Metro
Wife of man who died after Arsenal loss to Stoke City opens up
Wife of the Arsenal FC fan who slumped and died in Owerri, the Imo state capital during last weekend Premier League game against Stoke City, has opened up on how her husband, a ‘die-hard’ supporter of the Gunners, died.
The man’s wife, Ndidi Ejimba, who has three kids, said since Dominic, her husband died, on Saturday evening, things have not remained the same for the family.
The woman said that watching Arsenal play in any competition at all, was life to her husband.
She said the deceased had left his shop later that afternoon to watch matches involving top English Premiership clubs.
She told Punch, “My husband came back to the shop at the end of the first half of the match between Arsenal and Stoke City to urinate.
“He promised to be back at the end of the match, telling me how his club would win. But about 20 minutes after he left to watch the second half of the match, somebody rushed to the house to inform me that he had slumped at the viewing centre and that he was being rushed to a hospital.
“When I got to the hospital and saw him, he was almost dead. He was on a stretcher. At a point, one of our neighbours, who was among those that rushed him to the hospital, told me to go back to lock the shop and get a vehicle we could use to transfer him to another hospital.
“According to him, the hospital he was rushed to couldn’t handle the situation. I never knew it was a trick to send me away from the place because all that time my husband was already dead.
“It was until the next day, which was a Sunday that I finally believed that my husband was dead after he failed to wake up.
“His corpse was finally deposited at the morgue by the hospital workers. The sight of his lifeless body left me in utmost shock and a deep sorry state.
“My husband was neither sick nor showed any sign of being unhealthy. He woke up normally and we were all looking forward to a great day and other activities that weekend before the tragedy.
“We had plans together as a family but now death has taken him away. He died less than one month after we moved into our new house in the village. We were planning to dedicate the new building with relatives and friends when he died.
“To imagine that my husband who took good care of us is no longer around is unbelievable . I don ’t know where to go from here because life has not been the same for us since then.
“Watching Arsenal play was his life. He would rebuke and sometimes ignore me whenever I told him to reduce his obsession with Arsenal.
“He loved the club so much. He was ready to chase his customers away and lock up his shop just to watch the team play.
“For the 10 years that we were married, he never stopped watching football matches involving Arsenal.
“He was a loving man to his family and all those who came in contact with him. He had a lot of plans for us especially the children whom he promised to train to any level as far as education was concerned.
“He did his best to always make us comfortable and happy; we never knew death would snatch him away from us so soon. Words cannot tell how much we will miss him.”
A stampede at the Gombe main Eid prayer ground on Sunday claimed the lives of two young children, identified as Aisha Salisu Ahmed (4½ years old) and Maryam Abdullahi Gwani (4 years old).
The tragic incident reportedly occurred when a large crowd, mainly women and children, rushed to exit the prayer venue, causing chaos and trampling. Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Reacting to the unfortunate event, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, expressed his condolences to the bereaved families in a statement signed by the Director-General of Press Affairs, Government House, Ismaila Uba Misilli.
“We grieve with their families during this difficult time, and our hearts are with them as they mourn the loss of their beloved children,” the governor stated.
Governor Yahaya has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stampede to prevent future occurrences.
“The safety and well-being of our citizens remain a top priority,” he said, assuring that the government would learn from the tragedy and implement corrective measures.
In response to the crisis, the governor dispatched a high-powered delegation, led by the Chief of Staff of Government House, Alhaji Abubakar Inuwa Kari, to visit medical facilities treating the injured.
The delegation toured Zainab Bulkachuwa Hospital, Specialist Hospital, and the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, where most patients were reported to be in stable condition. Doctors assured that many had already been treated and discharged, while others were expected to recover soon.
To support the victims and their families, Governor Yahaya has directed that all medical expenses be fully covered by the state government, ensuring proper care and easing the financial burden on parents.
A police inspector, Effiong Bassey, has shot three people in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, leaving one dead and two others injured.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, describing it as tragic.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, Ugbo Irene, the shooting occurred in the early hours of Sunday at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Atakpa, Calabar.
She explained that Inspector Bassey had returned from his night duty at Ekondo Microfinance Bank when he began exhibiting abnormal behaviour.
“Inspector Bassey refused to hand over the AK-47 rifle he was assigned and instead proceeded to block the station’s gate, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the premises. Despite attempts at peaceful dialogue to resolve the situation, the officer’s actions escalated,” the statement read.
Tactical Units and patrol teams were then deployed to the scene. However, Bassey, suspected to be mentally unstable, opened fire on bystanders who had been instructed to leave the area.
“Tragically, three individuals were struck by the officer’s stray bullets, including Ijeoma Wilson Obot, a 41-year-old female, who later succumbed to her injuries. The other two victims, Charles Mkpang and another individual, are currently receiving medical treatment and are in stable condition,” the police said.
The officer was eventually subdued, disarmed, and taken into custody. He is now undergoing further investigation.
Concerned by the incident, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, along with the Cross River State Command Management Team, visited the hospital where the victims were receiving treatment. The AIG also made a donation to support their immediate care.
The Command assured residents that it was working with key stakeholders to prevent any escalation of tension in the community.
It further urged the victims’ families and the public to remain calm, pledging a thorough investigation into the incident.
“The Cross River State Police Command is committed to ensuring that justice, fairness, and equity prevail, and the outcome of the investigation will be made public in due course.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the statement added.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of a police inspector, Ajele Oloyede, who passed away while on special duty at Goodwill Ceramic Company in Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Omolola Odutola, made this known in a statement, revealing that an investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Oloyede was attached to the 78 PMF in Zamfara State.
According to the preliminary report, the incident occurred on 14 March 2025 at approximately 13:20 hours. Tolorunloju Stephen, an officer attached to the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos, who was also on special duty at the company, recounted that he had just returned from Ikeja when he entered the security office and found Inspector Oloyede resting his head on a table.
“After exchanging pleasantries and briefly inquiring about his well-being, Oloyede responded positively,” Odutola stated.
However, moments later, as Stephen proceeded to the restroom, he heard a gunshot. Rushing back, he found Inspector Oloyede lying in a pool of blood.
“With the assistance of a private security personnel, the injured officer was immediately rushed to Ota General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor,” Odutola added.
She further disclosed that the firearm used in the incident has been recovered, and the deceased officer’s body has been deposited at the hospital for an autopsy.
Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, described the news as shocking and has ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding it, including the possibility of foul play or mental health factors.
“The police were swift in contacting the deceased officer’s family, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for discreet investigation,” the statement read.
The Ogun State Police Command expressed its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Inspector Oloyede, assuring that all necessary support will be provided during this difficult time.
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