The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Two feared dead

  • Two feared dead in Kogi East, as violence erupts

    There were conflicting reports over the number of persons that died yon Saturday in Anyigba, Dekina local government, Kogi State, as suspected thugs made to disrupt voting in the area.

    Two persons reportedly lost their lives at the Ajetachi polling unit, opposite OLS, Anyigba, in the Kogi East Senatorial district, when political thugs stormed the area.

    They shot sporadically in all directions, leading to the death of a nineteen-year-old boy, simply identified as Usman, while a woman who was on the queue to cast her ballot was seriously injured.

    At Agbeji, thugs who invaded two polling unit tried to force the Presiding Officers (PO) to sign completed result sheets.

    Read Also: Controversy over mass arrests in Kogi

    The Pos, however, refused, and took to their heels, resulting in the disruption of the exercise.

    Meanwhile, in Igalamela-Odolu, Kogi East Senatorial district, the embattled state house of assembly member, Friday Makama, was reportedly abducted by persons disguised in police uniform.

    He was, however, rescued by some of his loyalists, who blocked the vehicle with which his abductors whisked him away.

    He was said to have been handcuffed by the said abductors.

    A man was reportedly shot during the ensuing rescue operation.

    Igalamela-Odolu is a PDP stronghold.

  • TWO FEARED DEAD IN ANOTHER LAGOS BOAT MISHAP

    TWO FEARED DEAD IN ANOTHER LAGOS BOAT MISHAP

    Lagos State was struck by another boat accident yesterday barely one week after the last one at Ijede,Ikorodu which claimed seven lives.

    Yesterday’s mishap occurred in Badagry with two persons feared dead.

    Eight passengers and two crew members were aboard the boat which left Ebute Iworo in Ajido in the morning enroute Daddy Luwi.

    It reportedly hit logs of wood midway into its journey and capsized.

    Eight persons were rescued although with injuries while  the driver and a yet-to-be identified woman were still being looked for at press time.

    Only four of the injured were said to have their life jackets on at the time of the accident.

    The injured were treated by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident.

    NEMA’s Southwest spokesperson, Ibrahim Farinloye said emergency workers were immediately deployed to the scene.

    He said:”Unlike the previous incident which was caused by sand dredgers, this incident happened because the boat hit a log of wood and capsized, upturning its passengers into the water.

    “The boat is called a fibre boat because it has an engine. It happened in Badagry. It happened that the open canoe hit a log while sailing, lost balance and capsized with 10 people onboard.

    “Emergency responders like the Marine police, LASWA, NIWA and local divers have rescued eight people while the search for a woman and the driver of the canoe continues.

    “The correct figure of those rescued alive is eight. Also, out of the eight, only four wore life jackets while others did not.

    “The issues are being handled at the Marine Police Office, Badagry. The canoe took off from Idagba with 10 passengers and dropped them at Iworo and picked eight passengers at Iworo to go back before it had the problem.”

    General Manager, LASEMA, Michael Akindele, said the agency received a distress call at about 10:47am and immediately activated response.

    He,  however, stated that only four people were rescued and treated by LASAMBUS.

    “The cause of the incident and number of passengers on board are yet to be ascertained.

    “Four people were rescued and were treated by LASAMBUS and have been discharged.

    “It was reported that the boat left Ebute Iworo Jetty enroute another community known as Daddy Luwi.

    “Search and rescue is still ongoing, as well as investigation to ascertain the number of passengers on board.

    “LASEMA, LASWA with other responders are still on ground. I want to emphasise the use of functioning life jackets by boat operators and passengers as well as other safety precautions on waterways,” Akindele explained.

  • Two feared dead, another injured in Oshodi tanker fire

    Two feared dead, another injured in Oshodi tanker fire

    Two persons were feared dead yesterday, one was injured when a petrol-laden tanker with registration number FST 936 SJ fell and caught fire at Oshodi bus-stop.

    But Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said one died.

    It was learnt that the tanker laden with 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), fell around NAFDAC office in Oshodi at 2am, spilling its contents.

    The incident caused a massive gridlock on the busy Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, as another heavy duty vehicle, carrying a 20 foot container, reportedly fell during rescue operations. The tanker was said to have affected a pick-up van loaded with bags of charcoal.

    The driver and his motor boy escaped unhurt, but two persons were burnt beyond recognition while attempting to scoop fuel.

    An eyewitness, Femi Olusesan, said the fuel tanker was unlatched, adding that the driver was on top speed.

    He said: “The fully loaded unlatched fuel tanker fell around the NAFDAC office in Oshodi.

    “Some people went to scoop the fuel but unfortunately the tanker exploded and killed two of them.

    “Several other trucks nearby also caught fire but the drivers escaped unhurt.”

    Jude Amise, a resident, said he and his neighbours saw the fire when it started but never knew that a tanker fell.

    “At first when we saw the fire we thought some people were burning tyres, it was when the smoke thickened we decided to move close to the scene. We saw a fallen tanker. At that time, the fire became uncontrollable. We tried to quench the fire ourselves but we realised it was more than our power so we informed the fire fighters men who eventually put it out.’’

    Residents blamed the deplorable road for the incident.

    LASEMA said the body has been handed over to the environmental health monitoring unit.

    The deceased, LASEMA said, was an adult male, adding that he was severely burnt.

    Also, a Volkswagen conveying used wears, caught fire at Airport bus-stop along Lagos-Abeokuta Express Way.

    The incident occurred around 2:00pm yesterday.

    The nation learnt sympathizers helped put out the fire before fire fighters men arrived. But, some of the wears was said to have been partially destroyed by the fire.

     

  • Two feared dead as JTF, youths clash in Delta

    Two feared dead as JTF, youths clash in Delta

    Kokori community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State was deserted yesterday after a fresh bloody clash between troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and armed youths loyal to the alleged notorious crime lord, Kelvin Ibruvwe, left at least two persons dead.

    The latest clash occurred less than 24 hours after the State Security Service (SSS) secured a court order to keep Ibruvwe for 90 days to enable it conclude its investigation.

    Sources said armed youths, who had laid siege to the community since the arrest of Ibruvwe two months ago, engaged in a gunfight with JTF troops, which lasted about one hour.

    It could not be ascertained if the deceased were members of the Liberation Movement of Urbobo People formed by Ibruvwe before his arrest in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on September 25.

    JTF official, Captain Mohammed Abdullahi, who confirmed the clash, did not give details, as he was on the road when our reporter called him on the phone yesterday evening.

    Responding to a question, he said: “Yes, there were casualties, but I cannot give you any more information than that until I have a full account.”

    A source in the town told our reporter that two youths were killed by stray bullets during the bloody encounter.

    He said: “Two persons have been confirmed dead. They were hit by stray bullets during a shootout between the boys and the soldiers.”

    It was learnt that yesterday’s clash may not be unconnected with a threat by Ibruvwe’s gang to unleash mayhem in the community over his travail.

    A source in Kokori told our reporter that the gang members went round the homes of prominent traditional title holders and other indigenes to pressure them to make the trip to Abuja for Ibruvwe’s court appearance on Wednesday.

    “Armed gang members went round the homes of the chiefs to threaten them of the consequences if they do not travel to Abuja and protest on the court premises.”

    Following the threat, it was gathered that the community leaders fled their homes after informing security operatives of the criminal gang’s hideout.