9 Bodies Recovered From Niger Boat Mishap – NSEMA
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has said that nine bodies were recovered from a boat mishap that occurred in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state. The Head of Relief and Rehabilitation in NSEMA, Alhaji Salihu Garba, disclosed this in an interview in Minna. Ten persons were confirmed dead in a boat mishap that occurred on Thursday, November 16. The victims, mostly traders, were reportedly conveying goods from Zongoru Community of Bassa Ward to Gijiwa, ahead of Friday market in Kuta, headquarters of Shiroro LGA, when the tragic incident happened. At least 34 persons were said to be on board of which 10 allegedly lost their lives, while 22 were reportedly rescued by local divers. Garba gave the names of the deceased to include Farida Muntari, Sharhabila Sagir, Bubakar Sadiq, Na’ima Ibrahim, Amina, Safaratu Ibrahim, Sadiq Ibrahim and Rafiya Yakubu. He said that the agency had yet to identify two of the deceased persons, adding that all the deceased were from Zangoro. He further said that there were 24 males and female adults and 10 male and female children in the boat when it capized. Garba also said that a search operation was ongoing to recover the remaining bodies.
Driver Kills 2 Highway Sweepers While Evading LASTMA Arrest
Tragedy struck on Monday morning as a driver, attempting to evade arrest by LASTMA officials, claimed the lives of two street sweepers on the Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos. The unidentified driver crashed into LAWMA members at their work location, leading to a protest from upset onlookers and drivers. Security forces, including the police, swiftly intervened, deploying tear gas to disperse the protesters and restore order at the scene. LAWMA, in an official statement, verified the fatalities and committed to collaborating with law enforcement to capture and prosecute the responsible driver, identified by the vehicle number EPE 984 DV. As tensions simmer, LAWMA urged motorists to exercise caution on highways to prevent similar tragedies. “We wish to appeal to motorists for the umpteenth time, to drive with utmost caution on the highways, to avoid sad incidents like this happening to our sanitation workers or anyone in the course of their legitimate duties. The public has been urged to remain calm as investigations unfold, with condolences extended to the grieving families of the deceased sanitation workers.
Again, Unidentified Gunmen Claim Five Lives In Ayilamo, Benue
In a tragic incident, five individuals fell victim to a violent attack carried out by unidentified gunmen in Ayilamo, a village situated in Logo Local Government, Benue. The assault, as reported by Mr. Sewuese Anene, spokesperson for the Benue Police Command, took place on Tuesday night. Regrettably, a few others sustained injuries as a result of the attack. Additionally, another unsettling incident occurred in Mbachohon community within Gwer-West Local Government, although specific details about this event remain unavailable. Unverified reports suggest that the Mbachohon attack resulted in the loss of six lives. The escalation of such attacks is a matter of deep concern. In response, authorities have initiated the deployment of more security personnel to these affected areas with the primary aim of restoring peace and ensuring the safety of the local populace. The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to address and resolve the security challenges prevalent in the region.
Tragedy As Abacha’s Daughter Is Found Dead In Maiduguri
In a heart-wrenching incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, Mrs. Amma Buwa, daughter of Honourable Bukar Abacha, a member of the Borno State House of Assembly representing Ngala local government area, was discovered strangled to death in her Maiduguri home. The tragic event unfolded at approximately 6:30 pm on Tuesday evening while Mrs. Buwa’s husband was away, attending prayers at a nearby mosque. Upon his return, the distraught husband made the grim discovery within their residence, finding his wife’s lifeless body. Her hands and legs were bound behind her back, and her two-year-old child was crying beside her. The husband promptly reported this horrifying incident to local authorities, leading to the Gwange Police Division transferring the body to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for a post-mortem examination and further investigation. The community is in shock, with residents gathering at the scene to offer their condolences and support during these trying times. A family source took to social media to announce that the funeral of the deceased, Mrs. Amma Buwa, will be held the following morning at the 777 Housing Estate in Maiduguri. It’s worth noting that less than 24 hours before this tragic incident, the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, had taken decisive action to address security concerns in the area. He ordered the demolition of brothels, shanties, and makeshift bars at the Railway Terminus general area, asserting that these locations were breeding grounds for criminals responsible for killings in the metropolis.
