Home Blog Page 423

Traders lament as fire razes Kogi phone market

admin
-
0
Traders lament as fire razes Kogi phone market

Properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed following a fire that gutted the GSM village around Kpata Market in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

Our correspondent gathered that the fire outbreak started in the early hours of Thursday due to a power upsurge.

It was further learnt that shop owners could not salvage anything from the fire after it got out of control.

One of the traders in the market, Muhammed Yahaya, who lost his goods to the fire lamented, “Somebody called me around 5:30 am today that the market is on fire. On getting there, many shops have already been burnt down. So, we tried to look at the actual cause of the fire. From all indications so far, we were told by the people who stay within that the power voltage they brought was high.

“The occupants of neighbouring houses there said it affected their fans, electricity and other things. This might be the cause of the fire in the market. Millions of naira worth of goods have been destroyed. Laptops, phones and accessories got burnt. The most unfortunate thing is that most of these people just received their goods this week. It has never happened before. It is still a big shock to everyone who owns shops in the market.”

He appealed to the Kogi State Government to intervene by assisting those who lost their goods financially and rebuilding the GSM village.

“We know we have a governor who has listening ears. He is a father to us all. As you can see, we are resourceful youths. Most of us are graduates, and we are not waiting for government to provide jobs for us. We created the jobs on our own.

“The properties that we have been nurturing for over 15 years got burnt within an hour. We want the government to look into it by assisting us financially and rebuilding the market. In this market, we have about 200 youths engaged in this kind of business. People were hungry before this happened” he added.

Also speaking to newsmen,  the Financial Secretary, Kogi Association of Phones and Accessories Dealers, Moses Felix, said the incident had affected him physically, mentally and emotionally.

According to him, “I was crying this morning when my shop got burnt. I couldn’t do anything. I am into laptop repairs and sales. My goods that arrived this week got burnt completely, so I am starting from scratch.

“I am a married man with kids. Where do I go from here and how can I feed my family in this economic hardship? The government should come to our aid. We provide jobs for people. I have about three boys who are working for me under my payroll. Definitely, they are going back home without a job.”

As of the time of filing this report, fire service officials were making efforts to put out the fire.

Police confirm gunmen abduction of Kwara bizman

admin
-
0
Police confirm gunmen abduction of Kwara bizman

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a businessman identified as Emeka Nwachukwu from his clinic in Kosubosu, headquarters of Baruten Local Government Area of the state by some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Wednesday night.

Nwachukwu was reportedly abducted at about 8.30 pm by some gunmen who invaded his clinic on the outskirts of Kosubosu and took him to an unknown destination.

Punch Metro gathered that the abductors on Thursday morning got in touch with the family of Nwachwuh and demanded a ransom of N100m before his release.

It was further gathered that the family of the victim had been negotiating with the abductors.

Confirming the abduction while reacting to an inquiry on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, in Kwara State, DSP Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, said, “The Kwara State Police Command is aware of an unfortunate kidnap incident that occurred September 11, 2024, at 2030 hours. It was reported that Mr Emeka C. Nwachukwu was kidnapped in a clinic owned by him; on the outskirts of Kosubosu town.

‘He was taken to an unknown location. The police alongside the vigilantes in the community have intensified efforts to rescue the victim unharmed.

“This is a confirmation of this incident please”, the PPRO said.

Ejire-Adeyemi also told our correspondent that further developments on the rescue operation would be communicated as they progressed.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According to.

Contact: [email protected]

Police probe teenager’s body found buried in Lagos apartment

admin
-
0
Police probe teenager’s body found buried in Lagos apartment

The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation after the body of 17-year-old Adeolu Olubade was found buried in a shallow grave inside an apartment on Jesus Assembly Omoguwa Street, in the Ejigbo area of the state.

According to Metro learnt on Thursday that a 30-year-old suspect. (name withheld) linked to the crime had been arrested and detained by the police command.

The spokesperson for the state command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to According to Metro on Thursday.

