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Property worth several millions of naira were destroyed in the early hours of yesterday, when fire gutted a one-storey commercial building on Number 3, Osundairo Street, off Medical Road, in the Ikeja Computer Village area of the state.

According to eyewitness, the fire which occurred midnight, involved a commercial building, accommodating dealers in computers and accessories.

Though no casualty was recorded in the incident, but an official of Lagos State Firefighter sustained minor injuries during the operation and was administered first aid treatment on site by Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS.

Following distress alert received, men of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, arrived at the scene and put out the fire to prevent it from spreading to other apartments.

Vanguard gathered that the fire outbreak was as a result of electric surge. The building is primarily used for the storage and sale of computers and accessories.

The high volume of combustible materials was said to have contributed to the rapid spread of fire.
Meanwhile, relevant agencies have commenced investigation into the incident to establish the cause(s) as well as prevent future occurrence.

The entire top floor of the one-storey building was completely razed by the fire.

According to the Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, “All goods and properties worth several millions of naira stored therein were totally destroyed by the conflagration.

“Physical examination of the one-storey commercial building reveals partial compromise and requires immediate structural assessment.

“Upon arrival, LASEMA Response Team conducted Risk Assessment of the incident scene and cordoned off the activity area.

“We activated safety and precautionary measures to forestall damages to adjoining buildings and immediate environs of the incident scene.

“Prompt interventions were implemented by LRT, and other responders, to forestall escalation of fire to adjoining buildings.”

At press time, firefighting operations have successfully suppressed and contained the fire within the affected building, while continuous damping-down operations were ongoing to eliminate residual heat and prevent re-ignition.

Meanwhile, other traders, sympathisers were seen at the scene of the incident, lamenting the unfortunate situation, while victims were counting their loses.

Traders lament

The tragic incident has left many traders lamenting over the loss of their livelihoods and the destruction of their businesses.

The fire outbreak has not only caused significant property damage but has also left many stranded.

A victim, simply identified as John, in tears, lamented: “I lost sets of computers worth several millions of naira. I just restocked the shop. I am ruined.”

Hamed Animashaun, also a trader said “what is really going on. First, it was Balogun, now Computer Village. Are you thinking what am thinking?”

Also, Nwoko Oboro, who claimed he lost goods worth millions of naira, said: “After the fire, you won’t hear of any investigation; very unfortunate. Even if they investigate the incident, we will always be at the losing side.”

Peter Aloh, a trader at the market, said: “There is no smoke without fire, the smoke has been on since after the last presidential election, but now the fire has started.

“Fire upon fire. Does it mean the state governor cannot address the matter of fire in his state? Every market must have a mini fire station and every home/store owner must have a fire extinguisher,” he observed.

Kennedy Akachukwu has this to say: “People’s businesses were just burning. What a loss.”

Barclay Eke too: “Nigeria is developing? No fire trucks, no ambulances, no sanitation services, no health care services, and no good roads. Our governments have failed us seriously.”

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a lawyer, Claudius Akpudi Ikechukwu, and two others following a deadly shooting during a masquerade display in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, on Monday, January 19, 2026.

Eyewitnesses reported that trouble began when a masquerade allegedly struck the lawyer’s car. In response, the lawyer reportedly brandished a firearm, opening fire and killing Emmanuel David Nkemjika, the immediate past Treasurer of the Omoku Youth Federation, while injuring six others.

Tensions escalated as angry youths set fire to the lawyer’s family home in Santa Maria and his private residence in Obrikom. CSP Grace Iringe Koko, Rivers State Police spokesperson, confirmed the arrests and said the suspects were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

A joint police and military patrol has been deployed to maintain peace, and authorities assured the public that all culpable parties would be brought to justice.

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In Chiranchi, Dorayi area of Kano, noon became darkness. It was on Saturday, 17 January that the blood chilling incident unfurled.

The heinous killing of a mother and her six children shattered the Dorayi community known for its close-knit bonds, warm and peaceful routines.

Kano state is stiff stunned, as hearts are heavy with questions hanging.

Malam Bala Abubakar, a neighbour had pulled off his clothing to bathe when frantic shouts ripped the air.

He heard screams for help, a cry of “Umar, please don’t kill me.” Abubakar said he rushed out, towel still on, and joined other neighbours who had already poured into the narrow lane.

“Some labourers painting a new building adjacent to the affected home also heard the earsplitting cries and rushed out. They alerted people that “something wrong is going on in that house.” The Ward head Ahmad Ya’u Yahaya (Gidan Kwari) also rushed to the scene.

“Together, we rallied to render help,” another eyewitness said. But it was too late. The killers had accomplished their mission. What they saw was a scene of horror. The canvass of blood was wide.

Thirty-five year-old mother, Fatima Abubakar, her first and second daughters Maimuna, 17, and Aisha, 16, alongside four sons: Bashir, 13, Abubakar, 10, Faruk, 7, and Abdulsalam -a 1 year-old baby were all massacred in cold blood.

The killers invaded at 12:10 pm when the husband Haruna Bashir had gone to the market, witnesses said.

“The attackers used a sewing machine head to smash and rip open the skulls of the victims. It was an unbelievably gory sight,” Abubakar told The Nation on Monday.

Next, the neighbours swarmed the slaughter house, held the doors, and called the police.

Officers, prompted by Police Commissioner Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, arrived swiftly, combing the premises in a sting operation. One of the suspects hidden in a toilet was seized for what would later be a lead to the rest.

The dead were taken to the hospital, but none was saved.

Soon, a funeral was held, according to Islamic rites, during which some of the perpetrators mingled with the mourners. They disguised as sympathisers at the funeral, unaware that the watchful eyes of detectives were tracking every of their moves. They were also arrested.

Police spokesman Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa gave the names of the three killer-suspects as Umar Auwalu, 23, Isyaku Yakubu, 40, and Yakubu Abdulaziz, 21, all from Kano.

One of them, Umar Auwalu, is a nephew to the slain mother who had begged him to spare her before he sniffed life out of her.

The arrest of the killers, now in police custody, is a slight measure of relief to Kano people who spoke to The Nation on Monday, many calling on Governor Abba Yusuf to sign their death warrant if sentenced by the court.