The Nation Newspaper

Tag: burnt

  • How Delta community bled and burnt over a little matter

    How Delta community bled and burnt over a little matter

    It was a quiet Saturday evening in Olomoro town, Isoko South council area of Delta State. Everything was as normal until a ‘power drunk’ vigilante head started a little war, which consumed him, got some people killed, properties worth millions of naira destroyed and turned a bubbling community into a ghost town. In this piece, BOLAJI OGUNDELE writes of the ‘little matter’ that set fire on a whole town.

    •Relics of the destructions left behind by the vigilante mob
    •Relics of the destructions left behind by the vigilante mob

    It all started like a mere skirmish; an argument between two men over a young lady who claimed to her boyfriend that the other guy ‘had been toasting’ her, leading the lovestruck boyfriend to sue for a physical combat. In the process, the leader of the town’s vigilante group intervened, bragged a bit about how he was authorised to kill and so on. It sure raised dust and unsettled the environment. However, it has now led to about three deaths and desertion of a hitherto bubbling community.

    “The most annoying part of the whole thing is that the two guys who were arguing over the girl took no serious part in this crisis. If the situation had been allowed to take its natural course, I mean if Oyibo (the vigilante head) had not rushed into the argument and started that fight that took his life, probably people living in about five houses away from the scene at Egbo might not have even heard about any disagreement in their neighbourhood; but see now, the entire town has been put to flight because a boastful ignorant man could not stay on his own lane. He had looked for trouble, killed himself, got others killed and scattered the whole town”, said Ajiri Thompson while describing the events of last weekend in his now deserted Olomoro home town in Isoko South council area of Delta State.

    He said: “There’s this girl who is befriending a guy, she was once wooed by another guy. So it happened last Saturday that as the girl and this her boyfriend were passing,  she saw the other guy pointed him to her boyfriend as the guy, who had been disturbing her. The boyfriend went up to meet the guy and asked why he was disturbing his girlfriend. An argument ensued and people were trying to settle them.

    “In this process, the leader of the vigilante group in Olomoro, known as Oyile or Oyibo, came in and laid hands on the guys that he was arresting them. He was taking it beyond normal and this attracted the attention of other people who were drinking around. One of the guys who came to appeal to Oyile to release the guys was one guy called Omo Jesu and because Oyile was holding the guys tight, the people had to loosen his hold on the guys. As his hands fell off the guys he was holding, the scuffling guys left the scene and this angered Oyile. You know he’s the commandant of the vigilante, he just went straight for Omo Jesu, asking why he came to interfere and loosen his grip on the guys. That led to another faceoff, almost getting the two men to the point of throwing punches. People around, however, came to settle the matter and everybody dispersed.”

    Meanwhile, all this drama between Oyile and Omo Jesu, according to reports, happened at Doctor’s Bar, where Omo Jesu had gone to eat and he was with some of his friends, one of whom is one guy called Obaro. Oyile sighted all of them. These all happened earlier in the day like 4pm. Later in the day, Oyile returned to Egbo, chanting all manners of threats, calling himself Ogbu, which means killer and threatening that he was going to kill somebody.

    “When he was returning there, he had prepared himself, wearing charms and carrying a dagger. By the time he got there, Omo Jesu had left, the first guy he saw was the one called Joshua, he pursued him and stabbed him. They said he continued bragging to be Ogbu, that he was in the mood to kill. At that point, the Omo Jesu guys that he was threatening also got resolute and dared him. He then went after Obaro, fought with him and stabbed him in the stomach. No sooner he was stabbed than Obaro pulled his native shirt, tied his stomach and went after Oyile. As Oyile tried to flee on his motorcycle, Obaro sighted a wood, picked it and used it to hit Oyile. As Oyile fell from the machine, Obaro continued to hit him with the wood until he died.”

    Some of the guys with Obaro reportedly took him to a hospital, but by then the whole town had heard about the death of Oyile. This cast a dark pall of fear on the town particularly residents of Olomoro. The vigilante boys launched a reprisal attack against the families and loved ones of Obaro. But before the angry youths got to Obaro’s home, news had reached his family and his mother and siblings took off, leaving his father, who was reported  insisted on playing ‘brave heart’ in the face of impending doom.

