The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Three killed in Ife clash

    Three killed in Ife clash

    No fewer than three people were reportedly killed in Ile-Ife, Osun State, yesterday, following violent clashes that greeted the released results of the House of Assembly poll.

    It was gathered that supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) engaged each other in the clash in several Ife neighbourhoods.

    However, the identities of the deceased could not be confirmed at the time of filing the report but unconfirmed reports said two people were killed in Gbodo Area of the ancient town.

    The two victims of Gbodo clash were said to be siblings of a notable politician in the area, whose house was also razed during the crises.

    Investigation revealed that the clash, which started in the downtown spread to Enuwa, not far from the Ooni’s Palace.

    It was further gathered that dangerous weapons, including cutlasses and charms were freely used by the hoodlums.

    Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, was said to have summoned leaders of the two political parties to plead with them to allow peace in the town.

    Police authorities could not comment on the incident as mobile phone of the police spokesperson, Folasade Odoro, was not reachable.

  • Gunmen attack lawmaker-elect

    Gunmen attack lawmaker-elect

    Some unidentified gunmen last Thursday reportedly attacked a House of Representatives member-elect, Mr Oghene Egoh, in Lagos.

    Egoh told The Nation that the gunmen trailed him from Federal Palace Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos to Mile 2, where he was reportedly attacked around 10pm.

    Egoh said he hid himself inside his car, praying to avoid being hit. His car’s side glasses were shattered.

    Egoh said he was saved by occupants of a car in front of him, who came down to ascertain what was amiss when his driver hit them from behind.

     He said: “The two cars were trailing us, unknown to me, but my driver was driving fast; one was pursuing us, the other was trying to block us. I had to caution my driver, not knowing what was happening.  Orile was free until we got to Mile 2, very close to the bus stop, there was traffic around. I just heard ‘gba! gba!’ only to discover that my car side glasses had been shattered completely. I tried hiding in my vehicle, praying to God.

    “Unfortunately for my attackers, my driver hit a vehicle in front. The owners of the vehicle, four of them, came out but those who attacked us ran, thinking that they were part of my security.”

    Egoh said he escaped in a Coaster bus going to Okokomaiko, adding that he alighted at Alakija bus stop before joining another bus to Area “L” Police Command to report the case.

    He thanked God for saving his life.

    Egoh said: “The attackers were saying ‘we have been looking for you, we have been looking for you. You think you can escape from us,’ but they did not mention who sent them.”

    He said nothing was taken from him.

  • ‘Why did they watch him die?’

    ‘Why did they watch him die?’

    HAA! It is like a dream that my brother is gone. Why couldn’t people rescue him? Why? Why did they watch him die?”

    These were the words of the grief-stricken sister of Tajudeen Smith (32), an electrical engineer, who was killed by a train at Cappa near Oshodi, Lagos on Wednesday.

    At his family’s Ijegun, Lagos home yesterday, sympathisers gathered, discussing the tragedy.

    His sister, who refused to mention her name, described her brother as intelligent.

    Lamenting the circumstance of Smith’s death, she said: “I learnt his phone was stolen at the scene. I knew he lacked peace of mind in his home but I never knew he was depressed,” she said.

    The late Smith’s mother, a family member said, was about to eat when she received the news.

    She said:”Maami couldn’t eat the food when she heard the news. As I speak, she hasn’t tasted anything. It is indeed a sad incident.”

    Those who came to sympathise with the bereaved family whispered that Smith had been complaining about having problems at home.

    His elder brother, Gbenga, said he saw his brother a day before he died.

    “I was on my way home on Tuesday around 10.30pm when I saw my brother. I told my wife who was with me that my brother didn’t look happy. I couldn’t come down from my car, thinking I was going to see him the following day. If only I had a strong feeling about my brother’s demise, I would have spoken with him.

    “Fate dealt us a cruel blow. Of all my siblings, he was the most intelligent. I don’t want to blame anyone; I just know destiny prevailed. I just pray God continues to protect the daughter he left behind, “he said.

    He said he got an ambulance immediately he learnt about the accident, adding that his brother died before they got to the scene.

    When our correspondent visited the late Smith’s office in Ilupeju, Lagos, all was quiet.

