GOMBE BLAST: 49 Dead, Several Injured – Rescue Workers

About 49 people have been reported dead and dozens injured during the Twin blasts in Gombe on Thursday.

This vital information was made known by rescue workers on ground at the scene of the event.

The first explosion took place outside a packed footwear shop around 1620 GMT, followed by a second explosion just minutes later, said Badamasi Amin, a local trader who counted at least three bodies.

He said the area was crowded with customers doing some last-minute shopping on the eve of the Eid festival marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

“I was about 70 metres (yards) from the scene” when the first blast struck, he told AFP.

“I and many other people rushed to assist the victims. While we were trying to attend to the wounded, another blast happened outside a china shop just opposite the footwear shop.

“Several people were killed and many more were injured,” he added.

Ali Nasiru, another trader, said he saw “people lying lifeless on the ground”.

“Traders and shoppers helped in evacuating the victims to the hospital,” he said. “I can’t say how many people were affected but there are many.”

Eid-el-Fitr: Governors Urged Nigerians To Co-exist Peacefully After Ramadan

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the Ogun State Governor has in his Eid-el-Fitr message said that Nigeria will overcome its current challenges and come out a strong, united and prosperous nation in Africa and the entire globe.

In the message, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, Amosun urged Nigerians to continue to be disciplined, patriotic and compassionate towards one another.

Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun state Governor

“The attributes of self-discipline, compassion, brotherliness and patriotism exhibited during the holy month of Ramadan, if sustained, will bring within our reach and attainment, the dreams of our founding fathers for a united and prosperous nation.” The statement read in parts.

In another related development, Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, urged every citizen of the state to continue to display tolerance and peaceful coexistence even after the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Ibrahim Dankwambo, Gombe state Governor

In a Sallah goodwill message, Dankwambo urged Muslims and followers of other religions to continue to pray for peace, which he described as the catalyst for socio-economic development of the state and country.

He said, “Islam means peace and preaches tolerance and mutual respect amongst members of every community. I enjoin us to live in peace with one another irrespective of religious or ethnic differences.”

BREAKING!!! NFF Unveils Sunday Oliseh

Sunday Oliseh, Super Eagles New Coach

The former Super Eagles captain has been presented to the public as its new coach in Abuja two weeks after Stephen Keshi was sacked

Sunday Oliseh has been unveiled by the Nigeria Football Federation, replacing sacked Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles coach.

Details later…

NOT AGAIN!!! Another Building Collapses In Ebute Meta

Collapsed building in Lagos. Photo: file

Another building has collapsed in the Ebute Meta area of Lagos state just one week after a complex under construction collapsed in Yaba, area of the state.

Reports say that the incident happened on Olotan Street early Wednesday morning.

Although the details are still sketchy, The PUNCH reported that rescue agencies are already on the ground to assess the situation.

The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the report, adding that there were no casualties

ALARMING!!! Unknown Gunmen Kidnap Catholic Priest In Imo

Rev. Fr. Francis Ugoo Egbebu, the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Umuola, Amaigbo, Nwangele local council area of Imo State has been abducted by unknown gunmen.

Some imminent members of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu, where Rev. Fr. Egbebu is serving, revealed that the ever cheerful priest was last seen driving out of the Parish Monday morning.

Although it was not clear at press time, the exact location where the priest was picked up by the hoodlums, stories making the rounds however indicated that the kidnappers had made an initial contact with close relations of the priest and demanded N5 million ransom

As Vanguard puts it, Rev. Fr. Egbebu, who is the first vicar of the parish, resumed duties on November 2014, when the young parish was created and inaugurated by the Catholic Bishop of Orly Diocese, Most Rev, Dr. Augustine Ukwuoma.

Confirming the kidnap to newsmen, the Parish Council Chairman, Engr. Adolphus Ogbonna, said the parishioners are passing through serious anxiety and sorrow over the senseless abduction of their parish priest.

“We have heard the news of the kidnap of our parish priest. Some people say he was kidnapped around Owerri, while others claim he was kidnapped in our community.