    On getting to the house, the mob descended on Obaro’s father and gave him a sound beating. Then they took him with them to Egbo, the exact spot where his son beat their commandant to death. There, the vigilante squad beat Obaro’s father to death.

    After killing his father, the vigilante squad headed back to Obaro’s abode and set it ablaze. That done, they headed for Omo Jesu’s abode with intent to kill him as well, but Omo Jesu reportedly took off before they arrived. The assailants broke into his apartment, parked his effects out and set them on fire. Then they headed for his family house and razed it down as well.

    Joshua, the first man to be stabbed by Oyile was next on the list but he also fled before the squad got to him. In his absence, the rampaging vigilantes also levelled his house in anger. Afterwards, they went to Oruabe, one of the three quarters of Olomoro, destroyed the house of the uncle of one other boy, who is a friend of Omo Jesu. All these happened on Saturday.

    On Sunday morning, the orgy of vengeance was reenacted; the assailants began to destroy property and shoot sporadically in the air thus creating an atmosphere of  chaos. It was at this point that security agents, including the police and the army, decided to intervene. They repelled the rampaging gang and the latter retreated to reinforce and confront the security forces. They were however, overwhelmed by the law enforcement agents and their gang leader, identified as ‘Planner’ and a few other members were arrested.

    Authorities of the 222 Battalion, Agbara-Otor, refused to comment on the incident but the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, Celestina Kalu (DSP), confirmed that suspects were arrested concerning the unrest but he could not give the exact number of those arrested.

  • Five vehicles burnt in restaurant fire

    Five vehicles and a restaurant were burnt in a fire, which consumed a panel beater’s workshop at mechanic village, Nsukka in Enugu State.

    Also at the weekend, three persons died and four were injured in an accident on Abakiliki Road, near Idodo Bridge, Amechi Idodo Enugu.

    The police are investigating the incidents.

    Enugu Command spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said the fire started at night when no one was at the shed, spreading to the vehicles brought for repairs and the restaurant. He said fire service personnel, who were alerted, put the fire out.

    The accident was between a trailer coming from the Abakiliki end and a car registered EKY 38 CE, also from Abakiliki.

    The trailer was said to have hit the car, which was trying to overtake it.

    Three persons died on the spot and four were injured.

    They have been hospitalised at the Annunciation Hospital, Emene.

    The deceased have been taken to the hospital’s mortuary.

  • Burnt Sokoto market regains its vibrancy

    Burnt Sokoto market regains its vibrancy

    there was a reason Sokoto traders and residents despaired when the popular Kara Market went up in flames one year ago. It is one of the biggest markets in the state where most residents bought their livestock for festivities. Grains were also in good supply there. So when the fire came in February, traders wailed because they lost over N1 billion in goods. Their clients were equally worried.

    The gloom is over. The market is back to life, thanks to donations from government, corporate bodies and public-spirited individuals.

    The market, believed to be as old as the Sokoto Caliphate itself, attracts patrons from across Sokoto. Kara Market is also said to substantially boost the economy of the state.

    In its second life, the market is attracting more business and patronage than before, though not many believed it would recover from the inferno which reduced it to rubble.

    It is difficult to believe that market could record such a huge volume of traders hurtling to do business there.

    The market is known for a range of products which have distinguished the caliphate from others. The caliphate is famous for its hides and skin, among which are conference bags, wallets, purses, shoes, belts, among others. Also, several petty side businesses such herbs, wood, second-hand clothing are not in short supply in the market.

    One of the traders at the market Mallam Altine told The Nation that even though the market functions on a daily basis, it is always at its peak on Fridays. On peak days, the human traffic is always huge, with little or no space for smooth movement of any kind right from when the market opens in the morning till it closes in the evening.

    The trader said that the recent introduction of Sokoto Corps Marshals by the Aliyu Wamakko administration has also helped to regulate traffic flow in and out of the market to ensure smooth movement. With the presence of the Marshals, order is gradually being restored in the market. He disclosed that every proud Sokoto indigene believes that the market is a model and symbol of its cultural heritage.

