The Nation Newspaper

Tag: feared

  • One feared dead as hoodlums clash in Oshodi

    One feared dead as hoodlums clash in Oshodi

    One person was reported dead after two neighbourhood gangs clashed in Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos on Wednesday night.

    The Nation learnt that the two factions were fighting over supremacy in the environment.

    The fight, which started at Ayo Motor Park, spread to Olaiya Street, Mafoluku where the hoodlums wielded guns and shot at themselves. Residents and passersby ran for safety. Shops were looted.

    An eyewitness who owns a restaurant said: “This has been on for three days now, and we have been off business since Monday.

    “Our sales are mostly at night; this is a place where people come to relax, drink and work. We have been having sleepless nights and also most of our properties have been destroyed; like cars and shops. The police came in late after a while, less movement has been on the road since yesterday and we don’t know how long this would continue.”

    Another witness, a trader said: “When this started around 6pm, I locked myself in my shop with some of my costumers and other passers-by. We watched them shooting one another; they have been on this fight for years now but these last three days have been worse. They usually have physical fight but this time around, it’s quite different. Some of my goods and properties were destroyed.”

    According to him, one man died during a fracas between two factions of tout at Keke Marwa’s park along Oshodi-Airport road, Ajao Estate.

  • 11 persons feared dead in Port Harcourt attacks 

    •Police: no comment

    No fewer than 11 persons have been reportedly killed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, in attacks by unknown gunmen and cultists.

    Two persons were killed during a bullion van robbery in the state University premises last Friday.

    Five persons were said to have been killed in a hotel in Oroworukwo community in D/Line axis of the state capital. Four  were killed at the Marine Base.

    While the hotel killing was linked to cultism, the reason for yesterday’s is yet to be identified.

    Police spokesman  Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ahmad Mohammad declined comments on the incidents. He said: “I am not going to comment on that.”

    The Nation learnt that the suspected cultists stormed the hotel, shot dead the victims and escaped. Some other persons were injured.

    The police, said a source, have deposited the bodies at the mortuary.

  • 20 feared dead in Taraba attack

    There appears to be no end to ethnic and religious crises in Southern Senatorial District of Taraba State.

    About 20 people were feared dead yesterday in an attack on Tunari, Wukari. Many were injured and several houses torched.

    It was learnt that Fulani insurgents suspected to be from Plateau State attacked the community around 10am and unleashed violence on residents for several hours.

    President of the Youths of Vision, Wukari branch, Tsa-Asen Agbu said the attackers struck when majority of the residents – largely Christians, were in church.

    Agbu, a lawyer, alleged that the attackers were out to kill and reduce the Christian population in Taraba, adding: “Why Taraba South? Why are the attacks always directed at Jukun and Tiv Christian communities?”

    He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in Taraba.

    Residents said over 20 persons were killed. Police spokesman Joseph Kwaji confirmed the attack but said he did not know the casualty figure.

    He said policemen had been drafted to the area to restore peace.

  • Two feared dead in Lagos clash

    Two feared dead in Lagos clash

    Two Workers (NURTW) at a ceremony to mark the installation of two titled chiefs in Lagos.

    Several others were reportedly injured and are in hospitals.

    The installation of the two chiefs was in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of a traditional ruler.

    The ceremony took a violent turn when a faction allegedly loyal to the leaders of an NURTW’s branch fired in anger

    The development reportedly marred the ceremony as guests ran away.

    A policeman attempted to arrest the armed touts, but could not.

    It was also learnt that some members of the rival faction reportedly stormed a union leader’s residence in Ejigbo  in two commercial buses, where they allegedly fired shots.

    Eyewitnesses said it took the intervention of policemen from Ejigbo Division to disperse the invaders.

    But Police sources said no life was lost, but hinted that one person was stabbed while another was hit with the butt of a gun.

    Police Deputy Spokesperson, Lelma Kolle, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), promised to get back to The Nation with the details on the incident.

  • Two feared dead in Lagos airport road crash

    Two feared dead in Lagos airport road crash

    TWO persons were feared dead yesterday when two vehicles collided on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road.

    According to sources around the airport, the accident involved two vehicles at the local wing end of the road.

    A source hinted that an oncoming car was said have run into another car parked around the Air Force Base of the link road, about 200 meters to the domestic terminal (MMA2), killing the driver and a passenger.

    The two persons were said to have died on the spot because of the speed with which the oncoming car rammed into the stationary vehicle.

    The accident caused traffic jam, forcing many to reroute their journey.

    The dual carriageway leading in and out of the international terminal were blocked.

    Most passengers connecting the international terminal from the Ikeja axis had to divert to other roads to connect the terminal.

    It was learnt that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) deployed an ambulance to evacuate the victims.

  • Two feared dead in Osun robbery

    Two persons were feared dead yesterday by a robbery gang that attacked a bank in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government of Osun State.

    About 10 gunmen were said to have held customers of the Ikirun branch of the bank hostage for about 30 minutes.

    Five people were injured.

    An eyewitness said policemen and private guards attached to the bank could not stop the robbery.

    The hoodlums stormed the bank, located on the New Inisha road, around 4pm, shooting intermittently into the air.

    The entire town was thrown into confusion. People ran helter-skelter as the guns boomed and traders hurriedly closed their shops.

    For many hours, drivers avoided the Ikirun-Inisha road, causing a gridlock on the alternative route.

    Police spokesperson Mrs. Folashade Odoro confirmed the incident, adding that they were on top of the situation.

     

  • Nollywood actress Nkiru Sylvanus feared kidnapped

    Nollywood actress Nkiru Sylvanus feared kidnapped

    Unidentified gunmen yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, abducted the Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Nkiru Sylvanus.

    The Nollywood actress was redeployed from the state’s Liaison Office in Lagos.

    She was reportedly abducted around the famous Concord Hotel in company of some friends.

    Though details of the incident were still sketchy at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the abductors had demanded for N100million ransom.

    Efforts to reach the Commisioner of Information, Chinedu Offor, were abortive.

    He did not anawer his phone when our reporter called it last night.

    Police spokesman Vitalis Onugu promised to call back.

    He said he was driving when our reporter contacted him yesterday.

    Ms Sylvanus became a celebrated actress through the movie: A Cry for Help.

    She was appointed by Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha as the Special Adviser on Lagos Affairs.

    She held the position from the inception of the administration until when she was recently given another portfolio.

    Her close associates in Lagos said Ble-Ble, as she is popularly called, based on the character she played in A Cry for Help, has been in Owerri because of her new portfolio.

    A member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) National Executive, who spoke in confidence, said: “I just received the message now as well. I have been trying to make contacts. I just hope it is not true. Please, I will feed you back as soon as the picture is clear.”