By Our Correspondent

The Senate on Wednesday called for Federal Government’s intervention following the devastating fire outbreak at the Head Bridge Building Materials Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Specifically, it urged the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the damage and provide immediate relief materials to affected traders.

The upper legislative chamber also called on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to design and implement a special intervention fund to help victims rebuild their businesses and restore the market.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent matter of national importance on the Onitsha fire incident sponsored by the Senate Minority Whip, Senator Tony Nwoye, (ADC Anambra North) during plenary.

Presenting the motion, Nwoye recalled the tragic incident in March when a section of the market dealing in plastics, tiles, and high‑pressure pipes went up in flames.

“According to eyewitness accounts, the fire spread rapidly to adjoining sections, fueled by highly flammable materials,” he said.

He noted that the market is one of the largest hubs for building materials in the South‑East, making the incident particularly significant for regional commerce and supply chains.

Nwoye observed that the inferno raged for over three days before it was contained through the combined efforts of the Federal Fire Service, local authorities, and emergency responders from neighbouring areas.

He expressed concern that the absence of functional fire service stations and inadequate firefighting infrastructure worsened the scale of destruction.

“Goods and property worth over ₦3 billion were lost in the incident, including industrial pipes, plumbing materials and other essential building supplies,” he said.

The lawmaker also decried the impact on traders, many of whom rely solely on the market for their livelihoods, noting that the disaster has left victims economically stranded and emotionally distressed, with potential ripple effects on economic activities in the region.

The Senate, in its further resolutions, urged the Federal Fire Service to establish and adequately equip a functional fire station within or near the market to ensure prompt response to emergencies.

Similarly, it called on the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON and other regulatory bodies to enforce strict compliance with fire safety standards in markets and commercial centres nationwide.

The Senate also encouraged the Anambra State Government, in collaboration with market authorities, to develop and enforce effective emergency response mechanisms to prevent future occurrences.

It mandated its Committees on Interior, Trade and Investment to investigate the incident, identify lapses, and recommend measures to forestall similar outbreaks.

BY Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

There was a mild drama at the Minna High Court number Six, when a Fulani herdsman was sentenced and convicted to life in jail and slumped and collapsed in the dock.

He was arraigned along with his co-defendant who was discharged for lack of diligence prosecution by the office of the Attorney General of Niger State for the offence kidnapping

Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf,found him guilty of kidnapping and pronounced life jail on him and discharged his crime partner acquitted for lack of evidence against him

Immediately she discharged and acquited the second defendant and pronounced life jail on the first defendant, he slumped and collapsed in the dock.

He was found guilty of the offence of kidnapping punishable under section 2 (2) of kidnapping and cattle rustling law of Niger State.

In over two hours’ judgment, Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf,while reviewing the case, held that the Prosecuting counsel has proved his case beyond every reasonable doubt and was found guilty of kidnapping punishable under section 2 (2), of the kidnapping and cattle rustling law of Niger State.

“ Having reviewed the charge and the evidence tendered before this court, you Musa Nagoma is found guilty of the offence of kidnapping and cattle rustling punishable under section 2 (2) of Niger State law.

“ You are hereby convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment while you Mu’azu Adamu the second defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted for lack of diligence prosecution” she ruled.

However,the court room was thrown into a dramatic scene immediately Justice Balkisu Yusuf pronounced the sentenced on him and interpreted to him from English to Hausa,he slumped and collapsed while standing in the dock

The court correctional officers rushed to the dock and evacuated him to the stationed correctional ambulance at the court premises to the hospital UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA.

There was a mild drama at the Minna High Court number Six, when a Fulani herdsman was sentenced and convicted to life in jail and slumped and collapsed in the dock.

He was arraigned along with his co-defendant who was discharged for lack of diligence prosecution by the office of the Attorney General of Niger State for the offence kidnapping

Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf,found him guilty of kidnapping and pronounced life jail on him and discharged his crime partner acquitted for lack of evidence against him

Immediately she discharged and acquited the second defendant and pronounced life jail on the first defendant, he slumped and collapsed in the dock.

He was found guilty of the offence of kidnapping punishable under section 2 (2) of kidnapping and cattle rustling law of Niger State.

In over two hours’ judgment, Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf,while reviewing the case, held that the Prosecuting counsel has proved his case beyond every reasonable doubt and was found guilty of kidnapping punishable under section 2 (2), of the kidnapping and cattle rustling law of Niger State.