Tragic Road Accident Involves FG Civil Servants En Route IPPIS Registration
A group of 20 federal civil servants, who were en route from Maiduguri, Borno State, to Abuja for a mandatory verification exercise related to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) registration, were involved in a tragic road accident in Gombe on Tuesday. While the specific details of the accident remain unclear as of the time of this report, it was confirmed that one person lost their life in this unfortunate incident. The accident took place during their journey from Maiduguri to the nation’s capital. The Nigerian Government recently issued a directive requiring all civil servants and employees from core ministries to participate in the ongoing IPPIS registration to ensure the accurate capture of their details. This directive impacted approximately 17,000 federal civil servants from various regions of the country who had to travel to Abuja for registration. A surviving civil servant, deeply distressed by the situation, shared, “Tragically, one of our colleagues lost their life on the way from Maiduguri to Abuja for the mandatory IPPIS registration. The accident occurred in Gombe. This is a truly heartbreaking situation, and I will provide further updates as we receive more information.” The affected civil servants have been grappling with delayed salary payments, adding to their concerns and challenges during this registration process.
13 Hostages Killed By Israeli Airstrikes — Hamas
Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, on Friday said at least 13 hostages captured by Hamas were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in the past 24 hours. In a statement, it said “foreigners and Israelis were killed during the intense Israeli attacks in northern Gaza and inside Gaza City during the past 24 hours.’’ Six were killed in the northern Gaza Strip, while seven were killed in separate places in Gaza City, according to the statement. The Israeli army announced that it attacked about 750 targets Thursday night in the Gaza Strip, including underground tunnels, military compounds and sites. It added that the attack had also been on homes of officials, weapons depots and communication rooms in attempting to eliminate activists.
My Son Had No Underlying Health Challenge – Sylvester Oromoni’s Mother
Mrs Rosemary Oromoni, the mother of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, the late 12-year-old student of Dowen College, Lagos, has said the late student had no health challenge before the complaints he made few days to his death. Rosemary said this while being cross-examined by counsel to Dowen College, Mr Anthony Kpokpo. She testified on Monday at a coroner’s inquest to unravel the circumstances that led to the student’s death on November 30, 2021. The inquest is taking place at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. Rosemary wept profusely while testifying. The Coroner, Mr Mikhail Kadiri, had to stand down proceedings twice to enable her pull herself together. According to the witness, she could not take the late student to a hospital on the day he arrived home from school with complaints, few days before his death. She said she could not take him to hospital because the hospital was occupied. “I could not take him to the hospital from Friday to Monday, but did so on Tuesday,” she said. She further told the coroner that before her son died, she observed that his breathing changed. Okpokpo asked her whether she had seen the doctor’s report and whether she would be surprised learning that the report stated that her late son’s bones were in good condition. The witness replied in the negative. The family’s lead counsel, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), however, objected to the defence counsel’s question as to whether the witness would be surprised at the doctor’s report. “Mrs Oromoni did not author the report nor present it as evidence and should not be made to answer whether she is surprised or not at the doctor’s report,” he said. The counsel representing the school further asked the whether she was the one in a video that surfaced on social media showing a woman holding and supporting the deceased to walk. She replied: “I was aware of the video and it was shot in my house but I never instructed anyone to make it. “I was not the one assisting him in the video though I was aware of the video but I can not remember who shot it. “I do not know how many videos that were shot in my house on that day.” While being cross-examined by Mr Nosa Iyamo, counsel to one of the students alleged to have bullied the deceased, Rosemary said that the said video was made for the school. The counsel informed the court that there was no other witnesses to be called in the inquest. Kadiri commiserated with the witness and her family on the death of the student, and admitted the statement she made at the police station in evidence. The coroner directed that all the counsel should file their final written addresses in two weeks’ time. Kadiri adjourned the case until November 20 for adoption of the final written addresses. The coroner had on September 3 invited the mother of the deceased to give evidence. Sylvester Oromoni Jnr reportedly died on November 30, 2021, at a private hospital in Warri, Delta, after alleged health complications at Dowen College, Lagos. The Oromoni family alleged that their son died from injuries he suffered as a result of bullying by five senior students of the college. They also claimed that he was not treated by the school in a hospital.
