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

JUST IN: UNIBEN Students Trapped as Three-storey Building collapses

Published

1 day ago

September 14, 2024

Editor

Several students of the University of Benin have been trapped in a three-storey building that collapsed in Ekosodin, an off-campus community dominated by students of the University.

The collapse could be attributed to a heavy downpour that started in the early hours of Saturday which fell till about 10 am.

A staff of the University said: “The incident happened earlier morning on Saturday. We were on duty when we got the call and we are on the scene, some people have been rescued others are still trapped, we are calling for more hands to ensure that the occupants are rescued. I am still at the scene.”

The university management has yet to release an official statement to that effect.

Metro

JUST IN: Gunmen Kidnap Rivers Monarch’s Police Orderly, Driver

Published

1 day ago

September 14, 2024

Editor

Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped a police orderly and driver working with a respected royal father in Rivers State.

The victims were abducted on Saturday at the residence of the monarch, His Royal Highness(HRH) Chief Cornwell Ihunwo around Eagle Island.

It was learned that Ihunwo is the paramount ruler of Rumu-Elechi community in Nkpolu-Orowurokwo, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.

An Executive member of Diobu Vigilante and Chief Security Officer of Nkpolu-Orowurokwo Godstime Ihunwo, who confirmed said the incident happened around 8pm.

Godstime alleged that the intent of the kidnap was the traditional ruler, condemning the move to abduct the community leader.

He said, “I received a call about abduction of HRH Cornwell Ihunwo about 9pm on Saturday 22ndJune,2024. I rushed down to his house at Eagle Island where I met him. Chief Cornwell told me it is his driver and Police orderly who were abducted.

“We condemn the planned abduction of HRH Cornwell Ihunwo and call on the Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident.”

However, when contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Metro

Soldiers Allegedly Torture Poly Student To Death Over Allegation Of Cultism

Published

1 day ago

September 14, 2024

Editor

Terhile Timothy Achinya, a mechanical engineering student with the Isa Mustapha Agwai l Polytechnic Lafia, was allegedly beaten to death by yet-to-be-identified military men.

The news of the death of Achinya has sparked outrage within and around the Polytechnic community, however, the Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Nurudeen Mu’azu Maifata has called for calm.

The Students Union Government, President of the Isa Mustapha Agwai l Polytechnic Lafia, Comr. Jacob John Mutuwa narrated the situation leading to the death of the student.

“It all started when a student named Samuel Ejembi informed some military men in Lafia of some students who are alleged to be involved in cult activities. the soldiers searched and picked up some of the accused students at Eji World, an entertainment centre opposite the Poly campus.”

The president explained that both the informant and the accused were picked up and taken into custody by the military on Friday last week.

Mutuwa disclosed however that Achinya died while undergoing interrogations and torture by the military men and the corpse was deposited at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.

Mutuwa expressed sadness over the unfortunate death, lamenting that if the management of the institution had allowed students to use the student accommodation built by former governor Tanko Almakura, things like this would not have occurred.

The Union president commended the students for taking a calm position despite the tragic death of a fellow student.

He assured that legal action had been instituted against the killers and called for calm.

Also reacting, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for prompt action to bring the perpetrators to book.

Coordinator, NANS Zone C, Comr. Daniel Friday Egga appreciated the action taken by the Management and SUG Leadership of the institution in addressing the matter.

Daniel called on the government and well-meaning individuals to join hands in seeking justice for the victim and his family.

NANS, however, alleged that the soldiers who were attached to the 123 Special Force Battalion were the ones responsible for the killing and urged military authorities to take immediate action.