Metro News Archives - Page 2 of 21

Fire Guts Lagos Hotel

August 15, 2026 by admin

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said its response team had successfully contained a fire outbreak at Purple Crown Hotel on Balogun Street, along Awolowo Road, Ikeja, Lagos, with no casualties reported. The LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the fire incident, which was reported at 9:52 am, affected a room on the first floor of the hotel. Oke-Osanyintolu stated that the agency’s Tiger Squad, working with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Nigeria Police, arrived at the scene within 10 minutes of receiving the distress call. “Upon arrival, responders discovered that a room on the first floor of the hotel had been severely affected by fire,” he stated. According to the PS, preliminary investigation suggested that “the fire may have been triggered by an electrical fault within the affected room.” He added that the incident caused significant fire and smoke damage to a section of the building. The PS noted that there was no loss of life or injury, adding that all hotel guests and staff were safely evacuated to a designated muster point. “There was no loss of life and no injury recorded. All hotel guests and staff were safely evacuated from the building to the designated muster point,” the statement said. He added that a roll call was conducted under the supervision of the response team and police officers “to account for all occupants and confirm their safety.” According to him, the fire was brought under control and completely extinguished through the joint efforts of LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the police. “The joint operation focused on containing the fire, preventing further spread to adjoining rooms, and ensuring the safety of both occupants and responders,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. He noted that following the incident, access to the entire building was restricted as a precaution because of the volume of smoke and the extent of the fire damage. The statement said the affected section of the hotel remained cordoned off “pending a detailed structural and electrical integrity assessment by relevant authorities.” “The situation is now fully under control. The fire has been extinguished and the immediate danger neutralised. “Normal operations will only resume upon clearance from safety officials.” The PS commended the emergency responders for what it described as the “speed, professionalism and inter-agency collaboration” displayed during the operation, saying the swift response “prevented escalation and protected lives and property.” He urged hotel operators, facility managers and business owners to prioritise regular electrical maintenance, install and service fire suppression equipment, and ensure that staff were trained on emergency evacuation procedures. “Compliance with the Lagos State Safety Commission. Commission guidelines remains non-negotiable,” the statement added. He also urged members of the public to remain calm and report emergencies promptly through the Lagos State emergency toll-free lines: 112, 767 or 08000 112 112. PUNCH Online reported on Monday that LASEMA responded to separate fire outbreaks in Igando and Anifowoshe, Ikeja, with no loss of life recorded in either incident. Oke-Osanyintolu had stated that response teams attended to multiple emergency incidents across the state between Sunday evening and the early hours of Monday. The first fire occurred at about 7:37 pm on Sunday at 23 Shaba Ojo Street, near Omolade Bus Stop, Igando, while the second fire incident was reported at about 11:30 pm at 61 Abeokuta Street, Anifowoshe, Ikeja.

Fire Razes House in Kwara as Arson Suspected

August 8, 2026 by admin

Arson is suspected to be behind a fire outbreak that destroyed a room in a three-bedroom apartment in Iluteju Community, Irewolede area of Ilorin, Kwara State, on Saturday. The fire, which occurred around 1:07pm at C76, Iluteju Community, was quickly contained by personnel of the Kwara State Fire Service, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building. The agency confirmed this in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Hassan Adekunle, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH in Ilorin. According to Hassan, the suspicion of arson followed information gathered from sympathisers and community members who were at the scene of the incident. “According to information gathered from sympathisers and members of the community at the scene, the fire was suspected to have been deliberately set,” he said. The spokesperson added that the room affected by the fire was the only one in the building furnished with furniture, while the other rooms had been emptied of their contents. “According to information gathered from sympathisers and members of the community at the scene, the fire was suspected to have been deliberately set,” he said. The spokesperson added that the room affected by the fire was the only one in the building furnished with furniture, while the other rooms had been emptied of their contents. He also said the building had already been disconnected from electricity, ruling out power supply as an immediate source of ignition. Hassan, however, noted that the cause of the fire remained subject to further investigation by the appropriate authorities. “The affected building had already been disconnected from the power supply, further ruling out electricity as an immediate source of ignition, subject to further investigation by the appropriate authorities,” he stated. The Fire Service urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities that could lead to fire outbreaks or endanger lives and property. The Chief Fire Officer, Muhammed Alabi, commended the firefighters for their prompt response and urged residents to continue providing accurate and timely information to the service during emergencies.