Our correspondent learnt that the crime was believed to have occurred between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm on September 2, 2024.

Hundeyin noted that the grieving family identified the 30-year-old suspect as being responsible for the heinous crime.

He said, “On September 3, 2024, at about 8:00 am, a family member of the deceased approached and reported at the station that his 17-year-old cousin was discovered dead and buried in one of the rooms at Jesus Assembly Street, Omoguwa Street, Ejigbo.

“They suspected the crime was carried out by a 30-year-old suspect of the same address between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Based on this report, a team of detectives was dispatched to the crime scene and took photographs of the shallow grave before the corpse was exhumed.

“The body has been taken to the Isolo General Hospital for a postmortem examination. The suspect mentioned has been apprehended, and the shovel suspected to have been used to bury the victim has been recovered, taken to the station, and registered as an exhibit.

The command spokesperson added that the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Unit at Alagbon for further investigation.

According to Metro reported in October 2023 on the alleged killing of a 31-year-old woman named Foejiro Ojite, who was reportedly murdered in her apartment in the Agiliti area of Ketu, Lagos, on July 27, 2023.

Suspected burglars arrested, stolen items recovered in Ogun

admin
-
0
Suspected burglars arrested, stolen items recovered in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended two men and recovered several items worth over N800,000 from them.

Our correspondent gathered on Thursday that the items were stolen from a church; St. Michael Archangel Catholic Church, Igode located in the Sagamu area of the state.

According to Metro that the incident occurred in the early hours of that same day.

The incident was reported to the police by one Onojwu Aaron and some members of the church.

The stolen items are a generator valued at N400,000, one big OX fan valued at N60,000, a music amplifier valued at N180,000 and other musical instruments valued at about N200,000, all totalling N840,000.

The state police command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, said upon receiving the report, the police sprung into action immediately and began an investigation. They visited the scene and monitored the place together with the vigilante group in the area.

Along the line, she said two men were arrested in connection with the incident.

Upon further investigations, their identities were revealed as 21-year-old Destine John and 23-year-old John Peter, who were said to be indigenes of Benue State living in the Odongunyan area of Lagos.

The PPRO said they were arrested at Fakale inside a Keke Marwa (tricycle) where they were hiding the amplifier.

One of the suspects denied the allegations and claimed he bought the amplifier from one pastor but could not prove his claims.

The other man in his statement claimed his partner asked him to wait inside the tricycle at Fakale and later came back with the amplifier after informing him that a pastor sold it to him.

Odutola noted that statements provided by all parties concerned had been documented and further investigations were ongoing.

“Statements have been obtained from all concerned parties; investigation is in progress. Further developments shall be communicated,” Odutola said.

LP can repeat Abia victory in Edo – Otti

admin
-
0
LP can repeat Abia victory in Edo – Otti

The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, was in Edo State on Thursday to rally support for the Labour Party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, ahead of the September 21 governorship election.

Otti, speaking in Igbo, called on the people to vote the Labour Party into power as was done in Abia State in the last general elections.

He emphasised the importance of the forthcoming governorship election in the state and urged voters to protect their votes.

He stated, “Though the party may not have the guns and ammunition to win the election, we have the voters to deliver our chosen candidate for the people of the state. “I have come to appeal to you. You are all our people. I told Akpata that there is no need to preach to the converted. We have already converted you, and now it’s time for us to convert others.

“This election will make a difference in Edo State. It is an election for the people. So, the charge I want to give you is that when you vote on that day, remain at your polling booth and do not leave. That is how we did it in Abia State. For 48 to 72 hours, nobody sleeps.”

He added, “I used to tell our people that we have a saying, ‘The rat does not eat something when the owner is awake.’ So, you should not sleep. If it is about the votes, we will have the votes; if it is about winning, we will win. We will not allow any rat to steal our victory.”

Akpata, while welcoming Otti to the state, remarked that the Abia State governor was in Benin to speak to the people of the state, not just the party faithful.

