metro
33 killed in petrol warehouse fire at Seme border


33 killed in petrol warehouse fire at Seme border
A fire at a smuggled petrol warehouse in Seme Krake, a Beninous town on the border with Nigeria yesterday left no fewer than 33 people dead, local authorities said.
Dallys Ahouangbegnon, chief of the local fire brigade, said the fire, which broke out close to the pineapple market in the town, spread to houses and vehicles parked near the site.
Three injured individuals were evacuated for medical treatment.
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Some of those who managed to escape to Banouto from the scene described the effect of the fire as catastrophic and the loss of lives and property as staggering.
Firefighters who rushed to the scene had a hectic time quelling the fire, they said.
Smuggled petrol from Nigeria continues to thrive despite the recent removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government; an action that drove up fuel price.
Thousands of litres of petrol sold on the streets of Benin’s towns and neighborhoods generally come from stations located along the Benin-Nigeria border.
The trade, which generates huge profits, also entails major risks, given the precarious conditions in which the product is stored. As a result, fires occur frequently with heavy tolls.
33 killed in petrol warehouse fire at Seme border
metro
VIOs can arrest traffic offenders – FRSC


VIOs can arrest traffic offenders – FRSC
FRSC says Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) have legal backing to arrest traffic offenders depending on the state within which they operate.
Deputy Corps Marshal at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Bisi Kazeem, stated in Abuja that the motoring public should give maximum cooperation to VIOs for the enhancement of safety on the roads
A unit commander of the FRSC in Abuja had earlier declared that VIOs did not have the right to arrest road traffic violators, including those operating overloaded vehicles or motorists caught using phones while driving.
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However, the Corps Marshal, Mr Dauda Biu, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the unit commander to the national headquarters for necessary administrative and disciplinary actions.
“The general public is advised to disregard the unit commander’s statement as it had no approval of the FRSC Corps Marshal and does not in any way reflect the corporate or general position of the FRSC.
“In line with sustaining the Corps’ resolve that road safety is a collective responsibility, we acknowledge the role VIOs play in complementing the responsibilities of the FRSC through the enforcement of traffic laws,’’ Kazeem stated.
He enjoined the motoring public to always comply with all established traffic regulations and to cooperate with security agencies deployed to maintain law and order on the highways, irrespective of their corporate mandate.
VIOs can arrest traffic offenders – FRSC
(NAN)
metro
Lady found dead in Lagos hotel


Lady found dead in Lagos hotel
A female adult who has yet to be recognized was discovered dead in a motel in Morogbo, Badagry, Lagos State.
The event occurred on Friday, November 31, after the deceased checked into the hotel with a male companion.
Both visitors were alleged to have arrived at the motel early that morning and paid for a short rest.
After a few hours, the receptionist, who was going to offer the room to another customer, returned to find it locked.
A resident in the community who spoke to our correspondent on Wednesday said the hotel worker later used a spare key to open the door and thereafter found the lady lying on the bed motionless.
The resident, who craved anonymity due to the nature of the incident, said, “The two guests arrived at the hotel in the morning. After paying, they collected the key to their room and went inside. It was later around 10 pm when the hotel attendant wanted to give the room to another customer that they started to look for the key to the room.
“When they got there, they discovered it was locked. They also knocked but no one answered. They later banged on the door yet no one answered. They had to get a spare key and when the door was opened, only the female guest was found lying naked on the bed. Her body was covered with a bedspread. It was also discovered that her clothes and phone were taken away.”
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The resident said the hotel owner was immediately alerted while the workers searched around for the whereabouts of the male guest.
All efforts to locate him were unsuccessful as their record was not taken by the receptionist when they first arrived.
“The hotel workers searched everywhere as they were also joined by some other persons in an attempt to locate the suspect. It was that same night that the director of the hotel went to report to the police. The police came that night, took pictures of the lady and took her body away. It was difficult to locate her partner because the receptionist did not take the record of the customers. The hotel also does not have a CCTV camera,” the resident added.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.
He said, “The corpse has been deposited in the morgue. The owner of the hotel has been arrested along with the receptionist. The case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.”
Lady found dead in Lagos hotel
(Punch)
metro
12 killed, others injured in fresh gunmen attacks on Benue communities


12 killed, others injured in fresh gunmen attacks on Benue communities
Gunmen have reportedly taken the lives of at least 12 people, leaving several others injured in recent assaults on communities such as Anyiin, Ayilamo, Iorza, and Gbeji in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. Allegedly, the attackers are identified as Fulani herdsmen.
According to reliable eyewitnesses, the unprovoked attacks commenced last Monday, claiming the lives of three innocent individuals.
The violence persisted throughout the week, with a total of nine more casualties reported.
An anonymous eyewitness, who managed to escape the onslaught, revealed that the attackers, aside from entering homes, brazenly blocked roads in Anyiin, Iorza, and Gbeji during daylight hours.
This resulted in additional fatalities, with villagers also forced to part with varying amounts of money.
Expressing concern for the safety of the defenseless residents in Anyiin and surrounding areas, the fleeing eyewitness called upon the Benue State Government to urgently provide security.
The eyewitness emphasized that these attacks occurred on a daily basis over the past two weeks, seemingly without intervention from security forces.
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The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, SP Sewuese Anene, officially confirmed the incidents to members of the press.
In an effort to reassure the public, Anene conveyed that the command had taken steps to deploy personnel with the aim of restoring peace in the communities affected by the attacks.
Despite providing this assurance, she encouraged individuals affected by these unfortunate events to maintain a sense of calm and composure in the face of these challenging circumstances.
Benue State is grappling with significant challenges as it confronts frequent attacks perpetrated by both bandits and Fulani, resulting in tragic loss of lives.
The region is currently contending with a series of security issues that have led to a distressing impact on its population, with incidents of violence causing widespread concern.
The ongoing attacks in Benue State have created a pressing need for comprehensive and effective measures to address the complex security situation and safeguard the lives of its residents.
12 killed, others injured in fresh gunmen attacks on Benue communities
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