Senate Probes ‘One Chance’ Victim’s Tragic Death, Maitama Hospital Negligence
The Nigerian Senate has taken significant action in response to the tragic death of Ms. Greatness Olorunfemi, who fell victim to criminals operating the notorious ‘one chance’ scheme. This horrific incident occurred when Ms. Olorunfemi was brutally attacked and thrown out of a vehicle she had boarded along the Maitama/Kubwa Highway last Tuesday. Despite being in dire need of medical attention, Ms. Olorunfemi was not promptly treated at the Maitama General Hospital, as the facility insisted on the requirement of a police report before offering assistance. This delay in care likely exacerbated her condition and contributed to the tragic outcome. In light of this distressing incident, the Senate has taken immediate action by summoning key figures for a thorough investigation. The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Ministers of Health and FCT, Ali Pate and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, have been called to account for the circumstances surrounding Ms. Olorunfemi’s death. Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong sponsored a motion in the Senate, which received unanimous support, to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the matter. The Senate has tasked its committees on health and police with conducting a meticulous inquiry into the events leading to Ms. Olorunfemi’s death. They have been given a two-week timeline to compile their findings and present a comprehensive report. Furthermore, the Senate has also called for legal action against Maitama General Hospital, emphasizing the need to hold the hospital accountable for potential manslaughter charges related to the tragic incident.
Tragic Electrocution Claims Family Of Four In Taraba
The Taraba State Police Command has confirmed a devastating incident involving the electrocution of a family of four in the Dinyavo area of Jalingo, the state capital. The tragic incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. on Monday and is believed to have been caused by a power surge. According to Mr. Abdullahi Usman, the command’s Public Relations Officer, the police were informed of the incident promptly. He stated, “At about 11:00 a.m. on Monday, we were reliably informed that a house located at Dinyavoh area of Jalingo was on fire. Detectives from GRA Police Division were quickly deployed to the scene and, on arrival, found the four victims with burns suspected to be from electrocution.” The victims have been identified as Remond Ofonbuk (44 years old), his wife, Mfonbong Remond, their son Hevean Remond (15 years old), and another son, First Remond (13 years old). Usman explained, “We have received information indicating that immediately power was restored, the transformer serving the area blew up. We learned that many houses within the neighborhood experienced high electric voltage which might have led to the fire outbreak that inflicted burns on the victims.” Despite the rapid response and evacuation of the victims to the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo for treatment, they were tragically pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The deceased’s bodies have been taken to the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy, while authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the devastating incident.
8 die, 7 Injured In Delta Auto Crash- FRSC
No fewer than eight people were burnt beyond recognition on Sunday on the Ologbo Bridge, Benin/Sapele Expressway in Delta. The FRSC Spokesman, Mr Bisi Kazeem confirmed this in a statement in Abuja, stated that the fatal crash which occurred on October 1 at about 1pm, also had seven people injured. Kazeem said that the dual crash involved 15 different categories of vehicles stating the affected vehicles as 1 Toyota Hiace Bus, 2 FORD Buses, 1 Volkswagen Passat passat, 2 J5 Peugeot buses, 1 Daylong Motorcycle and 8 Tankers. “From the report gotten from the FRSC rescue team, a total of 15 people all male adults were involved. “Out of this number, seven people got injured, while eight victims were burnt beyond recognition. “The truck ladened with Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), coming from Warri, Delta State fell on the highway and spilled the PMS product on the road. “This, hereby led to an explosion that gutted the aforementioned number of vehicles and the 15 male victims, “he said. Kazeem quoted the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu as calling on fleet operators, especially owners of tankers conveying inflammable products to ensure compliance with minimum safety standards by installing safety valves (Anti spill) in their vehicles. This, he said, is to eradicate all incidences of mishap resulting from lack of safety valves in tankers. Biu also called on owners and operators of tankers to comply with all safety standards set by the government on operation of that category of vehicle on Nigerian road. He directed Commanding Officers to ensure that tankers that do not meet safety standards were not allowed to ply the highways.