Twenty-one passengers have lost their lives after two boats drowned at Imore town in Amuwo-Odofin LGA of Lagos state.

The two boats, each carrying 16 passengers, reportedly collided and capsized in the middle of the lagoon on Monday night.

Confirming the incident, Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos police spokesperson, said it was reported to the Ilashe police division at about 7 pm on Monday.

He said during rescue operations, 11 passengers were rescued while “21 persons drowned”.

On October 7, 2024, at about 7 pm, a distress call was received at the Ilashe division reporting that two unregistered passenger boats, each carrying 16 passengers, allegedly collided in the middle of the lagoon at Imore town. As a result, the boats capsized, and the passengers drowned along with their goods,” he said.

“Based on the report, teams of conventional and marine policemen, local divers, and other emergency responders were swiftly mobilised to the scene, where 11 passengers were rescued with injuries and rushed to the Naval Hospital in Navy Town, Alakija, for medical attention.”

As at the time of filing this report, TheCable is yet to receive an update from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

A sex worker, identified as Joy Kelvin, has allegedly stabbed a 48-year-old man identified simply as Okafor to death at Jakande Housing Estate in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

The incident was said to have occurred on Monday morning at about 5:30 am.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed this in a statement on Monday, disclosed that the late Okafor had brought Kelvin to his house to spend the night.

He stated that the deceased’s friend, however, reported at the Ilasan Police Division at about 7 am that he was stabbed to death by the suspect.

He added that a team of police detectives visited the scene, took photographs, and evacuated the corpse to the morgue for autopsy.

He wrote, “Today, October 7, 2024, at approximately 07:20 am, a complainant reported at Ilasan Division that earlier that day at about 05:32 hours, he received a call from a friend stating that Okafor, a 48-year-old male and also his friend, was stabbed in his house at Jakande Housing Estate, Lekki, Lagos, by Joy Kelvin, a female prostitute he had brought home overnight.

Hundeyin further stated that the suspect had been arrested while efforts were underway to locate the deceased’s family members. “The investigation is ongoing,” the statement concluded.

The Delta State Police Command has killed three suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun battle following an attempted abduction.

The suspects had tried to kidnap the wife of a member of the Delta State House of Assembly on 2nd September 2024, at Okoloba Junction, Jakpa Road, Uvwie

During the failed attempt, the suspects killed two policemen and the lawmaker’s driver, Mr David Imela.

The Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed this to PUNCH Metro on Sunday in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

He said, “Following the failed attempted kidnap of the wife of a Delta State House of Assembly member, where the suspected kidnappers murdered two mobile policemen and the driver, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered heightened security around Warri and neighbouring areas, including roadblocks at exit points.”

Police operatives from Ebrumede Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Iwok Ndifereke, strategically created a traffic hold-up at DSC roundabout. They spotted a vehicle matching the description provided, including the registration number.

“On noticing the traffic and seeing the police, the hoodlums opened fire on the officers. The police responded professionally, given the busy nature of the area. The suspects abandoned their bullet-riddled vehicle and fled with gunshot injuries. Three AK-47 rifles and the operational vehicle, with registration number WWR-436-GZ, were recovered,” Edafe explained.

Unsatisfied with the suspects’ escape, CP Abaniwonda directed the DPO to pursue the assailants and ensure their capture.

“Armed with information and evidence found in the abandoned vehicle, on 3rd October 2024, CSP Iwok Ndifereke led his team to the suspects’ hideout in Agbarho.

The police engaged the suspects in a fierce gunfight. Three of the suspects sustained fatal gunshot injuries while others escaped. Another AK-47 rifle was recovered.”

The injured suspects were taken to hospital, where they were confirmed dead. A manhunt for the remaining members of the gang is ongoing, Edafe added.

CP Olufemi commended the bravery and diligence of the DPO and his team during the operation and encouraged other officers to follow their example.