TheNewsGuru

Tag: Vehicle

  • Gunmen ambush vehicle in Ekiti, shoot driver dead, abduct others

    Gunmen ambush vehicle in Ekiti, shoot driver dead, abduct others

    Police in Ekiti State on Saturday confirmed a gun attack on travellers in the state on Friday night.

    Police spokesman, ASP Sunday Abutu said the gunmen shot the driver of the vehicle, a LEXUS 330 SUV, dead.

    They took the two other occupants of the vehicle away, he added.

    The attack took place between Ewu-Ekiti and Aiyetoro-Ekiti, neighbouring communities in Ilejemeje and Ido/Osi Local Government Areas of Ekiti State.

    ASP Abutu said police, in conjunction with local hunters and operatives of Amotekun Corps, were already combing the forest around the area to rescue the victims and arrest the gunmen.

    Eyewitnesses said there were five occupants in the vehicle and they were attacked by suspected herdsmen while returning from a social function in the area.

    The eyewitnesses also confirmed that the driver was shot dead and the other occupants of the vehicle were abducted.

    The vehicle, with registration number LAGOS KRD 264 GV, was left at the scene facing the bush with only the dead inside it.

    The identities of the victims had not been ascertained at the time of filing this report.

    Friday’s incident occurred four days after gunmen also suspected to be herdsmen shot and killed a man named Ademola Afolayan on a poultry farm in Ikere-Ekiti on Monday, Aug. 2 at about 5 p.m.

    Sources said the gunmen, numbering about five, invaded the poultry farm located at Eselemo Farm, Igbo-Oka area close to Akure Road, shooting sporadically and in the process, killed Afolayan.

    Two persons were said to have narrowly escaped the Monday incident.

    Also former Ekiti State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Comrade Clement Adekola, escaped death by the whiskers when his vehicle was attacked on Tuesday, Aug. 3, also at about 5 p.m.

    The gunmen opened fire on Adekola’s vehicle as he was traveling along Ikere-Igbara Odo Road, in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

    Recently, kidnappers allegedly abducted some travellers in three commercial buses on Akure/Ikere-Ado Ekiti road in Ekiti State.

    It was gathered that the kidnapping gunmen swooped on the travellers’ vehicles while navigating through the bad portions of the road.

    It was gathered one of the drivers narrowly escaped the incident that took place between Iju community in Ondo State and Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

    An eyewitness said that the vehicles were left in the middle of the road, a situation that attracted members of the public who raised the alarm.

  • Police fail to produce Sowore in court say no vehicle

    Police fail to produce Sowore in court say no vehicle

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) was unable to produce Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore in court today because of lack of transport vehicle.

    Sowore, who is being held by the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) based on court orders, was expected to be brought before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, which is hearing his bail application.

    However, the police reportedly told the court that the defendant could not be produced in court today because there was no vehicle to bring him.

    The news publisher’s medium, Sahara Reporters, lamented the development in a tweet.

    Sowore was arrested alongside four protesters during a #CrossOverProtest held on New Year’s Day in Abuja.

    After detention for four days, he was arraigned on three counts of criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and attempting to incite others.

    Although he was originally ordered remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Magistrate Taye Maibel ordered him, upon request, to be released to the FCIID pending the hearing of his bail application.

    Sowore’s arrest has drawn widespread condemnation, with former US Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell warning that it could worsen the nation’s human rights records.

    Scores are also protesting in Abuja to demand the release of Sowore and the four other defendants.

  • Two feared dead, others injured as vehicle rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos

    Two feared dead, others injured as vehicle rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos

    Two persons were feared dead and many others injured on Wednesday as a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) ran into a crowd of protesters at Alagbado area of Lagos.

    Footage from a viral video posted online showed two bodies being carried away by some youths.

    A volunteer medical corps was deployed, especially around Amikanle area, to care for the wounded, who were moved to the Hospital.

    Eyewitnesses said the silver SUV ran into the protesters in a bid to scare them off the road.

