metro

Native doctor, others held for kidnapping

Published

3 years ago

May 9, 2022

Enugu State Police spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe

Police in Enugu State have arrested a popular native doctor, Aneke-Ikenga, and two others for alleged kidnapping.

The suspects aged between 27 and 36 were alleged to have kidnapped one Amechi Oguama on October 20, 2021, collected a N10 million ransom from his family and never released him till date.

Police spokesman Daniel Ndukwe, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects in a statement, said they were among 45 suspected criminals arrested in Enugu between March and April 2022.

The statement gave the names of the suspects as Oko Chukwudi popularly known as Anka-Dede; Ifeanyi Eze aka Abrinanwa and Sunday Ede Aneke.

Ndukwe said the suspects were arrested on March 22 and 24, 2022 by operatives serving in the CP Monitoring Unit.

READ ALSO:

He said the suspects, who hail from Akpugo in Nkanu West local government area of the state, were members of a criminal gang that specialised in kidnapping.

The police spokesman said three members of the gang, whose names are Chioma Uwa (female) aka Dr. Happiness; Chekwube Nwatu (male) aka Cheche, and Emeka Uwa (male) aka Akimbo, had earlier been arrested, arraigned in court and remanded in the Enugu Correctional Maximum Custodial Centre.

He said, “The newly arrested suspects confessed to having been actively involved in the kidnapping of the said victim and the receipt of ransom of over N10 million by the criminal gang. One Berretta pistol with 1.9mm round of live ammunition was recovered from them.”

“Meanwhile, the suspects will be further arraigned in court and prosecuted alongside the previous suspects once supplementary investigation into the case is concluded.”

Nsukwe noted that the arrest would not have been possible without the support from residents and sister agencies.

He advised citizens of the state to remain law-abiding, vigilant and continue to support the police by promptly reporting criminals and their activities to the nearest police station or by “calling the Command’s emergency hotlines on: 08032003702, 08075390883 or 08086671202.

metro

Another truck explodes in Abuja, 10 killed, 30 injured

Published

4 minutes ago

March 21, 2025

Trends Admin

Another truck explodes in Abuja, 10 killed, 30 injured

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Emergency Management Department, FEMD, has confirmed that 10 persons lost their lives in the Wednesday evening truck explosion that occurred at Karu bridge, along the Abuja – Keffi Expressway.

This came as President Bola Tinubu directed a thorough investigation into the tanker explosion that resulted in multiple accidents and loss of lives in Karu.

Also, wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has mourned victims of the tanker explosion.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed grief over loss of lives in the tragic tanker explosion, noting that it adds to the scary upsurge of disastrous incidences that have persistently befallen the country due the worsened state of infrastructure under the current insensitive and inept All Progressives Congress, APC, administration.

Head Forecasting Response and Mitigation of FEMD, Mark Nyam said eight bodies were deposited at the Karu Hospital Morgue, one at the Asokoro District Hospital Morgue while another body was deposited at the National Hospital.

According to him, over 30 persons suffered various degrees of burns.

Some of the victims have been referred to Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre,Keffi and Cedarcrest Hospital Abuja for proper care.

No fewer than 10 vehicles were burnt in the incident.

Head, Public Affairs of FEMD, Nkechi Isa in a statement said the acting Director General of the Department, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed again appealed to motorists to observe traffic rules and regulations.

“He cautioned against reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and poor maintenance of vehicles.

READ ALSO:

“Abdulrahman appealed to FCT residents to always use the 112 emergency toll free number in the event of an emergency,” she added.

Tinubu directs investigation into tanker explosion

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga, explained that Tinubu ordered priority treatment of the injured in various medical facilities in the capital city.

It further said: “The President directed security agencies, particularly those concerned with road safety, to pay closer attention to traffic around the capital city’s entry and exit points.”

President Tinubu prayed for the souls of the departed and the grace of the Almighty God to comfort families that have lost their loved ones.

First Lady mourns victims

The First Lady, in a statement, yesterday, said: “I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident of the tanker explosion which occurred on March 19, 2025, by the Karu Bridge along the Abuja-Keffi Highway which led to the loss of many lives and property.

“I commiserate with the Minister of the FCT, Nyesome Wike, the families of the deceased and injured, the residents, affected business and property owners and the people of Abuja.

“I urge owners and drivers of vehicles, especially articulated vehicles, to ensure the road worthiness and good condition of their vehicles before putting them on the road to avert a reoccurrence of such incidences.

“I pray Almighty God grants the souls of the departed eternal rest and their family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. To the injured, I wish them speedy recovery.”

