Metro
Victims of Anambra stampede buried amidst tears
The victims who died in a stampede that occurred before a Christmas rice distribution in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, have been buried.
No fewer than 21 people, mostly women and children reportedly lost their lives during the tragic incident that occurred on December 21, 2024, during the palliative distribution being donated by a notable member of the community, Chief Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, through his foundation, Obijackson Foundation.
The inter-denominational burial service for the victims held at St. Mary’s Field, Okija, on Friday, had families of the victims, survivors, community members, and other notable personalities of the community in attendance in the low-key event.
The event was organised by the Okija community.
During the service, the Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria Okija Zone, Bishop Rommy Nzomiwu who anchored his lesson from the book of Revelation 21:1-8, asked the Almighty God to console everybody who lost their loved ones and prayed that such would not occur again in the community.
Chukwudolue said, “We ask God to wipe away every tear and console the families of the deceased. We pray such an accident will not occur in Okija again. Okija mourns, Anambra mourns, and Nigeria mourns.
“Nobody would hear such tragic news and not feel sober. Only the Lord can console those who lost their loved ones and we pray the Lord will continue to comfort the families of the victims.”
During his sermon, the Bishop of Ihiala Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Ralph Okafor, who read from the book of Psalms 23, urged the families of the victims to move and continue to look to God for consolation, saying, “Past is past, we must move on.”
While mourning the victims, the Founder of the Obijackson Foundation, Chief Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, thanked the traditional ruler of the community and other members of the community for their support and show of love.
Azudialu-Obiejesi said, “Today, we gather here with heavy hearts to honour the memory of those we lost in the tragedy that happened on December 21 in the community. I, as the founder of the Obijackson Foundation sincerely expressed my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the entire Okija community for the incident.
“The foundation remains steadfast in its resolve to human development, this incident has strengthened our resolve to ensure there such tragedy will not occur again. Let this tragedy bring us closer and make us stronger as a community and have a resolve to forge ahead.
“This kind of tragedy can deter you from engaging in service, but we as a foundation, are going to continue to ensure that we do everything that God has empowered us to do to ensure that Okija never suffers this kind of calamity again.
“We are humbled and reminded of the importance of doing good. We are taking decisive actions and our resolve to serve the Okija people will remain steadfast. Together, we will rebuild, together, we will make Okija a safer place where you will always eat and remember your brothers and sisters.
“The Obijackson Foundation will continue to do good. As the founder of the foundation, we have done this for 15 years and I assure you, we will continue to bring succour and love to Okija. May all those families that lost their loved ones continue to relate and we will support them with all the things they deserve.”
In his speech, the traditional ruler of the community, Emeka Okezie, urged the foundation to continue in its philanthropic gestures as these have impacted positively on the community and the lives of the people.
Okezie urged Azudialu-Obiejesi to continue in his community service and impact on lives and not to be discouraged by the unfortunate incident.
The Chairman of Dozzy Group of Companies, Chief Daniel Chukwudozie, consoled the victims and donated a sum of N10 million to them.
Some of the victims, who spoke at the event, expressed sadness over what happened while calling on the Almighty God to grant the souls of the deceased eternal rest.
Troops of 22 Brigade under Operation Savannah Shield have repelled suspected terrorists, arrested two suspects, and recovered motorcycles during an offensive operation in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 11:09 a.m. on April 14 by troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Babanna, in collaboration with Combat Support Infantry Battalion XVI and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
According to the sources, the troops carried out coordinated clearance operations across Dekara, Dongoru, Bakimba, Jigga, Gidan Kambarawa and Masaka villages.
During the operation, troops made contact with the terrorists along the Masaka–Dekara road, forcing them to flee and abandon their motorcycles.
The sources added that the troops subsequently encountered an ambush but successfully fought through the attack, recovering additional motorcycles.
“In total, nine motorcycles were recovered during the operation, while two suspects were apprehended,” the sources said.
They noted that two tyres of a Combat Support Vehicle (CSK APC) were damaged during the encounter.
The suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody for further investigation, while operations are ongoing to track fleeing members of the group.
Troops conducting ongoing clearance operations under Operation Wutan Daji have rescued 12 kidnapped victims and arrested key associates of a fleeing bandit leader during coordinated offensives across forested areas linking Plateau and Taraba States.
A military source said the operations, carried out on April 15 and 16, involved troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade in conjunction with an Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) tactical team.
According to the source, the operations were conducted in the Dajin Madam and Kumbodoro forest axis, spanning parts of Plateau and Taraba States.
The source said the sustained offensive led to the recovery of 12 kidnapped victims who escaped from their captors during the pressure mounted by troops.
The victims were subsequently taken into custody for profiling before being moved to an Internally Displaced Persons facility in Fukuk.
Troops also recovered a Dane gun, a fabricated AK-47 rifle and a power bank during the operation.
The Bauchi State Government has dismissed a driver, Aminu Abdullahi, over a fatal road crash that claimed the lives of two journalists and left 11 others injured.
The crash involving a vehicle conveying 13 journalists occurred on February 6, 2026.
A cameraman with Channels Television, Kani Ben, d!ed from spinal cord injuries he sustained in the crash.
The dismissal was carried out by the Bauchi State Civil Service Commission (CSC) during its recent sitting.
The Commission disclosed that Abdullahi, a clerical assistant in the state civil service, was sacked for misconduct.
The CSC explained that the disciplinary action formed part of decisions taken during its 13th plenary session held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at its conference hall.
It added that Abdullahi’s termination was due to negligence while carrying out an assigned duty of driving.
According to the Commission, the misconduct contravened Rules 0312 and 0327 of the Bauchi State Public Service Regulations.
The CSC further stated that Abdullahi, a Grade Level 03 clerical assistant with the State Ministry of Higher Education, had been assigned “any other duty” and directed to drive a team of journalists covering activities of the North East Development Commission during the commissioning of projects in Alkaleri Local Government Area.“
“Aminu, who was accused of reckless driving, caused an accident involving more than 10 journalists. As a result, two persons lost their lives, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” the statement said.
The Commission noted that the action followed recommendations from the Ministry of Higher Education and resolutions of the State Executive Council on the disciplinary case.
Meanwhile, the CSC queried the management of the Ministry of Higher Education to explain why a clerical assistant was assigned the duties of a driver.
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