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SAD: Prison Inmates K!lled, Officials Injured As Overloaded Transformer Explodes In Uyo
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An overloaded transformer located along Metro road in Uyo has exploded, resulting in the death of two awaiting-trial inmates at the Uyo Medium Custodial Centre (MCC) along the Wellington Bassey Way (Government House Road).
Two inmates were confirmed dead, while two prison officials were critically injured.
The transformer, which serves part of the Deputy Governor’s Lodge and the prison facility, had exploded, causing devastating aftershocks and damage worth billions of naira.
The explosion also affected another nearby transformer located along Effiong UdoAkpan street by the Wellington Bassey Way.
The state Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), confirmed the tragic passing of its two awaiting trial inmates, disclosing that the suspects were waiting to be arraign for alleged kidnapping and armed robbery before the unfortunate incident.
Speaking in an interview with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State council, on a fact finding mission to the Atan Offot, Uyo office of the Correctional Service, the State Controller of Corrections, Frank Okonkwo, said the Centre was the worst hit with other facilities severely destroyed.
He recalled that during the explosion, the two deceased victims were thrown up by the force of the explosion where they were sitting, but sadly died at the University of Uyo Teaching hospital (UUTH) where they rushed to.
“They died after administration of first aid by the doctor who later pronounced them dead,” Okonkwo, explained.
According to the Controller, though the victims were awaiting trial for conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbing; they were presumed innocent until proven otherwise by the Court, describing the situation as very unfortunate.
He said the families have been contacted and one of them has concluded the processes of retrieving the corpse for burial, maintaining that the Command would only release the corpse upon completion of investigations.
“It was very unfortunate because the thing caused a lot of damage, both to our facility and the families of the deceased.
“When that explosion occurred at the transformer, officials of PHEDC came and said the explosion was as a result of too much voltage. The thing affected us in that it actually destroyed or damaged all electrical appliances, computers etc in our facility.
“It affected our Barracks as well, and even the official residence of the officer in -charge. But the most painful aspect of it was that it affected two of our inmates that finally lost their life as they were rushed to the hospital.
They were thrown off from where they were staying, and immediately our medical personnel administered first aid, and rushed them to the University of Uyo Teaching hospital, where they were later confirmed dead.
“It was a big loss, both to themselves and to the inmates especially when they were just awaiting trial, one of them was standing trial for conspiracy and kidnapping, the other one for armed robbery,” he stressed.
Leadership
Tension has heightened in Uvwie Kingdom, Delta State, following a peaceful protest by scores of indigenes against the proposed visit of the Olu of Warri Kingdom, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, to Ugbonuohworu (also known as Ugbolokposo), a community located in Uvwie Local Government Area.
The protesters, comprising members of the Egweya r’Uvwie (women’s group), youths, elders and other community stakeholders, urged the Federal Government and the Delta State Government to intervene, insisting that any visit by the Olu to the community should not take place without the consent of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Emmanuel Sideso Abe I.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Uvwie Says No to Olu Visit,” “Uvwie Is Not Itsekiri Land,” “We Need Peace in Uvwie Kingdom,” “There Is One King in Uvwie Kingdom,” and “Ugbonuohworu Is a Uvwie Community,” the demonstrators marched peacefully from Erovwie Community in Effurun, chanting solidarity songs.
Addressing journalists during the protest, Chairman of Erovwie Community, Chief Thomas Eyejewefe, JP, said the demonstration was prompted by what he described as claims by some Itsekiri groups that Ugbonuohworu belongs to them.
According to him, Ugbonuohworu is part of Etche Erovwie in Uvwie Kingdom, and the proposed visit by the Olu of Warri has heightened concerns among residents.
“We have always embraced peace, but information available to us indicates that the Olu of Itsekiri intends to visit Ugbonuohworu. As peace-loving people, we do not believe such a visit should take place without due regard to the traditional institution of Uvwie Kingdom,” he said.
Eyejewefe appealed to both the Federal and Delta State governments to intervene to prevent any action capable of creating tension in the area.
“We have only one traditional ruler in Uvwie Kingdom—the Ovie of Uvwie. We are calling on the authorities to ensure peace prevails by addressing this issue before it escalates,” he added.
He further maintained that Ugbonuohworu is surrounded by Erovwie, Okoribi, Ebrumede, Okuatata, Ugbomoro and Iteregbi communities, which he said are all within Uvwie Kingdom.
Also speaking, Chairman of Ugbomoro Community, Hon. (Chief) Ese Winfrey Ohwojaraye, described the proposed visit as capable of generating avoidable tension if not properly managed.
“We are appealing to the Delta State Government to intervene. We believe dialogue and respect for traditional institutions are necessary to preserve the peace that Uvwie Kingdom has enjoyed,” he stated.
Ohwojaraye urged Uvwie indigenes to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding despite their concerns, stressing that the protest was intended to draw the attention of government and relevant stakeholders to the matter.
Other community representatives, including Ejedegba Abrahama Mamekpe and Elizabeth Egamurumu, also expressed opposition to the proposed visit, aligning themselves with the position taken by the protest leaders.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Palace of the Olu of Warri nor the Delta State Government had issued an official response to the concerns raised by the protesters.
A member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has said she begged former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to become Peter Obi’s running mate four years ago.
Yesufu disclosed this in a post on 𝕏 on Wednesday, while reaffirming her support for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.
The activist said some political developments take longer than expected, but insisted she would not be distracted.
“Some things in life take longer than they should. Like the saying goes, better late than never.
“4 years ago I literally begged @KwankwasoRM to be Peter Obi’s running mate.
“Now that it is happening, you think I am going to be distracted? No way. Let’s get it done,” she wrote.
In other news, Yesufu challenged the Department of State Services (DSS) over its involvement in the prosecution of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
The DSS had said it filed charges against Sowore under the Cybercrimes Act over a social media post in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as “this criminal.”
The agency also maintained that Sowore’s remand followed court proceedings, adding that it neither arrested him nor opposed his bail.
Reacting to the development, Yesufu said Tinubu should seek redress in court if Sowore’s statement is false or defamatory, rather than involving the DSS.
She also criticised DSS’s focus on the matter amid the country’s security challenges.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering involving about $2.53 million.
The EFCC filed a 12-count charge against Bodejo on June 22, 2026.
In a statement on Wednesday, the commission’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said Bodejo was accused of accepting multiple cash payments from a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sa’idu Abubakar, without routing the transactions through a financial institution.
One of the counts alleged that Bodejo accepted $100,000 in cash from Abubakar on January 11, 2022, in Abuja.
The EFCC also alleged that Bodejo received $200,000 on January 21, 2022; $980,000 on February 7, 2024; and $500,000 on March 20, 2024.
The charge read, “That you, BELLO ABDULLAHI BODEJO, on or about the 7th day of February 2024, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly and willfully, without lawful authority or excuse, accept a cash payment of the sum of Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand United States Dollars (USD $980,000.00) in physical currency from one SA’IDU ABUBAKAR… without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law.”
The commission further accused Bodejo of possessing funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
EFCC said the alleged offences are punishable under the Money Laundering laws. Bodejo is expected to be arraigned once the court fixes a date.
“We Have One King”: Uvwie Women, Elders Oppose Planned Olu of Warri Visit
Armed Men Are Vigilantes And Hunters – Police Dismiss Viral Katsina Video
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