Father, son drown in well

Drama as motorists, communters chase traffic robbers on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

A 60-year-old man, Malam Bala, and his son, Sunusi, have been confirmed dead after drowning inside a well at Sabon Garin Bauchi in the Wudil Local Government Area of Kano State.

Spokesperson, Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Yusuf, who confirmed the development, said the duo were engaged in drilling service of a well when the incident happened.

Yusuf said the son was the first to drown inside the well while rescuing him the father was also trapped in the well.

According to him, “We received an emergency call at about 11:30 am at Wudil fire station from Isma’ila Idris. He reported an incident at Sabon Garin Bauchi in Wudil Local Government Area, where a father, Malam Bala (60-year-old) and his son, Sunusi Bala (35-year-old) were called to drill a water well.

“They successfully drilled the well and in the process of clearing inside the well, the son enter inside the well, he was suffocated and trapped.

“There and then, the father while trying to rescue him was also trapped due to lack of oxygen inside the well.

“Both victims were rescued unconscious and later confirmed dead. They were handed over to Inspector Felix Gowok of Wudil Model police station.”

Motorists, communters chase traffic robbers on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

THERE was apprehension along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, yesterdayy, when some brave road users disrupted the activities of four robbery suspects by pelting pebbles at them.

The incident occurred on Long Bridge, inward Lagos State, opposite Mikano/Karameh city, at about 5.55am.

Narrating their experiences to journalists, the motorist said his Mazda car took off from Mowe, Ogun State, when they sighted the robbery suspects.

One of the road users, Mr Sheriffdeen Owokunle, said seven passengers were on board the Mazda car when the suspects were sighted in black cardigans, carrying guns and robbing unsuspecting road users. 

He said: "The journey was very smooth from Mowe but as we approached the Long Bridge, the driver was advised to be alert because of the perennial gridlock ahead.

"Shortly, the driver peeped through his mirror and sighted the suspects on the bridge stopping and robbing road users.

"People were scared and many drivers abandoned their vehicles as their occupants fled to different directions to seek refuge.

“Fortunately, one of the road users shouted on top of his voice advising co-road users to stop scampering for safety but face the suspects. This later paved the way as the road users pelted pebbles at the suspects while some drivers brought out cutlasses, iron rods and faced the suspects.

“Sensing danger, the suspects descended the bridge and fled the scene. "

“Another road user who simply gave his name as Gabriel corroborated Owokunle saying two car owners were robbed in his presence before the road users began a chace after the suspects. 

"This angered us and we faced the suspects with pebbles, cutlasses and rods.

Another road user, Adio Aramide said out of fear, a road user jumped from the bridge and this may lead to serious injuries, but nobody could wait to attend to this as people continued their journey after the nasty experience, " he said. 

The newly promoted Spokesperson, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi earlier said that Policemen have been detailed to some sensitive areas of the Expressway to curtail suspicious activities. He was reacting to an alarm by one Pastor Olaleye Gbenga of The Reddened Christian Church, RCCG, claiming that some 20 persons were kidnapped on the Kara Bridge, along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. Lately, many motorists and commuters have lamented being trapped in the traffic induced by the ongoing road construction on the Expressway particularly around the Otedola Bridge, Kara and Long Bridge. Motorists and commuters, while lamenting over the situation, were heard complaining that the road had become narrow due to the construction, and had slowed down vehicular movements.

The situation, however, worsened as the slow movement of vehicles caused such traffic that prolonged peoples’ journey to their various destinations. Some road users who spoke with Vanguard, urged government to Beeg security on the expressway. 

Culled from Vanguard