metro
Fire destroys 14 shops at Ibadan market
Fire destroys 14 shops at Ibadan market
A fire outbreak on Wednesday razed 14 shops at Ogundipe Market in Ibadan, Oyo State, leaving traders counting their losses.
The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Reform and Chairman of the State Fire Services Agency, Moroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident in a statement.
He said, “The fire personnel led by CFS Olayiwola T.K. promptly mobilised and responded to the distressed call, who on arrival, met 14 out of 42 shops alight.”
Akinwande explained that the firefighters quickly contained the inferno, preventing it from spreading to adjoining shops.
“No casualty was recorded. The operation was carried out successfully, and properties worth billions of naira were saved by the officers of the fire service,” he added.
READ ALSO:
- Doctors in Oyo to begin strike October 2
- FG unveils ambitious transport, marine overhaul to drive economic growth
- Super typhoon Ragasa hits China, Hong Kong after 17 killed in Taiwan
According to him, investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. He advised traders across the state to be more safety-conscious and stressed the importance of equipping shops with fire extinguishers to combat small outbreaks at the early stage.
In a separate incident, a four-bedroom flat at No. 17, Ifesowapo Maternity, Zone 2, Ajoda, in Egbeda Local Government Area, was also destroyed by fire on Wednesday.
Akinwande said firemen were dispatched to the scene following a distress call received at 12:42 am.
He explained, “Immediately the address was received, firemen led by ACFS Adisa Wasiu promptly mobilised and deployed to the scene of the incident. On getting there, it was a private residential building of a four-bedroom flat and an adjoining two-bathroom flat engulfed by fire. Our officers swiftly swung into action, and the fire was restricted from spreading to nearby buildings and properties. No casualty was recorded, and properties worth millions of naira were lost.”
He attributed the incident to an electrical surge caused by a plugged device left unattended.
Akinwande urged residents to always switch off and unplug all electrical appliances when not in use particularly at the close of work and before going to bed to prevent fire outbreaks.
Fire destroys 14 shops at Ibadan market
![]()
metro
Kano Building Collapse: One Dead, Four Injured as Rescue Teams Respond
Kano Building Collapse: One Dead, Four Injured as Rescue Teams Respond
A two-storey building under construction on Sultan Road in Kano State collapsed on Friday morning, July 10, 2026, resulting in one fatality and four injuries. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. in the Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state, trapping five people beneath the debris. Emergency responders, neighbours, and passersby quickly mobilised to rescue victims trapped beneath the rubble, with the community’s swift response playing a crucial role in saving lives.
According to the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) , Isyaku Abdullahi Kubaraci, one of the rescued victims died from injuries sustained in the collapse. “Fortunately, four people survived, and only had one casualty. We have handed over the body of the deceased to his family members. I have to commend the neighbours and passersby who assisted in the rescue operation, and we send our condolences to the family of the deceased,” he stated. The four survivors sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to the Sir Muhammadu Sanusi Hospital in Kano for medical treatment, where they are currently receiving care.
READ ALSO:
- INEC Disowns Fake CVR Portal, Warns Nigerians of Phishing Scam
- Xenophobic Attacks: NANS Threatens Shutdown of MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic IBTC
- Relief for Last-Mile Delivery Operators as TSS Motors launches Forland T5 light Trucks
Construction workers at the site noticed warning signs of structural failure while work was ongoing on the upper floor. One worker, Aliyu Ibrahim Baba, recounted the harrowing events: “I had just arrived and was eating my breakfast before I began work. I heard a noise and went upstairs to check. I saw the caretaker wetting the part of the building we worked on yesterday, so I left and continued eating.” He continued: “Suddenly, sand particles started raining down on me and entered my eyes. One of my co-workers went to check on the caretaker upstairs. There were three people at the door when the building suddenly gave way. We barely managed to run out, but five people were trapped under the rubble. They have all been rescued and taken to the hospital.” Another construction worker, Shuaibu Yaro, confirmed that those trapped included a security guard and a commercial tricycle rider, both of whom were among the rescued survivors.
Baba credited the swift response of residents for saving lives: “People rushed to help us even before the fire service arrived, and that made a huge difference in getting the victims out alive.” Authorities are yet to determine the official cause of the building collapse, though investigations are expected to commence. The incident has once again raised concerns about construction safety standards and regulatory enforcement in Kano State, with many calling for stricter oversight of building projects to prevent future tragedies. Rescue operations at the site have since concluded, with all victims accounted for, as the community mourns the loss of one life while expressing relief that four others survived.
Kano Building Collapse: One Dead, Four Injured as Rescue Teams Respond
![]()
metro
Imo Pastor Gets Life Imprisonment for Raping Minor Living With Him
Imo Pastor Gets Life Imprisonment for Raping Minor Living With Him
An Imo State High Court has sentenced Samuel Ehirim, a 42-year-old pastor, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of sexually assaulting a minor who lived under his care. The judgment was delivered by Justice C.O. Chukwumaeze, who held that the prosecution proved its case “beyond reasonable doubt” and established the defendant’s guilt through credible and consistent evidence. The case has been hailed as a landmark ruling in the enforcement of child protection laws in Imo State, demonstrating the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable members of society.