    A mob descended on the SUV and a tricycle that was also involved in the accident.

    Despite the heavy rains, protests again grounded Lagos, preventing those going to work or businesses from making it.

    Demanding a reform of the police, the protesters bore placards demanding the scrapping of the newly created Special Weapons and Tactic (SWAT) unit.

    They also demanded that only graduates with experience should be drafted into the team.

    At the Alausa area of the state, attempts by hoodlums to hijack the protest were repelled by the protesters who insisted that they must remain peaceful.

    Thugs said to have come from Agege had attempted to loot vehicles but were subdued by genuine protesters who chased them off the area.

    At Lekki, the protesters laid siege to the Toll gate and brought traffic to a halt, forcing vehicles to use connecting roads.

    The protest gathered more steam as companies supplied branded raincoats, food, snacks, waters and non-alcoholic beverages to the protesters who observed a minute silence for lives lost to SARS and police brutality in Nigeria.

    The protest also continued in areas like Iyana Ipaja, Igando, Onikan, Oworonshoki, Ojodu-Berger, Amuwo Odofin, Ajegunle amongst others.

    In Amuwo Odofin, the protest was led by Arch Bishop Samson Mustapha of Resurrection Praise Ministries International (aka Jehovah Sharp Sharp).

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) advised Lagosians to stay home while the #SARSMUSTEND protests last or avoid certain routes if they must go out.

    LASTMA General Manager, Olajide Ojuyoye, who spoke on Channels, said: “The protesters are fluid. They can block any road at any time.

    “Do whatever you need to do by other means of communication.

    “You should avoid Muri Okunola, Alausa, Ozumba Mbadiwe. To access the Island, use the Third Mainland Bridge-Nnamdi Azikiwe-Eko Hotel route.

    “To return, go through Ojota-7up-Magodo and then walk. But as I said earlier, the protesters’ movements are fluid.”

    The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and commenced the orderly room trial of the policemen who harassed some female protesters in Surulere.

  • Photo: 14 corpses recovered from vehicle that plunged in Ebonyi river

    Photo: 14 corpses recovered from vehicle that plunged in Ebonyi river

    Fourteen bodies have been recovered from the Akaeze-Ukwu River in Ebonyi state; site of the deadly motor accident which occurred on Friday night.

    This followed the location and recovery of the bus by divers brought in from neighboring states to aid in the search and rescue of the victims.

    Recall that a bus carrying over 30 passengers plunged into the River along the Akaeze-Ishiagu expressway, Ivo local government area of the state.

    Five of the passengers, who were returning from a burial, were rescued and taken to hospital on Friday.

    However, one of them died at the hospital while the others are said to still be unconscious.

    Chairman of the local government, Onyebuchi Ogbadu confirmed the recovery of the extra thirteen dead bodies on Saturday.

    According to him, the State government had to bring in divers from Rivers and Cross River states to help in the search of the bus.

    “The divers were able to locate the bus and pushed it up to enable the crane to pull it out,” he said.

    The Chairman said they are still searching for the remaining passengers aboard the bus.

    “The driver said he was carrying 32 persons in the bus so we are still looking for about 13 or more persons.”

    Ogbadu said the driver was able to dive out of the bus as it was plunging into the river and was one of those rescued on Friday.

    Ebonyi News

    Police spokesman Loveth Odah said 14 corpses have been recovered, seven male and seven female.

    She said among the five victims rescued is the driver of the said 608 coaster bus with Reg no. UKP 78 XA Mr Nwaonu Chinedu a native of IKWO LGA of the State.

    She said the victim who died yesterday is a female who yet to be identified.

    She said: “the female victim was confirmed dead by a medical Doctor on arrival at Dennis Hospital Akaeke in the Area.

    “The driver narrated that he conveyed 32 members of the Christ Peculiar Church of Nigeria Enugu State branch to attend a burial ceremony at Nguzu Edda in Afikpo South LGA of the State”.

