Metro

Town Union Tussle:Two Persons Shot In Delta

Published

6 years ago

January 6, 2020

At least two persons reportedly sustained severe injuries from gunshots, weekend, in Afiesere community of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State over leadership tussle in the town union executive.

It was gathered that violence broke out following an alleged attempt by a splinter group to topple the incumbent executive of the town union led by Mr. Victor Otumemine.

The splinter group, led by Mr. Francis Onobruchere and Mr. Sunny Akponana, it was further learnt, had, in the early hours of Sunday, rode in a van round Afiesere community, announcing that the Victor Otumemine-led executive’s tenure had expired and a new executive had come on board.

A community source said, while the splinter group protest was on course, certain horde of youths from the community emerged in violent resistance against the protesting splinter group led by Francis Onobruchere and Mr. Sunny

The reprisal group, ostensibly mobilised by the Victor Otumemine-led executive, insisted that the tenure of the existing exco will expire in August 2020 while describing the splinter group’s agitation as being sponsored to cause crisis in the community.

It was in the mêlée which ensued that gunshots by yet unidentified persons hit an indigene, Mr. Anthony Apiloko and a commercial motorcyclist, who were rushed to an undisclosed hospital.

Expatiating on the incident, the community spokesman, Mr. Precious Orichadere, said it happened at about 8am on Saturday, when certain persons from the community were seen in a van announcing around town that the present exco’s tenure was over and another had come on board.

According to him, this was resisted by the community youths, which led to the group shooting of two persons when the group saw that they will be overpowered.

He said, “having shot the two persons and being afraid of reprisal attack, the group and its leaders escaped, leaving their vehicles behind; all these happened while the community President, Mr. Victor Otumemine, and other executive members, the community youth chairman were in Asaba for two days on invitation by the Delta State Police Commissioner.

“When the President, Mr. Otumemine was briefed on phone on the development, he quickly advised that the two persons shot be taken to hospital and should go to “B” Division Police Station, Agbarha-Otor and incident the case and also appealed l should ensure there is law and order; which l did.”

However, one of the leaders of the splinter group, Mr. Francis Onobruchere, debunked the allegations of plot to overthrow the incumbent exco and Saturday shootings.

He disclosed that the Victor Otumemine-led executive became restive when they were asked to give account of their stewardship, particularly, as it pertained to five missing transformers and certain monies accruing to the community.

Meanwhile, the State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, could not confirm the incident when contacted, saying the Agbarha-Otor Divisional Police had not briefed headquarters on the matter.

(DAILY TRUST)

Metro

31 Die In Niger Fuel Tanker Explosion

Published

16 hours ago

October 21, 2025

Editor

At least 31 people died and several others were injured while scooping fuel from a petrol tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit, which exploded along the Bida-Agaie highway in Niger State on Tuesday.

According to a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, the accident occurred around 2:40 pm near Essa Village via Katcha.

“There was a lone tanker vehicle accident along the Bida/Agaie highway, and as a result, the tanker conveying PMS fell by the roadside,” he said.

Abiodun added that residents rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the overturned tanker, at which point it was suddenly engulfed in an inferno.

“Unfortunately, members of the public living around Essa village via Katcha rushed to the scene and were scooping PMS and in the process, the tanker suddenly engulfed in inferno.

“Forty-eight persons were affected by the fire, and among these victims, thirty-one persons lost their lives while others are still receiving treatment in various nearby hospitals.

“Three motorcycles were also burnt,” the spokesperson said.

Abiodun said officers and other security agencies were deployed to the scene for rescue operations.

He said further investigations are ongoing to identify the driver and owner of the tanker involved.

“Teams of policemen and other security agencies were moved to the scene for a rescue operation. Further investigation is ongoing to identify the driver and the owner of the said tanker,” Abiodun concluded.

Meanwhile, Federal Road Safety Corps told the News Agency of Nigeria that 35 persons are feared dead, while 46 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the explosion.

The Niger FRSC Sector Commander, Aishatu Sa’adu said the injured victims were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, with the support of FRSC personnel, villagers, and some good Samaritans.

She also warned members of the public against scooping fuel from accident scenes, describing it as a dangerous act that had claimed many lives in the past.

“It is God that gives wealth. People should avoid greed and be content with what God has given them,” she added.

An eyewitness told NAN that the accident occurred around 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Essan/Badeggi communities along the Bida–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area.

(PUNCH)

Metro

Teenager Arrested For Allegedly Removing Sister’s Eyes For Money Ritual

Published

19 hours ago

October 21, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 17-year-old boy, Auwalu Muhammad, for allegedly gouging out his sister’s eyes for a money ritual in Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Council of Bauchi State.

Police said the incident occurred on October 17, 2025, when Auwalu lured his sister, Rukayya Muhammad, into a bush and attacked her, removing both of her eyes in what he described as an attempt to acquire wealth.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakil, said the victim’s father reported the matter to the police after discovering the brutal act. He added that a medical specialist confirmed that Rukayya had lost her sight permanently.

“During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime. Investigation is ongoing to uncover the motive behind the act and to bring all individuals connected to justice,” Wakil said.

The police also arrested six others in connection with the incident. They were identified as Auwal Dahiru (17), Mohammed Rabiu (19), Saleh Ibrahim (20), Nasiru Muhammad, Hassan Garba, and Garba Dahiru (43), all residents of Ganjuwa Local Council.

Metro

Bauchi: Auto Crash Claimed 432, Injured 2,070 Persons In 1 Months — FRSC

Published

2 days ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says no fewer than 432 persons had been killed while 2,070 persons were injured in auto crashes within one month across the country.

Shehu Mohammed, the Corps Marshal of FRSC stated this in Bauchi on Monday in a news conference to flag off the 2025 Ember Months public enlightenment and sensitisation campa on road safety.

According to him, the figure was as a result of 533 reported cases of auto crashes that took place between January 15, 2024 and January 15, 2025 in the country.

Represented by Corps Commander Apaji Boyi, the Sector Commander, FRSC, Bauchi, Mohammed said that some of the major causes of those crashes were driver fatigue, overloading of persons, conveyance of persons in haulage vehicles and traveling with fuel in plastic containers.

While emphasising that driver behaviour was a fundamental element in determining safety on highways, said some road traffic infringements by drivers responsible for the previous road crash records included speed limit violations.

“These infringements also include failure to adhere to road traffic rules and regulations, speed limit violations, driving under influence of alcohol and drugs, seat belt violations as well as using of phones while driving among others.

“Therefore, the choice of the 2025 end-of-year campaign with the theme ‘Taking Responsibility for Your Safety’ was deliberate and well thought out.

“It was carefully chosen to address road traffic infringements by drivers which were largely responsible for the previous road crash records.

“In line with our commitment to achieve the desired outcome of the 2025 end of year campaign, FRSC has deployed personnel and Special Marshals across major highways and crash-prone corridors nationwide,” he said.

The Corps Marshal added that the corps would also be embarking on free-vehicle check exercise to improve vehicle road worthiness, conducting motor park rallies and motorcar carnivals nationwide to raise awareness level of motorists and the general public.

Mohammed, who said that the Federal government’s support had been responsible for the modest achievement of the FRSC over the years, appreciated the government for its advisory oversight.

He called on all and sundry to continue to support the Corps as it strives to create a safer motoring environment for the nation.