Metro News Archives - Page 13 of 21

Tension As Thugs Kill Reinstated Osun LG Chair Amid Crisis

February 17, 2025 by admin

Suspected thugs have reportedly shot and killed Remi Abass, the recently reinstated Chairman of Irewole Local Government in Osun State. The sad development occurred on Monday as Abass arrived at the council secretariat with his supporters, sources revealed. Armed assailants, believed to be thugs, ambushed the group, leading to the fatal shooting. Meanwhile, security forces, including personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), have apprehended several individuals suspected of involvement in the violence. Efforts to reach Osun State Police spokesperson, SP Opalola Yemisi, for confirmation proved unsuccessful, as she neither answered calls nor responded to messages. The incident follows recent political tensions in Osun State, where Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier accused the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of attempting to incite unrest. Adeleke alleged that Oyetola, leveraging his ties as President Bola Tinubu’s nephew, was issuing unauthorized directives to security agencies to facilitate the reinstatement of sacked local government chairmen. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, the governor warned that the alleged plot, if executed, could plunge the state into turmoil. He insisted that President Tinubu, whom he described as a true democrat, would not support actions that could lead to bloodshed. Adeleke clarified that the affected council chairmen had been removed based on two Federal High Court rulings before he assumed office, countering claims that his administration was responsible for their dismissal. He called on the president and the public to intervene, warning that the abuse of power by certain political figures could destabilize the state.

Oyo Pensioners Hail Makinde For Restating Commitment To Retirees’ Welfare

February 13, 2025 by admin

IBADAN – Pensioners from all geopolitical zones of Oyo State, on Thursday, converged on the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, in their hundreds to appreciate the state governor for turning around their fortunes through the recent review of pensions in the state. The pensioners, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Council, stated that the review has made Oyo State pensioners the highest paid state pensioners in the federation. This was as the NUP, South-West Zonal Council, also lauded Governor Makinde for the review of pensions, which led to the payment of N25,000 as minimum pension to the least paid pensioner, the factoring of 33 per cent pension increase of 2010, the consequential adjustment of 2019, 20 per cent of pension increase and part of N32,000 minimum wage across board for Oyo State pensioners. The South-West NUP, in a letter dated 12th February, 2025 and signed by its chairman Comrade Waidi Oloyede and secretary, Comrade Sunday Akin, expressed its gratitude to the governor. Speaking at the appreciation rally, the Secretary of the NUP, Oyo State Council, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, in a speech entitled “Resurrected Pensioners in Oyo State Appreciate Engr. Seyi Makinde” praised the governor for changing the plight of pensioners. He maintained that the governor started on a great note when he assumed office in 2019 by paying gratuities that were “criminally held down for a whole eight years,” started paying pensions on the 25th of every month and crowned the efforts with the latest review of pensions after all entreaties to previous administrations failed. He said: “16 years before you took over the mantle of government in Oyo State, pensioners had no government that was sympathetic and empathetic to their plights. Gratuities were not paid as and when due, pensions of those times were withheld or paid in instalments and all entreaties to the governments fell on deaf ears, resulting in massive deaths of our members. “At one point, Oyo State pensioners were referred to as dead people and in actual fact, we were dying like fowls afflicted by Newcastle disease. When you contested for the first term, we just wanted anybody that would liberate us from the shackles of death and we went ahead to vote enmasse for you. We did the same thing when you threw your hat into the ring for a second term. “You have not disappointed us. Our pensions became regular; you started paying our gratuities that were criminally held down for a whole eight years because we were alleged not to have voted for them. “During those locust years, extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which stipulated that pensions should be increased were jettisoned outright by past administrations. This culminated in some of our members earning between N350-N1,000 as monthly pensions. All entreaties to those emperors fell on deaf ears. “The only respite we had was a token review of pensions 18 years ago, with increases in pensions from 2007 to 2019 sniggered at by past governors. Our union began its legitimate pressure for the implementation of pension increases when you became governor and you took time consulting widely on how to go about reviewing the stagnant pensions. “We know all bucks stop on your table and because we know you are kind, humane and compassionate to the pensioners, our letter to you struck humanity in you, resulting in your approval that the least paid pensioners in Oyo State should now earn N25,000 per month. “You didn’t stop there, you directed that all pension increases since 2007 be factored into the pensions of affected pensioners, culminating in unprecedented increase of pension of our members. This increase is unprecedented in the annals of pension review in Oyo State and the first of its kind in the whole of the federation.” In his response, Governor Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, said that his government would continue to remain committed to the welfare of pensioners and improvement of their standard of living. The governor commended the pensioners and their leadership for showing gratitude to his government, stating that his government knows the importance of prioritising the welfare of pensioners, who had contributed 35 years of their lives to the development of the state during their active service years. He noted that in 2019, the gratuities and pension arrears owed by past administrations were to the tune of about N61 billion, but his government has been able to offset a huge chunk of the debt, declaring that the administration would offset the debt before the expiration of its second tenure in May 2027. He said: “Actually, what happened this morning was quite unprecedented in the sense that, in my experience, pensioners have never come to express appreciation to any government. “So, this is quite unprecedented and it is because of what this administration has done for them in terms of improving the welfare of pensioners in Oyo State. “You would have observed when Comrade Abatan indicated that before now, pensioners were receiving between N350 and N1,000 and that the last time a pension review was undertaken was during the administration of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala. Since then, there have not been improvements in their pensions until now. “What we did as an administration was to look at all the circumstances — socio-economic and others and to say, okay, what will be the living pension for our pensioners? So, we fixed what we consider as a living pension which, in fact, was enough averagely for our pensioners. “To that extent, they felt they must come and show appreciation. What they have done this morning was a testament of appreciation, which would also make the government look into other areas where they can have advantage.” In attendance at the appreciation rally were the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Hon. Segun Olayiwola; … Read more