He added, “Jesus Christ said He did not come for the saved but for the lost.”

Kogi undergrad arrested for kidnapping, killing female colleague

admin
-
0
Kogi undergrad arrested for kidnapping, killing female colleague

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 100-level Biology student of the Federal University Lokoja, Jeremiah Paul, over the death of a female colleague, Abigail Damilola.

The suspect, from Kaduna State, confessed to abducting Damilola, demanding N400,000 ransom from her family, and subsequently killing her.

According to reports, Jeremiah took Damilola to an uncompleted building, where he ended her life after receiving the ransom.

He then contacted her family again, demanding an additional N10m. However, police tracked him down and arrested him.

During interrogation, Jeremiah claimed he acted alone and denied cutting off any parts of Damilola’s body, despite police findings suggesting otherwise.

He stated that he killed her because she had seen his face and he didn’t want her to escape and expose him.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, confirmed the incident during a telephone chat with our correspondent on Thursday.

Aya said the deceased was reported missing, prompting the police to action, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

He said, “The case of a missing person was reported to the police and our officers swung into action, leading to the arrest of the suspect, Jeremiah Paul, a 21-year-old 100-level student of Federal University, Lokoja. He was arrested on Wednesday and when interrogated, he said he kidnapped the girl on September 4.

“The suspect said he kidnapped her and demanded a ransom of N400,000 from the parent. According to him, after collecting the money, he strangled the girl and mutilated her body. He then buried her body in the Lokoja area. Yesterday, Wednesday, he led the police to the scene where he buried the girl.”

A video shared on social media shows Jeremiah confessing to the crime, claiming it was his “first time.”

Aya however disclosed that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary.

“Investigation is still on to be sure if there are still other persons involved in the killing,” he added.

Man gets bail for alleged theft of pumping machine

admin
-
0
Man gets bail for alleged theft of pumping machine

An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District has granted bail to a 22-year-old man, Salaudeen Hassan, in the case of alleged stealing and breach of peace that he is standing trial over.

The Ekiti State Police Command had on Wednesday arraigned Hassan before the court for allegedly stealing a N90,000 water pumping machine.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Bamikole Olasunkanmi, alleged in court that the defendant, on September 5, at about 1 pm at the Misanjana area, in Ado Ekiti, conspired with another to commit the offence.

Olasunkanmi noted that “the defendant and two others at large on the same date, time and place, did steal a water pumping machine valued N90m, property of one Adeosun Yemisi.

“The defendant did conduct himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.

“The offence committed is punishable under Section 421, 302, 181(d) Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2021,” the prosecutor said.

Counsel for the defendant, Timothy Omotoso, urged the court to grant his client bail, saying he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Saka Afunso, granted the defendant bail of N25,000 with one surety in like sum.

The Chief Magistrate adjourned the matter to October 22 for a hearing.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According to.

Contact: [email protected]

Teenager nabbed for using nude photos to blackmail female friend

admin
-
0
Teenager nabbed for using nude photos to blackmail female friend

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 18-year-old Michael Ogbugu for blackmailing and extorting a former secondary school classmate at the Orchid Estate in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

The victim, whose name has been withheld, was said to be having a video conversation with Michael when he took a screenshot of her nude picture.

Ogbugu then used the image to threaten and coerce her into sending more explicit photos and videos.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent in a statement on Thursday said the suspect also demanded sex and money from her parents.

He added that the victim’s sister reported the incident to the police, leading to the suspect’s swift arrest.

The statement read, “On September 11, at about 12 pm, a female resident of Orchid Estate, Lagos, came to the station and reported one 18-year-old Michael Ogbogu, who was a secondary school mate to their sister at college at Igbo Efon in Lekki ( name withheld).

“She said that some time ago while the said Michael was having a video conversation with their younger sister, he used the opportunity to screenshot her nude picture. Ever since then, he had been using it to blackmail her to get more nude pictures and video and also to demand sex from her and to ask her to get money from her parents.”

