Outrage in Abia as Naval ratings assault women in salon, steal their phones
A video footage has surfaced, capturing Naval ratings from Operation Flush engaging in the assault of civilians in Abia state.
The video shows navy operatives forcefully invading a salon, physically assaulting female customers and workers using sticks and forcibly expelling everyone from the premises.
Additionally, the personnel are seen allegedly confiscating phones from the victims.
Reports from residents have highlighted concerns over the conduct of Operation Flush operatives, accusing them of consistently violating the rights of Abians.
The allegations include intimidation, extortion, and theft, further exacerbating the situation.
The emergence of the video evidence has sparked widespread outrage and demands for immediate action to address these disturbing allegations. Calls for a comprehensive investigation and accountability for the alleged misconduct have intensified.
Authorities in the state have been urged to respond to the video evidence swiftly, conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, and hold those responsible for any unlawful actions accountable.
An investigative journalist who shared the video on X wrote:
”Dear Governor Alex Otti, your attention is urgently needed here because this act is highly condemnable. See Naval personnel of the Operation Flush you recently set up in Abia state.
”They invaded a saloon, beat up female customers and workers with sticks, chased everyone out of the saloon, then stole their phones. This nation has been relegated to the dogs.
”Governor Alex, these operation flush members go about violating the rights of Abians, intimidating them, extorting and stealing from them.”
Dear Governor Alex Otti @alexottiofr, your attention is urgently needed here because this act is highly condemnable. See Naval @NigerianNavy personnels of the Operation Flush you recently set up in Abia state. They invaded a saloon, beat up female customers and workers with sticks, chased everyone out of the saloon, then stole their phones. This nation has been relegated to the dogs. Governor Alex, these operation flush members go about, violating the rights of Abians, intimidating them, extorting and stealing from them.
@PIDOMNIGERIA
Nigerian Navy @NigerianNavy
Nigerian Navy does not condole indiscipline, serious investigation is ongoing in respect of the above, be well assure that a severe action will be taken publicly once the investigation is over. We are to protect and not to destroy.
@NigerianNavy
Chinedu Ekeke (Nedu Naija) is the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Alex Otti.
Nedu Ekeke @Nedunaija
Good morning, everyone.
The Abia State Government is sad that some personnel of the Nigerian Navy did this. But we can announce that the officers involved have been arrested and will be tried soon.
The naval authorities have sent senior officers to go and apologise to the victims while the State Government will ensure they (the victims) get compensation.
Thank you and have a great day ahead!
@Nedunaija
UNCLE DEJI™️ @DejiAdesogan
UPDATE: I can confirm that the two Navy personnel of Operation Flush in Abia seen in a viral video abusing the civilians have both been arrested for disciplinary action. The current CDS & Service Chiefs frown at unprofessional conduct & abuse of civilians by military personnel.
@DejiAdesogan
🌟⚓️🌊Navy_baddest😎⛵⛵"🐦 @OttaChukwu44986
i can testify to it they have been arrested verified from a friend also a fellow personnel ...most of our personnel or will i say most of my colleagues let the work get in to them they feel they have power and can do how they want ..but always forget people are watching
Nigeria: Lagos Island fireworks blaze kills at least one
26 December 2012
An explosion in a warehouse has sparked a major fire and killed at least one person in Lagos, Nigeria's largest city and commercial capital.
Officials said a building storing fireworks in the largest market area of Lagos Island exploded, and the ensuing blaze spread to up to nine buildings.
The blast reportedly shook windows in homes miles away and a thick cloud of smoke could be seen over the city.
More than 30 people have been injured.
An official from the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) told AFP news agency that a charred body had been pulled out of the building where the fireworks detonated.
The force of the initial blast was such that some residents reportedly mistook it for a bomb or a falling plane.
Windows in nearby buildings were shattered and a neighbouring school was badly damaged.
Desperate search
Thousands of people in the area gathered to watch, as the fire destroyed neighbouring buildings.
Some were desperately searching the crowd for information on family members while the fire was burning and sporadic fireworks explosions could still be heard.
"Everything has burned now. I don't see my brother now or his son - I've not seen anybody now. They might have collapsed inside there, nobody can enter there," said one man.
Some residents jumped out of windows in panic as fireworks exploded long after the initial blaze, according to a statement from Nema quoted by AFP.
The BBC's Tomi Oladipo described seeing other people who had sustained shrapnel wounds some distance from the fire.
