₦airaland Forum

A fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday at Kara Market in Ajase-Ipo town, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, at least 22 plank shops and six containers were affected out of the market’s total of 323 shops.

The statement read in part: “The Kwara State Fire Service responded to a fire outbreak at Kara Market, Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun Local Government Area, in the early hours of Wednesday, 20th August 2025, at exactly 01:35hrs.

“On arrival at the scene, firefighters discovered that out of a total of 323 shops in the market, comprising 22 plank shops and 7 kiosks among others, the fire affected 22 plank shops and 6 container shops.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident was caused by negligence, as one of the occupants of the plank shops failed to properly extinguish fire used for cooking.

“The fire later reignited, spreading rapidly to nearby shops.”

Adekunle disclosed that the timely intervention of the state fire service helped prevent further escalation and safeguarded hundreds of other shops and properties from destruction.

The director of the state fire service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, urged the public to always ensure proper handling of fire and to take safety measures seriously, particularly in marketplaces where combustible materials are abundant.

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 23-Year-Old Man, Kingsley Chinamezu, also known as Power Sharp, for allegedly killing his 44-Year-Old Girlfriend, Miss Confidence Konebari Sunny, with a machete in the Umuebule community, Etche Local Council.

Police said the incident occurred on July 30, 2025, while the suspect was tracked down on August 15, 2025, at his hideout in Egbeta village, Edo State.

Confirming the arrest in a statement on Tuesday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said: “Upon a formal complaint by the victim’s family and proactive efforts by the operatives of the command, the Commissioner of Police assigned the case to the anti-kidnapping unit. The operatives swiftly swung into action, located and arrested the suspect in his hideout.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime, providing details of the events leading to the murder. Evidence is being collected, and the suspect is undergoing further investigation and profiling for potential involvement in other related crimes. The suspect will face prosecution upon completion of the investigation.”

The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the operatives for their swift response and assured residents that Rivers State would not serve as a haven for criminals. He warned perpetrators of violent crimes to desist, stressing that the law would catch up with them.

Anambra By-Election: One dies, five Injured As Suspected Security Vehicle Rams Into Tricycle

One person on Saturday died while others sustained varying degrees of injury in a fatal crash in Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state.

The incident occured around 6.30am along People’s Club/Limca Road ahead of the Anambra South Senatorial district and Onitsha North 1 constituency for House of Assembly by-elections.

Eye witness said the Jeep, suspected to belong to personnel of Department of Security Service (DSS) was reportedly on speed when it suddenly lost control and rammed into two tricycles.

“The security men, about four in number, on discovering that one of the occupants was dead and others badly injured, abandoned their Lexus Jeep and fled with their rifles to avoid mob action,” the witness said.

Confirming the incident, Police Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said the crash claimed one life, adding that the vehicle involved has been recovered.

He however said enquiries revealed the vehicle does not belong to any security agency in the State as alleged.

He said: “The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu has ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident into a fatal motor accident that occurred in the early hours of today, 16th August 2025, at People’s Club/Limca Road, Obosi, involving a Lexus Jeep and two tricycles popularly known as Keke.

“Preliminary information at the disposal of the Command reveals that the driver of the Lexus Jeep rammed into the tricycles, resulting in the unfortunate death of one occupant, while others sustained varying degrees of injury.

“The vehicle was subsequently abandoned at the scene as its occupants fled.

“Police operatives attached to Isiowulu Division quickly responded, secured the area, recovered the abandoned vehicle, and evacuated the victims to a hospital, where one was later confirmed dead.

“Further enquiries have established that the recovered Lexus Jeep does not belong to any security agency in the State.

Ikenga appealed to residents of the area to remain calm and cooperate with the Police, as efforts were on to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Imo State Police Command has arrested a 39-Year-Old Man, Ifeanyi Odinka, for allegedly stabbing his father, Dennis Odinka, to death following arguments over proceeds from a land sale in Orlu.

This is even as one Pastor Ikenna Emmanuel has been arrested for the rape of a 20-Year-Old girl in Orlu.

Ifeanyi, who hails from Amaifeke, Orlu in the Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, was alleged to have stabbed his 75-Year-Old father to death following a dispute over proceeds from a land sale.

