The Nation Newspaper

Tag: injured

  • Injured inmates undergo surgery

    Some inmates of the Abakaliki Prisons in Ebonyi State, who sustained gunshot injuries in last week’s botched jailbreak, have been undergoing surgery to remove bullets in their bodies.

    The surgery, it was gathered, is taking place at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki (FETHA).

    Comptroller-General of Prisons Service Jafaru Ahmed visited the inmates, officials, Governor Dave Umahi and the hospital.

    Nineteen inmates reportedly died in the attempted jailbreak.

    Sixteen of them sustained injuries and were rushed to the Accident and Emergency Unit.

    But the comptroller insisted that only six inmates died.

    Four officials were injured and have been treated and discharged.

    Some inmates had leg, hand and other body injuries, with others chained to their hospital beds.

    Prison officials did not allow our reporter to speak with the inmates or take their pictures.

    Chief Medical Director (CMD) Dr. Emeka Onwe said the treatment had since begun.

    He said: “The inmates in our hospital have gunshot injuries, whether as a result of accidental discharge or not.

    “Our orthopaedic surgeons are working hard to carry out surgery on the inmates to remove bullets that penetrated them during the incident.

    “The comptroller-general of Prisons has visited the hospital and thanked us for the quick response and commencement of treatment.

    “None of them is in the Intensive Care Unit; they are all at the Accident and Emergency Unit.”

    Also yesterday, the state Comptroller of Prisons, Mrs. Emilia Oputa, blamed the riot on those she identified as ring leaders.

    She said they incited others to cause the riot, adding that most of them had been on awaiting trial list and resolved they needed their freedom.

  • Five die, others injured in road crash

    Five die, others injured in road crash

    Five persons, including two children, were yesterday confirmed dead after a multiple accident on the Third Mainland Bridge.

    According to the State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), five others were injured and rushed to the Trauma Centre.

    It was gathered that the accident, which occurred around 6:10pm, involved three vehicles – a LAGBUS, Hilux truck belonging to Ikorodu Vigilante Group known as Oyabo and a Rover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

    Among the dead were three women and two children – a boy and girl.

    It was learnt that the LAGBUS and truck drivers collided.

    The Rover SUV driver, it was learnt, was behind the vehicles and rammed into them.

    LASEMA General Manager Michael Akindele said the bodies were deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary by the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) officials.

    He said: “Proper investigation would be carried out on the cause of the accident by the relevant government agencies. Motorists are advised to refrain from speeding and also adhere to all traffic rules and regulation to avoid incident such as this.”

  • 20 injured, two houses burnt as church crisis deepens

    The  leadership crisis that has polarised the Assemblies of God Church, Saminaka in Lere Local Government of Kaduna State, deepened yesterday.

    A faction, armed with dangerous weapons, invaded the church yesterday during service by the other faction.

    A source said fighting  started around 8am and lasted till noon. He said about 20 persons were injured and houses of the resident pastors burnt.

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai, in September 2015, ordered the church closed, including the Theological Seminary of Northern Nigeria (TSNN), Saminaka, Shalom Comprehensive College and AGC Evangelist Hospital, Saminaka, to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

    Another source said a faction in the minority, sneaked into the premises on Saturday evening and slept overnight.

    “We came to worship around 8am, unknown that the other faction had prepared for war. We came into the premises and secured the gates against intruders.

    “As soon as we had settled for proceedings, about 20 members of the other faction appeared.

    “They were armed with knives, daggers, clubs, rods and other weapons. But surprisingly, police, Army and civil defence personnel arrived almost the same time.

    “The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Saminaka seemed in charge. He told us to come out of the church and leave the premises. We said we would only do so if the armed faction, which was throwing stones at us, also left.

    “In no time, they attacked us, injuring many of us. Since we were not armed, we had to find a way to escape. The most frightening thing was that the stones were falling into Hausa Muslims homes. If these people had reacted, I don’t know what Saminaka would have been today.