Some were hurt as they tried to put out the flames and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Firefighters took about an hour to reach the scene, partly because of the huge crowds, our correspondent says.
Residents grabbed hoses from fire engines in attempt to fight the blaze, but the water quickly ran out, Associated Press reports.
A government official told Reuters news agency that the firefighting operation was hampered by the risk of new explosions from so many fireworks.
"It's very dangerous for the firemen to go in, because the government don't want any of these men to be injured."
Police and security officials reportedly recovered mortar-like fireworks and empty firework shells from the scene.
Our correspondent says that for years there have been calls to ban fireworks.
However, they continue to be widely used during the Christmas and new year holidays.
UPDATED: One dead as 15 houses burn in Lagos explosion
By Channels Television Updated December 26, 2012
An 11 year old boy has been confirmed dead at the site of fire cracker explosion in Lagos as a number of buildings are now set ablaze as a result of the explosion.
About 15 houses are on fire after a huge explosion went off at the Oroyiyin\Jankara axis on Lagos Island, Lagos state, Nigeria’s south-west region.
The South-West spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed that one person died from the explosion, while a number of people sustained minor injuries.
Our correspondent at the scene of the inferno said the explosion occurred after a warehouse used to store fireworks was set ablaze following an accidental trigger of the stored fire crackers.
The fire reportedly spread to the two nearby buildings and has further affected 15 other adjoining buildings.
Jankara market is located in the heart of the densely populated Lagos Island market where massive structures of three to four storey buildings are built itches away from each other.
Fire crackers popularly known as bangers are major features of celebrations during Christmas and New Year across Nigeria.
OUR PREVIOUS REPORT
A shop containing fire crackers on Wednesday exploded in a storey building injuring many and damaging cars and houses close by.
The explosion reportedly occurred at 9:30AM in Oroyiyin\Jankara area, Lagos Island.
The fire spread to nearby buildings and about 5 houses are said to be affected by the resulting inferno causing panic to traders and shoppers.
Fire fighters promptly turned up and local residents grabbed fire hoses to try and put out the flames but the huge crowd that has besieged the area has made it difficult for to put out the fire.
The explosion is reported to have caused an alarming vibration in the area while the noise was deafening.
More firefighters have been drafted to the scene of the fire and security agencies have also been drafted to help in putting out the fire that has gutted 15 adjoining buildings.
wittywriter: In as much as these closures can be followed up with a long lasting sanitation culture then fine for lagos residents else it'll just be a cliche tax collection exercise and deliberate blockade of business flow. FCT dedicated to all financially brutalized nigerian all thanks to the ruling party.
Wittyness
Kai!
(He obviously didn't even read the post and he doesn't know what it's about).
obi58: When in the history of Lagos state has a fire been recorded from a fireworks shop?
Why do we leave the core duties of governance to keep frustrating hardworking Lagosians?
naptu2: The only unusual thing this time is that it occurred during the Rainy Season.
It has almost become a tradition that there should be major fire outbreaks at Oko Baba (on the Mainland) and on Lagos Island sometime between September and January every year. The reason for the fire outbreaks is quite obvious.
Oko Baba is a gigantic illegal sawmill. Dry wood is stored haphazardly over a wide area in Ebute Metta. The wood and sawdust is often burnt there, making it difficult for motorists on Third Mainland Bridge to see (driving down that stretch of the bridge is extremely dangerous because of the smoke). The Government has had plans to relocate the sawmills for a very long time. These plans have often been frustrated by people who spread rumours that the government just wants to steal land. It seems as if there is a major fire outbreak at that place every single dry season. There was another fire outbreak there yesterday.
There have also been fire outbreaks at the various markets on Lagos Island almost every Dry Season since the 1980s. One of the reasons for the fires on Lagos Island is the enormous amount of illegal fireworks that are stored there every Christmas season. The fire in 2012 caused such a huge explosion that some people thought that Boko Haram militants had bombed Lagos. The explosion was so powerful that it knocked down part of the building in which the fireworks were stored. The sale, distribution and use of these fireworks have been illegal since the early 1980s, but people keep using them during the Christmas season and so there is a huge market for them and this market is centred around Lagos Island.
The large number of clothes that are sold on Lagos Island also serve as fuel for these fire outbreaks that occur during the Dry Season. On one occasion someone was trying to refuel an electricity generator that was still on and this caused a fire that burnt through bales of fabric.
