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Mechanic union ex-chairman assaults two Lagos panel beaters, victims go dumb

Published

4 years ago

May 23, 2022

Matthew Idowu and Sunday Olowolaiyemo

There was pandemonium in the Amule area of Ayobo, Lagos State, on Saturday, when members of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, Ayobo unit, reportedly engaged in a fight over land.

PUNCH Metro gathered that a former chairman of the unit allegedly assaulted two panel beaters, Matthew Idowu, and Sunday Olowolaiyemo, over the land allocated to another member of the union.

The victims were reported to have become dumb and were rushed to different hospitals for treatment.

A witness, Peter Funsho, explained that the present executive members of the union and their chairman went to inspect the land to officially hand it over to their member.

However, the ex-chairman reportedly led another group to the site, as the two parties engaged in an argument over rights to the land.

Funsho said, “The former chairman said no construction would be done on the land because he still had authority over it.

“A panel beater, Idowu, responded that the land had long been sold and besides, the man was no longer the chairman of the union.

“Their argument resulted in a fight and the ex-chairman threw punches at Idowu, who was supported by another panel beater, Olowolaiyemo.

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“The former chairman brought out a ring and hit them; they fell and could not get up. Co-mechanics rushed at the victims and tried to help them, but they looked pale with their eyes wide open. They could not talk or respond to questions.

“Idowu was rushed to a church and a prophet prayed for him. After a while, he was a bit fine, but could still not talk as he was demonstrating with his hands. So, his family was informed about the incident and they requested that he should be brought to their village in the Oja-Odan area of Ogun State.

“The ex-chairman and others were arrested by policemen from the Ayobo Police Station. He was later released and he’s back in the community.”

One of the victims, Idowu, who spoke to PUNCH Metro, said his partner who tried to save him from being beaten up by the ex-chairman, was also assaulted.

He said, “The present chairman asked me to accompany him to the site because he wanted to apportion land to a member of the association. While we were measuring the land with a tape rule (tape measure), the ex-chairman came in to stop us.

“They pounced on me, gave me some punches and when I refused to give them the tape rule, another member of their team tried to break my hands in other to collect the tape by force. One of our members, who tried to rescue me, was beaten with a charm and he fell to the ground and couldn’t get up. Then, the ex-chairman beat me as well with the charm and I didn’t know what happened afterwards.

“I landed in a hospital and was receiving the second drip when I managed to tell them to take me to my village at Oja-Odan, Ogun State, for treatment.

“They thought I was pretending. Eventually, I was transferred to my village, where I was treated. I am better now and I have resumed back to work.”

The second victim, Olowolayemo, also alleged that he was hit with a charm while trying to separate the fight.

He said, “The land dispute has been on for a while and the past excos had been insincere in their dealings on land.

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“After the argument which resulted in a fight, we had to stop our chairman from getting involved because of his position as the head of the unit and I stepped in to separate those fighting.

“The former chairman rushed into a nearby shop and brought out a ring which he used to hit Idowu and myself and we both fell to the ground. I was initially rushed to the Ifo area of Ogun State for treatment because I couldn’t eat or sleep. Later, I was transferred to Oja-Odan, where Idowu was being treated and already recuperating.”

A senior official of the union, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Ayobo unit was fined N180,000 by the state branch for reporting the case to the police.

He lamented that the state branch imposed fines on them without caring about those assaulted.

The former chairman said the matter had been resolved and declined further comment.

“The issue has been resolved by the state (branch) and there is no need for any further comment by me,” he added.

The Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, Egberongbe Morufu, who confirmed the incident, said decisions made were exclusive only to members of the union.

He said, “Yes, the incident is true and the matter has been resolved. Decisions made and actions taken remain and do not concern non-members.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said some suspects were arrested for assault and later released on bail.

He said, “The leadership of the association of mechanics and all parties involved in the matter approached the Divisional Police Officer to resolve the dispute under the Alternative Dispute Resolution. The DPO consented to their resolution and granted the suspects bail.