Woman Rescued After Plunging Into Lagos Lagoon

August 4, 2026 by admin

A woman was rescued by local fishermen after she reportedly jumped into the Lagos Lagoon from the Idumota-Carter Bridge. The incident occurredWoman Rescued After Plunging Into Lagos Lagoon on Tuesday afternoon, according to a video by X.com user, #ChuksErice. In the video, the woman was seen sitting in a wooden canoe after being pulled from the water, while a fisherman paddles the canoe away from the bridge. The woman appeared disoriented as she sat in the canoe following the rescue. Passers-by who gathered on the bridge could be heard reacting to the incident and questioning what might have prompted the woman to jump into the lagoon. A woman speaking in Yoruba was heard asking, “What were you thinking to that extent?” A man was also heard saying, “I can never kill myself because of thinking,” while another person responded, “Pray to never be in that position.” The circumstances surrounding the incident and the woman’s condition after the rescue had not been disclosed as of the time of filing this report. The video generated reactions on X, with some users expressing concern over the woman’s safety and what may have led to the incident. Reacting to the video, an X user, James JERRY, asked why the woman had been left alone in the canoe after being rescued. “But why is she alone? What if she jumps again? The man is paddling his canoe, who will help out, then?” he wrote. Also reacting, Kingkosec described the rescue as having both positive and negative implications for the woman. “Worst and best thing that can happen to anyone is to be rescued like her. Worst for not fulfilling your wish, best that you will still live again,” he wrote.

Oloolu Festival: TikToker Breaks Silence Over Alleged Masquerade Filming

August 3, 2026 by admin

The female TikTok content creator at the centre of the controversy surrounding the annual Oloolu Masquerade Festival in Ibadan, Oyo State, has denied reports that she filmed the sacred Oloolu masquerade, insisting that she neither recorded the revered traditional figure nor died as widely speculated on social media. Speaking via telephone during an interview on Lagelu FM’s Ibi Aye N Lo programme hosted by Adesoye Omotosho on Monday, the woman, identified as Wasilat, also dismissed rumours of her death. “I am not dead. I did not capture the Oloolu masquerade. May I not be implicated; I did not record Oloolu. “What happened that day, last Thursday, around the Oremeji axis, I don’t know what prompted me to go to our shop because I was at home. “When I got to the shop, I didn’t even open it. I just stayed in front of the shop because we had packed up from that area. “When I saw people passing, I saw an Amotekun vehicle passing. Oloolu did not even pass through that route. “So I filmed it and posted it on social media. Everyone in the TikTok comment section asked me to delete it. The following day, while I was at the shop, they came to meet me there. “I do not know why the eyewitnesses on Thursday did not defend me. I don’t know who came up with that agenda, but I know God will judge,” she said. The incident sparked widespread reactions after videos surfaced online showing her undergoing traditional cleansing rites at the Oloolu compound. Speaking with PUNCH Online on Monday, the spokesperson to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Adeola Oloko, said the woman did not record the sacred Oloolu masquerade itself but mistakenly captured Alawo Oloolu, a figure associated with the Oloolu tradition. “She did not capture Oloolu; she mistook it for Alawo. We contacted the Mogaji of the Oloolu compound, and he confirmed that a woman who mistook Alawo of Oloolu for the real Oloolu masquerade captured it on the street,” Oloko said. He added that after uploading the footage, the woman reportedly developed unusual health challenges, prompting her family to seek intervention from the traditional custodians. “After posting it, she realised the blood in her body began to dry. So her family reached out to the Oloolu people immediately, and they attended to her in accordance with the tradition of the land. “We have told people to obey simple instructions; women are not supposed to see Oloolu, but out of curiosity, she disobeyed,” he said. Oloko, however, said he could not verify claims circulating on social media that the woman disguised herself as a man to secretly record the procession. “I cannot confirm she disguised herself as a man. Those are accounts on social media. But she took the footage or photo on the street,” he added. Videos circulating online showed what appeared to be a public traditional cleansing ceremony, with the content creator surrounded by traditional worshippers. She was seen with her head shaved, dressed in red garments and participating in rituals, while giant African snails and a ram were reportedly presented as part of the prescribed rites. Another video also showed what appeared to be a goat slaughtered during the ceremony, while social media users claimed her mother appealed to the traditional custodians for mercy on her behalf. Meanwhile, Ibadan-based content creator, Ayo Adams, who visited the Oloolu compound, said officials confirmed the woman was alive and recovering. The annual Oloolu Festival attracts traditional rulers, worshippers, cultural enthusiasts and visitors from across Yorubaland. The festival features prayers, rituals, sacrifices, drumming, dancing and processions aimed at honouring ancestors while seeking peace, protection, prosperity and communal wellbeing. PUNCH Online had also reported that the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland released the movement schedule for the 2026 Oloolu Masquerade Festival, detailing the communities the masquerade visited between July 28 and July 30.