Nasarawa Police Command In Shock As Constable Shoots Self To Death

February 11, 2025 by admin

A Police Constable under the Nasarawa State Police Command, identified as Dogara Akolo Moses, has allegedly taken his own life over yet-to-be known challenges. Moses, who was earlier seen by colleagues that fateful day going about his normal duties at the Mada Station Division of the command in the Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the state, was said to have later shot himself to death in one of the offices without leaving any suicide note. The sad incident that occurred on Tuesday, February 4, left many of his colleagues and sympathisers in shock as they were yet to know the motives for his action. However, an eye witness told Arewa PUNCH that the officer went into a private room and shot himself and the sound of the gun prompted all officers on duty to run to the scene only to meet the deceased lying in the pool of his blood. “Colleagues of the deceased who were outside the apartment heard the loud bang of the gunshot, prompting them to rush inside, where they found the officer lying on the floor with his gun beside him,” he said. Confirming the incident to Arewa PUNCH, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Nasarawa State Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, explained that the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of the deceased were still unclear. Nonetheless, he assured that the command was working hard to unravel the true situation of the circumstances s surrounding his death. “Since the incident occurred, we have been following up on the matter to know exactly what transpired. Investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the officer’s action,” he added. Punch

Pictures: Gas Explosion Destroys Properties Worth Millions In Niger

February 9, 2025 by admin

A gas plant explosion engulfed a facility in Niger State on Saturday night, February 8, 2025, at about 11pm destroying properties worth millions of naira. The incident occurred beside Kalasma Filling Station in Sabon Wuse, along the Kaduna Expressway, during a gas transloading operation from a trailer tanker to a surface tank. Both the trailer and the gas plant were completely burnt, along with a car belonging to Abubakar Yakubu, which was parked nearby. The fire also spread to the Ngeil Grains Processing Factory, where 550 bags of beans and six bags of soya beans were destroyed. Confirming the incident on Sunday, February 9, 2025, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said no lives were lost. “At about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, 8th February 2025, Tasiu Gas Plant beside Kalasma Filling Station in Sabon Wuse exploded and burst into flames. “The incident occurred during transloading of gas from a trailer tanker to a surface tank. Both the trailer and the gas plant were completely burnt, along with a car belonging to Abubakar Yakubu. “The fire also gutted Ngeil Grains Processing Factory, destroying hundreds of bags of beans and soya beans. “As of the time of filing this report, no lives were lost, and the fire has been brought under control,” he said. Emergency responders managed to contain the inferno, but the damage remains extensive. Recall that there were two successive explosions in the state towards January ending – the fuel tanker with almost a hundred persons death toll and the one of illegal mining explosives storage. Punch

Great Ife Movement Condemns Alleged Illegal Installation Of Baales By Ogunsua Of Modakeke In Ife Forest Reserve