    His boss, Alex Ogunmokun, an engineer, said he had lost a dedicated staff, adding: “He worked with me for five years and I had no issue with him. He was honest to a fault. I am short of words. We all miss him.”

    A colleague, who declined to give his name, said the late Smith hadn’t been happy lately. “We rushed to the rail track when a stranger traced our office with his identity card. I was stupefied when I saw his lifeless body. He kept complaining about facing some challenges at home. I know he was lost in thought. His body was intact. I miss my jovial friend. He impacted positively in my life,” he said.

    It was learnt that Smith was buried at the Ahmadiyya Cemetery in Lagos.

    He is survived by his widow and a child.

  • Architect dies as train runs over his legs

    Architect dies as train runs over his legs

    A fast moving train yesterday crushed a man to death at Cappa near Oshodi in Lagos.

    The deceased described as an architect, it was learnt, was on his way to his office at 17, Esther Osiyemi Street in Ilupeju, Lagos.

     A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who was inside the train, said the man was standing on the rail track oblivious of the fast approaching train.

    The Abeokuta-Lagos-bound mass transit train was leaving its Oshodi station for Mushin when the accident occurred.

    The train driver was said to have hooted repeatedly as he approached the railway crossing at Ilupeju Bye-pass for clearance of the track.

    According to the eyewitness, the victim, who had his earphone on, was apparently carried away with what he was doing.

    “Obviously the man was not aware of the approaching train even as it blasted its horn, perhaps because of the earphone. Before he knew it, he was already hit by the train and was not given any chance to escape.

    “Immediately he was hit, the body was mangled as the train dragged it along,’’ the eyewitness said.

    Bystanders raised their hands over their heads in pity for the victim.

    “The man has suddenly and unwittingly lost his life to sheer carelessness,’’ a passenger said.

    Another eyewitness said the victim whose name was simply given as Smith just alighted from a commuter bus and wanted to cross the rail line.

    “As he made attempt to cross the track, some guys tried to stop him but thinking they wanted to rob him, he shrugged himself off but sadly as he tried to turn, the train smashed his legs,” the witness said.

    It was gathered that Smith has died before an ambulance came to take his body.

    Another eyewitness who identified himself as Semiu said the victim was probably lost in thought when the accident occured.

    Semiu said: “I work opposite his office. When his colleagues heard about his death, they all closed for the day. His death is really a great loss. He was a gentle man and he didn’t talk much.”

    Smith, it was gathered had just wedded and had an eight-month-old child.

    According to NAN, it was not the first time a moving train would crush to death people standing on the rail track.

    A woman was killed at Shogunle GRA railway crossing in 2006 another person was killed in 2007 at Oshodi.

  • Man jailed six months for phone theft

    A 20-year-old man, Olanrewaju Salami, was yesterday sentenced to six months imprisonment by an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for stealing a mobile phone.

    Salami, who resides at 5, Bolade Street, Oshodi, was convicted for robbing a pedestrian at a BRT park in Oshodi.

    He pleaded guilty to the offence which the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Oyakhire Akintola, said contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

    Akintola told the court that the convict and the second defendant, Taiwo Odunasi, 19, robbed Mr Adedeji Falana of his Techno mobile phone.

    Odunasi, who initially pleaded guilty, later changed his plea.

    The prosecutor said Salami and his group attacked their victim on March 6 at 3pm and snatched the phone valued at N4,000.

    Akintola said Salami and Odunasi were apprehended following the alarm raised by passersby.

    “They were handed over to the police by some pedestrians, who overpowered them,” he said.

    Magistrate A.R. Onilogbo said: “Upon the facts before this court and confirmed reports, I hereby sentence you to six months imprisonment without an option of fine.”

    Onilogbo granted Odunasi N5, 000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    The case was adjourned to April 21.

  • Trader pours ‘acid’ on neighbour

    Trader, Samson Amaechi, appeared yesterday before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly attempting to murder one Chukwuemeka Okorie by pouring acid on him.

    Amaechi, 22, who lives at 9, Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute Meta, Lagos, was arraigned on a two-count charge of unlawful attempt to kill and causing grievous harm.

    Police prosecutor Feddy Asu said the accused committed the offence on March 27.

    Asu said the accused poured acid on the private parts, chest and back of Okorie in an attempt to kill him.