    The market is also known for its elderly master calabash-makers who specialise in carving and design. They are mostly aged 60 and above, though you will still find younger craftsmen there. They produce all sizes and shapes with different designs. While some of the products look ordinary with little or no design, others are painted while some others are designed using fire and are fancied by visitors who buy them for use as gifts and souvenirs.

    Abu Dange, seen making calabash, told The Nation that he had been in the business for over two decades. According to Dange, those engaged in the business come from within and outside Sokoto State.

    He said, “We source some of our materials from Gumi in Kebbi State while others come from Kebbe in Sokoto State. I design all shapes and sizes of calabash for customers and sell at different prices”.

    He said further that the calabash come in two categories, pointing out that the designed ones are more expensive and sells between N1,000 and N1,500 depending on the size, while those without design sells between N300 and N500 each, depending on the size.

    Mamman Bala Mai Kwarya said his 60 years experience has kept him thriving in the calabash business, pointing out that he started making calabash as a young man.

    “My designs are excellent because I have the talent, while prices are unique because I offer customers quality work. I do traditional design especially for brides who use them for interior decorations in their homes. There is also one we do using paint of different colours to design them. The ones we design with fire attract more money than others,” he said.

    Kara market is one of the biggest livestock market in the region. Aminu Sarkin Yaki Mai Tumaki who claimed to have spent not less than 35 years in livestock business at the Kara market said most of the livestock particularly, rams and goats are brought in from neighbouring Niger Republic while some are sourced from within the state and Kebbi, he said.

    “We get some supply from Tambawal, Illela, Shinkafi and Goronyo. But those from Niger Republic are less expensive because they have them in large quantity and different species. Most buyers go for them and we don’t have any problem in transporting them to Sokoto, Nigeria because we adhere to the laws and we have a trusted association which helps the business to grow. Usually, at the end of the end year their prices are low because the supply is on the high side in the market. A ram the sells N50,000 during Sallah festival can go for as low as N30,000 or N25,000. Also, the prices of cows are moderate”.

    The traditional beauty of the livestock market for commoners remain tops with opportunities for middlemen (Dillalai) to participate in all bargains after which they collect commission on every sale. “This is the only avenue through which we feed and manage our families. Sometimes, I network my business from the village with those prospective sellers of their animals to make it easier for me,” said Malam Mudi DanWauru, who said he has been in the business for over 20 years as Dillali (middleman).

    Traditional pot making is not left out. These pots known in local palace as randa are commonly used for water storage, cooking as well as serves as flower pots. In the same vein, farmers from the 23 local government areas of the state patronise the market, bringing their goods and farm products for sale.

    Many described it as second to none in Sokoto State where the business of blacksmiths is also thriving and have produced modern iron gates by specialised welders. Some of the welders who are mostly young, energetic men, graduated through the skills acquisition training  programme instituted and boosted for youth empowerment by the Wamakko administration.

    Waste products collectors who go round town to pick from bins and assemble for buyers for eventual recycling are not left out. They assemble bottles, perfume and fragrance containers, used rubber products, iron, copper, minor spare parts, aluminum, pieces of roofing sheets, etc.

     

  • Burnt Sokoto market regains vibrancy

    Burnt Sokoto market regains vibrancy

    There was a reason Sokoto traders and residents despaired when the popular Kara Market went up in smoke one year ago. It is one of the biggest markets in the state where most residents buy their livestock for festivities. Grains are also in good supply there. So when the fire came in February, traders wailed because they lost over N1 billion in goods. Their clients were equally worried.

    The gloom is over, for the market is back to life, thanks to donations from government, corporate bodies and public-spirited individuals.

    The market, believed to be as old as the Sokoto Caliphate itself, attracts patrons from across Sokoto. Kara Market is also said to substantially boost the economy of the state.

    In its second life, the market is attracting more business and patronage than before, though not many believed it would recover from the inferno which reduced it to rubble.

    It is difficult to believe that market could record such a huge volume of traders hurtling to do business there.

    The market is known for a range of products which have distinguished the caliphate from others. The caliphate is famous for its hides and skin, among which are conference bags, wallets, purses, shoes, belts, among others. Also, several petty side businesses such herbs, wood, second-hand clothing are not in short supply in the market.

    One of the traders at the market Mallam Altine told The Nation that even though the market functions on a daily basis, it is always at its peak on Fridays. On peak days, the human traffic is always huge, with little or no space for smooth movement of any kind right from when the market opens in the morning till it closes in the evening.

    The trader said that the recent introduction of Sokoto Corps Marshals by the Aliyu Wamakko administration has also helped to regulate traffic flow in and out of the market to ensure smooth movement. With the presence of the Marshals, order is gradually being restored in the market. He disclosed that every proud Sokoto indigene believes that the market is a model and symbol of its cultural heritage.

    The market is also known for its elderly master calabash-makers who specialise in carving and design. They are mostly aged 60 and above, though you will still find younger craftsmen there. They produce all sizes and shapes with different designs. While some of the products look ordinary with little or no design, others are painted while some others are designed using fire and are fancied by visitors who buy them for use as gifts and souvenirs.

    Abu Dange, seen making calabash, told The Nation that he had been in the business for over two decades. According to Dange, those engaged in the business come from within and outside Sokoto State.

    He said, “We source some of our materials from Gumi in Kebbi State while others come from Kebbe in Sokoto State. I design all shapes and sizes of calabash for customers and sell at different prices”.

    He said further that the calabash come in two categories, pointing out that the designed ones are more expensive and sells between N1,000 and N1,500 depending on the size, while those without design sells between N300 and N500 each, depending on the size.

    Mamman Bala Mai Kwarya said his 60 years experience has kept him thriving in the calabash business, pointing out that he started making calabash as a young man.

    “My designs are excellent because I have the talent, while prices are unique because I offer customers quality work. I do traditional design especially for brides who use them for interior decorations in their homes. There is also one we do using paint of different colours to design them. The ones we design with fire attract more money than others,” he said.

    Kara market is one of the biggest livestock market in the region. Aminu Sarkin Yaki Mai Tumaki who claimed to have spent not less than 35years in livestock business at the Kara market said most of the livestock particularly, rams and goats are brought in from neighbouring Niger Republic while some are sourced from within the state and Kebbi. He said “We get supply some from Tambawal, Illela, Shinkafi and Goronyo. But those from Niger Republic are less expensive because they have them in large quantity and different species. Most buyers go for them and we don’t have problem in transporting them to Sokoto, Nigeria because we adhere to the laws and we have a trusted association which helps the business to grow. Usually, at the end of the end year their prices are low because the supply is on the high side in the market. A ram the sells N50,000 during Sallah festival can go for as low as N30,000 or N25,000. Also, the prices of cows are moderate”. The traditional beauty of the livestock market for commoners remain tops with opportunities for middlemen(Dillalai) to participate in all bargains after which they collect commission on every sale. “This is the only avenue through which we feed and manage our families. Some time, I network my business from the village with those prospective sellers of their animals to make it easier for me”, said Malam Mudi DanWauru who said he has been in the business for over 20 years as Dillali (middle man).

    Traditional pot making us not left out. These pots known in local palace as randa are commonly used for water storage, cooking as well as serves as flower pots. I the same vein, farmers from the 23 local government areas in the state patronize the market, bringing their goods and farm products for sale.

    Many describe it as second to none in Sokoto State where the business of black smith is also thriving and had produces modern iron gates by specialised welders. Some of the welders who are mostly young energetic men, graduated through the Skills Acquisition training  programme instituted and boosted for youth empowerment by the Wamakko’s administration. Interestingly, waste products collectors who go round town to pick from bins and assemble for buyers for eventual recycling are not left out. They assemble in large quantities e.g bottles, perfume and fragrance containers, used rubber products, iron, copper, minor spare parts, aluminum, pieces of roofing sheets etc.

  • Edo students apologise for burnt govt buses

    A coalition of tertiary students in Edo State has apologised to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the burning of a luxury bus belonging to the state government by some University of Benin (UNIBEN) students during a protest last week.

    The UNIBEN students were angry that the government demolished parts of the buildings some of their lecturers and former lecturers were staying.

    A High Court had ruled in favour of the state government in a suit between the government and UNIBEN authorities.

  • Ikimi’s burnt offering

    Ikimi’s burnt offering

    LAST week, Tom Ikimi, one-time political party chairman and former foreign affairs minister, and one of the architects of the amalgamation of parties that created the All Progressives Congress (APC), flamboyantly withdrew from his new party. Weeks ago, he had been expected to defect, possibly to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But so far, he is still in limbo, unable to determine just where to pitch his tent, or more logically, unwilling to disclose where we all suppose he is heading. In a tedious and justificatory eighteen-paragraph treatise, the last paragraph of which was even more laborious, he put the blame for his defection squarely on Bola Tinubu, whom he accused of recklessness, imperiousness and boastfulness. To salve his conscience, he also accused the party of purposing in its heart to present a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2015 presidential election, and of skewing its calculations to rely on the votes of the Northwest and the Southwest to clinch the presidency.

    Chief Ikimi is of course entitled to his opinion of the APC, and can pour scorn on its calculations and electoral projections, especially because he had been a longstanding member of the party’s precursors, the Action Congress (AC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He can skewer Asiwaju Tinubu with all the venom he can find, if that would make him happy. All these belong in the realm of politics and its science of shifting loyalties, allegiances, principles and personalities. If redoubtable conservatives like Senator Ali Modu Sheriff could join the APC, and a presumably natural progressive like former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau from the radical Kano school of politics could effortlessly transmute into conservatism without reference to either his conscience or his principles, no one should draw a presumptuous and supposedly impregnable Maginot line between the parties, or attempt to bar movements to and fro the parties. Indeed, Chief Ikimi may even feel justifiably offended by the undulating philosophy of the APC and by its abrasive members and leaders.

    Chief Ikimi, more than anything else, can resign his membership of the APC or any other organisation for that matter, and should not be deplored for doing so; and he can withdraw his membership any way he wants, as he daintily put it. But he must be careful not to distort facts or, more importantly, hide repugnant politicking beneath the swaddling and offending cloak of ambition. We are thankful he disclosed his ambition to lead the APC, for after all, he had once led the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the Third Republic. But that does not necessarily make him the most qualified man for that office, not even because he chaired the committee that birthed the APC. It was also more startling he insinuated that the man who eventually won the party chairmanship, John Odigie-Oyegun, was weak and malleable. Surely, horse trading is not alien to politics, particularly when it comes to leadership positions and party tickets.

    He has not indicated where he would go next. But should Chief Ikimi pitch his tent with the PDP, as Mallam Shekarau, Senator Sheriff, the capricious Fani-Kayode and others have done, it would be a self-defeating move. It would prove that fundamentally, most of Nigeria’s politicians lack the depth, knowledge and understanding required to succeed in both politics and leadership. Chief Ikimi and the other defectors must ask themselves why a misunderstanding within a party must ineluctably end in defection. Why could they not stay and fight it out, or bide their time until their worldview and perspective become ascendant? There are hundreds of examples in other parties elsewhere in the world: of principled leaders who lose favour in their parties or governments only to regain it sometime later. But by entering and exiting parties so casually, and to use Chief ikimi’s words, so recklessly, Nigerian politicians exhibit their superficiality, their avarice, their tentativeness, their fickleness.

    All the defections that have taken place in recent weeks, however, indicate that as civil rule takes root and democracy becomes entrenched, there would be movements up and down and sideways until the parties settle down and their philosophies and party principles ossify. Before then many reputations will be torn, and ambitions will collapse, but the wise politician will bide his time and take the sensible step at the right time. Neither Chief Ikimi nor any of his ilk, like Mallam Ribadu, has appeared to behave with the circumspection their names and positions suggest.

  • Three killed, houses burnt in renewed Nasarawa crisis

    The police in Nasarawa State said yesterday three people were killed in a renewed communal crisis in the state.

    Many houses were also burnt.

    Police Commissioner Shehu Umar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia, the state capital, that the clash was between suspected members of Ombatse and Alago groups in Obi Local Government Area.

    Shehu said the command had drafted a team of security personnel to the area to restore normalcy.

    He said: “Three persons were killed while many were injured during the clash. But so many houses, which we cannot account for, were burnt.”

    NAN gathered that the incident, which started on Thursday night at Angwan village, left the area deserted.

    NAN also learnt that many of the residents had sought refuge in neighbouring towns.

    The Nasarawa State Government said yesterday it had taken measures to restore lasting peace to all parts of the state.

    Deputy Governor Dameshi Barau-Luka spoke in a state broadcast in Lafia, the state capital.

    He said the broadcast followed the eruption of fresh violence in Obi and Assakio towns and their environs on Friday.

    The deputy governor said the Tanko al-Makura administration would not fold its arms and watch people unleash terror on its “innocent” people.

    Baerau-Luka said: “The government wishes to state categorically that it will not stand by and watch heartless criminals in our state to unleash a reign of terror on innocent citizens of the state.

    “We want to assure the public that the state government has taken necessary measures to bring the matter under control.”

  • 11 burnt to death in road crash

    11 burnt to death in road crash

    Eleven people were yesterday burnt to death in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, following an accident at Macmillan, near Soka/Sanyo on the Ibadan/Lagos Expressway.

    Sympathisers wept over the tragedy.

    A thick smoke from the burning bus covered the atmosphere, attracting residents and passersby.

    It was a gory sight as the victims were burnt beyond recognition.

    According to an eyewitness account, a commercial Mazda bus was coming from Ogijo in Ogun State and heading for Beere in Ibadan. The occupants were to attend the Wolimat (an Islamic school graduation) of a relation.

    It was learnt that most of the occupants were dressed in a uniform-Ankara bought for the occasion.

    The source said the propeller of the bus pulled off and hit the fuel tank, catching fire.

    The driver of the bus, in an attempt to save the situation, reportedly veered off the road and hit a heap of sand by the roadside.

    The source said immediately the bus stopped, the driver and the two passengers in the front jumped down and escaped, but others were not lucky as the door of the bus was locked.

    Eight adults and three children died in the fire. Thirteen others, including the driver, sustained various degrees of burns and were taken to the Adeoyo Hospital and University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan.

    Confirming the accident, the Assistant Corps Commander and Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Oluyole Ibadan/Lagos toll gate, Mr. Adeoye Sanya, said: “We were informed of the accident around 1pm. We rescued some of the victims and took them to hospitals.”

  • Burnt school gets N10m

    Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State has given an initial cheque of N10 million to the Guardian Angel Nursery and Primary School, Abatete, Nnewi to commence the rebuilding of its two-storey building razed by fire earlier this month.

    Obi presented the cheque when he visited the school with some top government officials.

    He said the gesture was in fulfillment of his promise during an earlier visit to assess the level of destruction wrecked by the inferno.

    Obi said the government would support the school to complete the structure and reinstated the determination of his administration to continue to assist schools irrespective of ownership status.

    The governor appealed to privileged individuals and groups to contribute in actualising the project.

    The Headmistress of the school, Reverend Sister Maria Goretti Ngwuagu, who expressed gratitude to the Governor for his kind gesture, noted that his prompt intervention brought a lot of relief to the school. Reverend Sister Ngwuagu said the Governor has remained responsive to the needs and yearnings of the people, assuring that they will continue to support his administration with prayers.

    Also speaking, Reverend Father Ignatius Okeke of Most Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, Abatete said the Governor’s intervention had consoled them and praised the high level of success recorded in the church’s partnership with government in promoting the education and health sectors.

     

  • 13 vehicles burnt in Edo Boxing Day tragedy

    13 vehicles burnt in Edo Boxing Day tragedy

    Residents of Murtala Muhammed Way, near Esigie junction in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday ran for their dear lives when a tanker, laden with petroluem products went up in flames.

    The tanker allegedly fell into a dish and spilled its content along the slope which later went into flames.

    Some said they heard a loud explosion before the fire erupted.

    Thirteen vehicles and four motor-cycles were burnt.

    The road where the fuel flowed through was in flames.

    Some residents fled their homes. Others packed out their properties.

    The number of casualties could not be confirmed as of press time but the charred remains of a man identified as a commercial motorcyclist was lying on the road.

    A boy who was seen crying, said the dead victim was his uncle.

    A member of the Edo State Fire Service who was putting out the fire, said there were some bodies in the gutter.

    He said they were informed at about 7pm.