Note: They did not say that they are closing Third Mainland Bridge. The bridge will still be open. They are closing the ramps at Oworonshoki, Adekunle and Adeniji-Adele that lead to the bridge. You will not be able to access the bridge or exit from those places, but you can still access/exit the bridge from Obalende and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
NOTIFICATION OF CLOSURE OF OWORONSHOKI - ADEKUNLE, LAGOS - ISLAND (ADENIJI ADELE) - ADEKUNLE RAMPS
… LASG Releases Diversion Routes
Notification of closure of Oworonshoki-Adekunle and Lagos Island (Adeniji Adele) - Adekunle Ramps has been released. The closure is set to commence from 7.00 am on Monday 6th, November, 2023 for a period of Five Weeks.
In view of the above, the motoring public is hereby notified that the repair works will begin with the ramps connecting Oworoshoki to Adekunle and Lagos - Island (Adeniji Adele) to Adekunle simultaneously.
Consequently, while the two ramps mentioned above are under closure, the following alternative routes are advised for traffic:
SCENE 1
Motorists from Lagos Island heading to Ebute Metta will be diverted to Ilubirin to connect Carter Bridge (Idumota Bridge) to link Iddo inwards Otto/Oyingbo axis and access Herbert Macaulay Way to link their desired destinations.
SCENE 2
Motorists from Victoria Island are to go through Bonny Camp to Onikan Marina Bridge, Apongbon to Eko Bridge, Costain to Apapa Road, Railway Compound to Alagomeji, Glover Road to Apena Junction, Herbert Macaulay Way to reach their destinations.
In the same vein, Motorists wishing to travel through Adekunle to Ebute - Metta from Lagos - Ibadan are advised to use the following alternative routes:
SCENE 1
Motorists from Motorways will be diverted to Ikorodu Road (Ojota, Anthony, Onipanu, Fadeyi) and Jibowu to access Herbert Macaulay Way to continue their journeys.
SCENE 2
Motorists from Gbagada can go through Anthony Interchange to link Ikorodu Road inwards Jibowu to access Herbert Macaulay Way and link their desired destinations.
SCENE 3
Motorists from Apapa-Oshodi Expressway wishing to link Ebute-Meta are advised to link Oshodi Bridge to Town Planning Way to Ikorodu Road and then link their various destinations
We wish to state that adequate traffic and security personnel will be deployed to the construction zones and the various alternative routes/critical points: Motorists are therefore enjoined to cooperate with them, exercise patience and observe safety measures during the palliative works.
It should be noted that the entire stretch of Third Mainland Bridge inward and outward will be open for travel during this period as only the Adekunle ramp will be affected.
naptu2: The only unusual thing this time is that it occurred during the Rainy Season.
It has almost become a tradition that there should be major fire outbreaks at Oko Baba (on the Mainland) and on Lagos Island sometime between September and January every year. The reason for the fire outbreaks is quite obvious.
Oko Baba is a gigantic illegal sawmill. Dry wood is stored haphazardly over a wide area in Ebute Metta. The wood and sawdust is often burnt there, making it difficult for motorists on Third Mainland Bridge to see (driving down that stretch of the bridge is extremely dangerous because of the smoke). The Government has had plans to relocate the sawmills for a very long time. These plans have often been frustrated by people who spread rumours that the government just wants to steal land. It seems as if there is a major fire outbreak at that place every single dry season. There was another fire outbreak there yesterday.
There have also been fire outbreaks at the various markets on Lagos Island almost every Dry Season since the 1980s. One of the reasons for the fires on Lagos Island is the enormous amount of illegal fireworks that are stored there every Christmas season. The fire in 2012 caused such a huge explosion that some people thought that Boko Haram militants had bombed Lagos. The explosion was so powerful that it knocked down part of the building in which the fireworks were stored. The sale, distribution and use of these fireworks have been illegal since the early 1980s, but people keep using them during the Christmas season and so there is a huge market for them and this market is centred around Lagos Island.
The large number of clothes that are sold on Lagos Island also serve as fuel for these fire outbreaks that occur during the Dry Season. On one occasion someone was trying to refuel an electricity generator that was still on and this caused a fire that burnt through bales of fabric.