One Dies, 39 Feared Missing in Jigawa Boat Tragedy

July 20, 2026 by admin

The Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed that one person has been found dead, while 39 others are still missing after a boat carrying farmers capsized in the Malamawar Yan Dutse community of Ringim Local Government Area, Jigawa State. The Command said the incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday when a local boat conveying more than 40 passengers, mostly female farmers and labourers, capsized while in transit, leaving many trapped in the water. Boat accidents have remained a recurring tragedy in parts of northern Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season, often attributed to overloading, the non-use of life jackets and strong water currents. The incident has thrown the Malamawar Yan Dutse riverine community into mourning as families anxiously await news about the fate of their loved ones. Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, said the police received a report of the capsize and immediately deployed officers and other relevant agencies to the scene. Speaking with PUNCH Online via telephone on Monday, Adam said one body had been recovered, while search and rescue operations were ongoing. He stated that efforts were continuing to locate the remaining 39 passengers who were still unaccounted for. According to him, the Command is working with other emergency agencies to thoroughly search the area, assuring that further details would be made public in due course. Also confirming the incident, the Director of Planning at the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency said the victims were mostly female farmers and labourers travelling to their farms when the boat capsized. He said the exact cause of the accident had yet to be established, adding that an assessment was still ongoing. He said, “Hands are on deck as combined efforts continue to determine the exact number of those rescued or missing,” adding that casualty figures could not be confirmed yet as operations continued. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Ringim Local Government Emergency Management Committee, Habibu Dauda, said local divers and residents had joined emergency responders in the search operation. Habibu urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information, assuring that an official update would be issued once rescue operations yield clearer information.

Suspect in Viral Abuse Video Arrested, 18-Year-Old Classified as Child – Activist

June 23, 2026 by admin

Human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, has disclosed that the suspect accused of assaulting an 18-year-old woman in a viral abuse video has been arrested and is currently in police custody. He further stated that the young woman was taken away while still a child and that her father had no knowledge of any purported marriage involving her. Gwamnishu disclosed the development in an update shared on Instagram on Tuesday, stating that preliminary findings also indicated that the lady identified as ‘Chisom’ was 15 years old when her relationship with the suspect reportedly began. The update follows a disturbing video that surfaced on Monday showing a visibly injured young woman, said to be an 18-year-old wife. The footage showed the woman with apparent facial injuries as a man identified as her husband exchanged words with neighbours who confronted him over the alleged abuse. A separate video later surfaced showing the woman at what appeared to be a hospital alongside Gwamnishu. In the clip, the activist spoke about plans to secure the man’s arrest, but the young woman pleaded against such action. Providing an update, Gwamnishu said, “Preliminary findings indicate that Chisom was only 15 years old when the relationship between her and the man reportedly began.” He said he initially considered backing down after Chisom pleaded with him not to pursue the suspect’s arrest. “Yesterday, while she pleaded with us not to arrest the man claiming to be her husband, I almost backed down. However, something in me said, ‘Harrison, involve your Lagos team,’” he wrote. According to him, members of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation’s Lagos chapter intervened, after which the suspect was handed over to the Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Headquarters. “The suspect was handed over to Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Headquarters, his statement was obtained, he was detained, and officers also visited Chisom at the hospital,” Gwamnishu stated. The activist further disclosed that he received a call from a relative of Chisom’s father, who claimed the young woman was taken away alongside her siblings after her mother’s death when she was seven years old. “Earlier today, I received a call from a relative of Chisom’s father, who narrated that Chisom was taken away after her mother died. She was just seven years old when members of her late mother’s family took her and her three siblings away,” he said. According to Gwamnishu, the relative told him that Chisom’s father became depressed after losing his wife and having his children taken away from him, and that family members had not seen Chisom and two of her siblings until the viral video surfaced online. “They also stated that he was never aware of any marriage involving Chisom and the man now claiming to be her husband,” Gwamnishu added. He said the organisation would continue to support the young woman as investigations progress. “Why we cannot abandon 18-year-old Chisom. Her case is unusual, and she is deeply traumatised. Despite everything she has been through, she still needs support, protection, and understanding,” he wrote. Gwamnishu added that his Lagos State Director, Nta Amarachi Judith, was actively following up on the matter while the organisation awaited the outcome of the police investigation.