    He said Okorie, who had been accommodating Amaechi in his house and shop, had complained that the accused refused to contribute to the house upkeep and other responsibilities.

    “A fight had ensued between the duo and neighbours living around them had mediated. However, the accused was still nursing some grudges against his host and then decided to bath him with acid in the early hours of March 27, ‘’ Asu said.

    He said the offence contravened Sections 228 and 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

    Magistrate E.O. Ogunkanmi granted the accused N200,000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    He adjourned the case till Sept. 9.

  • Church donates to less privilege

    The Evidence Church, Ladipo, Lagos, has donated foodstuff and clothes to the Lagos Chesire Homes and Services in Mushin, Lagos.

    Leader of the delegation, Pastor Paul Adeniyi, said the visit to the physically challenged was to commemorate the church’s third anniversary.

    Adeniyi urged the children to embrace the love of God.

    He said: “This is the third anniversary of our church and interestingly it falls on Easter. God gave the world the greatest love and it needed to be felt. We decided to extend the same love to the physically challenged. We brought bags of rice, tubers of yam, beans, salt, diesel, noodles, caprisone and clothes.”

    He enjoined well meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the children.

    “I am aware there are a lot of people God has blessed in this country; these children should be encouraged. The fact that they are physically challenged doesn’t mean they are not capable. Their potentials are greater and with God by their side, they have a better chance,” he said.

    The Caregiver of the home Basirat Joseph commended the church for taking time to visit them.

    Joseph urged Nigerians to come to their aid.

    “We don’t have enough space here. We need accommodation. If we have a spacious place, we are willing to accommodate more,” she said.

  • Man, 33, accused of stealing N250,000

    A 33-year-old man, Sunday Sheme, was yesterday arraigned before an Ota Magistrate’s Court in Ogun State for allegedly stealing a plasma television and other valuables worth N250,000.

    Sheme, who resides at 28 Owolabi Street, Iyana Iyesi in Ota, is being tried on a two-count charge of stealing and burglary.

    Prosecuting police Sergeant Lydia Omatahunde told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 28 at 11:15am at 22 Olugba Street, Iyana-Ilogbo, Ota,

    Omatahunde said the accused broke into the house of one Mr Fowomola Abiodun and stole a plasma television and other valuables worth N250,000.

    She said the accused was caught in the act and handed over to the police.

    Omatahunde said the offence contravened Sections 411 (2) and 390 (9) of the Revised Law of Ogun State, 2006.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Folarin Iroko granted sheme  N100, 000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    Iroko said the surety must reside within the magisterial district and produce evidence of one-year tax payment.

    He said the surety should swear to an affidavit of means and submit four passport photographs to the court.

    The case was adjourned till April for hearing.

  • ‘Frustration led me to drug trafficking’

    ‘Frustration led me to drug trafficking’

    •Suspect relives why he became courier

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested six persons at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, with 16.51kg of narcotics.

    The drugs include 10.27kg of cannabis, 1.31kg of methamphetamine and 4.93kg of cocaine. Two of the suspects were bringing cocaine from Brazil; two were taking methamphetamine to Tanzania and South Africa; one was taking cannabis to Doha, Qatar and the only female among them was going to Madrid, Spain with cocaine.

    NDLEA commander at the airport Hamza Umar said one of the suspects was found with liquid cocaine in body cream; another excreted wraps of cocaine on a plane.

    “We just arrested six suspected traffickers with drugs weighing 16.51kg including liquid cocaine.

    The suspects are Nwodo Anthony found with 3.260kg of liquid cocaine concealed in body cream from Brazil and Ikebalum Ogochukwu, who excreted 36 wraps of cocaine weighing 570 grammes.

    Madu Okey was caught with 975 grammes of methamphetamine while going to Tanzania. Nnadobe Anthony’s attempt to smuggle 335 grammes of methamphetamine to South Africa failed.

    Okoye Kelvin was caught smuggling 10.27kg of cannabis to Doha; the female suspect, Nwaokolo Omari was caught exporting 1.670kg of cocaine to Madrid.

    Okey (54) said he is a novice in drug trafficking.

    “I own a boutique in Nairobi, Kenya. My friend lured me into drug trafficking. This is my first time and I was arrested due to my inexperience. I regret my action”.

    Omari (32), mother of three, said she wanted to make quick money but was not lucky.

