Metro

Gas explosion survivor’s father laments neglect, rising medical costs

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

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Nearly two months after a devastating gas explosion at a Filling Station in the Edibe-Edibe area of Calabar South Local Government Area, the father of a seven-year-old survivor has cried out over what he described as abandonment and the crushing financial burden of his daughter’s treatment.

The victim, Happiness Ekere, suffered severe burns in the March 20 explosion and has remained on admission at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, where doctors continue efforts to save her life.

Her father, Mr. Anietie Ekere, said the family has been left to battle the situation alone, alleging that neither the filling station management nor its owner has reached out to them since the incident occurred.

Speaking emotionally with journalists, Ekere said he has struggled daily to meet the growing medical demands required for his daughter’s treatment.

According to him, doctors frequently ask the family to purchase drugs and medical supplies outside the hospital, expenses he said have become overwhelming for him as a casual labourer surviving on irregular income.

“Some days I spend close to N10,000 just on medication alone,” he said.

“That does not even include transportation or feeding. I am only trying my best to keep my daughter alive.”

He disclosed that Happiness recently underwent surgery, while doctors have reportedly informed the family that another major procedure may cost over N1 million.

The grieving father said the situation has become even more painful following the death of his 15-year-old son, Solomon Ekere, who also sustained injuries in the explosion and later died about a week after the incident.

“My daughter is still struggling to stand or walk properly,” he said. “I don’t know where the money will come from anymore. I just pray she survives.”

A member of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, and a volunteer support group assisting the family, said sympathisers have already spent close to N1 million on drugs, tests and wound management since the incident happened.

The source, who requested anonymity, explained that many prescribed medications were unavailable within the hospital and had to be sourced from private pharmacies.

According to the volunteer, some injections cost as much as N13,000, while routine wound dressing expenses could rise to about N15,000.

The source, however, acknowledged that the Cross River State Government had intervened in aspects of the surgery and certain hospital procedures, though most daily treatment expenses were still being handled by volunteers and the family.

Ekere has now appealed to the Cross River State Government, public-spirited individuals and humanitarian organisations to urgently come to the aid of his daughter.

“All I want is for my child to live,” he pleaded. “I cannot bear losing another child.”

There are reports suggesting that about two days ago, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, distributed food palliatives and other supports originally meant for the victims of the gas explosion in Calabar but most beneficiaries were not persons affected by the incident.

Metro

Police rescue kidnapped victim in Adamawa, kill two suspects

Published

54 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

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The Adamawa State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped victim for whom N90 million was demanded as ransom.

The captors had held the victim, Alhaji Sidiki Isah, a 54-year-old resident of Tambo Village in Girei Local Government Area, in their hideout and demanded N90 million from his family.

Police operatives, however, succeeded in locating the captors’ hiding place and freed the victim from their custody.

This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Adamawa State Command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, in a statement made available to newsmen in Yola, explaining that the operation followed intelligence received by the Command regarding the abduction of Sidiki Isah.

“On the strength of the information, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kabir Umar Hassan swiftly deployed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, using geospatial intelligence linked to the kidnappers and immediately embarked on a rescue mission in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to the identified hideout,” Nguroje explained.

According to him, during the operation, the area was strategically cordoned off, but upon sighting the combined security team, the kidnappers opened fire on the operatives.

“The security team responded professionally and successfully repelled the attackers,” Nguroje said.

According to him, two suspected kidnappers were neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, while other members of the gang fled the scene with bullet wounds.

“Interestingly, the kidnapped victim was rescued safely without injury and has since been reunited with his family,” Nguroje stated, adding that two AK-47 rifles, 17 rounds of live ammunition, a handset, charms and other items were recovered.

Metro

Windstorm kills food vendor in Benue State

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

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A violent windstorm, accompanied by heavy rainfall, has killed a woman and wreaked havoc across several communities in Obi Local Government Area of Benue State on Wednesday.

The victim, yet to be identified, was a popular food vendor in Obarike, along the Ogore axis of Obi LGA. She lost her life after a giant tree collapsed on her during the fierce storm.

Residents said the woman died instantly, leaving neighbours, customers and family members devastated, as mourners besieged the community in tears and disbelief.

Several houses, shops and business premises were damaged, while fallen trees blocked the Secretariat Road around the Ijanke community, causing traffic obstruction and fear among residents.

The chairman of Obi LGA, Hon. Silas Odeh Ahunye, described the incident as one of the worst disasters witnessed in recent years, disclosing that his residence was also affected.

Metro

Two children, three others killed in Ogun auto crash

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

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No fewer than five persons have been confirmed dead and 10 others severely injured in a fatal road accident that occurred on Thursday at Iyana Egbado along the Abeokuta–Lagos Expressway.

The lone crash involving a white Mazda E2000 bus with registration number KRD809XC, carrying a total of 20 passengers, happened at about 11:12 a.m.

According to the spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Ogun State Sector Command, Odunsi Afolabi, the passengers comprised of six adult males, eleven adult females, one male child, and two female children.

Afolabi stated that two children, one man and two women were killed in the crash while 10 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries with five others left unhurt.

“The crash occurred at about 11:12 am and was reported at 1115HRS. FRSC rescue operatives from RS2.28 Itori Unit Command arrived at the scene at 1120HRS, with a response time of five minutes.

“Out of the twenty persons involved, five persons were killed, comprising one adult male, two adult females, one male child, and one female child. Ten persons sustained varying degrees of injuries, while five persons escaped unhurt,” the statement said.

Afolabi ascribed the cause of the crash to excessive speed and overloading, adding that the injured victims were rushed to General Hospital, Ifo, and Oreofe Specialist Hospital, Itori, for prompt medical attention, while the corpses of the deceased victims were deposited at the General Hospital Morgue, Ifo.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the probable causes of the crash were speeding and overloading. The road was paved and weather condition at the time of the incident was cloudy,” he said.

Reacting to the incident, the Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, sympathized with the families of the victims and urged motorists to avoid speeding, overloading, and all forms of traffic violations capable of endangering lives.

Ogunjobi also advised drivers to ensure strict compliance with traffic rules and regulations, especially during this festive period, stressing that road safety is a shared responsibility.