A fire that broke out on Sunday evening along Obodoukwu Road, near the Relief Market in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, has destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira.

The blaze caused panic and confusion as traders and residents scrambled to salvage their belongings.

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Eyewitnesses reported that the fire started in one of the shops and quickly spread to others.

“We observed thick smoke coming out from one of the shops, and before we knew what was happening, it started increasing fast,” said Ndubuisi, a local trader.

“The few traders that were around, along with some residents and passers-by, tried to fight the fire before the firefighters arrived.”

Despite their efforts, many shop owners were unable to save their goods. “Some of the victims could not take anything out of their shops,” Ndubuisi added.

“I can say that goods worth millions of naira were lost to the fire. We can’t say what caused the fire, but we pray that God comes to their aid.”

The cause of the fire remains unclear, but it caused significant damage to several shops filled with various goods.

The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident on Monday, stating that it received a distress call at 4:19 pm on Sunday, November 24, 2024.

In response, two fire trucks from the Okpoko Fire Station and Main Market Fire Station were dispatched, along with additional firefighting equipment.

Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa confirmed that the firefighters battled the blaze for several hours, preventing it from spreading further.

He said, “Our firemen were able to contain the fire and prevent it from escalating to other structures. The fire affected a few shops, but thankfully, no lives were lost.”

The Fire Service also issued a public safety reminder, urging residents to remain vigilant and fire-conscious. They concluded their operations at approximately 7:39 pm.

As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, local authorities are assessing the extent of the damage.

In a decisive move to prevent potential unrest, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has convened an emergency security meeting to address tensions between the indigenes of Isanlu and Fulani settlers.

The meeting followed allegations that a Fulani settler was killed by members of the Isanlu community, sparking fears of reprisal attacks.

The high-level meeting, held at the Government House in Lokoja, brought together representatives from both groups, traditional rulers, and security agencies.

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According to the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, the governor returned from a scheduled trip to Abuja to tackle what he described as “rising security temperatures in Isanlu.”

Fanwo stated, “The Governor had a robust meeting with the people of Isanlu and the Fulanis where he listened to their grievances and addressed them accordingly.

“He frowned at a situation where people would take laws into their hands by killing fellow humans, saying such is unacceptable and that perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law.”

As part of measures to address the crisis, Governor Ododo suspended a traditional ruler linked to the incident and ordered a thorough investigation of other community leaders in the area.

He also urged leaders in Isanlu to identify and expose criminal elements within their ranks to prevent further violence.

“The Governor, without mincing words, also challenged the leadership of the Isanlu community and its environs in Yagba East to sensitize their people on the need to stop constituting security threats in the area by taking the laws into their hands.

“He particularly told them to stop harboring criminals and to ensure that criminal elements among them are reported and handed over to law enforcement agencies,” Fanwo added.

Governor Ododo also commended the Fulani settlers for their restraint and refusal to retaliate. “We commend the Fulanis for showing maturity and understanding during this difficult time. Their commitment to peace and security is appreciated,” he said.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents, while maintaining a firm stance against criminality.

“No criminal will be spared. My administration will go after every criminal in the state, regardless of tribe,” he declared.

Hon. Dare Joshua, Chairman of Yagba East Local Government Area, thanked the governor for his swift response, which he said prevented a major security crisis.

The meeting, attended by top government officials, security agencies, and community leaders, concluded with both parties agreeing to embrace peace and collaborate with the government to ensure lasting security in the region.

A DHL cargo plane en route from Germany to Lithuania crashed early Monday near Vilnius Airport, leaving one crew member dead, according to local emergency services.

Renatas Pozela, head of the firefighting and emergency services unit, reported that the plane went down just a few kilometers from the airport.

“The plane was due to land at Vilnius Airport but tragically crashed. One person from the four-member crew has been confirmed dead,” Pozela said.

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The crash also caused a nearby house to catch fire under unclear circumstances.

Fortunately, all residents were safely evacuated, according to Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the National Crisis Management Centre.

Emergency teams promptly contained the fire, preventing further casualties.

DHL spokesperson Ausra Rutkauskien confirmed that the plane was part of the company’s fleet.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with aviation authorities and crisis management teams working to uncover what led to the accident.

More to follow………..