Metro

Nigeria Church Stampede: Parents grief as church struggles to find relatives of victims

Published

3 years ago

June 2, 2022

The Nigerian church in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers state, which witnessed a stampede last weekend said it is still trying to trace relatives of some of the victims of the incident.

The church, known as ‘Kings Assembly’ is located in the GRA axis of the city, but the event which has now claimed the lives of some was at the Polo Club to accommodate the usual large congregation.

The Church put out a statement saying it is working to identify relatives of the victims, some of whom have been waiting outside the church for news.

Meanwhile, parents and relatives of the deceased from the unfortunate incident have narrated their ordeals regarding their human losses.

Mr. Samuel Eke, who is a parent to one of the victims, five-year-old Delight Eke narrates how he was greeted with the harsh reality of his child’s death after he became conscious having passed out during the stampede also.

“When I got myself back, I became conscious again, I started looking for my son. I look for my son. I saw him and when I watched him, I saw that he was already on the ground, dead. I took him up and tried to shout for help. Even the security, these people that were in charge, they were wearing that black polo shirt for free (indistinct) We could not see anybody to help. What we see is people just scatter. I don’t know whether they were trying to help us or trying to save their own life or trying to see what they could do. I don’t know. All I know is I was shouting for help, nobody to help. People were lying dead, shouting for help, nobody to help,” said Samuel Eke, Delight’s father.

The parent of another victim, seven-year-old Delight Ogazilim Boms also spoke dearly of his late child “This is my daughter we are talking about. I have three children, three daughters. Among them, she was first. was so close to me. I carry her everywhere (indistinct), I carry her to all our ministry programs. In the church, ever knows her,” said Jude Boms, her father.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

11 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

16 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.