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Angry residents attack Osun firefighters for late response

Published

5 months ago

July 25, 2025

The State Controller, Federal Fire Service in Osun State, Femi Akinjobi, has lamented the ill-treatment meted out to his men while attempting to put out a fire from a burning vehicle in Osogbo, the state capital.

There was pandemonium at the Old Garage Area of Osun State capital on Thursday as a vehicle was observed burning near the MDS Road, as people ran in different directions, seeking fire extinguishers and water to suppress the flames.

Tempers, however, rose when operatives of the Federal Fire Service got to the scene and were about to disembark from their truck after the fire had been subdued.

Some displeased people at the scene, after hurling missiles at the firemen, also threatened to pounce on them if they should stop at the scene.

Reacting, Akinjobi, who witnessed the incident, said the mob misdirected their anger, adding that he deployed operatives to the scene of the incident immediately he got the distress call.

Further lamenting the attack on his men, Akinjobi said the police operatives present did not prevent the mob from venting their anger on the firemen deployed to the scene.

“We got information from the State Fire Service and immediately, we moved to the scene. We ran into a gridlock on the road.

The people concerned did not call us. It was an official of the state Fire Service who called my men.

“I followed my men with my private vehicle. Immediately we got there, the hoodlums started throwing stones at my men. My men quickly left the scene. They could not work there. There was no damage to our appliances. Police operatives were at the scene and they could not do anything. That was the most painful part,” Akinjobi said.

But while responding to the allegations, the spokesperson, Osun Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said operatives at the scene prevented the firemen from attack.

“The vehicle caught fire. We don’t know how it happened and the police responded immediately by calling the fire service. The fire service was delayed in coming. We have both state and federal fire services. So, the fire service they called is the state fire service but they gave excuses.

“The Federal Fire Service men were on their way, even people who witnessed the incident were already angry that they called the fire service, but no quick response. So, when people saw the Federal Fire Service, not that they were attacked, but people shouted at them.

“That made them leave the scene. If they had remained there, something else might have happened. So, they did not even stop to put out the fire, for people not to start attacking them.

As at that point when they came, the fire had already been put out, though not completely,” Ojelabi said.

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PHOTOS: Police demote officer for unauthorised VIP escort duty

Published

13 minutes ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Nigeria Police Force has demoted a corporal to the rank of constable for engaging in unauthorised VIP escort duties, in violation of directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the force disclosed that CPL Suleiman Musa (F/No: 517077), attached to 45 PMF, was found escorting a VIP without the required clearance. His action was deemed a breach of the strict enforcement measures put in place to end the indiscriminate deployment of police personnel for such assignments.

According to the statement, the disciplinary action serves as a warning to other officers and reinforces the need for full compliance with operational guidelines.

The force also noted that the incident raises questions about how the unauthorised assignment came about and whether the officer acted alone.

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PHOTOS: Father, son, three others d!e in Kano well collapse and fire incident

Published

35 minutes ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Tragedy struck across three local government areas of Kano State as five people, including a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives in separate incidents involving a well collapse, a fall into a well, and a house fire.

The spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

The first incident occurred in Badume Kanawa Village, Bichi Local Government Area, where three people d!ed while attempting to re-dig a well.

According to Abdullahi, the rope supporting one of the victims, identified as Sa’idu Gada, 65, snapped while he was working inside the well.

In a desperate attempt to save him, his son, Sani Isyaku, 20, entered the well but also became trapped. A third man, Yakubu Abdullahi, 60, followed with the hope of rescuing both, but he too was unable to make it out.

Fire Service personnel rescued the trio in an unconscious state, but they were later confirmed d3ad.

Their remains were handed over to DSP Kabiru Iliyasu of the Badume Police Division.

In another incident in Danbatta Local Government Area, a 10-year-old boy, Hassan Iliyasu Haruna, fell into a well and d!ed before help could reach him.

The third tragedy occurred in Badawa Layin Day in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a 10-year-old girl d!ed in a house fire on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Fire Service officials said the blaze engulfed a section of a residential building, destroying two bedrooms. The girl was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed d3ad.

Speaking on the incidents, the Director of the Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to avoid entering wells during emergencies, warning that such actions often result in additional casualties rather than successful rescues.

He advised the public to immediately call emergency responders when accidents occur, stressing that trained personnel are better equipped to handle such situations safely.

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PHOTOS: Troops rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Benue forest

Published

42 minutes ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation at Orokam Forest, a border area linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The operation was conducted on Friday at about 1:30 p.m., following credible intelligence from locals indicating the presence of a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.

Troops deployed in Udenu LGA swiftly mobilised to the location alongside vigilante personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch.

While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims.

14 abducted persons, who were returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend before being kidnapped, were rescued unhurt.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from two separate communities Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.

The victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Udenu Division, for onward reunification with their families.

The troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at about 7:21 p.m. without any incident.

Troops had intensified monitoring of the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.