Five drowned, many missing in Warri tank farm explosions – Newstrends
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Five drowned, many missing in Warri tank farm explosions

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Five persons have drowned while fleeing from multiple explosions at a tank farm operated by Matrix company in Ifiekporo community, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.

It was gathered that eight persons are still in critical condition at undisclosed hospitals.

The tank farm reportedly went up in flames on Friday night causing panic in the community hosting several tank farms operated by different companies.

Vanguard quoted a community source as saying, “In panic and fear, some persons certainly would have jumped into the river to save their lives and were drown. We are aware some corpses have been recovered but we don’t know their identities yet.”

An employee of Matrix, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the recovery of some bodies, saying:,“People jumped into the water. The corpses seen floating on the river have been taken to the mortuary. Their identities for now are unknown.”

Reacting to the incident, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, in a statement by its President and General Secretary, Prince William Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, respectively, said, “We are greatly saddened by the sad news of the explosion that rocked the gas section of Matrix Energy Tank Farm, resulting in loss of lives and property on Friday, July 8, 2022, at lfiekporo in Warri, Delta State.

“We commiserate with families of those that died from this very unfortunate accident. We pray that the Almighty God grants the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss of their loved ones.

“As a trade union organisation, we have no other option at this critical time than to use this very painful incident to further call on all employers of labour, especially in the oil and gas industry to place greater premium on safety in all workplaces and ensure adequate and regular training for all personnel on health and safety.

“Prevention of industrial accidents should be of highest priority at all times. We wish the injured quick recovery and the management of Matrix Energy God’s guidance and support at this very trying time as well.”

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Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars

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Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olatunji Dosu

Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a fake Inspector who engages in armed robbery and car snatching, among other crimes. 

This was disclosed by the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olatunji Dosu while parading the suspect among other suspected criminals on Wednesday.

According to the Dosu, Monday Igbali, the fake inspector, was a former sergeant who was dismissed after being charged in a kidnapping case in 2021.

He noted that three fancy cars were recovered from Igbali, who runs a gang of five criminals.

Dosu states, “The command commenced an investigation in response to a report filed on August 11, 2023, by one Fibika Kingsley that his Lexus EX330 had been stolen at gunpoint along Agip Road by five gunmen.’’

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“The investigations led to the arrest of one Monday Igbali, aged 43, a native of Okwuzi in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State.

“He is a former police sergeant who was dismissed after being indicted in a kidnapping case in 2021.

“Since his dismissal, he has continued to parade himself as a police officer, even claiming to be an Inspector of Police, a rank he did not attain before his dismissal.

“He works with a gang of five, with four gang members still at large.

“He has robbed a total of nine cars and sold them for between N1.3m and N2.5m each. He was arrested on March 8, 2024, at his home in Chokocho, Etche, after the police conducted due surveillance following investigations.

“We have recovered three cars from him: a Lexus 330, a Lexus IS250, and a Toyota Highlander.”

Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars

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Breaking: Military releases FirstNews editor, Segun Olatunji

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Breaking: Military releases FirstNews editor, Segun Olatunji

The military has finally released Segun Olatunji, editor of FirstNews, who has been in their custody since March 15.

Olatunji was released on Thursday to Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) General Secretary Iyobosa Uwugiaren and The Nation Deputy Editor Yomi Odunuga under a bridge in Asokoro, Abuja.

It was also learnt that the documents for his release were signed inside a security vehicle with heavily armed operatives.

The security agents were said to be masked and the number plates of their vehicles covered up.

The editor was abducted by armed men in his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos, on March 15.

His family members were kept in the dark on his whereabouts and why he was arrested.

Several groups, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors, almost daily mounted pressure on the government for Olatunji’s release.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute said the journalist was in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

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BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists

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BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists

A Federal High Court in Borno State has ordered the release of at least 313 suspected terrorists detained by the military.

The court ordered their release due to a lack of evidence to charge the suspects after the investigation.

Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, the Director of Defence Media Operations, announced this during the operational briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

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He said, “The court ordered the release for want of evidence after the conclusion of investigation and other ancillary matters.

“Accordingly, they would be handed over to the Borno State Government for further action.”

BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists

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