Trucks, Passengers Stranded On Auchi-Benin Highway For Days

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2024

Editor

Hundreds of articulated vehicles have been left stranded on the busy Auchi-Benin highway for over four days owing to the deplorable state of the highway.

The long queue of the stranded vehicles spanned over 10 kilometres from Aviele to Iyamoh axis of the highway.

The Aviele section of the road, like several other parts of the over 140km highway, has collapsed.

Some of the drivers, particularly those conveying perishable goods from the Northern part of the country to South, lament their loss.

A driver, Mallam Isa Adamu said he has spent four days on the road and had to dispose off his perishable goods cheaply in order not to incur complete loss.

Another driver, Murtala Isiaku said several of his livestock have died owing to long stay without food and water.

According to him, “I tried getting some edible grass for them here to survive, of course, it’s like several persons pursuing fewer materials.

“I am not the only driver carrying goats and other animals, we all have to struggle for the little available to take care of our animals.

“While some have sold off their goods cheaply, I have also seen some discharging their cows here to enter into the bush with the help of herdsmen they hired here.”

Meanwhile, a motorist with a popular transport line in Auchi who identified himself as Lucky, said the blockage has necessitated them to take a longer route to Benin from Auchi.

“For days now, we have not been able to go to Benin through Ekpoma because of the blockage.

“Several protests have been made to get government’s attention to fix this road, yet, things seem to be going from bad to worse.

“This bad Aviele section is only an addition to several other bad portions of the highway from Auchi to Benin.

“We are in for a terrible time this season as the rain is yet to set in fully,” he stated.

It will be recalled that on Monday, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi terminated the contract of the three contractors handling the project from Benin to Obajana in Kogi state for poor performance.

‘Many Structures Will Go Down’, Lagos Blows Hot Over Flood

Published

11 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Editor

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, on Wednesday, vowed that many structures obstructing the free flow of rain water will be removed.

He said those structures would be removed “irrespective of who or highly placed the owners are.”

Conquering the clouds on a journey to Ta Xua with the team – Road Trip Vietnam Team – Nếm TV

Wahab spoke in the wake of the ravaging flood which submerged many houses, communities and properties in Lagos.
Some of the affected areas include Epe, Eredo, Bogije, Labora, Abijon, Sangotedo, Awoyaya and Ibeju-Lekki.

A primary six pupil simply identified as Joshua was swept away by flood in Ikosi, Ketu area of Lagos State.

Daily Trust reports that some miscreants also took advantage of the crisis as they charged passers-by N100 to access a makeshift bridge at the Tradefair under-bridge in Lagos.

The commissioner, however, unleashed his anger on a post on X (formerly twitter) asking him to explain if “the Igbo-owned property and business demolition we witnessed in Lagos 2023, was all politically engineered?”

@PureStanley1 posted that “Can we all now agree that the Igbo owned property and business demolition we witnessed in Lagos 2023, was all politically engineered? and we were told that some of the buildings were built on canals, thereby blocking the flow of water and causing flooding in Lagos. @tokunbo_wahab can u explain to us why there was a flood in Lagos again yesterday and the early hours of today, after going on demolition spree on IGBOS owned properties?

“Take the Microphone sir, we await ur response!.”

But Wahab fired back and accused the X user of pushing ethnic narrative.

“Many more structures obstructing the free flow of rain water in Lagos will still be removed irrespective of who or highly placed the owners are. Prepare your mind to make your usual aimless and empty noise. If turning it to ethnic narrative makes you happy, go ahead! TW,” he posted.

Metro

Irate Youths Burn Down INEC Office In Benue

Published

11 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Wednesday that it’s local government office in Ukum, Benue state was burnt by irate youths reportedly protesting against insecurity.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, who disclosed this is a statement, said no casualty was recorded during the incident.

He however said the commission lost a number of valuable property in the fire, adding that security agents have been notified if the development.

The statement reads: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, Professor Sam Egwu, has reported that our Local Government Area office in Sankara, headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, has been attacked and burnt down.

“The incident occurred at 2pm today, Wednesday 3rd July 2024, when the youths in the area said to be protesting against the activities of bandits attacked facilities of government agencies, including INEC.

“Although no casualties were reported, the building has been extensively damaged. Office furniture and other movable and immovable materials, including 10 electric generators, 300 ballot boxes and 270 voting cubicles, were destroyed in the attack.

“The attention of security agencies has drawn to the incident and they have already deployed their personnel to the area.”

Metro

Tension As Armed Men Kill Delta Community Leader, Set Corpse Ablaze

Published

13 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Editor

There was tension on Wednesday in Obodougwa-Ogume, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State as a community leader, Mr Anselm Oyibo, was found dead.

Oyibo, a former Community Development Committee Chairman of the community was macheted to death and set ablaze along with his motorcycle by unknown assailants, according to The PUNCH.

His remains were found alongside his motorcycle at Obodougwa Ogume Junction along Kwale-Obiaruku Road on Wednesday.

Residents of the community who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident said the deceased left his Kwale residence at about 11.30 pm on Sunday after he received a phone call and never returned home.

“The deceased suddenly woke up from his bed just before midnight and said he was going out. He started his motorcycle, brought out his phone and started answering a call. He was married to two wives, so it was felt that he was going to his second wife’s place. The next morning, he didn’t return, so his second wife was called and she said he didn’t spend the night at her place.

“His phone was called, it rang for some time and after a while, it was no longer connecting. Later, information came that someone was killed in our junction and was burnt with his motorcycle.

“It was later confirmed that he was the person. He was killed with machetes and set ablaze. His corpse has been taken to the mortuary.”

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe confirmed the killing.

He said, “Yes, efforts are ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his death”