Chimamanda Adichie Raises Cover-Up Allegations Against Lagos Hospital Following Son’s Death

June 13, 2026 by admin

Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has published a letter she wrote to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos, accusing the hospital of orchestrating a cover-up in the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi Adichie-Esege. Adichie shared the letter, dated April 16, 2026, on her Facebook page on Saturday, saying she decided to make it public “because to keep silent about Euracare’s evil is to enable it.” In the letter, the author alleged that the Medical Director of Euracare, Dr Tosin Majekodunmi, visited the family at their Ikoyi home on January 8, the day after Nkanu’s death, and admitted that the anaesthesiologist, Dr Titus Ogundare, had not followed the standard of care. According to the letter, Majekodunmi told Adichie on January 6 that Ogundare had given Nkanu “too much propofol” — words she described as his exact statement to her after she saw him rush into the catheterisation laboratory where the child was. She said the director accepted full responsibility and promised to dismiss Dr Ogundare. However, she alleged that he subsequently stopped communicating with the family, stating that Euracare management had taken over and effectively silenced him. Adichie further alleged that Euracare listed bacterial and fungal meningitis as the cause of death on Nkanu’s death certificate, a claim she described as inaccurate. “When Nkanu came to Euracare that morning for tests, he was conscious and talking and interactive. He was sick but he was not critical,” she stated. She added that the certificate must be corrected to reflect what she believes was the true cause: improper sedation, hypoxic brain injury, and cardiac arrest. The author also alleged that a senior figure in Euracare’s ownership sent a message to a family relative warning that she should not pursue court action because “bad things may be said about her since court cases are about winning and anybody would do anything to win.” Adichie described the message as “manipulative and implicitly threatening.” “They can drag all they wish in the mud, but our quest for justice will continue,” she said. On the ongoing inquest, Adichie noted that it was Euracare itself that first applied for a coroner’s inquest in January, citing “rumours of negligence.” She said the hospital has since deployed delaying tactics and is now seeking to stop the inquest entirely. “If Euracare cares about the truth, then why create delays and distractions and now, finally, try to stop an inquest?” she asked. The Lagos State High Court, on May 26, granted Euracare leave to challenge the jurisdiction of the Coroner’s Court, ordering a stay of the inquest proceedings pending the determination of a judicial review application filed by the hospital. The Coroner’s Court subsequently adjourned the matter to October 8, 2026. The Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro (SAN), and the Chief Coroner of Lagos State have since filed a preliminary objection urging the High Court to dismiss Euracare’s application, describing it as incompetent, premature, and an abuse of court process. Nkanu, the older of Adichie’s twin sons, died on January 7, 2026, following complications during sedation procedures at Euracare. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria subsequently suspended Dr Ogundare and Dr Majekodunmi, alongside the Chief Medical Officer of Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr Atinuke Uwajeh, pending disciplinary proceedings. Euracare had not responded to Adichie’s post as of the time of this report.

Truck Carrying Breweries Products Worth Millions Crashes On Mokola Hill, OYRTMA Issues Warning

June 11, 2026 by admin

Millions of naira worth of products belonging to Nigerian Breweries were destroyed on Thursday when a truck conveying the goods suffered a mechanical failure and lost control while ascending the Ori-Oke Mokola hill in Ibadan, Oyo State. The incident occurred along the busy route linking Mokola with the Cultural Centre axis of the Oyo State capital. A commercial tricycle, popularly known as Keke Maruwa, was also damaged in the accident, although no casualty was recorded. Speaking at the scene, the General Manager of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), Commander Ayoade Adeoye, attributed the accident to a mechanical fault that developed while the truck was climbing the steep hill. According to Adeoye, the vehicle had encountered a similar problem on the same route about five days earlier, prompting intervention by traffic management officials. “The truck developed a fault while climbing the hill leading to the Cultural Centre, Ori-Oke Mokola. It had experienced a similar problem on this route about five days ago. While efforts were being made to move it, the vehicle suffered another mechanical failure and lost control together with the goods it was conveying,” he said. Adeoye disclosed that a substantial quantity of the brewery products was destroyed in the incident, resulting in losses estimated at millions of naira. Despite the magnitude of the accident, he expressed gratitude that no life was lost. “To the glory of God, no life was lost. We only recorded damage to a Keke Maruwa, and fortunately, there was no driver or passenger inside the tricycle at the time of the incident,” he added. The OYRTMA boss noted that the affected road serves as a major commercial corridor and economic hub in Ibadan, making it vital to business activities within the state. He explained that traffic movement along the route would be temporarily restricted to allow for the evacuation of the truck and clearance of the wreckage. “The route leads to Ori-Oke Mokola, which is a major business and economic hub in Oyo State. The road will be temporarily blocked while clearance operations continue. We have placed caution tapes around the area and deployed officers to manage traffic and direct road users,” Adeoye stated. He assured residents and motorists that efforts were underway to restore normal traffic flow as quickly as possible. “By tomorrow morning, everything should have been removed and normal traffic restored,” he said. Adeoye also issued a strong warning to operators of heavy-duty vehicles, advising them to avoid the steep Mokola hill route due to the risks involved. “We advise truck drivers not to use this hill again. It is a very dangerous route for heavy-duty vehicles, and we do not want future incidents that could result in loss of lives,” he warned. Residents and motorists were urged to cooperate with traffic officials and comply with safety directives while the clearance operation continues.