    “But the Muslims came out and laughed at us. It is such a disgrace. Surprisingly, the security men did nothing to stop them. After injuring us, they went to the homes of our resident pastors and set our two pastoriums ablaze.

    “As I talk to you, about 20 of us are seriously injured, some near fatal, and are in various hospitals in Saminaka.

    “The police did nothing to stop them. They have not arrested anybody, and the police know them, because they were not wearing masks,” he said.

    Police spokesman Aliyu Usman said he had not been briefed on the violence.

  • Six killed, 12 injured in Kogi crash

    Six persons died and 12 others injured in an accident on the Anyigba-Ajaokuta road at Ojuwo-Olijo in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State last Saturday.

    The accident involved a Toyota bomber bus (MKD 841 XA) and Golf (LKJ 335 CV).

    Assistant Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mrs. Amobi Modupe Stanley, who confirmed the accident, said it occurred at 1.15pm.

    She said her men got to the scene at about 1.59pm; six of the passengers died on the spot while 12 others sustained injuries.

    The injured are receiving treatment at Rima hospital and the bodies have also been deposited there.

    She identified dangerous overtaking as the cause of the accident and advised drivers to be patient on the highway, especially during festive periods.

  • UNICEM abduction: Five released contractors injured

    UNICEM abduction: Five released contractors injured

    Five of the seven contractors of the United Cement Company of Nigeria (UNICEM) who were released yesterday by their abductors were injured.

    They were workers of Macmahon Holdings Limited, a UNICEM contractor.

    Two of the five were seriously injured, according to the company.

    A statement yesterday by the company reads: “Macmahon Holdings Limited is relieved to confirm the release of all s even of its men, who were abducted near its operations in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on June 22. Five of the men have been injured; two of them seriously and all are currently receiving attention from a team of medical specialists.

    “The two uninjured men are also undergoing medical assessment. Arrangements have been made for the men’s safe return to their families, once they receive medical clearance to travel.

    “Macmahon’s Chief Executive Officer Sy van Dyk hailed the men for the courage they displayed throughout the ordeal, saying: ‘Our men have been through traumatic experience. We have mobilised medical and other support teams in Nigeria to provide immediate support. I also thank the men’s families for working so closely with the company during what has been an extremely difficult time for them as well. They too have endured an incredibly stressful experience.

    “The families have all been informed of the successful release of the men and have had the opportunity to speak to their loved ones. Our team has worked round the clock in locations around the world to bring them home. I am so proud of the dedicated and professional work they have done. While we are relieved to reunite the seven men with their loved ones, we are deeply saddened by the loss of the local driver, Matthew Odok, who was fatally injured during the initial incident.”

    van Dyk praised Nigerian authorities, which have worked closely with the company throughout the incident.

    “We are very grateful for the professional support we have received from the authorities on the ground in Nigeria,’ he said. ‘The assistance of local and federal agencies has been invaluable.”

    He also praised the efforts of the Australian, New Zealand and South African authorities and the company’s security advisors who have supported Macmahon’s crisis management team since the men’s abduction on Wednesday. ‘This has been an incredible team effort and our highest priority now is to finish the job by continuing to work together to get our people back safely to their families and homes,” he said.

  • Scores injured, vehicles vandalised in police, Ondo poly students clash

    •Protester attack TVC cameraman

    Scores of residents of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State sustained injuries and 10 vehicles were vandalised yesterday, following a clash between the police and students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO).

    Trouble started when two students were allegedly hit by a van belonging to the police.

    The students accused the police of abandoning the victims.

    This forced the students to embark on a protest to the Police Station B Division at Otapete.

    But they were dispersed by the police, who tear-gassed and shot sporadically into the air.

    It was gathered that a student was accidentally hit by a bullet

    The policemen’s action angered the students, who allegedly destroyed vehicles parked inside the station.