Ehirim was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on sexual assault, assault with intent to commit an unnatural offence, indecent treatment of a girl under the age of 13, and assault, contrary to the provisions of the Imo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law No. 8 of 2021 and the Criminal Code. In her judgment, Justice Chukwumaeze said the evidence before the court “overwhelmingly” showed that Ehirim committed the offences. The judge held that the defence failed to discredit the prosecution’s witnesses or create any reasonable doubt during the trial, noting that the testimonies of the victim and other witnesses were consistent and credible.

Samuel Ehirim
READ ALSO:
- INEC Disowns Fake CVR Portal, Warns Nigerians of Phishing Scam
- Xenophobic Attacks: NANS Threatens Shutdown of MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic IBTC
- Relief for Last-Mile Delivery Operators as TSS Motors launches Forland T5 light Trucks
The court further found that the victim, who had been living with the convict, was subjected to repeated sexual abuse over a period of time. The judge noted that the pastor had abused his position of trust and authority, preying on a vulnerable child who had been placed under his care. Although defence counsel S.E. Ibechem, who held the brief of D.O. Agbo, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, the judge convicted Ehirim on all five counts and handed down a life sentence, stating that the severity of the offences demanded the maximum penalty permitted by law.
Speaking after the judgment, Ikenna Obi, counsel to the Imo State Ministry of Justice, described the conviction as a significant milestone in the enforcement of the state’s Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law. Obi said the ruling demonstrated the state’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from sexual and gender-based violence, and should serve as a strong warning to perpetrators of such crimes. The prosecutor also commended the court for its firm stance, expressing confidence that the decision would strengthen ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence in the state, while also encouraging more victims to come forward and report abuse without fear of stigma or retaliation. The case reinforces the state’s resolve that no one, regardless of position or title, is above the law when it comes to the protection of children.
Imo Pastor Gets Life Imprisonment for Raping Minor Living With Him
![]()
metro
MURIC Demands Release of El-Rufai’s Personal Physician, Condemns ICPC Arrest
MURIC Demands Release of El-Rufai’s Personal Physician, Condemns ICPC Arrest
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to immediately and unconditionally release Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing his arrest as arbitrary and inconsistent with democratic principles.
The Islamic human rights organisation made the demand in a statement issued on Friday by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, following reports that the ICPC arrested the medical doctor over alleged false statements.
MURIC expressed concern over the arrest, arguing that medical professionals occupy a protected position globally because of the ethical responsibilities attached to their profession.
According to the group, the detention of a physician raises fears that he could be pressured to disclose confidential information about his patient, contrary to the ethics of medical practice.
“We condemn this arrest. It is arbitrary, alien to global best practices and absolutely uncalled for. This arrest stands in contradistinction to democratic principles. We therefore demand the unconditional release of the doctor with immediate effect,” the statement read.
READ ALSO:
- How Thugs Killed Islamic Teacher in Bauchi Over Political Posters
- Soldiers Reject N100,000 Salary as Tinubu Holds Emergency Security Meeting
- DJ Chicken Arrested Over Viral Video Threatening Seyi Tinubu
The organisation further noted that even in conflict zones, medical personnel are generally accorded special protection because of their humanitarian role in providing care to the sick and injured.
MURIC argued that subjecting a physician to detention could undermine patient-doctor confidentiality, warning that such a development may set a dangerous precedent.
The group also questioned the basis for the arrest, insisting that the explanations provided so far by the anti-graft agency were insufficient to justify the action.
“We are not convinced that the doctor had committed any offence and the explanations given by ICPC can hardly scratch the surface. Nigerians need more to be convinced,” Akintola stated.
The ICPC had reportedly arrested Professor Abubakar on Wednesday in connection with allegations of making false statements. However, the commission has yet to issue a detailed public response to MURIC’s demand for his release.
MURIC Demands Release of El-Rufai’s Personal Physician, Condemns ICPC Arrest
![]()
-
metro2 days agoRescue Hope Rises as Security Operatives Identify Oyo Kidnappers’ Network
-
metro2 days agoAppeal Court orders status quo in ISI hijab case, adjourns hearing to Oct. 7
-
News2 days agoEl-Rufai’s Wives Beg Tinubu for Fair Treatment, Say Family Is Traumatised
-
News2 days agoProperties Razed as Yoruba, Hausa Residents Clash in Ibadan
-
metro2 days agoMan Seeks Divorce Over Wife’s Alleged Refusal to Fund Daughter’s Treatment
-
Business2 days agoDangote launches free petrol delivery in Lagos, Abuja, five other states
-
metro3 days agoUPDATED: Gbajabiamila gives Adeniyi 72 hours to retract allegations or face ₦10bn defamation suit
-
Entertainment3 days agoNollywood actress appeals for support as recurring cancer spreads to bones
