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14 narrowly escape death as bus catches fire on Anambra bridge

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No fewer than 14 passengers narrowly escaped death by a whisker while the driver sustained a minor injury when the bus they were travelling in suddenly went up in flames along the Old Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Our correspondent gathered on Thursday that the incident, which happened on Wednesday, created panic and heavy gridlock on the bridge for several hours as passers-by and firefighters battled to quench the inferno.

The vehicle, a Toyota Hiace bus, was said to be heading to Asaba, Delta State when it suddenly caught up in flames in the middle of the bridge.

An eyewitness near the scene and trader in the area, who identified himself as Obiora Uzor, said the passengers had managed to jump out of the bus one after the other before the fire finally engulfed the whole vehicle.

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Although no life was lost in the inferno, the eyewitness, however, noted that the driver was not lucky enough as he was affected by the flames, which started from the front of the vehicle.

“The bus suddenly went up in flames while in motion and caused panic on the bridge as the passengers struggled to escape having been caught up by the fire. No one knew the cause of the fire.

“It caused a heavy gridlock to and fro the bridge as motorists and other passersby were battling to extinguish the fire before the arrival of firefighters who later controlled the inferno,” the witness added.

When contacted, the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, confirmed the incident, in a statement on Thursday.

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The statement read, “The Anambra State Fire Service on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, received a distress alert at 0930 hours reporting of a vehicle (bus) engulfed by fire along the Bridge-head, Onitsha.

“A crew of firemen and firefighting equipment were immediately deployed to the rescue. They extinguished the fire and ensured that it did not affect other vehicles that were plying the bridge.

“The cause of the incident is unknown. No life was lost. The public was advised to alert the fire service in time whenever there is a fire incident and to install fire extinguishers in their vehicles. Remember, fire kills but, we can prevent it.”

It said the firefighters left the scene in the afternoon after extinguishing the fire.

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Our correspondent, who visited the scene on Thursday evening observed that the vehicle, burnt beyond recognition, was still at the scene of the incident, but pushed to a corner at the bridge to prevent an obstruction of movement.

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Metro

Rainstorm wreaks havoc at Kwara NYSC orientation camp

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Rainstorm has destroyed properties worth millions of naira at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Yikpata, Kwara State.

Tribune Online gathered that the heavy downpour, which began early Saturday morning, was accompanied by strong winds that wreaked havoc across the camp premises.

According to a source, the extent of the damage was significant, as key structures affected included the multipurpose hall, the administrative block, the camp mosque, and several hostel blocks housing corps members and camp officials.

The rainstorm also left a trail of destruction on the camp’s saluting dais and the newly constructed volleyball court, which had been one of the major attractions within the camp.

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In addition, two vehicles belonging to camp officials were completely destroyed when a big tree, uprooted by the strong wind, crashed down on them, rendering them beyond repair.

An official of the NYSC in the camp suggested that relevant authorities should take steps to assess the extent of the damage for necessary repair work, in order to restore affected facilities and ensure the continuity of activities in the orientation camp.

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‘My husband always makes love throughout the night until morning’ – Woman Wants Divorce

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A 37-year-old woman, Linda Stephen, on Tuesday, approached a Kaduna Customary Court, seeking divorce over her husband, Felix Stephen’s excessive sexual demands.

In her petition, Mrs Stephen, a resident of Ungwan Sunday in Kaduna, also accused her husband of beating her whenever she rejected his sexual advances. They have been married for six years.

She told the court that she was no longer interested in the marriage as she can no longer cope with the husband’s excessive demand for sex.

“I urge the court to dissolve this marriage because I can’t stand his excessive sexual urge. He likes sex too much, and I can’t bear it.

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“Most times, he would have sex with me from midnight till early hours of the morning. Even when I am crying, he will not stop.

“It has been three months since I moved out of his house, his relatives have been pleading with me to go back to him, but they do not know what I am facing,” she said.

She further said that her husband does not control himself whenever he needed sex, and that whenever she refused his sexual advances, he would beat her up, even in front of their two kids.

‘I’m ready to control my urge’ -Husband

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Stephen, in his response, told the court that he is in love with his wife.

He pleaded with the court to help him pacify her, and not to grant her wish.

Stephen said he had been pleading with her wife not to seek for divorce, as he was now ready to control his sexual urge.

“I took my uncles and friends to her parents house to plead with her. But she refused to listen to us instead she walked out on us,’’ Stephen said.

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He further pleaded with the court to give him time to sort things out and reconcile with his wife.

The judge, John Dauda, adjourned the matter until May 6 for a feedback and outcome of the reconciliation, while advising them to maintain peace.

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Police uncover human trafficking ring, rescue 84 trafficked Congolese in Oyo

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The Oyo State Police Command has rescued 84 Congolese from a human trafficking syndicate operating in Ibadan, the state capital.

The victims were allegedly held captive for an unknown period in a building located in the Orogun area of Ibadan.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that the victims were trafficked to Nigeria under the pretence of providing employment opportunities for them.

According to reports, the human traffickers had extorted large sums of money, reportedly in US dollars, from the victims’ families and relatives as part of their scheme to lure the victims into the country.

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In a video shared by Channels TV, the rescued individuals, including a baby, were seen being escorted to police vans and buses.

The victims were later transported to the Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, where they are currently being held while investigations continue.

However, attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer of Oyo State Command, Adewale Osifeso, for comment on the development were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to his phone were not responded to at the time of this report.

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