“If either of the parties no longer agrees with the ADR and reports to the police, the suspects granted bail will be summoned back to the station and the legal process will be applied as it should be.”

A professor of African Traditional Religion and Director, School of Part-Time Studies, Lagos State University, Ojo, Danoye Oguntola-Laguda, said such incidents do happen.

He said, “I have witnessed many of such incidents. After being beaten with a charm, the victim will continue to roll on the floor until consciousness is lost, and others will continue to drink water abnormally and so on.

“It is difficult to explain scientifically because science is about evidence and exhibition. You should be able to test and repeat it for it to be scientific. Unfortunately, it is difficult to repeat.

“The important thing is the philosophy of evidence. There are thousands of people who can tell you they witnessed such and how it happened. The issue of whether it is real or not is not what you want to subject to a test. Africans, Nigerians and the Yoruba in particular believe in it and it works for them.”

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2027: Ekiti Driver Takes ₦3.5m Loan to Back Tinubu’s Re-election Bid

Published

3 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Trends Admin

The driver, Adeleye Adeniyi, popularly known as “Online Loan Man for BAO”

2027: Ekiti Driver Takes ₦3.5m Loan to Back Tinubu’s Re-election Bid

An Ekiti State commercial driver has revealed that he borrowed ₦3.5 million to support the 2027 re-election ambitions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Ekiti State House of Assembly member Steve Fatoba.

The driver, Adeleye Adeniyi, popularly known as “Online Loan Man for BAO”, made the disclosure in a video interview shared by Ekiti State Television (EKTV), attracting attention over his decision to take a loan to support political candidates.

Adeniyi said the money was intended to demonstrate his support for the three politicians ahead of the 2027 general election. He also displayed a cardboard cheque bearing the name of Wema Bank, detailing how he planned to distribute the funds.

Under the proposed arrangement, Tinubu would receive ₦2 million, Bamidele ₦1 million and Fatoba ₦500,000, bringing the total to ₦3.5 million.

“I am supporting Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his second-term ambition. I have borrowed money. I want to use this money to support him because he’s doing a very great job,” Adeniyi said.

He also pledged to campaign for Tinubu, expressing his intention to mobilise support for the President’s re-election bid.

“Like I said again, I am fully ready to go out to campaign for him. And I’m going to use this song to back him up. On your mandate, we shall stand,” he said.

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Adeniyi urged Nigerians to support Tinubu for another term, saying he believed the President would deliver more benefits to citizens if re-elected.

He also expressed support for Bamidele and Fatoba, citing what he described as their contributions to development. He praised Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji as well, referring to improvements he associated with the administration in healthcare, education, electricity and rural infrastructure.

The driver said Bamidele’s involvement in development projects had strengthened his confidence in the senator’s leadership. He expressed the hope that the lawmaker would continue to advance in his political career.

Adeniyi’s latest declaration follows a similar gesture reported in February 2026, when he reportedly obtained a loan through the digital lending platform OPay to brand a vehicle in support of Oyebanji’s re-election campaign.

The earlier incident brought him public attention and reinforced his reputation as a supporter willing to make personal financial commitments to political campaigns.

His latest pledge extends that support to Tinubu and two other politicians as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, the driver’s statement and the displayed cardboard cheque do not independently establish that the loan has been disbursed or that the politicians have received the money. The proposed allocations therefore remain a stated commitment rather than a confirmed donation.

The disclosure has also drawn attention to the financial risks individuals may face when borrowing money to support political causes, particularly when repayment obligations remain regardless of the eventual election outcome.

2027: Ekiti Driver Takes ₦3.5m Loan to Back Tinubu’s Re-election Bid

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Fresh Kidnap at Cocoa Institute: Gunmen Seize Three Workers in Oyo

Published

7 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Fresh Kidnap at Cocoa Institute: Gunmen Seize Three Workers in Oyo

Gunmen have reportedly abducted three workers of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State, triggering another security operation as police intensify efforts to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible.

