Metro

Traders Count losses As Fire Razes 300 Shops In Bayelsa Market

Published

5 years ago

January 24, 2020

Fire has razed a section of the Swali Market, a major market situated in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

Investigations revealed that the inferno, which broke out in the early hours of Friday completely burnt shops where gas cookers, cloths and other wares, were sold.

Traders and shop owners were reportedly in tears as they struggled to salvage some of their goods at the ill-fated shops.

The traders, who wept over the development, said they lost millions of naira to the fire.

One of the traders, Udubuochi Christine, hinted that the fire started from a nearby bush.

She said: “We suspect that the fire came from the back of the market, over the fence, through the bushy area, people go there to burn things, so it started from the burning bush.

“So we are advising them not to burn anything there again because this is Harmattan season everything is dry and can easily catch fire”.

She, however, said that officials of the state fire service were prevented from getting to the scene of the fire by traders, who accused them of late response.

“The people did not allow the fire service people to get to the scene because they came late and the traders said they were not to be trusted.

“The traders and other people gathered together and worked tirelessly to put out the fire. Many goods were burnt to ashes. And over 300 shops were destroyed. Most traders could not salvage anything”, she said.

She said the fire also destroyed physical cash with millions of naira and called on the government to come to the aide of the traders.

She said: “By the time we bring out the safe where we kept money, we discovered that the money had been burnt. Most traders keep money in their safes for quick and easy transactions.

“We want the government to maintain a fire service in the market. The So government should give us a standby fire service, so when the fire starts they will quench it instantly, not to call them on the phone”.

Another trader, Loveth Mark, lamented that the fire service personnel arrived the scene of the incident late.

“Before the fire service came, we had put out the fire. Most of the things were destroyed. We could not salvage anything reasonable”, she said.

(NATION)
(PHOTO: thenationonlineng.net)

Metro

Sealing Spree: FCTA Sledge Hammer Hits FIRS Office, Bank, Fuel Station, Others

Published

4 days ago

May 26, 2025

Editor

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, on Monday, sealed an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station located in Zone 6, Wuse, Abuja, over non-payment of ground rent spanning 34 years.

The property occupied by Access Bank is officially allocated to Rana Tahir Furniture Nigeria Limited, not the bank directly, according to official documents.

A letter dated March 13, 2025, signed by the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, stated: “The Minister of Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 2456 within Wuse I, Cadastral Zone A02, Abuja.”

The letter cited the continued default in ground rent payment as the reason for the revocation.

“The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for Thirty-Four (34) years,” it stated.

FCTA also shut down the Federal Inland Revenue Service office in Abuja for similar violations.

The closures are part of a larger enforcement campaign targeting defaulting property owners across the FCT.

According to officials, several notices and publications have been issued since 2023, warning all allottees to clear outstanding ground rent obligations.

Metro

Explosion Near Abuja Barracks Causes Panic, One Injured

Published

4 days ago

May 26, 2025

Editor

An explosion sound was heard on Monday near the Abacha Barracks located along the Nyanya-Maraba road in Abuja, causing panic among residents and passersby.

Sources told The PUNCH that one person sustained injuries in the aftermath of the explosion.

“There was an explosion around our area today. I can’t categorically say, it was a case of sucide bombing has been peddled. But what is sure is that there was an explosion, ” One of the sources said.

Efforts to reach the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Onyechi Anele, for comments were unsuccessful.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed an explosion that occurred on along the Mararaba-Nyanya bypass in Abuja.

According to a statement by Adeh, the incident happened at about 2:50 PM and prompted an immediate response from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, which was deployed to the scene.

She said the area was quickly cordoned off for clearance and analysis to ensure the safety of commuters and residents.

“One male victim was rescued at the scene and promptly taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention,” Adeh said.

She added that a comprehensive investigation, including forensic analysis, has commenced to determine the exact cause and nature of the explosion.

The police have urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring the public that there is no cause for alarm. They also encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via the following emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08028940883, and 07057337653.

Metro

VIDEO: FCTA Seals NAPTIP Headquarters In Abuja

Published

4 days ago

May 26, 2025

Editor

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, on Monday, sealed the headquarters of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons in Abuja.

This action follows the FCTA’s announcement on Sunday, stating its intention to reclaim property affected by the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of ground rent spanning 10 to 43 years.

According to The PUNCH, officials from the FCTA similarly sealed the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, the Federal Inland Revenue Service office in Abuja, an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station located in Zone 6, Wuse, over non-payment of ground rent.

The closures are said to be part of a larger enforcement campaign targeting defaulting property owners across the FCT.

According to officials, several notices and publications have been issued since 2023, warning all allottees to clear outstanding ground rent obligations.

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