Metro
SAD! Six casualties, 20 injured in Anambra building collapse
The Anambra State Emergency Management Agency has confirmed the death of six people in the building collapse incident that occurred in the commercial city of Onitsha on Monday.
According to the agency, about 20 other people were rescued from the rubbles of the collapsed building. Most of them sustained various levels of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital around the market.
“About six bodies recovered from the rubbles have been deposited at the morgue, while those who sustained varying degrees of injuries were taken to the nearby hospital for medical attention, rescue efforts are still ongoing,” SEMA officials said in a statement released on Tuesday.
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has visited the Ochanje building site in the commercial city of Onitsha to inspect the extent of damages and cause of the incident.
While at the scene, the governor promised that he would ensure that the victims of the collapsed building receive justice.
The collapsed three-storey building still under construction, which was meant to serve as a market on completion, collapsed at about 8 pm on Monday, while some of the workers and traders were still in the building.
Soludo who was visibly angry at the scene said he was not aware that the construction of the building was going on at the market.
He said, “When investigations are completed, the developer, the Chairman of the market and every other person involved in the disaster will be prosecuted and jailed.
“The remaining building under construction by the same developer, near the collapsed one will be demolished immediately after rescue operations on the site have been completed.”
Soludo also stated that any construction in any market in Anambra State without his express approval will be demolished while vowing that every other existing building must pass through an integrity test.
Also, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche also mourned the victims of the collapse and assured the families that the state government would make sure that no one who was culpable in the disaster went unpunished.
The governor was joined on the visit by top government officials, where he ordered that more excavators be brought to the site of the collapse to help in the rescue operations.
As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations were still ongoing to search for more trapped victims in the rubble.
Earlier today, some yet-to-be-ascertained number of persons have been trapped as a building under construction caved in near the Ochanja market in Onitsha, Anambra State.
It was gathered that the building, meant to serve as a market on completion, collapsed at about 8 pm on Monday with some of the workers still inside the building.
The situation created panic around the area as passers-by and residents were making efforts to rescue the trapped victims from the rubble.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, has taken direct charge of operations in Sapele following the shocking abduction of the Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, assuring residents that efforts are in top gear to secure the victim’s safe and unharmed release.
In a swift and strategic response, the police boss conducted an on-the-spot operational assessment of key locations linked to the incident, demonstrating the Command’s urgency and commitment to cracking the case.
The visit saw the CP inspect Debro Fred Guest House, the scene where the abduction reportedly took place. The facility, believed to have been the last point of contact before the Chairman was whisked away by armed men, is now central to ongoing investigations.
He also proceeded to Ogorode Waterside, where a vehicle suspected to have been used by the kidnappers was earlier recovered. The discovery is expected to provide critical leads as security operatives intensify intelligence gathering and forensic analysis to track down the perpetrators.
Speaking during the visit, CP Oyeniyi reassured the public that the Command is leaving no stone unturned.
“We are working with credible intelligence and in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure that the victim is rescued safely. Every available resource has been deployed, and we are confident of positive results,” he said.
The Commissioner also paid a solemn visit to the family of the abducted Chairman, where he met with his wife, offering words of comfort and reassurance.
“The Command shares in your pain at this difficult time. I want to assure you that we are doing everything humanly possible to secure his safe return,” he stated.
In addition, the CP visited medical facilities where victims injured during the attack are receiving treatment, further demonstrating the Command’s concern for all those affected by the incident.
The abduction, which has sent shockwaves across Sapele and beyond, is believed to have been carried out by heavily armed assailants who struck with precision, raising renewed concerns over security in the riverine axis of Delta State. Eyewitness accounts suggest the attackers operated swiftly, leaving behind chaos and injured victims in their wake.
CP Oyeniyi has, however, called for calm and cooperation from the public, stressing that community support remains a critical factor in the success of the ongoing operation.
“We urge residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information. Security is a collective responsibility, and together we can bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.
The Delta State Police Command reaffirmed its unwavering resolve to protect lives and property, assuring that decisive actions will continue until those behind the abduction are apprehended and the victim safely reunited with his family.
As investigations deepen, residents across Delta State remain hopeful that the intensified security response will yield swift results and restore confidence in the fight against violent crime.
Metro
Chief of Army Staff visits Borno to boost troops morale after death of Brigadier General, soldiers
The Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen Waidi Shaibu, has visited the north-east to boost troop morale following the killing of a Brigadier-General and soldiers in recent attacks.
Shaibu made the visit on Friday as part of an operational assessment of the security situation in the region.
He was received by Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni at the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu.
The army chief said the visit was aimed at encouraging troops and reviewing ongoing operations, while acknowledging recent attacks on military formations.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army remains resolute in confronting security threats, stressing that the military is adjusting its strategies to address evolving challenges.
The COAS urged troops to remain aggressive in dealing with terrorists, stating that their efforts would honour fallen colleagues.
At the headquarters of Sector 2 Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Shaibu interacted with troops and charged them to sustain the fight against insurgency.
More than 2,000 residents of communities in Tsafe local government area of Zamfara state have fled their homes over fears of a reprisal attack by bandits.
The villagers reportedly abandoned their communities in the western part of the local government after security personnel vacated parts of the area.
“Some security personnel deployed to our villages vacated from their strategic points two days after neutralizing some bandits. Now we are afraid that the bandits may return,” one villager said.
Residents of Kunchin Kalgo and neighbouring villages were seen leaving with their belongings and moving towards the Tsafe local government headquarters.
Tsafe local government area chairman, Garba Panchase confirmed the development, atressing that the villagers relocated to the local government headquarters.
Panchase said the movement was triggered by rumours, adding that even though members of the civilian JTF vacated the area for redeployment, conventional security personnel remained on ground.
His words: “The people flew their communities as a result of rumours initiated by people that do not mean well for the government.”
Some villagers, however, alleged that security forces left as bandits regrouped for reprisal attacks, adding that it has heightened fear among residents.
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