Metro

Traders Count losses As Fire Razes 300 Shops In Bayelsa Market

Published

6 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

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

8 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days 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.