    “14 corpses have been recovered (7 female and 7 male) together with the 608 Vehicle.

    “The corpses have deposited at Martha Memorial hospital mortuary AFIKPO preservation.

    Odah said among those in the vehicle who are still being searched for is a retired Superintendent of Police Livinus Mbah.

    “The Executive Governor of Ebonyi State visited the scene of incident together with the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State who described the incident as very unfortunate one.

    ” He urges road users to avoid speed/reckless driving especially in this ember months”.

  • Photo: Passengers trapped, burnt beyond recognition as vehicle somersaults, bursts into flames

    Photo: Passengers trapped, burnt beyond recognition as vehicle somersaults, bursts into flames

    Mr Andrew Kumapayi, the Anambra State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, said on Sunday that many passengers were burnt beyond recognition when their vehicle went into flames on the Ihiala/Onitsha road in Anambra State.

    Kumapayi said that they were yet to know the actual number of people that died in the accident because they were burnt beyond recognition.

    “This evening, a lone fatal road traffic crash was allegedly caused by tyre burst as a result of excessive speeding. The vehicle somersaulted and burst into flames.

    “Information reaching the Command states that all passengers on board were burnt beyond recognition, along with the bus.

    “The Anambra State fire service has been contacted and the FRSC rescue team from Ihiala Unit Command are on ground to ensure free flow of traffic, while all obstructions are being cleared,” he said.

    Kumapayi said that the corpse of the only male adult who jumped out of the vehicle in the process had been deposited at the Morgue at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala.

    He added that there would be more updates as events unfold.

  • Ugwuanyi intercepts 17 suspected herdsmen hidden in vehicle conveying cattle

    Ugwuanyi intercepts 17 suspected herdsmen hidden in vehicle conveying cattle

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Tuesday night defied the heavy downpour in Enugu State as he led a team to enforce the overnight dusk to dawn curfew imposed across the country by President Muhammdu Buhari.

    The 8 pm to 6 am curfew is part of the measures put in place by the Federal Government to curtail the spread of the coronavirus disease.

    Ugwuanyi, who has personally been monitoring the ban on interstate movement across the State’s borders, took time to also enforce the curfew.

    Apart from deviant residents who were caught driving during the curfew, the Governor’s team made a big catch when it intercepted a trailer load of cattle with 17 men hidden on the floor of the vehicle.

    The trailer was forced to stop at the Emene axis of Enugu at about 9pm.

    During a proper search, it was discovered that some humans were hidden on the floor of the vehicle.

    Under interrogation, the 17 men including the driver of the vehicle claimed they were cattle traders and were coming from Bauchi.

    The bewildered governor expressed concern as to how such a number of people found their way into the State under the pretence of transporting cattle.

    Asked why they were travelling nocturnally and clandestinely, they replied they were not aware of any curfew and closure of interstate borders, claiming also that they lost their way while trying to beat security checks.

    They were handed over to the Emene Police Division for further action.

    The Governor’s team continued the enforcement right deep into the Emene axis, where several defaulting motorists paid dearly.

    Just at the Orie Emene, the team intercepted 3 vehicles fully loaded with goods and said to be heading to Ogoja in Cross River State.

    The vehicles were coming from Onitsha and had beaten the security at the Enugu-Anambra boundary when luck ran out of them on their way to Ogoja, via Ebonyi.

    They also claimed they were unaware of the curfew imposed by the Federal government.

    The tyres of their vehicles were deflated and keys handed over to the Emene Division of the Nigeria Police.

  • N5.5bn vehicles: Outcry unnecessary, insult to National Assembly – Senate Leader

    N5.5bn vehicles: Outcry unnecessary, insult to National Assembly – Senate Leader

    The Ninth Senate has dismissed the public outcry over the N5.5 billion allocated for the purchase of vehicles for lawmakers in the 2019 budget, regarding it as an “insult”.

