Task Force impounds 382 motorcycles, arrests 103 miscreants in Lagos

Some of the seized motorcycles.

FOLLOWING incessant attacks on Police personnel by some commercial motorcyclists in some parts of Lagos, the state Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force), yesterday, said it had impounded over 382 motorcycles and arrested 103 miscreants during a raid of some black spots in Festac Town and Surulere areas of the state.

The Task Force Chairman, Shola Jejeloye, in a statement, said the operation was carried out during weeklong enforcement activities in all parts of Festac Town and Surulere areas. 

He said the impounded motorcycles and miscreants have been handed over to the state police command for prosecution while four other suspects in the first attack had been arraigned and sentenced to two years imprisonment for violating the state environmental and special offenses laws.

Jejeloye lamented that unrestrained speed, a gross violation of extant laws of the state government, and other regulations were fast becoming rampant among motorcycle riders in most parts of the state.

Scores injured, vehicles burnt as petrol tanker explodes

A petrol tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, on Sunday, exploded at Chris-Tee filling station, located between Savoy bus stop and Boromeo roundabout in the heart of the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, while discharging the product.

The incident, which occurred at 7.30 p.m., left several persons with injuries, while about 15 vehicles parked adjacent to a mechanic workshop were burnt.

It took men of the state fire service extra efforts to prevent the inferno from spreading to nearby petrol stations.

Scene of the inferno.

AG Sector Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Anambra State Sector Command, Margaret Onabe,  confirmed the incident to newsmen in Onitsha, saying men of the fire service and FRSC Rescue Team were on the ground to contain the inferno.

Meantime,  the sector commander, FRSC, Anambra State, Adeoye Irelewuyi, implored the public to be calm and patient, and urged them to observe traffic rules, especially during this yuletide.

An eyewitness said the fire started at Chris-Tee gas plant and spread to the main Chris+Tee petrol station before it was prevented from spreading to two other nearby petrol stations, which include Rain Oil and Ejison Oil and Gas.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Tochi Ikenga, also confirmed the incident.

Gunmen invade community, kill 10

No fewer than 10 people were reportedly killed and yet to be ascertained number suffered injuries as gunmen, Sunday evening, invaded Pinau community, Mavo Chiefdom in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

It was gathered that some of the victims were returning from the market as Sunday is a market day in the community, while the gunmen, who shot sporadically also carted away foodstuff, motorcycles and other items.

The state Police Command through the Public Relations Officer, Gabriel Uba, who confirmed the incident said: “We are aware of the incident, details will be given to you subsequently.”

It will be recalled that Pinau and other surrounding communities have been witnessing cases of kidnapping and other security threats, even as residents alleged criminal elements were being brought in from other states to torment them.

However, the senator representing Plateau South, Prof. Nora Dadu’ut, has frowned at the development, as she called on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act were brought to book.

She said: “I call on security operatives to go after those attacking innocent villagers and  should be made to pay for their heinous act.”

Ibrahim Bako, who is Chairman, Wase Jukun, Youths Development Association, WAJYODA, explained: “The villagers had finished their weekly community market when the gunmen stormed the village and started shooting sporadically. This created so much tension in the community and the entire Wase council.”

Culled from Vanguard