The Imo State Police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday, “Operatives of the Orlu Division, on 12th August, 2025, apprehended one Ifeanyi Odinka, ‘m’, 39 years, of Amaifeke Orlu, for stabbing his father, Dennis Odinka, ‘m’, 75 years, to death following a dispute over proceeds from a land sale. On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime.”

He disclosed that the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Owerri, for further investigation and prosecution.

In another development, Okoye said operatives from the Orlu Divisional headquarters have arrested a 32-year-old man, Pastor Ikenna Emmanuel, of Authentic Power City Church, for the rape of a girl under the guise of special prayers.

Okoye said Emmanuel, who hails from Umuobom, in the Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, alongside his accomplice, Franklin Chizoba, tricked the girl into his house on June 30, 2025, under the guise of praying for her and drugged her.

Okoye said Pastor Emmanuel laced the drink he offered the girl, which made her dizzy, after which the two men took advantage of her.

He said, “The suspects, Pastor Ikenna Emmanuel, ‘m’, 32 years, of Umuobom, Ideato-South LGA, and in charge of Authentic Power City Church, and Franklin Chizoba, ‘m’, lured the victim to the pastor’s residence on June 30, 2025, under the pretext of offering prayers for her. On arrival, the pastor reportedly gave her a drink. Shortly afterwards, she became dizzy, after which both suspects had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.”

Furthermore, he said the two suspects had confessed to being homosexuals, adding that they were charged in court on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

The police spokesperson said, “Following the report, operatives from Orlu Division promptly arrested the duo. During interrogation, both suspects confessed to the offence and further admitted to engaging in homosexual acts. They were subsequently charged in court on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, and remanded at the Correctional Facility, Owerri, pending trial.”

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command has reiterated its unwavering commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of all residents.

The command urged Imo people to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and to promptly report all suspicious activities to the nearest police station or via 0803-477-3600.

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has confirmed the death of a part-two medical student, Ajibola Ibitayo.

The institution revealed that Ibitayo reportedly took his own life after failing his examinations.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the University’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, said Ibitayo, who was studying in the Faculty of Dentistry, had been repeating Part Two and was required to do so again after the latest results were released on Wednesday.

“The entire community of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been thrown into mourning following the death of a Part Two student of the Faculty of Dentistry,” Olarewaju said.

“The student Ajibola Ibitayo, has a matriculation number DEN/2021/023. The results of his last semester examinations indicated he would need to repeat Part Two for another academic year,” he stated.

According to the statement, the deceased had already repeated the same academic level during the previous session and reportedly injected himself at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State.

“The student, whose father is a medical doctor, took the step after learning of the examination outcome,” the statement read.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Simeon Bamire, has expressed deep sadness over the incident and called on parents and guardians to help children understand that setbacks are not the end of life.

Bamire said, “Temporary setbacks in the pursuit of success are part of life and should not be seen as the end. Students must be encouraged to see failure as an opportunity to redirect their paths toward success and greater achievements.”

While praying for comfort for the student’s family, friends, and the entire university community, the OAU VC stated that the loss was a heavy one for the institution.

The management urged students facing academic challenges to seek support and counselling services available within the university to help them cope with difficulties.

The President of the Dentistry Students’ Association, Adebayo Idris, also confirmed the development in a statement.

He described Ajibola’s death as a painful loss and a reminder of the silent struggles faced by many students.

“This loss is not just the departure of a promising young mind, but a painful reminder of the silent battles many students face,” the statement read.

The association urged students to support one another and seek professional help when necessary, stressing that mental health is as important as physical health.

Meanwhile a source familiar with the matter told DAILY POST that the deceased’s results were actually good, contrary to what he was told.

The source disclosed that a friend had called Ajibola, claiming his results were not good.

This, according to the source, might have contributed to his decision to take his life.

“It is shocking because his results were good. His friend just told him otherwise,” the source said.

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A fatal accident has claimed the lives of a newly married couple and three others in the Abattoir area of Katsina metropolis.

The incident happened along the Kurfi–Katsina road on Monday and threw the community into mourning.

The victims identified as Abdulsalami Yusuf Kankara, 37, and his wife, Malama Zainab, were reportedly on their way back from Kurfi Local Government Area, where they had gone to console another couple who had suffered a miscarriage.

The couple were on their way home when the tragic incident occurred, killing them and three others.

Authorities are yet to release full details of how the accident happened, but residents described the loss as “a huge tragedy” for the community.