Metro

Youths Protest Abandoned Road In Delta

Published

3 weeks ago

August 12, 2025

Youths from Ukala, Ezi, Ebu, and communities of Oshimili North and Aniocha North Local Government Areas of Delta State on Tuesday took to the streets of Asaba, down to Government House to register their grievances over the abandoned Ukala-Ezi-Ebu Road.

The youth who carried placards of different inscriptions like “Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, fix our road,” “We are losing millions of naira as a result of the abandoned Ukala-Ezi-Ebu road,” “Our road is a death trap,” among others, were prevented from protesting at the Government House gate.

It was observed that the protesters were blocked at the popular Inter-bua roundabout by the security agencies despite an earlier notice of protest.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Convener, Concerned Youth for Good Governance, Mr Henry Mojume, said for years, the people of Ukala-Okwute-Ezi-Ebu-Okpunor communities have suffered from the complete neglect of this critical road.

“This route is a major lifeline that connects our communities to market, schools, health centers, and other essential services in Delta State.

“As I speak to you, farmers cannot transport their produce efficiently, leading to losses and food wastage.

“The bad condition of the Delta road has made it a hazard and also a haven for criminal activities.

“Our protest today is peaceful and rooted in the principle of constructive engagement. We cannot remain silent while our people suffer daily due to this neglect.

“Our demand is that the government should immediately mobilise contractors to resume and complete the Ukala-Okwute-Ezi-Ebu-Ukala Okpunor road construction without further delay,” he said.

The Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, Mr Johnson Erijo, who came to the inter-bua roundabout to address the protesters, thanked them for the peaceful protest.

“Firstly, I want to thank you for the peaceful protest on the bad state of the Ukala-Okwute- Ezi-Ebu- Ukala Okpunor road. We trust that the governor will pay attention to the road affecting several communities.

“I urge you to remain peaceful and supportive of the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration.

“We have taken note of this meaningful engagement. Before you came, your local government chairman and his Aniocha North counterpart had already told us the state of the road.

“No government will want its citizens to suffer. This administration is desirous of ensuring meaningful infrastructural development across the state, the governor is working tirelessly to ensure they every part of the state is developed in line with the MORE Agenda,” he appealed.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Six Killed, Nine Injured In Fatal Crash On Lekki–Epe Expressway

Published

9 hours ago

September 1, 2025

Editor

Six people were confirmed dead, and nine others sustained injuries in a road accident at Ibeju Bus Stop along the Lekki–Epe Expressway in Lagos State.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said the crash occurred on Monday when a blue Volvo FL6 truck loaded with wooden planks rammed into a white commercial bus with registration number AKD 336 YD.

The fatalities included two men, three women, and a child. Four other occupants of the bus escaped unhurt.

LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, said officials, with support from other emergency responders, swiftly rescued the survivors.

“The nine injured survivors were swiftly extricated by LASTMA officials with support from other emergency responders and immediately conveyed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Epe and Hammond Hospital for urgent medical attention.”

He added that LASTMA worked in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps to evacuate victims and clear the accident scene.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condoled with the bereaved families and cautioned motorists against reckless driving, particularly overspeeding. He urged drivers to remain vigilant, obey traffic laws, and avoid distractions, especially during the Ember Months, a period known for frequent road crashes.

He added that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the FMC morgue in Epe, awaiting formal identification by their families.

Taofiq said the four unhurt survivors received immediate attention from the LASTMA Rescue Unit, working with other agencies.

Metro

NSCDC Arrests 84-year-old, Teenager For Vandalism

Published

10 hours ago

September 1, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Gombe State Command, has paraded an 84-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy arrested for alleged vandalism of transmission power cables in the state.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing on Monday, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Superintendent of Corps Buhari Saad, who represented the State Commandant, Jibril Idris, said the duo were apprehended with several meters of vandalised aluminium cables.

According to him, the suspects, identified as Salisu Muhammad, 84, of Anguwa Idi, Gombe, a scrap marketer, and Muhammad Tahiru Babayo, 14, of Anguwa Dawaki, Gombe, a welder and fabricator, were caught with the items at Salisu’s shop located in Anguwa Uku.

“The two were involved in the act of vandalism and were caught with critical national assets, transmission power cables.

“They will be charged to court for vandalism and unlawful possession of vandalised items,” the commandant stated.

The NSCDC boss noted that the arrest was part of renewed efforts by the command to protect critical national infrastructure from criminals who target public utilities for selfish gains.

He warned vandals to desist from the illegal act or leave the state entirely, stressing that the command will continue to track and apprehend perpetrators of such crimes.

“We want to strongly warn vandals to steer clear of Gombe State. We will get them wherever they are.

“Security agencies are determined, but we also urge citizens to report suspicious activities because security personnel are not spirits and cannot be everywhere,” he added.

Metro

Father, Son, 72-year-old Arrested For Defiling Minors

Published

10 hours ago

September 1, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Monday paraded a father and son over the rape of a 13-year-old girl.

The father, Ibrahim Haruna, a 48-year-old and his 15-year-old son, Abdusalam Ibrahim, were identified as suspects.

Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Gombe, the Public Relations Officer, SC Buhari Saad, decried the spate of kidnapping in the state.

He said, “The second category of people that we have, we have three suspects that are involved in rape, gross indecency and defilement.

“They are, one, Ibrahim Haruna, aged 48, of Jekarifari. He is a tailor by occupation. We also have Abdusalam Ibrahim, aged 15, of Jekadefari.

“The two people were involved in some acts of rape, gross indecency and defilement.

“It’s now a worrisome pattern; the case of rape is taking place in the state. The father has been committing this act of rape at his shop, while the son usually takes his turns at their residence. They took advantage of the young girl who is 13 years old.

“She happens to be their neighbour who has some mental illness. So they took advantage of her and have been raping her serially.”

Also paraded was 72-year-old Balarabe Suleiman, from Yelanguruza, who was alleged to have lured a 13-year-old girl into his car and raped her serially.

“He’s been giving her the sum of N200 for every act. And in this instance, it is the lady, the young girl, who became tired of his escapade and informed her parents. The case is still under investigation”, he added.