February 8, 2025 by admin

The Great Ife Movement (GIM) has raised the alarm over an alleged illegal attempt by the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola, to install Baales (village heads) in Toro, Oyere-Famia axis and the Ife Forest Reserve (F3) all located within Ife North Local Government Area, of Osun State. Speaking at a press conference held at the Oba Okunade Sijuade Memorial Hall, Enuwa, Ile-Ife, over the weekend, the President of GIM, Comrade Femi Oyeyinka warned that this move could provoke unrest in Ifeland if not urgently addressed. The GIM President acknowledged the past efforts of the Osun State Government under the able leadership of Asiwaju of Ede, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke, the traditional leaders, and peace committees, particularly the Osun State Boundary Adjustment Commission (OSBAC) under Justice Adekunle Adeigbe (Retd.), in maintaining harmony between Ife and Modakeke. The group also praised the role of the Ife/Modakeke Peace Committee, led by elder statesman Pa Sheik Saka Fawole, in preventing conflicts that could have led to bloodshed. However, Oyeyinka stressed that Ife lands, including Toro, Alapata, Oyere, Onibambu, and Oduranyin, traditionally belong to Ife families and fall under the jurisdiction of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. He noted the reported attempt to install Baales in these areas as an “act of trespass” and an “affront” to the Ooni’s authority. He further alleged that Modakeke leaders have been provoking Ife residents by making territorial claims and leveraging political influence. He called on the Osun State Government, security agencies, and relevant authorities to intervene and prevent any actions that could disrupt the fragile peace in the region. “We appeal to the state government, law enforcement agencies, political leaders, and respected monarchs to swiftly stop this unlawful act before it leads to a crisis,” Oyeyinka stated. The situation remains tense as stakeholders await official responses from the government and traditional authorities.

INEC To Pay N1.12bn To Family Of Man Killed By Driver

February 4, 2025 by admin

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to pay N1.12bn in compensation to the family of one Mike Madu, killed by an INEC driver in Imo State. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment on Friday, ordered INEC to pay the N1.12bn with 10 per cent interest per annum from the date of judgment until the final or full payment is made. In addition, the judge ordered INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, and other defendants to send a letter of condolence to the late Madu’s family. “An order is hereby made for the defendants to pay the cost of prosecuting this action. This shall be the judgment of this court,” Justice Ekwo added. The plaintiff, Augustine Madu, filed the suit on behalf of the Umudurugwu, Umuokwe, Awo-Omamma community in Oru-East Local Government Area of Imo State. The amended writ of summons, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1074/2019, listed INEC, its Chairman, the INEC Commissioner in Abuja, and an INEC escort driver, Hassan Abdul, as the first to fourth defendants, respectively. Augustine filed the suit on September 18, 2019, seeking four reliefs, including an order for the defendants to pay N1.12bn in compensation to Madu’s family for the unlawful termination of his life. In his statement of claim, Augustine described his deceased brother, Mike Madu, as a successful businessman born on June 9, 1970, to the late John and Chioma Madu in Awo-Omamma, Imo State. He said Abdul, an INEC staff member and driver under the office of the national commissioner, was responsible for the fatal accident that claimed Mike’s life on June 16, 2019. On September 10, 2019, the deceased’s family resolved to take legal action against the defendants. Augustine noted that his brother frequently travelled between China and Nigeria, often accompanying Chinese investors to facilitate business opportunities. On one such trip, Mike was escorting two Chinese investors to explore investment prospects in the Enugu State Free Trade Zone. During their journey on the Itobe-Anyigba Expressway in Kogi State, their Lexus car, driven by Ega Chukwudi of Auto Star Transport Company, collided with a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser Jeep driven by the fourth defendant, Hassan Abdul. The Toyota, occupied by Abdul and a police escort, Sgt. Usman Abdullahi, lost control, swerved into the opposite lane, and crashed into the Lexus in a head-on collision. The Land Cruiser then somersaulted into a bush and caught fire, while the Lexus sustained heavy damage. Mike sustained severe injuries and died, along with one of the Chinese investors, Huang Hia Yan. The victims were taken to Holley Memorial Hospital in Ochadamu Village for medical attention, while the deceased were later transferred to Kogi State Specialist Hospital Mortuary. The surviving Chinese investor, Qu Xin Dong, was admitted to the same hospital, while Chukwudi, the Lexus driver, was treated at Enugu State Orthopaedic Hospital. Abdul and his police escort received treatment at Holley Memorial Hospital. A police report dated July 16, 2019, concluded that Abdul’s reckless speeding was the cause of the accident. On July 10, 2019, the Kogi State Chief Magistrate Court ordered a post-mortem examination of the deceased. The plaintiff later obtained a warrant to bury his brother and the deceased investor. Augustine lamented that throughout this period, INEC and its officials showed no concern or remorse for causing Mike’s death. Punch