    The Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, said it is highly insulting that some public commentators are criticising and kicking against the allocation for the purchase of the vehicles which was part of the N125 billion appropriation of the National Assembly.

    “To say that a senator of the Federal Republic cannot ride a jeep in Nigeria is an insult.”, Abdullahi said during an interview with journalists in his office at the National Assembly.

    Criticism followed the plan by the Ninth National Assembly to purchase Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for each of the 469 federal lawmakers at a total cost amounting to N5.5 billion.

    This move has resulted in litigation by some concerned citizens and social crusaders led by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

    According to Senator Abdullahi, there is nothing for anybody to cry over as far as the plan is concerned because a serving senator and members of the House of Representatives deserve to have official vehicles in the mode of a functional utility vehicle or Jeep.

    “The N5.5 billion is from the National Assembly funds and not money being sought from any other source. Besides, the scheme as it has always been with previous assemblies, is a monetised one, requiring each of the lawmakers to pay back the cost of whatever vehicle is given to them.

    “The outcry over it is very unnecessary and insulting to the institution of the National Assembly and status of the federal lawmakers. When I was a permanent secretary, I know what ministers get; we cannot even compare ourselves with ministers because we are higher than the ministers.” He said.

    Enforcing his stance, he said, “Go and tell the people that the work that we do, is more than the work of ministers and as representatives of the people, the money we spend on daily basis on all forms of indigent people, far outweighs whatever they as ministers or executive officers spend.”

    He added that both chambers of the National Assembly would be willing to engage any group of people in the polity on its operations and spending in line with the principles of accountability and transparency the National Assembly represented.

    “Each of the ministers move in convoy of three to four utility vehicles without anybody raising any eyebrow while some people who either as a result of ignorance or mischief, always cry to high heavens anytime the management of the National Assembly wants to buy just one utility vehicle for a lawmaker on the template of monetisation,” he stated.

    Sen. Abdullahi then commended the executive on the 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), the basis upon which the 2020 budget proposals will be presented next month by President Muhammadu Buhari in moving the yearly budgetary cycle from May/ June as it is presently to January to December every year

  • PDP rally turns violent, one shot, police vehicle burnt

    PDP rally turns violent, one shot, police vehicle burnt

    There was pandemonium in Jigawa State on Thursday as a rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party turned violent.

    The rally was held in Gwaram Local Government Area and attended by thousands of PDP supporters including a former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido.

    The violence is believed to have started when a police officer, trying to maintain peace, shot one of the participants. The victim reportedly died.

    A mob at the rally then turned on the police officers at the rally, burning down a police vehicle.

    Details later…

     

  • 30 dead as ‘sleeping driver’ loses control of vehicle

    Thirty people died when a bus skidded off the road into a ditch in Cameroon’s centre region, authorities said on Friday.

    “We understand the driver had fallen asleep,’’ regional governor Naseri Paul Bea told the state broadcaster CRTV.

    Two children under the age of two “miraculously’’ survived the crash, he added.

    The Yaounde-Bafoussam highway, where the accident occurred, forms part of what has become known in Cameroon as “the triangle of death,’’ and also includes the roads linking Yaounde and the economic capital, Douala.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • BREAKING: Passengers trapped as vehicle plunges into Lagos lagoon

    Reports reaching TheNewsGuru.com has it that a vehicle plunged into the lagoon by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) waterfront.

    It was gathered that the vehicle colluded with another before skidding into the water around 10:55pm on Saturday.

    A motorist who witnessed the incident told newsmen that local fishermen and officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) were already at the scene trying to rescue all occupants.

    “There’s a vehicle inside the lagoon. People are trapped in it. The vehicle was heading into Lagos Island. Fishermen and LASEMA are trying to safe the occupants of the vehicle now. May God help them,’ said the source.

    The General Manager LASEMA, Adesina Tiamiyu confirmed the incident, adding that he was at the scene for rescue operation and would avail details afterwards.

    Details shortly…