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20 feared dead, scores missing in Bayelsa boat explosion

Published

1 month ago

August 8, 2024

20 feared dead, scores missing in Bayelsa boat explosion

A devastating incident occurred on Wednesday along the Ezetu 1 community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State, as a wooden cargo boat, identified as ‘Godbless Dickson,’ exploded and burst into flames, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people.

The boat was carrying over 64 passengers and crew members, along with a cargo of farm produce.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported the tragedy on Thursday, with ASP Musa Mohammed, the Police Spokesman in Bayelsa, confirming the deaths of 20 people. Rescue efforts by the Marine Police unit and other responders are still underway, with many passengers yet to be accounted for.

The ill-fated boat was en route from a rural settlement to the Swali market in Yenagoa, a regular destination for farm produce. The exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, but the incident has sent shockwaves through the region.

Mr. Ogoniba Ipigansi, Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Bayelsa Chapter, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview. He noted that a rescue team from the union, comprising two speedboats, was dispatched to the scene to assist the stranded passengers.

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Despite the ongoing rescue efforts, the total number of casualties has not yet been determined. Several passengers remain unaccounted for, with some possibly stranded at a nearby fishing camp. Mr. Augustine Amayoro, a speedboat operator involved in the rescue mission, reported saving 10 people from the wreckage, but many others remain missing.

It was gathered that wooden cargo boats like ‘Godbless Dickson’ are exempt from the state government’s ban on night navigation in the waterways, due to their slower speed, which necessitates an earlier departure to reach markets on time. The boat had set sail in preparation for the busy market day at Swali waterside in Yenagoa, where farm produce is typically sold on Thursdays.

Chief Target Segibo, Chairman of Southern Ijaw LGA, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life, calling the disaster “regrettable.” He emphasized the need for concerted efforts from stakeholders to enhance safety regulations within the marine transport sector to prevent future tragedies.

As the community mourns the loss of lives, rescue operations continue in hopes of finding more survivors, while the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

20 feared dead, scores missing in Bayelsa boat explosion

(NAN)

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NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to fake Dettol soap

Published

2 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Trends Admin

NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to fake Dettol soap

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has alerted Nigeria to the sale of a fake soap labelled as “Dettol Health Fresh Soap” in the market.

According to the alert on NAFDAC’s website on Thursday, the manufacturer of Dettol Antiseptic products confirmed that the soap is fake as it does not have any product by the name “Dettol Health Fresh Soap.”

“The Marketing Authorisation Holder and manufacturer (Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited) of Dettol Antiseptic products, received a consumer complaint regarding the above-mentioned product. The product was reported to have caused skin irritation to the complainant.

“The MAH has confirmed that the product is fake as they do not have any product by the name “Dettol Health Fresh Soap”. Dettol Antiseptic products are widely used in Nigeria for household disinfection and personal hygiene to prevent illnesses from germs (bacterial infection),” it said.

It added that details of the complaint product were not provided by the complainant except for the name of the product “Dettol Health Fresh Soap.”

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The agency noted that the illegal marketing of NAFDAC-regulated products or fake products poses a risk to people’s health, and since they do not comply with the regulatory provisions, the products’ safety, quality, and efficacy are not guaranteed.

It said all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the fake product if found within the zones and states.

“Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the fake product. All medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

“Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical products to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

“Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.”

NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to fake Dettol soap

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JUST IN: Lagos shuts Idera market over dirty condition

Published

2 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Trends Admin

JUST IN: Lagos shuts Idera market over dirty condition

The Lagos state government has shut down the Idera Market in the Oshodi-Isolo Local Council Development Area over unsanitary conditions.

Corps Marshal of the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as KAI, Maj. Olaniyi Olatunbosun (rtd), said ‘the market stinks’.

He said: “We shut Idera market because it stinks. They had probably not cleared the drainages for over one year and everywhere was smelly. So we shut the market based on the commissioner’s directive. And when they are ready to do the proper thing, the market will be reopened. It might take days or weeks, but it has to be clean.

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“Though they complained of ineffective PSP operators in clearing their waste, we found out that they most likely don’t even patronise the PSP operators. Besides, Idera is not the only market in the Oshodi area so let them do the right thing by cleaning their space and the market will be reopened.”

JUST IN: Lagos shuts Idera market over dirty condition

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Two people remanded for allegedly unleashing dogs on police

Published

2 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Trends Admin

Two people remanded for allegedly unleashing dogs on police

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan has ordered the remand of Olayinka Akinware, 35, and Tunji Adesina, 29, for allegedly using four dogs to prevent police officers from arresting a suspect.

The court, presided over by Magistrate M. Mudashiru, did not take the plea of the defendants due to lack of jurisdiction and directed that they be remanded in Abolongo Correctional Facility pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The case has been adjourned until December 18 for further mention.

According to the Prosecution Counsel, Inspector Femi Oluwadare, Akinware and Adesina are facing charges of conspiracy and prevention of arrest. The incident occurred on September 12 at around 8:30 a.m. at their residence in Oluwo, Ibadan.

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The suspects allegedly assaulted four police officers, DSP Festus Fagbohun, ASP Ojo Tolulope, Inspector Sariki Mohammed, and Corporal Tosin Olubode, with bamboo tree branches while unleashing their Pitbull, Rottweiler, and two Eskimo dogs to prevent the lawful arrest of a suspect, Korede Adeoye, who was staying at their house.

The prosecution stated that the offenses are in violation of Sections 332 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, which prescribe life imprisonment for the offender if found guilty.

This case has drawn significant attention due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the use of dogs in obstructing law enforcement.