    “I buy and sell clothes. I lived in Spain for about a decade. I came back to Nigeria because of financial hardship. I do not have enough money to go back to Spain. This was how I found myself in drug trafficking. The most painful aspect of my arrest is that I told my friend to look after my children for a few days. By my calculation, I thought I could quickly smuggle the drugs to Spain and return within one week. I felt so bad when the drug was detected at the airport,” she said.

    Ogochukwu (31) said his problem started when he excreted cocaine while on the flight.

    “Life has been difficult for me. I met a Brazilian who decided to assist me. He gave me cocaine and paid for my ticket to Nigeria. He promised to pay me N1 million to start any business of my choice. My problem began when I excreted the drugs while on the flight,” he said.

    Anthony (32) said: “A friend gave me a bag to send to South Africa. When I got to the airport, 11 sachets of methamphetamine were found inside the foodstuff. That was how I got involved. Now I am suffering alone while my friend is on the run.”

    Nnamdi (37) said he has no regrets for his action.

    “I have worked and suffered as a casual labourer in Doha for two years and I was desperate to change my status. When you are frustrated, you can do anything. I took a risk but I was not lucky,” he said.

  • Traders: why we shunned insurance

    Traders: why we shunned insurance

    •’Operators not sincere’

    Traders are averse to insuring their properties despite suffering heavy losses in fires in Lagos in the past one month, it has been learnt.

    Traders, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), lost goods worth billions of naira to fires which gutted five markets.

    According to NAN, many of the traders said they would not insure their businesses because the insurers were not sincere.

    Mr Lekan Oguntunde, the market leader of Oluwagbemi Market on Lagos Island, said most insurance companies did not pay claims in time whenever tragedy occurred.

    He said: “The experience of few of our members that registered with them is unpleasant. These insurance companies are diligent in collecting premiums but when it is time for compensation, they will start demanding for unnecessary things.

    “One of our members was asked to bring receipts for goods bought many years before the fire that gutted his shop.’’

    A fire victim at Ereko Market on Lagos Island, Mrs Remix Bakinson, said Nigerians lacked confidence in insurance companies.

    Bakinson said she stopped insuring her business five years ago because she did not see the need for it.

    “All that insurance people are concerned about is the collection of premiums, after that, nothing else. At least, they should be able to tell us what happens to the money if no losses are recorded after a period of time,” he said.

    Mr Silva Okereke, leader of fabric sellers at the market, said he distrusted insurance companies because of their high premiums, especially, for comprehensive insurance.

    According to Okereke, the companies demand up to N500,000 yearly on businesses valued at N5 million.

    He said: “This is just too high; some of us collected loans from the bank to float our businesses and we are still repaying with interest. We pay almost five million naira per annum as rent on our shops; this is apart from other expenses.

    “So, it will be good if insurance companies can bring down the premium they demand.”

    Mr Olanrewaju Onigemo, Secretary-General of Electronics Market Traders Association at Alaba, Lagos, said insurance operators had not been visiting them regularly.

    “The last insurance company that was here came five years ago and we introduced the company to our members, afterwards we did not see them again.

    “Our members lack enlightenment; they find it hard to inculcate other things into their business apart from buying and selling.

    “Also, Insurance operators ask too many questions and are not sincere; so they can hardly get five out of 100 persons selling here at Alaba, to buy their policies,’’ Onigemo said.

    He urged insurance companies to mobilise and penetrate the markets.

    Mr Mohammed Abdul, Secretary-General of Perishable Food Sellers Association at Mile 12 market, said it was wrong to force people to take an insurance policy.

    Abdul said some traders had not taken up any policy because of their religious beliefs.

    Reacting, President of the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) Mr Godwin Wiggle said it had taken measures to encourage people to accept its policies, especially in micro-businesses.

    “We have developed robust micro insurance products that will address the needs of market people,’’ Wiggle said.

    Mr Ayodapo Shoderu, President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), said the council was working hard to promote high ethical standards among its members.

    Shoderu said the council will not defend any member that violates insurance broking operation standards.

    “Let me reiterate the call for compulsory insurance for all Nigerian markets and public edifices, as enshrined in the legal provision under Insurance Act 2003 (Sections 64 and 65) of insurance of public buildings,” he said.