Hundeyin further stated that the suspect has since made confessional statements after his arrest.

“The case is currently under investigation. Further development will be communicated,” he added.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According to.

Contact: [email protected]

21 passengers feared killed in Kaduna auto crash

admin
-
0
21 passengers feared killed in Kaduna auto crash

No fewer than 21 travellers are feared to have lost their lives in a devastating road accident that occurred on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on Thursday, According to Metro learnt.

Our correspondent gathered that the tragic incident involved a truck and a passenger Hummer bus heading to Kano and Batsari town in Katsina State.

An eyewitness who spoke on the condition of anonymity told According to Metro that the accident happened near a route diversion, where all motorists were forced to drive on a single lane.

He said the driver of the articulated vehicle fled the scene, leaving it behind and another container truck, which blocked the busy highway.

“The accident occurred close to a route diversion which forced all motorists from the two opposite directions to drive on a single lane,” he said.

An official of the Federal Road Safety Commission, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Three passengers survived the accident and were rushed to the Umaru Musa Memorial Hospital in Sabon-Wuse town for medical attention. The remains of the victims were deposited at the hospital’s morgue.”

“The accident is a wake-up call for all of us to be more careful on the road,” said a motorist who witnessed the accident. “We need to exercise caution and patience while plying the route.”

The FRSC and police authorities have yet to confirm the incident.

The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Tafa Division, Kagarko LG of Kaduna State, Idris Ibrahim, was said to be compiling a report on the incident.

Our correspondent gathered that the tragic accident caused a significant build-up of traffic on the expressway, with motorists stranded for hours.

The incident highlights the need for improved road safety measures and enforcement to prevent such tragedies.

The authorities urged motorists to exercise caution and patience while plying the route, as efforts are being made to clear the wreckage and restore normal traffic flow.

Blind mother’s missing kids found in Lagos after 10-month search

admin
-
0
Blind mother’s missing kids found in Lagos after 10-month search

Two-year-old Excel Forte, the daughter of a visually impaired woman, Agnes who was reported to have gone missing on November 28, 2023, while in the company of her step-sister, Joy, has been found.

According to Metro reported that Agnes raised the alarm over the disappearance of Excel from their residence in the Akowonjo area of Lagos State.

Agnes said she was in the room when the 13-year-old Joy and Excel were both playing along the corridor of their apartment.

She said he could no longer hear their voices after a while, and attempts to locate their whereabouts since then had been unsuccessful.

Speaking to our correspondent on Monday, the mother of the twins confirmed that they were eventually seen at an orphanage home in the Bariga area of the state.

She said efforts to locate them since the incident proved abortive until her mother-in-law got a call from the orphanage home indicating their presence in the facility.

She said, “We have kept searching for them since they left home and all our efforts were not successful. This was until my mother-in-law reached out to us and told me that she received a call from someone who informed her of the whereabouts of the children. She said they promised to get back to her and they later called again and said the kids were in their orphanage around Lady Lak in Bariga.”

The husband, John, said the two kids were found wandering about when a police officer rescued them and took them to a welfare centre.

He further stated that, upon getting to the location, Joy decided to conceal details about herself.

He said, “I went to the orphanage and saw them there. I was told they were seen wandering about at Ago Palace Way the second day they left home and were approached by a policewoman who interrogated them and took them to the Alakara Police Station. It was from there that they were brought to the orphanage home.

“But when they got there, Joy did not disclose anything to them about her background and where she came from until about three months ago when she decided to reveal details about herself to them and that was how she gave them the contact of my mum.”

John disclosed that it took him weeks before the orphanage could release them to him as he had to perfect some documents, including a court order granting their custody to him.

When asked if Joy disclosed reasons for her actions, the father said she had yet to.

I have asked her repeatedly but she did not disclose any reason for her action. When we thought she was speaking to a strange person before she left home with her sister that day, she said it was her grandma that she was talking to.”

1...422423424...2,808Page 423 of 2,808
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv