The Nation Newspaper

Tag: feared dead

  • Many feared dead, other trapped as storey building collapses in Abuja

    Many feared dead, other trapped as storey building collapses in Abuja

    There was pandemonium in the late hours of Wednesday, August 23, when a storey building collapsed at Lagos Street in Garki village area of Abuja.

    Yet-to-be determined number of people are feared dead and many others trapped in the multi-storey building collapsed amid heavy downpour.

    The affected building is said to be housing many apartments while the ground floor was full of shops.

    A former special assistant to the immediate past minister of the FCT, Ikharo Attah, told our correspondent that thirty seven persons have so far been rescued and evacuated to hospital, while others were still trapped.

    He confirmed that a rescue team and other first responders were on ground at about 2am carrying out rescue operations.

    He said: “For now 7 persons have so far been evacuated to Hospital, Two Fatally injured; others reportedly still trapped; Rescue team and others are on ground”. Rescue operations are on but slow due to ongoing rain”.

    Attah said security operatives are making frantic efforts at getting an excavator to remove people from the rubble.

    Details shortly…

  • 117 people feared dead after migrant boat sinks off Libya

    ONE hundred and seventeen people are feared to have drowned off the coast of Libya after a dinghy capsized in the Mediterranean, a spokesman for the UN’s migration agency (IOM) said yesterday.

    Three survivors who were rescued said there were 120 people on the boat, Flavio Di Giacomo said.

    “There are therefore 117 missing people, including 10 women and two children (one was just two months old),” the spokesman wrote on Twitter.

    He added that many of the migrants on board were from West Africa, but there were also about 40 Sudanese on board, according to those who survived.

    The survivors were rescued by the Italian coastguard on Friday and brought to the Island of Lampedusa.

    The coastguard had originally said just 20 people were on board the boat, which found itself in distress  50 nautical miles (92.6 kilometres) north-east of Tripoli.

    Di Giacomo later told Italian media that the incident could be a much worse tragedy.

    “They told us that 120 people were on the dinghy that set out from Libya on Thursday night.

    “After 10 to 11 hours at sea, the boat began deflating and started to sink. The people fell into the sea and drowned,” Di Giacomo said

    Since Italy has largely closed its ports to migrants, fewer and fewer of them are arriving from Libya. However, people are still dying on the dangerous crossing.

    Since the beginning of 2019, no fewer than 83 people have been killed in the Mediterranean, according to the IOM. In the same period last year, there were 199 deaths.

    “As long as Europe’s ports remain open, as long as someone helps the smugglers, unfortunately the smugglers continue to do business and continue killing,” Italy’s right-wing Interior Minister, Matteo Salvini, said.

    Since Italy’s new populist government decided in June to close its ports to migrant rescue charities, EU governments have clashed on how to handle incoming asylum seekers from North Africa.

    Rome’s hardline stance left two German charity rescue boats with dozens of migrants stranded for weeks in the Mediterranean until eight EU nations agreed to take them in.

  • One feared dead in Ketu protest

    One person was feared dead yesterday during a protest in Ketu, Lagos.

    But the police said there was no casualty.

    Some youths numbering over 50 were said to have blocked the Ketu/Mile 12 Market axis to protest the arrest of some of their members for allegedly smoking Marijuana.

    The deceased was hit by a stray bullet when the police came to disperse the crowd.

    The youths were said to have smashed vehicles’ windscreens and looted properties.

    Several persons were said to have been injured.

    According to a trader, Mohammed Garba, the deceased was hit when the police from Ketu Division opened fire on the protesters.

    Garba said the victim died on the spot, adding that the youths carried the body and danced round the neighbourhood.

    “As a result of the death of their colleague, they dared the police to shoot them and became violent. The problem actually started on Monday night and continued yesterday morning.

    “It was yesterday morning that the young man was killed. The police were shooting in to the air but bullet hit the victim,” he said.

    Another witness, Aisha Ahmed said: “They were out as early as 6:30am. They grounded business and other activities. Before we knew what was happening, they took over the gate and started harassing traders and customers.

    “The leadership of the market tried to stop them from going ahead with the protest but they were adamant. The crowd kept increasing and they were smoking weed as well. It was the leadership of the market that invited the police.”

    Another trader, Chioma Nze, blamed the protesters for the crisis, saying usually terrorised traders.

    She said: “We are tired of the constant threat from hoodlums who only come to the market to smoke Marijuana. In fact, their activities are a threat to residents as well as traders.

    “These hoodlums have been operating, smoking Marijuana and causing problems. The trouble today started with them. They attacked policemen and almost destroyed a patrol vehicle.”

    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), said nobody died, adding that claim has returned to the area.

    Oti said the youths got information on the movement of their arrested colleague from the station to court, and attempted to disrupt the process.

    He said: “The group came out and blocked the road to be used by the police prosecutor. When passers-by saw them, they fled for fear of a possible attack.

    “Policemen from Ketu were immediately moved to the area to disperse the hooums.

    “As we speak, about 15 suspects have been arrested. They have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba.”

  • Five feared dead in Bauchi rainstorm

    •’Govt will assist victims’
    •Dogara condoles with victims

    Five persons are feared dead after a rainstorm hit some communities in Bauchi State on Saturday.

    The rain, which started about 4.49pm and lasted almost 90 minutes, left families in tears as the storm blew off the roof of their houses. While some houses were completely levelled to foundation level, some were left without fences and some were partially destroyed.

    Some of the worst hit areas are Wuntin-Dada, Tsohon Kanfani, Lafiyari, Yelwa, Rafin Zurfi, Inkil, Guru, Yelwa-Makaranta, Bakaro, Miri, Tiwum, Railway road and Government Reservation Area.

    Though no death has been reported officially, a source with the Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency said “We understand that two children died at Zango and three people died at Tirwum and several others were injured.”

    Governor Mohammed Abubakar has sympathised with the victims.

    Abubakar, who spoke when he visited some of the affected areas, urged them to consider their misfortune as an act of God. He said the visit was to ascertain the level of damage.

    The governor promised that the government will do its best to assist the victims.

    Areas visited by the governor included Miri, BATV, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic on Jos road, Kobi Street, Railway road, Tirwun and Bakin Kura.

    He was accompanied by the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, commissioners and other top government officials.

    Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara has commiserated with victims of Saturday’s windstorm in Bauchi. He called for government’s intervention.

    A statement yesterday by his media aide, Turaki Hassan, urged the Federal and state agencies to provide relief materials to the victims to alleviate their sufferings.

    The statement reads: “I am saddened by the news of yet another natural disaster in Bauchi, which caused injuries and destroyed property in the affected areas.

    “I urge relevant government agencies to move in and provide immediate assistance to the victims. On our part, we shall do our best to provide succour to the victims within the shortest time possible.”

    The Speaker, however, called for necessary emergency preparedness and early warning mechanisms to mitigate the effects of such natural disasters.

    He prayed God to prevent a recurrence.

     

  • Four feared dead in Kwara community

    Four feared dead in Kwara community

    Four members of a vigilance group have reportedly died after gunmen invaded Kaiama, Kiana Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    Many were injured.

    Council Chairman Abdullahi Abubakar said the gunmen mounted a camp at the National Park and were moving round communities.

    The affected villages are Tunga Maje, Nukku and Woro.

    The National Park covers about 50 kilometres of land between Kaiama council in Kwara and Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State.

    Abubakar added that the hoodlums would enter the villages, rob residents of their foodstuff, cows and goats, and return to camp.

    He said the council responded to complaints by residents and deployed the local vigilance group to the place.

    His words: “Unfortunately, when they approached their camp, there was an exchange of fire, and one of the vigilantes was killed. The remaining three are missing.

    “We don’t know their whereabouts for now and nobody can go into the bush to search for their bodies.”

    Abubakar, however, said the government had taken control as about 50 soldiers from the 222 Battalion have been deployed to comb the bush.

    Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the incident, said mobile policemen have also been deployed  and investigations have begun.

    He, however, said only one died; with three missing.

  • Two feared dead in soldiers’, vandals’ gun battle

    Two feared dead in soldiers’, vandals’ gun battle

    Two persons were yesterday feared killed and five others injured during a gun battle between security operatives and pipeline vandals in Lagos.

    Residents of Seventh Avenue in Festac Town and environs were woken up by the booming guns.

    Many thought it was another robbery. Last month, robbers raided two banks and wreaked havoc on the area. A woman and her daughter were killed by stray bullets.

    To avoid being hit by stray bullets, the residents were said to have laid on the floor.

    But, a motorcyclist, Stephen Manga, and his roommate, Joseph Zira, were but on their legs by a stray bullet inside their apartment.

    Three soldiers also sustained leg injuries; a vandal was killed and several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    The Nation learnt that a Mobile Policeman was killed by some of the fleeing hoodlums around Alakija, after they snatched a commercial bus and forced the driver to whisk them away.

    Manga, who said they were held hostage by the vandals until soldiers arrived, claimed that the shooting lasted over four hours.

    He said the vandals were up to 50 and hooded. Some, he added, dressed in Army camouflage.

    “We stay in that Pako near where those people usually steal fuel beside Elcee events Centre, Fourth Avenue by Seventh Avenue. Our house is built with stick and many of us live there.

    “We started hearing gunshots around 4:41am. We did not know what was happening and we could not come out. Everyone was in their own room and I was in my room with my friend, Joseph. We were lying down beside each other with our legs facing the road.

    “The shooting continued with the vandals talking to themselves.  I don’t think the army was there at that time.

    “But around 7am, some army people ran to our place and the next thing, bullet hit my leg, came out from the other side and entered my friend’s leg too and came out.

    “We were bleeding and the army people directed us to a hospital. Our brothers, who also live in the place, saw the bullet. They picked it and gave it to the soldiers. The bullet looks white and not very big.

    “So, as they told us to go to the hospital, they also chased everyone from the place. They helped us live so that those people won’t kill us all.

    “At first I was taken to Mercy Gate Hospital but they refused to treat me until the army people called and spoke with them on phone and my people also went and brought police report from Area E Command.

    “The hospital did not treat my brother because of money. My brother went to another place where he was treated,” said Manga.

    Another resident, who gave his name as Munyale Kwada, said the hoodlums initially overpowered the army.

    Kwada said the army went for reinforcement, brought in three armoured tanks and engaged the bandits who were already chanting victory songs.

    He said: “We were trapped in the shooting by the criminals until the army came and rescued us.

    “The thieves were shooting for about two hours. When the army came, they told us to remain inside and that no one should come out.

    “The boys were many. I heard army people telling their colleagues that they should go because the boys were many and three soldiers have been injured.

    “When the army left, the criminals started singing. They were singing and shooting. They covered everywhere up to W Close on Seventh Avenue. They blocked the entire road and were shooting continuously.

    “So, army came back reinforced and with three armoured tanks. The shooting continued till about 8am when the vandals ran away.

    “Since the time the vandals left, army and police have taken over the entire area. They have put road blocks and they do not allow people to come near that area again because of danger.

    “I know they arrested someone but I don’t know who the person is. I heard the army shouting at someone to enter the vehicle.

    “Also we later heard that the vandals hijacked a Danfo bus, forced the driver and one passenger to carry 10 of them who were in military camouflage and they ran away.

    “We also heard that the bus killed a Mobile Police man around Alakija. And that the vandals also hijacked a Sienna space bus from the owner.”

    One Ife Igwebuike told The Nation that the hoodlums arrived in the area around 3am and were siphoning petroleum products.

    She said the police alerted the military and requested assistance because they could not face the vandals.

    “One vandal was shot dead and the rest ran away with barrels of crude oil and some gun wounds. The army men tried a lot and none of the soldiers was killed,” she said.

    Another resident, Andre Ogodo said, a stray bullet entered his apartment.

    “I started hearing gunshots just before 7am. I ignored them, thinking they were sounds of fireworks. Five minutes later, I heard sirens and more gun fire.

    “On my way to the bathroom, I saw a hole in the window blinds covering the window at the stairwell.

    “That’s when I realised it really was gun fire. The hole was most likely made by a stray bullet. The wall directly opposite the window blinds had a crack as well, in tandem with the hole in the blinds.

    “I promptly returned to my room and laid low till the shooting died down. The streets were unusually quiet,” he said.

    Lagos State Police Command spokesman Joseph Offor, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said there were no casualties.

    He said there was heavy deployment of soldiers and police, assuring the residents of their safety.

    “Following sporadic shooting by the hoodlums in the creek of FESTAC early hours of Tuesday November 17, residents of the area are advised not to panic as there has been heavy deployment of soldiers and the police.

    ‘’No policeman was killed. No vandal was shot dead. No one, soldiers or residents sustained any form of injury. Nothing like that happened.

    “Within the period, some exercises may be going on in readiness for any untoward attack from the hoodlums.

    “Residents are advised to go about their lawful businesses without any fear as the command and sister security agencies are on top of the situation,” Offor said.

  • 11 feared dead as boats collide in Delta

    Eleven persons were feared dead at the weekend when two boats collided on the Escravos River in Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State.

    It was learnt that the accident was caused by haze and heavy rains.

    The two boats were said to be heading towards opposite directions – one heading to the Escravos from Warri and the other to Warri from Escravos.

    Efforts to get details of how the accident happened were unsuccessful last night.

    Besides the 11 dead passengers, the fate of the other passengers on the boats could also not be ascertained.

    But our reporter, who had travelled several times on such boats, recalled that they were mostly uncovered and susceptible to the vagaries of the erratic weather.

    It was learnt that most of the speedboats lacked protection for passengers, especially during the rainy seasons.

    Passengers on the outboard engine boats are usually covered with a tarpaulin to prevent them from getting soaked; only the boat drivers stand during the journey to enable see ahead.

    One of the boat drivers, who took off from the Rex Waterfront jetty at the Ugbuwangue community, survived the mishap.

    Others were said to be receiving treatment at private hospitals in Warri.

    The number of passengers in both boats could also not be ascertained last night because most boat owners do not keep the manifests of their passengers.

    Efforts to get an official confirmation of the incident were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report last night.

    Also, neither the Commander of the Warri Area Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Alhaji Muhammed Muazu, nor police spokesperson Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), could confirm the incident.

  • Hajj tragedy: Eight Nigerians feared dead

    Hajj tragedy: Eight Nigerians feared dead

    •Varsity teacher’s wife, child among victims
    •Blockade of road for Saudi caused stampede—Pilgrim

    Latest information from Saudi Arabia on Thursday’s hajj tragedy shows that as many as eight Nigerians may have died in the incident.

    Initial reports suggested that two Nigerians –Hajiya Bilikisu Yusuf,a prominent journalist, and Professor Tijanni El-Miskin , Chairman of the Borno State Pilgrims Welfare Board – were among the 719 killed while pilgrims were stoning the devil as part of the Hajj rituals.

    Among the Nigerians just confirmed to have lost their lives in the incident are the wife and child of a university teacher,Professor Taqwa.

    Taqwa himself was said to be safe last night .

    Also reported dead is Dr.Hafsat Shittu,a pharmacist from Kano.

    The death toll now stands at 725 with 863 injured.

    Nigeria’s Amir Ul Hajj,Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi and Iran have dismissed claims by the Saudi Arabia authorities that African pilgrims were largely responsible for the tragedy.

    Iran alleged that the convoy of Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud caused panic among pilgrims which resulted in the stampede.

    A top official of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON) said Nigeria’s death toll could be more than what was originally thought.

    Many Nigerian pilgrims were missing as at press time with NAHCON directing all the states to “take immediate census of their pilgrims.”

    Reconciliation of the number of victims was in progress at press time.

    Sanusi rejects Saudi blame of African pilgrims

    Nigeria’s Amir Ul Hajj ,Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi , disputed claims by the Saudi authorities that African pilgrims were largely responsible for the stampede.

    Sanusi who is also the Emir of Kano and a respected voice on Islamic affairs told the Saudi Arabia “not to apportion blame to the pilgrims” for the incident.

    The victims were crushed to death and more than 850 other injured when two groups of pilgrims arrived at crossroads on Street 204 at the tent city of Mina.

    Shortly after the incident, Saudi prince Khaled al-Faisal, head of the Central Hajj Committee, stirred outrage as he blamed African pilgrims for the deadly stampede.

    Al-Faial who is the Saudi Health Minister said:”The investigations into the incident of the stampede that took place today (Thursday) in Mina, which was perhaps because some pilgrims moved without following instructions by the relevant authorities, will be fast and will be announced as has happened in other incidents.”

    Emir Sanusi who attended the committee meeting said that pilgrims who complete the ritual should not cross those who are approaching the holy site.

    “They should not cross each other. We are therefore urging the Saudi authorities not to apportion blame to the pilgrims for not obeying instruction,” he said in a statement.

    Iran,arch-enemy of the Saudi Royal Family,insisted that Riyadh “must accept responsibility for this.”

    “The unavoidable fact is that the Saudi government has been incompetent in this regard and with regard to the management of the Hajj pilgrimage, and Riyadh must accept responsibility for this,” spokesman for Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Keyvan Khosravi, reportedly told the Iranian news agency,FARS.

    It said:“Sources revealed that the convoy of Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud caused panic among millions of pilgrims and started the stampede that has so far claimed the lives of 1,300 in Mina, near Mecca, on Thursday.

    “The large convoy of Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, the King’s son and deputy crown prince, that was escorted by over 3,500 security forces, including 200 army men and 150 policemen, sped up the road to go through the pilgrims that were moving towards the site of the ‘Stoning the Devil’ ritual, causing panic among millions of pilgrims who were on the move from the opposite direction and caused the stampede.”

    “That’s why the ruler of Mecca has distanced himself from the case, stressing that the issue should be studied and decided by the King.

    “No other source has yet confirmed the report, but observers said the revelation explains why two of the roads to the ‘Stoning the Devil’ site haves been closed.”

    A Nigerian pilgrim said: “So far, what we were told was that a part of the road leading to Jamurat where we were to throw the pebbles was blocked for a Saudi Prince to perform his rites.

    “So, other pilgrims used the remaining side of the road and the surge was suffocating.”

    The stampede was the worst incident to occur in Mecca during the hajj since 1990, when 1,426 pilgirms, many from Indonesia, Pakistan and Malaysia, were killed in a stampede in a pedestrian tunnel. Following another stampede in 2006, in which more than 300 people died, the Jamarat bridge and some pillars were demolished and reconstructed.

    A breakdown of the victims yesterday was as follows: Algeria(3 killed, 6 injured), Bangladesh( 4 dead); China (1 death); Egypt( 8killed, 20 injured); Turkey( 4 dead), Netherlands (1death); India( 4 dead, 2 injured); Indonesia(3 dead, 1 injured); Iran (131 dead, 60 injured); Morocco(87 dead); Nigeria( 8 dead, 6 injured) Oman( 5 injured) ; Pakistan(7 dead) and Sudan (1 dead, 2 injured); Unknown(558 dead, 761injured).

    It was learnt that the identities of the unknown persons killed or injured were bring ascertained last night.

    When contacted, the Head of Media for NAHCON, Alh. Uba Maina, who spoke from Mecca, said: “Apart from three prominent Nigerians so far identified, we cannot say the exact figure of our pilgrims that died or got injured in the stampede.

    “Many Nigerian pilgrims are still missing, they have not returned to their camps. NAHCON has however directed all the states to take headcount of all their pilgrims. We are reconciling figures. When this is finally down, we will be able to say categorically those affected.”

    Asked if the death toll of Nigerian pilgrims could be more, Maina said: “Until we conclude the census, we will not want to cause panic.”

     

  • Falae’s kidnap: Matters arising

    Falae’s kidnap: Matters arising

    Beyond affirmation of the dreadful state of security, last Monday’s kidnap and subsequent release of Chief Samuel Oluyemisi Falae by individuals thought to be Fulani herdsmen exploited fissures in nationhood triggered by the immediate past government of Goodluck Jonathan. While the country yet grapples with the hangover from a divisive 2015 election campaign by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the last thing the system needed was the seizure of a distinguished political figure by a deviant group known to have caused havoc around the country.

    Falae, a former presidential candidate of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) and chieftain of pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, was abducted from his farm in Ilado village, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on his 77th birthday. He regained freedom late on Wednesday, four days after his disappearance.

    According to witnesses, 20 suspects who may have acted as proxies made the rude anniversary call. The gun-wielding crooks assaulted some of the 200 workers and their principal with machetes before taking off with their obvious target.

    Born on September 21, 1938, in Akure, Ondo State, Falae attended Igbobi College and Government College, Ibadan, as well as the University of Ibadan (where he was politically active) and Yale University in the United States. Following stints in the private and public sectors, the economist took up appointment as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SSG) between 1986 and 1990.

    His time in office coincided with the government’s adoption of the unpopular Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). He also served as the Minister of Finance in the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) before joining the democratic transition programme.

    When IBB banned ‘old breed’ politicians, Falae became the preferred candidate for followers of the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, and progressives within the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He contested the SDP presidential candidate post and seemed set to lose to Shehu Musa Yar’Adua before the elections were cancelled. Thereafter, he threw his support and organisation behind MKO Abiola’s presidential ambition.

    Following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 polls and emergence of the military government of Gen. Sani Abacha, Falae became a prominent member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought for the restoration of democracy. Arrested and detained by the military government, he was released in June 1998 after Abacha’s death.

    Falae contested the 1999 presidential elections on the joint platform of the AD and the All People’s Party (APP) against PDP presidential candidate Olusegun Obasanjo without success. He swept the South West but failed to garner significant support elsewhere.

    He lived in semi-retirement as a large scale farmer and traditional ruler of Ilu Abo until the rude interruption. As confirmed by the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wole Ogodo, a history of confrontations existed between the chieftain and herdsmen over the latter’s constant encroachment on his property to graze cattle.

    Disturbed by the incident, President Muhammadu Buhari directed Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, and other security agencies to ensure a safe and speedy rescue. Through his spokesman, Femi Adesina, the president denounced the spate of abduction in the country and condemned the “callous and reprehensible kidnapping of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and elder statesman”.

    Falae’s ordeal once more questions the crime-fighting credentials of the Nigeria police. The IG may sustain his predecessor’s policy of eradicating road block and improving the police’s battered image, but reform remains daunting. Despite official censure and calls for community policing, some would rather play renegade cop, mounting and dismantling checkpoints while denizens terrorise innocent citizens behind them.

    Decades of underfunding and corrupt practices reflect in poor equipment, inadequate training and deplorable welfare. Thus, policemen are sometimes reduced to observers or supervisors in the payment of ransom for victims, including hapless colleagues.

    Far from being the first high-profile case in the country as the long list of abductees parades industrialists, politicians, lawyers, journalists and other professionals, the latest episode rankles nonetheless. Kidnappers seemed to have a field day in the build-up, increasing in measure the worth of their quarry. For the famous victim, the Ilado suspects tendered a valuation of N100 million and only shaved N10 million off when concerned family members offered N2 million during Monday night negotiations.

    Considering the emotional outburst that trailed the kidnap, the most dispassionate analyst will labour to separate fact from sentiment and politics from justice. The All Progressives Congress (APC), through its state chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, considered the act “an (one) insult too many for our people to bear, as this same set of people violates the farmstead of our people unchecked and even our highways without control”.

    Rallying support for a prominent colleague, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) South West Zone (Agbekoya) issued a 24-hour ultimatum before mobilising a search party. The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) extended the countdown. Its founder, Frederick Fasehun, described the offenders as “enemies of Nigeria’s unity” and carpeted the Federal Government for not reacting within 24 hours while directing members to join in the search for the septuagenarian.

    Praying for an early and safe return, the Ondo State Council of Obas, chaired by Oba Victor Kiladejo, appealed for calm and cooperation with the authorities.

    Yet, the scenario was always likely. As long as the police,  a critical component of internal security, devoted half of its estimated 300, 000 personnel to the protection of top politicians and society bigwigs in a country of 170 million as recently alleged by the IG, security agents would be outnumbered and possibly outgunned.

    In the aftermath, the phrase ‘one too many’ has taken on renewed connotation. Before kidnapping becomes fashionable and acts of brigandage assume ethnic colouration with regularity, the authorities must find a way to contain a crime that some ascribe to economic inequality and the celebration of quick, unexplained sources of wealth.

    Olu Falae may yet be the catalyst for improved security services, considering President Buhari’s vow through his spokesman that Nigerians “will no longer be left at the mercy of criminal elements”. It is all that the ordinary citizen can hope for in dread of the next alarm.

  • Three feared dead in Owerri accident

    Three people were feared dead yesterday and many injured when the driver of a truck belonging to a soft drinks manufacturing company (name withheld), lost control and ran into the Imo State University (IMSU) roundabout in Owerri.

    The truck, loaded with drinks, veered off its lane and crushed the vehicles parked by the roadside before falling at the roundabout.

    The accident, which occurred about 8:30 p.m. near the IMSU gate, resulted in a traffic jam.

    A witness said the truck was coming from Orji.

    The driver, who escaped unhurt, disappeared after the crash.

    Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials and the police took the injured to an undisclosed hospital.

    The casualty figure could not be ascertained.

    When our reporter visited the scene, besides the truck other damaged vehicles had been removed from the spot. There were blood stains everywhere. Nearby shops and eateries were locked.