NEWS
Devastating Fire Engulfs Kwara High Court Complex
Tragedy struck in Kwara State’s capital, Ilorin, as the newly constructed High Court complex fell victim to a devastating fire on Tuesday.
The inferno, discovered at approximately 7:25 am, wrecked havoc on the main building, leaving 40 offices, three courtrooms, the Registry Department, and the Litigation Office in ruins.
Preliminary reports from the State Fire Service point to an electrical surge as the triggering cause of the destructive blaze.
Hassan Adekunle, the Head of Media and Publicity for the Kwara State Fire Service, issued a statement verifying the High Court complex fire incident.
According to Adekunle, the firefighters were mobilized in response to a distress call, demonstrating their prompt action to tackle the unfolding inferno.
He said, “In the morning of February 13, 2024, at 07:33 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service received a distress call regarding a fire outbreak at the State High Court in Ilorin.
“Responding swiftly, the fire crew rushed to the scene to find the imposing State High Court building ablaze. This building, housing 40 offices and three open courtrooms, was in peril, with the registry department and litigation office particularly affected by the inferno.
“With commendable courage and determination, the firefighters immediately commenced their efforts to combat the raging flames. Working tirelessly, they skillfully navigated through the burning structure, deploying their expertise and resources to contain and extinguish the fire.
“Despite the daunting challenges they faced, the firefighters succeeded in saving the State High Court from complete devastation, preventing what could have been a catastrophic loss.
“Subsequent investigation into the cause of the fire revealed that it was triggered by a power surge, highlighting the importance of electrical safety measures.
Adekunle conveyed the message from the state Director of Fire Service, Falade Olumuyiwa, emphasizing the importance of safety awareness and precautions for the public.
Olumuyiwa urged people to be vigilant and prepared in their daily lives to prevent such tragedies.
Adekunle also confirmed another fire incident in Ilorin on Monday evening, where a building with 15 rooms and a shop was entirely consumed by fire.
He stated that the fire broke out at a building on Arilewo Street, Oja oke off Airport Road, Ilorin in Kwara State’s Ilorin West Local Government Area around 6:53 pm on Monday.
He had said “Today, Monday, February 12, 2024, at about 18:53hrs (06:53 pm) fire gutted a building of about 15 rooms and One shop as a result of a power surge.
“Upon receiving the distress call, Kwara State Fire Service promptly mobilised its firefighting team to the scene. The firefighters arrived at the location and swiftly initiated firefighting operations to suppress the flames and prevent the fire from spreading further. Through the use of specialized equipment and firefighting techniques, the fire service personnel worked diligently to bring the situation under control.
“Fifteen rooms were affected in the building, however, the firemen were able to perform excellently well to minimize the damage, therefore other Shops in the building including many tangible properties were saved from the scathed fire”, Adekunle said.
“The Director of Kwara State Fire Service, Olumuyiwa, urged the citizens to always cultivate the habit of switching off their electrical appliances even before bedtime, as this would help them to prevent the chances of fire outbreaks in their various homes, or places of work.”
At least 11 people, including six children, have died after a fire swept through a market and surrounding buildings in Indonesia’s easternmost Papua region.
The deadly blaze broke out shortly after midnight on Monday in Paniai, Central Papua province, and quickly spread to several tightly packed shophouses and structures in the area.
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According to local police spokesman Henry J. Manurung, firefighters battled the inferno for more than three hours before eventually bringing it under control.
“During the inspection, officers found 11 victims who had died with burn injuries,” Manurung said in a statement.
He said five of the victims were adults, while the other six were children aged between two and nine years.
The fire destroyed at least 40 kiosks and houses despite the deployment of fire trucks and water cannons by emergency responders.
Manurung said the tightly packed arrangement of the houses and market stalls contributed to the rapid spread of the flames and made firefighting operations more difficult.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the deadly fire.
The incident adds to a series of deadly fires recorded in Indonesia in recent years.
In December, 22 people were killed when fire swept through a seven-storey office building in Central Jakarta. Police said an exploding drone battery on the ground floor was the likely cause.
In 2023, an explosion at a nickel-processing plant in eastern Indonesia also claimed at least 12 lives.
The latest tragedy has left the Paniai community mourning as authorities continue efforts to establish what triggered the devastating blaze.
United States President Donald Trump has sparked controversy after suggesting that New Mexico should be given a new name.
Trump made the proposal on Sunday in a social media post, saying several people had suggested changing the name of the southwestern US state.
He described the proposed alternative as “more prestigious and beautiful” for what he called an “incredible State,” adding that he loved the idea.
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The White House later reposted an image illustrating the proposed change, with the word “Mexico” in New Mexico’s name crossed out and replaced.
However, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham swiftly rejected the suggestion, insisting that the state’s name was not open for debate.
Speaking to Fox News, Lujan Grisham said the name had belonged to the state since before the United States existed.
She also accused Trump of seeking to distract Americans from pressing issues, including soaring gas prices.
The latest proposal is part of a broader pattern of name-change suggestions by Trump since returning to the White House.
Trump previously moved to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America shortly after beginning his second presidential term in 2025, a move rejected by Mexico.
Last week, he also suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz, although he later appeared to indicate that he was not being serious about the proposal.
Trump has additionally proposed changing the name of Lake Ontario, a move that has been rejected by Canada.
Some US media reports have suggested that the latest New Mexico name-change idea may have originated as an internet hoax before being amplified by the president.
Despite Trump’s suggestion, Governor Lujan Grisham has made clear that there is no debate over changing the state’s name.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has left for vacation in Europe even as he ordered a probe into the emerging dispute over the kingship of Koka town in Obokun Local Government.
According to a government house statement on Sunday in Osogbo, the governor will also embark on medicals as part of the vacation and is headed to the United Kingdom among other destinations to be announced later.
“I am taking a short break to refresh and get further prepared to serve the good people of Osun state”, the governor stated while taking off at the Lagos airport.
He however directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to probe the circumstances surrounding the reported appointment of another king for Koka Ilase, leading to alleged two kings in the same town.
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The ministry was instructed to review the situation and enforce due process of the law in respect of the chieftaincy law and tradition.
“I read of another King appointed outside the one on the stool. The ministry is hereby directed to look into the dispute and issue a report to set the records straight.
“I however urge all stakeholders to remain peaceful as the ministry does the needful. Kingship is governed by extant laws and regulations and the government will stand by the law and tradition of our people”, the governor posited.
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