Five-Year-Old Sets Building On Fire While Playing With Matches In Kwara

February 4, 2025 by admin

A five-year-old boy on Monday reportedly set a duplex building on fire while playing with match sticks in Ilorin, Kwara State capital. The incident happened at Abiodun Adebiyi close, off Yidi Road, Irewole area Ilorin in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state. One of the rooms in the duplex was completely burnt and property destroyed before men of the state fire service arrived at the scene to rescue the building from complete destruction, an eyewitness told Punch Online. The witness, who identified himself as Lanre Abdulrazaq, and said that he was doing a menial job in the area, said, “We just noticed that thick smoke was oozing out of the building; we raised the alarm to sensitise people around for a rescue operation. “We did not know the cause of the fire but later we saw the fire service who arrived and contained the fire.” However, the spokesman for the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, who confirmed the fire, said the incident was caused by a five-year-old boy who was playing with matches that he unknowingly dropped on a combustible material that escalated the fire. Adekunle, a principal fire officer and head of Media and Publicity in the state fire service, in a statement issued on Monday night said, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by a five-year-old boy playing with matches, who inadvertently dropped a lit stick on combustible material, igniting the flames. “On Monday, 3rd February 2025, at about 17:32 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service received a distress call regarding a fire outbreak at Abiodun Adebiyi Close, Off Yidi Road, Irewolede Area, Ilorin. “Our gallant firefighters sprang into action, arriving swiftly at the scene to find one room in a five-bedroom duplex engulfed in flames. “Through sheer expertise and technical precision, the team worked fervently to contain the fire, ensuring it did not spread to other rooms or nearby buildings. Thanks to their exceptional skill and coordination, only one room was affected. . “The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, commended the firefighters for their swift and tactical response. “He urged the public to prioritize fire safety and advised parents to keep matches away from children, emphasizing that a single matchstick could destroy an entire building.” Adekunle said that the State Fire Service remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property through professionalism and rapid emergency response. Punch

Court Sentences Killers of Ogun Couple, Son To Death By Hanging

February 3, 2025 by admin

An Ogun State High Court sitting in Kobape, Abeokuta, the state capital, on Monday sentenced Lekan Adekanbi, Ahmed Odetola, and Waheed Adeniyi to death by hanging for the murder of Kehinde Fatinoye, his wife, Bukola Fatinoye, and their son, Oreoluwa, on January 1, 2023. The couple was attacked at their Ibara GRA residence shortly after returning from a crossover service. Led by their driver, Adekanbi, the assailants invaded their home at about 2am, killing them before setting the house and their bodies on fire. They also tied up their son, Oreoluwa, and an adopted son before throwing them into the Ogun River. Oreoluwa did not survive, but the adopted son miraculously escaped. During an interview with journalists in February 2023, Adekanbi confessed that he orchestrated the attack because the Fatinoyes refused to increase his salary or grant him a loan. “I took the step because the couple refused to increase my salary, and when I approached them for a loan to buy a motorcycle, they didn’t oblige,” he admitted. He revealed that he invited two accomplices, Odetola and Adeniyi, to help him rob the couple. “The three of us waited for the couple until they came back from the crossover service. We pounced on them immediately after they entered the house,” he said. According to him, they forced Kehinde Fatinoye to transfer N1,102,000 to his Access Bank account at gunpoint after a previous transfer attempt to Odetola’s Kuda Bank account failed. “When I realised that my identity had been exposed through my bank account, I decided with others to terminate the lives of the couple,” he confessed. Adeniyi then used a knife to slaughter Kehinde Fatinoye, while Adekanbi struck Bukola Fatinoye on the head with a sledgehammer, killing her instantly. When the couple’s son, Oreoluwa, and their adopted son, Felix Olorunyomi, walked in, the criminals tied them up and threw them into the Ogun River. Felix managed to escape. The Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, recounted how Adekanbi initially escaped from custody after faking an illness. “The suspect, Lekan Adekanbi, suddenly collapsed in the cell on January 2, 2023, and was rushed to the hospital for medical care. But while receiving treatment, he suddenly jumped from the bed and escaped through the hospital fence,” Oyeyemi said. Following a technical and intelligence-driven investigation, police tracked him to his brother’s house in Iseyin, Oyo State. Although he had fled before officers arrived, he was later arrested in Abeokuta on January 21, 2023. His accomplices, Odetola and Adeniyi, were arrested in Ogere on February 9, 2023. “The three suspects, who are members of the Aiye confraternity, have all confessed to their roles in the gruesome and callous murder of the family,” Oyeyemi stated. Adekanbi, Odetola, and Adeniyi, along with six others, were charged with 24 counts, including conspiracy to commit armed robbery, murder, arson, and perverting the course of justice. They pleaded not guilty. Delivering her judgment, Justice Basirat Adebowale ruled, “The trio of Adekanbi, Odetola, and Adeniyi are guilty of nine counts because the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.” Adebowale sentenced them to death by hanging. “You, Adekanbi, Odetola, and Adeniyi, for killing a father, mother, and son, do not deserve mercy. You are hereby sentenced to be hanged by the neck until you are dead or by lethal injection. May God have mercy on your souls,” she declared. Other sentences included: Temitope Fadairo (Adekanbi’s wife) to two years imprisonment for hiding her husband, Adenike Adekanbi (Adekanbi’s mother) to one-year imprisonment for providing false statements to the police, Azeez Usman (the welder who dismantled the stolen vehicle) to 14 years imprisonment for receiving stolen property, plus additional sentences to run concurrently, Anuoluwapo Owolaja to two years imprisonment, Abass Odetola and Lukmon Adewusi were discharged of all charges. During the trial, Chief State Counsel, Adefisoye Temilola, told the court that the trio committed the crime at Karounwi Street, Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta. “The defendants, while armed with a gun, hammer, and cutlass, robbed Mr. Fatinoye of N1.102 million and a Hyundai vehicle worth N12 million. They also robbed Mrs. Bukola Fatinoye of her phones valued at N1 million,” Temilola said. After robbing the couple, Adeniyi used a knife to slaughter Kehinde Fatinoye, while Adekanbi struck Bukola on the head with a sledgehammer. “They set the house ablaze and killed their only son, Oreoluwa, by tying his hands and legs and throwing him into the Ogun River, leading to his death,” she concluded.

