Metro
Property burnt as fire guts three Oyo shops
A disastrous fire again wreaked havoc in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday morning, destroying three shops while the prompt arrival of the state fire services saved 13 others.
The blaze, which began around midnight behind a branch of the First City Monument Bank, Dugbe in Ibadan, is believed to be the burning of refuse unattended to by the occupants of the premises.
Though no life was lost, property and goods worth millions of naira were destroyed during the inferno.
PUNCH Metro recalls that a devastating fire had within December 2024 engulfed many places, especially Moniya market where 17 shops alongside multi-million naira goods were destroyed and a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church at Wisdom Estate, Road 1G, Olohunda-Aba Road, was also engulfed by fire.
One of the sources who pleaded anonymity said, “Actually, the cause of the fire incident is still unknown to me, but I heard people saying it was a result of burning of refuse by the people living on that premises.”
Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the state fire services, Yemi Akinyinka, said the agency received a phone call around 12:25 am on Sunday.
He said, “Our agency received the information at exactly 00:25 hrs on Sunday. The personnel were quickly deployed to the scene of the incident, and they got there in time because there was no traffic, no hold-up.
“On getting there, the three shops out of 13 shops had already been engulfed by fire. We swung into action and restricted the fire from spreading to other nearby property. The fire was completely extinguished and people on the ground were educated on the proper ways of preventing fire during the harmattan and how to control it at an incipient stage.
“Three shops were destroyed, 13 shops and other property were saved by the officers of the state fire services agency.”
Akinyinka stressed that the cause of the fire was traced to be the burning of refuse unattended to by the occupants of the premises.
He, therefore, warned against indiscriminate burning of refuse and bush, adding that “undergrowth should be totally avoided in our community.”
There is tension among residents of Ikakumo community in Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state over the killing of a herdsman during a clash with vigilance group in the locality.
Two other persons including Commander of the vigilance were injured in the clash.
Some residents in the community said they were afraid of reprisal attacks from the herdsmen.
It was gathered that the clash occurred when a member of vigilance group challenged a herdsman who last month kidnapped one Balogun at Ikakumo community in Edo state.
A fracas ensued between the herdsmen and the vigilance group with one of the herders was stabbed to death.
The two injured persons were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.
Ondo Police spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, confirmed the incident and said investigation has commenced.
The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Anthony Adejoh has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.
Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo LGA.
The duo were said to be working in their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them.
They were later discovered dead when the people who heard the sound of gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Marvis Ejeh, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area at about 10 am.
He described late royal father as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.
The Chairman said, “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adej,o has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo LGA of the State.
“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people are calm because we will not take law into our hands.
“Nobody is taking the law into their hands, there is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”
The Agatu Chairman, who enjoined the people to be security conscious wherever they find themselves said “Agatu people residing and farming in other LGAs should be careful and watchful.
“They should liaise with the local authority and know the areas that are safe to work for now, since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the entire Benue South District or Zone c.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Chatherine Anene said she had yet received reports of the incident.
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.
According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.
The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.
Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.
He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.
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