Flash: Arrival of Governor @jidesanwoolu at the official commissioning of the Yaba overpass bridge as part the Red Line project. There are five overpass bridges constructed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to eliminate the interaction between vehicular traffic and train services. Three out of the four remaining Bridges are completed and ready for commissioning in a few weeks. The fourth bridge, which is in Mushin would be ready before the end of the year.
The red line services when fully operational would transport more than 1 million passengers everyday.
Flash: Arrival of Governor @jidesanwoolu at the official commissioning of the Yaba overpass bridge as part the Red Line project. There are five overpass bridges constructed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to eliminate the interaction between vehicular traffic and train services.… pic.twitter.com/JElhfiEGmZ
Governor @jidesanwoolu in company of his deputy @drobafemihamzat formally commissioned the Yaba overpass bridge . The overpass bridge is part of the Red Line project. There are five overpass bridges constructed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to eliminate the interaction between vehicular traffic and train services. Three out of the four remaining Bridges are completed and ready for commissioning in a few weeks. The fourth bridge, which is in Mushin would be ready before the end of the year.
The red line services when fully operational would transport more than 1 million passengers everyday.
Governor @jidesanwoolu in company of his deputy @drobafemihamzat formally commissioned the Yaba overpass bridge . The overpass bridge is part of the Red Line project. There are five overpass bridges constructed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to eliminate the interaction between… pic.twitter.com/sIUnZwlhN6
Yaba – Tejuosho Junction, at Mushin – Kayode Junction, Ikeja on Ikeja Along. We still have one or two more to do, but I am excited and I am happy that all of these four bridges are indeed near completion or have been completed.
Here today we are at the very beautiful Yaba rail bridge crossing. Over the years we all know that we’ve had incidents where, at rail crossings, we’ve seen human error based on vehicular movement and we said to ourselves, once the fast intra-city rail starts on the Red Line, we cannot take the lives of our people to chance. We need to make the hard investment to ensure that in almost all practical junctions, we’ll build a vehicular and pedestrian bridge for our citizens, for our people, so that the rail infrastructure and the rail transportation will be seamless and it will be devoid of all possible human error and accidents.
Today’s ceremony is therefore a significant and an important one. An overpass bridge here in Yaba. I’m told that on Sunday we’ll also be commissioning the overpass bridge at Ebute-Metta, which is at Apapa Road Junction. It is very very strategic as well, so that we can avoid any form of vehicular accident on this corridor. Dear Lagosians, without any iota of doubt we have remained focused in our commitment to developing a sustainable solution in our transportation challenge.
Gbenga Omotoso @gbenga_omo
NOW: Mr Governor assures Lagosians of better days in transportation at the opening of the Yaba Overpass.
In fulfillment of his recent pledge the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday, November 2, cut the tape to open the Yaba Overpass Bridge for use.
The Yaba Overpass is one of the four that the state government has lined up for commissioning.
The remaining overpasses waiting to be commissioned are at Oyingbo, Mushin, and Ikeja Overpass.
These overpasses are to be complemented by four others to be constructed by the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
The state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu arrived at about 12.20 p.m. and he was received by the deputy governor, Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat and the APC chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, who was represented by the deputy chairman.
The governor walked into the warm embrace of Lagosians who swarmed all over him, as he moved around to greet the many dignitaries on the ground.
Dignitaries on the ground are Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, represented by Hon. Ademola Kasumu, Transportation Commissioner Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation Sola Giwa, royal fathers led by representatives of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, represented by Opeluwa Onido, Oba Bashiru Oloto, Oloto of Oyo, the Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe, in Yaba, the Chairman of Yaba, LCDA Hon. Kayode Oniyale, who led other a league of council chairmen.
Also on the ground are the Former High Commissioner to Ghana, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, the Managing Directors of LAMATA, Engr Abimbola Akinajo and the Managing Director of Craneburg Construction, the contractor for the Yaba Overpass Bridge Gilbert Sassine as well as top functionaries of the government, as well as representatives of the University of Lagos and Yabatech.
Lagos MetropolitanArea Transport Authority LAMATA @Lamataonline
Yaba Overpass
Ahead of the commissioning ceremony tomorrow, Managing Director Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) Engr. Mrs Abimbola Akinajo led a delegation of technical staff to ensure everything is in top shape.
Politics › Re: Navy Personnel Beat Women In Abia: Navy, Abia State Government React by naptu2(op): 5:59pm On Nov 03, 2023*. Modified: 6:16pm On Nov 03, 2023