Babcock Varsity Worker, One Other Die In Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash

February 3, 2025 by admin

The Ogun State Police Command on Sunday reported an accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at about 7:15am just before Danco Filling Station, claiming two lives while five others were severely injured. The crash involved a Toyota Sienna space bus with registration number EPE 430 HT driven by one Adewale Yusuf and a stationary luxury bus with plate number KTU 835 XY belonging to Young Shall Grow Transport Company and driven by Chukwudi Ilo of Anambra State. The spokesperson for the state police command, Chief Superintendent of Police, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Sunday. Odutola said “Investigations revealed that the luxury bus had stopped in traffic behind other vehicles due to a minor accident ahead when the Toyota Sienna, coming at high speed, lost control and crashed into its rear. “As a result, five passengers in the Sienna bus sustained severe injuries and were rushed to Live Well Hospital, Sagamu while two male passengers, identified as Charles Izuchukwu, a staff member of Babcock University, and another unidentified male occupant, succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. “The deceased were deposited at Last Home Green Mortuary, Sagamu while the driver of the Sienna bus and two other injured passengers are receiving medical attention.” However, the Motor Traffic Department promptly responded to the scene, documented the incident, and cleared the wreckage to restore normal traffic flow. Both vehicles have been towed to the MTD Office, Sagamu, for further investigation and inspection by the Vehicle Inspection Officers. Meanwhile, the command has continued to emphasize that reckless driving, excessive speeding, and negligence remain major causes of road crashes. The police also listed factors significantly contributing to accidents including driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, use of expired or substandard tires, lack of focus, and disregard for traffic regulations as well as prioritizing financial gain over passengers’ safety. The command has therefore urged all motorists, particularly commercial drivers, to exercise caution, adhere to speed limits, and avoid reckless behaviours that endanger lives. Drivers were also warned against substance abuse and must ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on any journey. The police said they remained committed to enforcing traffic regulations to reduce road fatalities and that any driver violating road safety rules would face legal consequences. The public has also been encouraged to report reckless drivers and unsafe road conditions to the nearest police station or road safety officers.

BREAKING: Four Feared Dead, Others Injured As Driver Rams Into Soldiers In Lagos

January 31, 2025 by admin

Four soldiers attached to the Myoung Barracks in the Morocco area of Shomolu in Lagos are feared dead, and others were injured after a suspected drunk driver rammed into them. PUNCH Online gathered that the driver rammed into the soldiers during their monthly road jogging outside the barracks in the early hours of Friday. Speaking with our correspondent, an eyewitness named Priscilla, who lives in the area, said the Toyota vehicle had three young men as the occupants, running at full speed before ramming into the soldiers. She said after the accident happened, the young men attempted to run away but were apprehended and beaten while their vehicle was vandalised. According to the eyewitness, one of the young men was stabbed. She said, “The incident happened in the early hours of this morning when the soldiers were doing their monthly morning road walk when the young men rammed into the soldiers in front of the barracks. “Four of the soldiers were dead, and many of them were seriously injured. After the incident, the boys attempted to run away but were apprehended and mercilessly beaten to a stupor while their vehicle was vandalised. Also, one of the boys was stabbed by the soldiers. “The incident has caused panic among the residents in the area.” As of the time of filing this report, the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Olabisi Ayeni, and the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, have yet to respond to the messages sent to their phones. More to come… Punch