    They later blocked the Owo/Akure expressway, which is opposite their school, thereby causing a gridlock.

    Residents of Owo were not spared in the unrest as they were prevented from moving out of the town.

    Witnesses said students where seen burning tyres at the main gate of their school, Fasawe and White House areas, which is mainly occupied by them.

    Three hours later, the police later brought in an armour tank to clear the main road of Owo town, which was blocked by the rampaging students.

    Police spokesman Mr. Femi Joseph alleged that the students attacked the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who “is in a critical condition”.

    Joseph said the students also attacked the police officers, who were on duty when they stormed the station.

    He added that the students vandalised parked vehicles inside the station despite the DPO calling for calm.

    “The police vehicle that hit the students was not deliberate done and it was a total lie that the driver abandoned the students because he immediately took the victims to a hospital and they are currently receiving treatment,” he said.

    The Vice President (Affairs) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mr. Timileyin Ayenuro, called for the removal of the DPO.

    He accused the DPO of fueling the crisis, saying what the students were expecting from them was an apology over the matter since they did not know the state of their colleagues.

    He called for the release of the arrested students and warned the police to stop harassing students.

    But the protesting students were alleged to have attacked the cameraman of TVC News, Tunde Lawal and vandalised his camera.

    Lawal, who was covering the protest, was attacked by one of the aggrieved students. The view finder of the camera was damaged.

    The TVC cameraman was rescued by NANS’ vice president.

    Ayenuro, who was at the scene of the incident, called the students to order.

  • Four RRS men, cab driver injured in road crash

    Four RRS men, cab driver injured in road crash

    Four Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives were injured yesterday when a private taxi cab hit their stationary squad van.

    The accident occurred around 12:06am when the policemen were inspecting the street light on the Ogudu – Alapere axis.

    The Nation learnt that the Rio model taxi cab belonging to a car hire service operator rammed into the rear of the police van near Ogudu Bus Stop, knocking it into a ditch.

    The driver was said to be over speeding.

    An eyewitness conveyed the injured to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja.

    “The RRS vehicle was going slowly on the road because the policemen were monitoring the Light up Lagos Project facilities when the KIA Rio on top speed from Lagos Island towards Alapere rammed into the RRS Ford car with number-plate RRS 068 LA, thereby bundling it and the officers into a nearby ditch. Four officers of the RRS were seriously injured including the driver of the Rio,” he said.

    A statement by the RRS said three of the operatives have been discharged from hospital; the fourth and the cab driver were being expected to be dischargedat press time.

    It was learnt that the driver started work at the car hire firm last Friday after leaving a truck driving firm.

    The street light cables are often vandalised before their inauguration.

    In April, Lucky Udeagwu was arrested with a 35-metre long cable meant for the project in Ogudu.

    Last month, RRS operatives arrested Obaji Christopher for allegedly cutting the cable in the same area. This informed the regular monitoring of the area by the RRS operatives, particularly at night.

  • Two injured in multiple crash

    Two injured in multiple crash

    •Motorist blames LASTMA official, policeman for accident

    Two persons were injured in a multiple accident at the Independence Tunnel in Maryland, Lagos, over the weekend.

    One of the injured, Mr Kazeem Mustapha, who was in his Suzuki Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), blamed a policeman and a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official for the accident.

    A petrol tanker, a Ford bus and the SUV were involved in the accident.

    According to Mustapha, “A LASTMA official and a police officer jumped into the road, trying to stop a Danfo bus. Immediately, the vehicles behind the bus jammed their brakes. The driver of the fully loaded tanker behind our Suzuki slammed his brake and eventually rammed into us, while our own car bashed the vehicle in front of us (the white Ford bus) which also hit the one in front of it. Immediately the LASTMA and the police officer saw this, they took to their heels and ran into a Redeemed Church close by.”

    Mustapha said he and other victims paid some thugs to secure the premises and ensure the law enforcement officers remained in the church until the police from Anthony Police Station arrived.