Oriire School Attack: Protest Erupts in Ibadan as NUT Begins Indefinite Strike

June 1, 2026 by admin

Tension heightened in Oyo State on Monday as members of the Take-It-Back Movement took to the streets of Ibadan to protest the deteriorating security situation and the prolonged captivity of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area. The protest came barely 24 hours after the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, directed public primary and secondary school teachers across the state to embark on an indefinite strike over the abduction of their colleagues and pupils. The demonstrators converged on Mokola Roundabout, one of the busiest junctions in Ibadan, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs while demanding urgent action from government and security agencies to secure the release of the victims and curb rising cases of kidnapping in the state. Some of the placards displayed during the protest bore inscriptions such as, “Security for all, not for a few,” “Government must end kidnapping in Oyo State,” “We demand safer roads and communities,” “Protect farmers, traders and students,” and “Peace, security and justice.” Speaking during the demonstration, one of the protesters said residents were becoming increasingly frustrated by the persistent insecurity across the country. “Let them know that the people of Nigeria are not at peace. Let them know that the people of Oyo State are not smiling. Let them know that the Nigerian people are fed up with insecurity,” the protester declared. The protest followed growing public outrage over the abduction of pupils, students and teachers during attacks on schools and surrounding communities in Ahoro-Esiele area of Oriire Local Government Area. The victims were reportedly kidnapped after armed men invaded the schools and nearby communities, triggering widespread fear among residents, parents and education stakeholders. Family members of the abductees have repeatedly appealed to the Oyo State Government and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and ensure the safe return of their loved ones. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, in a statement issued on Sunday by its Oyo State Chairman, Hassan A. Fatai, and Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode, directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in the state to withdraw their services beginning Monday, June 1, 2026, until further notice. The union said the directive became necessary due to the continued captivity of the abducted teachers and pupils, as well as growing fears over the safety of teachers and learners across the state. According to the statement, the prolonged detention of the victims has created anxiety among teachers, discouraged parents from sending their children to school and heightened tension in affected communities. The NUT stated that the industrial action was intended to draw urgent attention to the need for government authorities and security agencies to intensify efforts toward securing the release of the abductees without delay. “The union urges all teachers to comply fully with this directive, remain law-abiding and stay safe in their respective homes throughout the period of the strike,” the statement read in part. The union also reaffirmed its solidarity with the abducted teachers, pupils and their families, assuring members that engagements with relevant authorities would continue until the victims regain their freedom.

Tragedy in Oyo as Two Die in River Plunge

May 30, 2026 by admin

The Oyo State Fire Service has recovered the bodies of two passengers following an accident in which a vehicle plunged into the Ariyo River at Amuloko in Ona Ara Local Government Area on Friday night. The incident involved a Toyota Avensis with an unknown registration number, which reportedly lost control and veered off the road into the river. In a statement on Saturday, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed that the victims had been recovered and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force. “A distress call was received at exactly 21:40hrs on Friday, May 29, 2026,regarding a road traffic accident involving a Toyota Avensis with an unknown registration number that lost control while in motion and plunged into a nearby river,” the statement said. He added that fire officers were immediately deployed to the scene after receiving the alert through a phone call. “Immediately the information was received, fire officers led by ACFS Amoo promptly mobilized to the scene. On arrival, it was confirmed that the vehicle had swerved off the road and submerged in the river,” Akinwande said. He said the rescue team carried out recovery operations and successfully retrieved two casualties from the submerged vehicle. “The rescue team immediately commenced the operations by applying all necessary rescue operational procedures and successfully recovered two casualties from the vehicle,” he said. The victims were later handed over to police officers led by ASP Adesuwa Sesan of the Ogbere Target Police Station in Ibadan for further investigation. Akinwande said the fire service had responded promptly to the emergency and completed the recovery operation in line with standard procedures.