The incident occurred on Friday, October 9, 2026, while the workers were inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises, according to the Oyo State Police Command.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the abduction, saying the command had launched a manhunt for the suspected kidnappers and was working to secure the victims’ safe release.

Police operatives are reportedly pursuing leads to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. The command has also urged members of the public with credible information that could assist the investigation or rescue operation to contact the authorities.

The latest attack has heightened concerns about the safety of staff members at the federal agricultural research institution, following previous reports of abductions involving people connected to the institute and its surrounding communities.

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In March 2026, gunmen reportedly abducted four cocoa farmers in the area around the institute, prompting security operations. Subsequent reports indicated that the victims were eventually freed following efforts by security personnel.

In another incident in May, two CRIN staff members were reportedly abducted after armed men invaded the institute’s premises. Police later announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with that case.

The latest incident has renewed calls for stronger security around the institute and neighbouring farming communities, where workers may need to conduct field inspections away from the main administrative facilities.

The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, a federal institution involved in research on cocoa and other industrial crops, plays an important role in agricultural development and the improvement of farming practices.

The abduction has raised fresh questions about the protection of agricultural researchers and field workers, particularly those whose duties require them to work on farms and other locations vulnerable to criminal attacks.

As of Friday, police reports identified three victims in the latest incident. The rescue operation and search for the suspected kidnappers were ongoing, with no further details about the victims’ identities or the circumstances of their possible release immediately confirmed.

Fresh Kidnap at Cocoa Institute: Gunmen Seize Three Workers in Oyo

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Anambra Tragedy: Mother, Teenage Daughter Crushed as Three-Storey Building Collapses

Published

8 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Anambra Tragedy: Mother, Teenage Daughter Crushed as Three-Storey Building Collapses

A mother and her 14-year-old daughter have died after a three-storey building under construction collapsed onto their residence in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, amid allegations that warnings about the structure’s safety were ignored.

The victims were identified as Mrs Happiness Ugoagu and her daughter, Confidence, who were reportedly asleep in their home when the neighbouring building came crashing down at Anata Anaba, Okpoko.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night, October 7, according to eyewitness accounts, although an initial report by the state government described it as a Thursday morning incident.

The collapse trapped the mother and daughter beneath the debris, while other people caught in the rubble were reportedly rescued and taken to hospital.

The victims’ son, Chimobi Ugoagu, said he was outside the house when the building collapsed, while his mother and sister were inside. He alleged that residents had repeatedly warned the builder about the potential danger posed by the structure, but their concerns were not heeded.

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Residents also claimed that the building stood on waterlogged land and that an engineer had initially advised limiting the structure to two storeys because of the ground conditions. They alleged that construction continued to three storeys despite the reported warning.

Anambra State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, visited the scene and described the incident as unfortunate. He said the building was illegal and that authorities had previously issued a stop-work notice.

Ojukwu also blamed the collapse on the alleged use of substandard construction materials and ordered the demolition of the structure. He said the government was investigating other unapproved buildings under construction in the area.

Emergency responders, residents and local government officials took part in rescue and recovery operations. The Anambra State Emergency Management Agency deployed an excavator to assist with clearing the debris, while the National Emergency Management Agency dispatched a team to support the response.

The remains of the mother and daughter were subsequently recovered and evacuated to a morgue.

Ogbaru Local Government Chairman Nnamdi Ifejika expressed condolences to the bereaved family, describing the deaths as a devastating loss. He also called for greater attention to building safety and urged residents to report structures they believe could endanger lives.

The exact technical cause of the collapse had not been independently established in the available reports. The circumstances surrounding the construction, the reported stop-work notice and the allegations that safety warnings were ignored remain issues for the relevant authorities to investigate.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about building safety, compliance with planning regulations and enforcement of construction standards in Nigeria, particularly where buildings are erected on potentially unstable or waterlogged ground.