Man crushed to death during Task Force raid in Oshodi

 *We are not responsible — CP reacts

A middle-aged man was crushed to death in Bolade, Oshodi area of Lagos, yesterday, during a stampede caused by commercial bus drivers, who were trying to evade arrest by policemen attached to the Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit.

The operatives, as gathered, stormed the area to effect the arrest of defiant commercial drivers, who disobeyed traffic regulations.

On sighting the operatives, the drivers attempted to flee the scene. Three persons were reportedly hit in the process.

News later went round that Task Force operatives had killed some persons in the area. The news would have sparked up violence as some persons were reportedly spoiling for a showdown with the Task Force operatives, whose office is located not too far from the scene.

We are not responsible, CP reacts

In a swift reaction to what was described as false news, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Hakeem Odumosu, exonerated his men from culpability, describing the incident rather, as a ‘Fatal Hit and Run’.

The CP, according in a statement issued by the spokesman for the command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said: “Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at about 6 am, the Divisional Police Officer, Akinpelu Division got a call that while the Task Force operatives were on an operation, some commercial buses, violating traffic regulations, at Bolade Oshodi area of Lagos State were trying to escape arrest, but unfortunately, one of the buses hit three persons and fled.

“On receipt of the information, the DPO, Nkiruka Ugwu, and a team raced to the scene. The corpse of a man, later identified as Emmanuel Samuel, was seen at the scene, in the pool of his blood, while two others injured were rushed to the hospital.

“Relations of the deceased were contacted and they quickly picked up the body for burial.”

While condoling with the bereaved family, Odumosu ordered the DPO to work with independent observers and eyewitnesses in the area to trace and bring the fleeing driver of the bus that knocked down the deceased and those receiving treatment in the hospital, to book. 

Stray bullet kills plantain seller, as cult groups clash in Oyo

Ibadan —A 60-year-old woman, identified as Iya Oluso, who sells roasted plantain at Ilupeju area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was reportedly hit by a stray bullet during a bloody clash between two rival cult groups Monday.

It was gathered that the fight between the groups started Sunday at a party where some people sustained injuries and there was a reprisal attack by the other group whose members sustained injuries from the previous fight.

According to an eyewitness, all efforts to resuscitate the woman after being hit by bullet were unsuccessful as she later died.

The eyewitness said those that came for the reprisal were about 50 in number. 

When the dust settled, some vehicles parked on the road were vandalized by the hoodlums.

The Public Relations Officer, of the state Police Command, CSP Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the incident.

Coronavirus: Yabatech loses staff, shuts down hostels 

*Lectures to hold online

Director of Academic Planning of Yaba College of Technology, Yabatech, Mr M. A.Omoighe, has died following complications from the coronavirus disease, a statement by the Academic Board of the institution confirmed, yesterday.

Omoighe died on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at an undisclosed hospital.

Following the development, the board has ordered all lectures to be delivered online, while students are to vacate their hostels latest tomorrow.

According to a statement by the board also ordered all members of staff in the Academic Planning Unit to go on self-isolation for two weeks.

“The Academic Board at the emergency meeting, yesterday, approved the following measures: 

*The college should revert to online teaching immediately.

“Lecturers are to provide lecture notes to students beforehand and use the online period to explain the lectures.

“Lecturers are to adopt acceptable modality for online lectures. The Centre for Information Technology and Management, CITM, and Flexible Skills Development, FSD, should work out improved modalities to enhance e-learning.

“Meeting of more than 10 persons should be conducted virtually. Students should vacate hostels latest by Thursday.

“Management will decontaminate the environment. Workers are to come to office in alternate days.

“Academic Planning Unit to close down for two weeks for workers to go on self-isolation. The medical centre to also close down for two weeks, “ 

Fire razes 70 shops in Lagos market

No fewer than 70 lock-up shops were razed, yesterday, at Alade Market, Somolu, Lagos State. The incident was said to have occurred at about 1.05 am due to a power surge in the market.

Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed the development, said the agency’s firefighters alongside the Lagos State and federal fire services were mobilised to the scene to fight the fire as thorough damping down exercise was carried out.

However, the impact of the inferno affected 70 shops while the extent of destroyed goods was still being accessed at press time.

Osanyintolu urged members of the public to ensure their appliances are switched off once not in use to prevent voltage surges. 

He said: “The agency firefighters alongside the Lagos State and Federal Fire Services worked to complete thorough damping down exercise. The initial post-disaster assessment indicates that 70 locks up shops have been affected while the extent of destroyed goods is still being assessed.

Culled from Vanguard