By : THE traditional ruler of Nsukwa Kingdom in Delta State, Dr Kenneth Ezegbunem, has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to urgently launch a discreet investigation into repeated attacks on his community by armed individuals.
The monarch expressed concern over the constant invasion of Obiadigwe Camp at Okokogbe Quarters, Nsukwa, by unidentified gunmen.
In a petition dated June 27, 2025, and signed by his lawyer, Mr B. A. Enosemudiana of Swot Analysis Attorney, Ezegbunem detailed how the attackers allegedly stormed the area, assaulted workers, destroyed farmlands and equipment, and issued threats of further violence.
“It is premised on these foregoing facts and coupled with the fact that our client is a law-abiding citizen who would not like to resort to self-help that we are making this clarion call,” the petition stated.
The monarch urged the police to conduct a discreet investigation, arrest the perpetrators, and prosecute them to deter similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, the family of Mr Precious Okocha from Delta State has also appealed to the IGP to order a thorough and independent investigation into what they described as incessant attacks and alleged police bias in an ongoing criminal matter involving one Mr Augustine Ifedishu, also known as AC Bless, and his alleged accomplices.
In two separate petitions filed through their lawyer, Mr Arinze Ojimba of Law Grits Attorney, the family urged the IGP to set up a special inquiry team to harmonise all case files and ensure a fair and impartial investigation.
They also demanded the immediate release of Mr Okocha, whom they described as the nominal complainant in the matter but who is currently being detained by the police on what they called trumped-up allegations.
The petition, titled “Petition for harmonisation of case files and independent investigation into the matter between Precious Okocha and others and Mr Augustine Ifedishu (a.k.a. AC Bless) and cohorts,” alleged that operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) had turned the complainant into a suspect.
The family further claimed that personnel of the IGP Monitoring Unit were frustrating the investigation and aiding the suspects, leading to Okocha’s arrest and detention.
“This development is not only a manifest abuse of police process but also an affront to fairness, impartiality, and the constitutional role of the Police as protectors of law and order,” the petition reads in part.
Rotimi Agboluaje, Ibadan
Date:
13 October 2025 5:31am WAT
The Oyo State Fire Services Agency on Sunday averted what could have become a major disaster after a fire broke out at a row of shops located at Essential Stores, Bibilari Junction, opposite SAO Filling Station, along Bashorun Idi-Ape Road in Ibadan.
The fire, which was reported at about 6:24 a.m. yesterday, was brought to the agency’s attention through a call from Pastor Esan, who had noticed flames emerging from one of the shops.
Firefighters were immediately deployed to the scene, where they discovered that one of the 12 adjoining shops was already engulfed in flames. The team swiftly contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to neighbouring shops and nearby properties.
According to a statement issued by the agency, no casualties were reported. Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by electrical sparks from an appliance that had not been properly unplugged after the shop was closed for the day.
“Only one shop was slightly affected by the fire, and thanks to the timely intervention of our officers, properties worth millions of naira were saved,” the agency stated.
The Officer-in-Charge urged shop owners and business operators to always switch off electrical appliances when not in use, particularly overnight, to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Speaking after the incident, the Special Adviser on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, commended the firefighters for their professionalism and emphasised the importance of public vigilance.
“We urge the public to be more fire-conscious, especially during the dry season. Every shop and building should have a functional fire extinguisher to help tackle small fires before they escalate,” he said.
Akinwande further noted that the agency would continue to raise public awareness and strengthen its emergency response systems to safeguard lives and property across Oyo State.
