Metro
Just in: One casualty, 10 injured in another auto crash on Kogi Express where 7 Fed varsity students died
Another fatal road accident has occurred in the Felele area of Lokoja, Kogi State, claiming the life of one person and leaving at least 10 others hospitalised.
The incident happened on Tuesday, just a day after students of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) resumed academic activities following the tragic deaths of seven of their colleagues in a similar crash last month.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to SaharaReporters confirmed that three university students were among those injured in the latest accident.
“Another accident for Felele just this week that school resumed. One person died. We have more than 10 serious injuries sustained. Three students were involved,” a witness told SaharaReporters.
“They have been taken to the specialist hospital,” he added.
This latest tragedy has reignited concerns over the growing number of accidents on the Lokoja highway, a notorious black spot that has claimed several lives in recent months.
Last week, SaharaReporters reported that the Federal University Lokoja had reopened after being shut down indefinitely in February due to the deadly accident that claimed the lives of seven students and a bus driver.
The accident, which occurred near the university’s permanent site, involved an articulated truck carrying wood and jerrycans of palm oil. The truck reportedly lost control and crashed into a shuttle bus transporting students.
Eyewitnesses recounted how the bus was preparing to leave for the university when the truck rammed into it at high speed, crushing the vehicle and killing its occupants instantly.
The incident sparked massive protests, with students blocking major roads and demanding urgent government intervention to prevent further loss of lives on the highway.
In response, the university management, in consultation with security agencies and the Kogi State Government, ordered an immediate closure of the institution to prevent further escalation of protests.
Students were directed to vacate campus immediately as tensions ran high.
Following weeks of negotiations and promises by the authorities to improve road safety measures, the university’s Senate approved the reopening of the institution on March 10, 2025. A statement issued by the university’s management stated that lectures would commence on March 17, 2025.
However, barely 48 hours after students resumed, another accident occurred in the same Felele area, further highlighting the dangers of the Lokoja highway.
Students and residents of the area have expressed frustration over the repeated road tragedies, blaming poor road conditions, reckless driving by truck drivers, and lack of adequate traffic control measures.
“The government has done nothing to stop these accidents. How many more people must die before something is done?” a student lamented.
Another resident, who identified himself as Musa, told SaharaReporters, “We have been crying about this issue for a long time, but the authorities don’t care. Every time an accident happens, they make empty promises, and then nothing changes. Now another person has died.”
With the latest accident adding to the growing death toll, students and concerned residents are once again calling on the government to take immediate action to prevent further tragedies.
They demand strict speed limits for heavy-duty trucks be enforced, improved road signage be installed, and pedestrian bridges be constructed in accident-prone areas.
Despite repeated tragedies on this highway, authorities have yet to take meaningful action to address the dangers posed to students and other road users.
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.
The police in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday arraigned 30 persons before a Benin High Court for alleged murder and cultism.
The 30 persons are standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, cultism, armed attack, and belonging to unlawful society.
The defendants were arraigned in three batches with the same seven-count charges.
The defendants arraigned in the first batch are Paul Elekun 25, Muetinyan Osagbovo 25, Opkala Bernice 22, Nnajiofor Francis 23, Imuetinyan Osanogara 21, Christian Augustine 22, Aniyea Choice 33, Saturday Umukoro 20.
The second batch are Gmogbo Ufoha 22, Emoh Emmanuel 29, Olavwola Gchinamen 32, Eriator Osaihon 44, Isaac Michael 32, Festus Arihian 37, Tedius Jude 25., Emmanuel Okhie 29, Daniel Oyakhilome 29, John Umoren 28.
The third batch are Ogoigbe Richard 33, Omokwua Cliton 32, Solomo Peisi (No specific age), Ezebuke Bright 29, Okoloagu Chicks 45, Ajuja Frank 25, Onemu Oghenekome Michael 19,
Jerry Lazarus 27, Patrick Arneka Joshua 22, Daniel James 28, Moses Peter 37, and Ewalefoh Prosper Osamudiahen 20.
The Prosecutor, Polycarp Odion told the court that the defendants and others, allegedly on May 1, did conspire to commit a felony.
Mr Odion alleged that on the same day within Benin City, without lawful authority, the defendants allegedly carried out armed attacks against a section of residents of the Benin metropolis.
The defendants were also alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit murder.
According to the prosecutor, the defendants and others at large, at different dates within Benin City did conspire and belong to an unlawful society.
He said the offences contravened Sections 412 (2), 64, and 247 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants in the Correctional Centre for an initial 14 days, pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Counsels to the defendants prayed the court to grant them bail as they were presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
According to the counsels, the defendants were picked in indifferent areas in the metropolis, which includes Ugbowo axis, Sapele road axis and Garrick Memorial College axis.
They said some were picked while they were eating, some inside the bus on their way home from work, some were arrested while driving and their vehicles impounded.
They said that the judge has the right to grant the defendants bail, urging the judge to exercise the same to grant the defendants’ bail.
They added that they all have reasonable surety to stand for their bail and ensure their presence in court on an adjournment date.
Among the defence counsels for the defendants who spoke were a former Chief Magistrate, Peter Asemota (retd), Ede Asenoguan, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Benin City Branch, Paul Badaki, J.E. Igunma, A.D.Ajeka, O.J.Odi, E.B.KiKa, among others.
The presiding judge, Justice Williams Azeigbemhin, however granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each with one surety in like sum.
Mr Azeigbemhin said both the defendants and surety must produce their NIN card, valid ID cards, and three passport photographs each.
He said that the surety must be a senior staff member of a recognised establishment.
He added that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and all information must be verified by the court registrar.
He then adjourned the case until May 19.
(NAN)
-
News14 hours agoTrouble brewing as Trump’s supporters move against Pope Leo, give reason
-
News17 hours agoHow doctor stole one of my twins during birth, Abuja housewife narrates nasty experience
-
News17 hours agoNaira Rebounces Against Dollar – Saturday, May 10, 2025
-
News21 hours agoDefections: It’s a massive betrayal against NNPP -Kwankwaso cries out
-
Education24 hours agoTeenage girl drag JAMB to court over alleged hijab ban during UTME
-
News14 hours agoChina Responds to AFN Claims Over Visa Delays for World Relays in Guangzhou
-
Education21 hours ago
Why JAMB is withholding 39,834 UTME results
-
News15 hours agoReflections of Hon. EJ Agbonayima on Nation Building