akwa-Ibom state. Nsikak, described as a ‘fearless operator,’ joined the gang alongside Peace Paul, aged 22, who was informed by Michael that he would be sending her money frequently for withdrawal.

“The gang strategized their operations, targeting women exclusively and executing their plans every week starting at 9 pm. Their criminal activities were fueled by violence, with victims being severely beaten and robbed. Notably, they managed to extort 1.8 million Naira from one victim using ATM cards and a POS machine.

The apprehension of three suspects, Michael, Nsikak, and Peace, has resulted in confessions and cooperation with authorities to capture the remaining members of the gang. The Police have recovered the operational vehicle, an ash-coloured Mazda 323, and are commended for their use of technology in crime prevention.

“Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, urges residents to report suspicious activities promptly, emphasizing the Police’s commitment to ensuring public safety and combating criminal elements in Rivers State.”