PDP mourns the dead, blames APC

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Debo Ologunagba, in a statement in Abuja, said current administration has continued to demonstrate utter disdain for the safety and wellbeing of Nigerians.
Ologunagba argued that, “This avoidable heartrending incident in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital sadly points to the general poor management of urban infrastructure and heightened insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory under the current APC government.

“Our party is saddened that due to the misgovernance of the APC administration, innocent Nigerians continue to perish with families in peril, anguish and devastation over the death of their breadwinners and loved one.

“The PDP calls on the Federal Government to institute a system-wide investigation into the Abuja explosion and similar incidences in other parts of the country and take urgent steps to ensure safer roads in our nation.

READ ALSO:

“The PDP salutes the efforts of rescue teams including the Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Federal Fire Service, other agencies and patriotic Nigerians for their prompt intervention which helped to save the lives of many of the victims.

“Our party prays to God to grant speedy recovery to the injured and divine comfort to the families of the deceased.”

Residents tell scary tales

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses and residents, who spoke with our correspondent recounted harrowing experiences of people trapped in their vehicles as raging flames engulfed them.

An eyewitness, a vulcanizer who has his tools mounted on the road side for fast services, narrated a case of a child screaming as flames took over the vehicle until the child’s voice was no longer heard.

A night of horror —Returning civil servants laments

Tears, wails, and the acrid smell of burnt metal and flesh filled the air as residents and onlookers watched helplessly.

The explosion, which occurred about 6p.m., reportedly started when a fully loaded fuel tanker lost control and crashed into several vehicles during a traffic jam, sparking a fire that quickly escalated.

“It was like a scene from hell. People were screaming, banging on their car windows, begging for help, but no one could do anything. The fire was too intense,” said Mrs. Aisha Ibrahim.

Another witness, Mr. John Eze, recounted the horrifying last moments of some victims, saying: “I saw a man trying to break his windshield to escape, but the fire caught up with him. He was burnt right before our eyes. God have mercy.”

A proprietor, Pastor Ukanwa Reminjus whose house is a stone throw away from the accident scene, said: “This accident was too much for one night. It was very bad. I wasn’t at the scene. I was on my home. And each explosion that happened, shook the walls of my building. The total explosion was more than 10 and each explosion had a deeper impact like that of the bomb blast we experienced in 2014.”

Another truck explodes in Abuja, 10 killed, 30 injured

metro

Ibadan stampede: Oyo govt drops charges against Ooni’s ex-wife, Hamzat

Published

20 minutes ago

March 21, 2025

Trends Admin

Olori Naomi Silekunola and Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat

Ibadan stampede: Oyo govt drops charges against Ooni’s ex-wife, Hamzat

The Oyo State High Court has dismissed the criminal charge bought against, the former Queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, a school principal, Abdullahi Fasasi and musician, Oriyomi Hamzat, over the fatal stampede that took place in Ibadan.

The stampede occurred at Islamic High School Bashorun in December 2024 leaving about 30 pupils dead.

The three persons have been standing trial for their alleged roles in the stampede.

They were initially remanded at the Agodi correctional facility and granted bail on January 14 with the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum.

READ ALSO:

In January, the state government filed an 18-count criminal charge, including conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, criminal negligence and other related charges against the trio.

However, the Ibadan high court struck out the case after it was withdrawn by the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General, Abiodun Aikomo.

Speaking after the court session, Aikomo said the state decided to withdraw the case as the suspects showed empathy and compassion.

Abdulwaheed Olajide, counsel to Fasasi, said the families of the victims and the defendants reached an agreement to settle the matter out of court.

Ibadan stampede: Oyo govt drops charges against Ooni’s ex-wife, Hamzat

metro

Soldiers arrest 16 suspected oil thieves in Port Harcourt

Published

36 minutes ago

March 21, 2025

Trends Admin

Soldiers arrest 16 suspected oil thieves in Port Harcourt

The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, says its troops have arrested 16 suspected oil thieves and impounded 24,000 litres of stolen oil.

A statement by the division’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, on Thursday, said the operations, which were conducted from 24 February to 2 March 2025, with other agencies, resulted in the destruction of 14 illegal refining sites, and arrest of 16 suspected oil thieves and sundry crimes.

He also said the soldiers confiscated over 24,000 litres of stolen products across the operation area.

READ ALSO:

Jonah said, “In Bayelsa State, following credible intelligence, troops destroyed two active illegal refining sites around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA. At the site, over 8,000 litres stolen crude, and over 3,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) stocked in sacks were recovered.

“Other items recovered included one generator, wielding and cutting materials.

Similarly, around Adibawa also in Yenagoa LGA, troops deactivated one illegal refining site, beside Oando Wellhead with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude and 800 illegally refined AGO confiscated.

Other seizures included two wheelbarrows and a pumping machine.