    “We paid N5000 for the area boys around to secure that area to keep them there, while policemen arrived at the scene so that they would not escape. When the policemen from Anthony Police Station saw the accident and were informed about the happening, they went to the church to see the two officers.

    “On getting there, when the police approached the police officer, he cocked his gun and threatened to shoot. It took about 10 to 15 minutes of persuasion from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for him to remove the magazine of his gun. He was so adamant. They led him out of the church to the accident scene. Meanwhile, immediately the LASTMA officer saw the policemen, he escaped on a bike,” he told The Nation.

    Mustapha said his driver sustained injuries from hitting his chest on the steering, while he also injured his neck injury.

    He accused law enforcement officers of overstepping their boundaries, saying: “Several events lead to an accident. It is wrong for the LASTMA guys to jump into an expressway trying to arrest somebody. The LASTMA guys are not sent to stop vehicles on the highway. It is a federal road, they do not have jurisdiction over the highway, so they should not be there in the first instance. It should be Federal Road Safety Corps’ problem. But the trailer guy also had a fault because his brakes did not hold. All trailers ought to be properly checked and they should be trained to keep a safe braking distance. Lagos State Government should call the LASTMA guys to order.”

  • Ten injured as passenger bus somersaults in Lagos

    No fewer than ten passengers were yesterday injured after a 22- seater Volkswagen LT35 bus somersaulted in Lagos.

    The accident occurred about 2pm at Berger bus stop on the Oworonsoki end of Third Mainland Bridge.

    Among the injured was the Chief Clerical Officer, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Shasanya Banire, who  at press time was unconscious.

    Our correspondent observed about four other injured passengers writhing in pains as they held their chest and neck.

    It was gathered that the Ikeja bound bus tumbled after a saloon car which experienced tyre burst swerved and hit the bus.

    The bus driver was said to have lost control in an attempt to avoid collision with the car.

    It was gathered that in the process the bus somersaulted twice and almost plunged into a canal but for the iron bars barricading the lagoon.

    The accident led to heavy traffic on the bridge as motorists parked their vehicles to watch and take photographs of the scene.

    It took the intervention of men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to clear the bridge of traffic for officials of Lagos State Ambulance Service to attend to pick up the injured passengers.

    Recalling how the accident occurred,  an injured male passengers said: “We were coming from CMS and going to Ikeja when all of a sudden, a woman driving a saloon car with a flat tyre hit our bus.

    “The bus driver was trying to avoid her, yet the woman kept coming. She sped off as soon as she realised  the gravity of  what she has caused.

    “She did not even wait. The bus somersaulted twice and it is just by the grace of God that no one died. So many people sustained injuries,” he said.

  • Suspected rival cultists clash in Ondo, two die, scores injured

    Suspected rival cultists clash in Ondo, two die, scores injured

    There was commotion in Owo, headquarters of Owo local government area of Ondo State at the weekend when two rival cult groups clashed, leaving two persons dead and several others injured.

    The invasion of the town by the cultists triggered violence in major areas of the town, including Ogbonmo, Oke dogbon and Idaniken.

    Eyewitness accounts revealed that the two rival cult groups engaged in a shoot-out at Saint James Primary School located at Oke-dogbon area of the town, leading to the death of a man popularly called ‘B-malt,’ who was a dealer in shoes and assorted wares.Sources further disclosed that another man identified as Ojo Lawrence, was killed during the violent clash, with many others sustaining serious injuries.

    Ojo, who was alleged to be a member of Eiye confraternity, was reportedly killed by members of a rival cult group at Idaniken area of the town.

    It, however, took the intervention of the Army and Police personnel before the situation was brought under control.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the State Police Command, Mr. Femi Joseph, said two persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

    He gave the names of the suspects as Dada Asibi and Isiaka Basiru, adding that various weapons including two dane guns were recovered from them.

    The suspects, he added, would soon be charged to court.