News
No casualties recorded in Onitsha fire incident – Police
The Anambra State Police Command has refuted reports of casualties following an early morning fire that engulfed a two-storey building storing textile materials on Ifejika Street, near Main Market, Onitsha.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed in a statement on Friday that no lives were lost in the incident. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he reiterated that earlier reports of fatalities were false.
During a media briefing in Awka, the Commissioner of Police for Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu, expressed sympathy for the victims of the fire, noting that the incident could have been avoided with proper precautionary measures.
“However, no lives were lost. The Command appreciates the support of the Fire Service and well-meaning individuals in ensuring the fire was extinguished. The police have taken over the scene to investigate the cause of the fire and prevent hoodlums from exploiting the situation to commit crimes,” Orutugu stated.
The Fire Chief of the Anambra Fire Service, Mr. Chukwudi Chiketa, also confirmed that no fatalities were recorded. He urged the public to dismiss a viral video claiming otherwise, labeling it as fake and an attempt to discredit security agencies.
Authorities have assured residents that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing while urging traders and warehouse owners to adopt better fire prevention measures.
IATA also said air cargo capacity decreased by 0.6 per cent year-on-year, stating that it was the first year-on-year decline since mid-2023.
In its released data for February 2025 global air cargo markets, IATA stated that total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, CTK, declined by 0.1 per cent compared to February 2024 levels.
Commenting on the development, IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, said: “February saw a small contraction in air cargo demand, the first year-on-year decline since mid-2023. Much of this is explained by February 2024 being extraordinary—a leap year that was also boosted by Chinese New Year traffic, sea lane closures and a boom in e-commerce.
“Rising trade tensions are, of course, a concern for air cargo. With equity markets already showing their discomfort, we urge governments to focus on dialogue over tariffs.”
Similarly, African airlines saw a 6.7 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger demand growth, IATA added that capacity was up 4.0 per cent year-on-year.
“Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers, RPK, was up 2.6 per cent compared to February 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres, ASK, was up 2.0 per cent year-on-year.
“International demand rose 5.6 per cent compared to February 2024. Capacity was up 4.5 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 80.2 per cent.
“Domestic demand fell 1.9 per cent compared to February 2024. Capacity was down 1.7% year-on-year,” IATA said.
ABAKALIKI – Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi, has denied allegations that he sponsored or directed any protest against the management of Federal University Teaching Hospital (DUFUTH), Uburu, Ebonyi State.
Speaking during a meeting with traditional rulers and community members, Umahi, who is the founder of the hospital, described the claims as false and misleading.
“I didn’t direct any protest. The President General asked me in Abakaliki, ‘Shall we do a protest?’ and I said no, don’t,” Umahi stated.
The Minister emphasized the need to support the hospital’s leadership, urging the community to avoid actions that could undermine its growth.
“Let’s hand over the hospital to her; she is our daughter. I’m sure you all heard me very well. If we have our children working in the hospital writing petitions, it is against the institution itself.
“Do not write petitions against anyone; doing so only plays into the hands of our enemies—those who do not want the hospital to thrive.”
Umahi urged the community to allow the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Professor Uzoma Agwu, to complete her tenure, stressing the importance of preserving the hospital’s integrity.
He highlighted the hospital’s critical role, particularly in providing cancer treatment to patients from across the region, not just in Ohaozara.
“This hospital is bigger than individuals. It serves thousands of people, and its success is crucial. Instead of causing distractions, let’s support it with prayers for its continued growth.”
Umahi also revealed that Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru, has stepped in to resolve the crisis.
“The governor has graciously agreed to intervene. Let’s allow him to investigate and address the issues at hand.”
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced that the medicine market at Bridgehead, Onitsha, was reopened on March 7 following a shutdown for comprehensive sanitisation.
Dr Martins Iluyomade, the NAFDAC Director for the Southeast, confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
NAN reports that the agency had closed the Ogbo Ogwu and three adjoining markets from February 10 to March 7 to sanitise the medicine distribution system.
Iluyomade explained that there were administrative conditions every shop owner had to fulfil before their shops, previously sealed during the operation, could be unsealed.
He said that the process was put in place to prevent the recurrence of the issues that led to the market’s closure.
He highlighted that pharmaceuticals were highly regulated due to their impact on public health and national security, adding that NAFDAC’s mandate, under the NAFDAC Act, was to regulate and control the sales and distribution of drugs.
Iluyomade also clarified that the market had not been closed, contrary to reports from some media outlets.
He said that the process underway was focused on documenting and regularising the shops, ensuring that no shop would be unsealed without completing the necessary clearance procedures.
He said NAFDAC had set up a special desk to facilitate this process efficiently.
Iluyomade thanked the market leadership and the Anambra state government for their cooperation and understanding.
He further stated that the agency was not aware of any internal conflicts within the market.(NAN)
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