“ Having reviewed the charge and the evidence tendered before this court, you Musa Nagoma is found guilty of the offence of kidnapping and cattle rustling punishable under section 2 (2) of Niger State law.

“ You are hereby convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment while you Mu’azu Adamu the second defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted for lack of diligence prosecution” she ruled.

However,the court room was thrown into a dramatic scene immediately Justice Balkisu Yusuf pronounced the sentenced on him and interpreted to him from English to Hausa,he slumped and collapsed while standing in the dock

The court correctional officers rushed to the dock and evacuated him to the stationed correctional ambulance at the court premises to the hospital

By George Mgbeleke

Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) expresses grave alarm and unequivocal condemnation over the escalating wave of politically motivated violence, intimidation, and unlawful suppression of opposition activities in Ideato North and Ideato South Local Government Areas of Imo State.

What is unfolding in Imo State is not merely a political disagreement—it is a dangerous descent into lawlessness, where democratic freedoms are being systematically eroded through force, fear, and impunity.Demans

HURIWA calls on the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to immediately rise to the constitutional responsibilities of his office by guaranteeing the safety, rights, and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation. The Governor must not preside over a system where dissent is treated as a crime and opposition voices are violently silenced.

We are deeply troubled by credible and consistent reports indicating that supporters of a rising political formation in Ideato North—associated with Honourable Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a sitting member of the House of Representatives—have been subjected to repeated violent attacks, harassment, and intimidation allegedly perpetrated by armed individuals operating under the guise of vigilantes.

Particularly disturbing are reports of attempts to sabotage lawful political gatherings, including the alleged deployment of armed thugs to seize venues, disrupt events, and even destroy property belonging to citizens engaged in constitutionally protected political activities. Such actions are not only provocative but amount to a direct assault on Nigeria’s democratic framework.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended) is clear and binding. It guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and participation in governance. These rights are not privileges granted at the discretion of any government—they are fundamental, inalienable, and enforceable.

Let it be stated without ambiguity:

SOVEREIGNTY BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA, FROM WHOM GOVERNMENT DERIVES ALL ITS POWERS AND LEGITIMACY.

Consequently, any attempt by any authority—state or non-state actors—to suppress, intimidate, or violently obstruct citizens from exercising these rights is null, void, unconstitutional, and illegal.

HURIWA warns that the Imo State Government cannot abdicate responsibility or feign ignorance. Under both constitutional and moral obligations, the Governor is the Chief Security Officer of the state and bears ultimate responsibility for any breakdown of law and order within his jurisdiction.

Should these acts of violence persist, the Government of Imo State will be held accountable—both nationally and internationally—for enabling an environment where democratic rights are trampled upon with impunity.

Furthermore, HURIWA draws urgent attention to the deeply disturbing revelations by Amnesty International regarding the operations of the so-called “Tiger Base,” the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Nigeria Police Force in Owerri. The report paints a horrifying picture of entrenched human rights abuses, including:

Prolonged arbitrary detention without trial
Systematic torture and inhumane treatment
Extortion and exploitation of detainees
Enforced disappearances
Separation of children from their mothers without documentation
Detention in overcrowded, unsanitary, and life-threatening conditions

These practices are a direct violation of Nigeria’s Constitution, the Anti-Torture Act of 2017, and binding international human rights obligations. They represent not only institutional failure but a stain on the conscience of the nation.

HURIWA demands an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation into these allegations, with a view to prosecuting all culpable officers and dismantling any structure that enables such atrocities.

In light of the rising tension and the clear threat to public peace, HURIWA urgently calls on:

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP)
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS)
The Honourable Minister of Defence

to act swiftly and decisively to safeguard lives, protect property, and ensure that the constitutional rights of all Nigerians—especially those in Imo State—are upheld without compromise.

Nigeria must not be allowed to slide into a state where political competition is replaced with coercion, and where the rule of law is subordinated to the rule of might.

Democracy is not sustained by intimidation, violence, or repression. It thrives on tolerance, inclusivity, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.

We therefore demand:

An immediate cessation of all violent attacks and intimidation against opposition members
The withdrawal of all armed thugs and unlawful vigilante groups from political spaces
The protection of all lawful political gatherings and assemblies
The prosecution of individuals involved in acts of violence and arson
A full-scale investigation into human rights abuses at “Tiger Base”

The people of Imo State—and indeed all Nigerians—must not be denied their democratic rights by any individual or authority.

History will not be kind to those who choose repression over justice, or violence over democracy.

Enough is Enough.