The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has confirmed the death of 25 travellers following an auto crash on the Kano-Kaduna highway.

The accident, which took place early Monday morning near Dangwaro International Market in Kano’s metropolitan area, also left 53 injured.

According to the FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the incident involved a trailer (IVECO) with the number plate XA 311 ZB, which was transporting both passengers and cows from Maiduguri to the southern part of Nigeria, when the trailer collided with another vehicle, causing it to somersault.

“We received a call at about 03:15 am on July 1, 2024. On receiving the information, we quickly dispatched our personnel and vehicle to the scene of the incident to rescue the victims at 03:30 am,” Abdullahi stated.

He attributed the cause of the accident to excessive speed, dangerous driving, and overloading, which led to the driver losing control of the vehicle.

Explaining further, Abdullahi noted that during the rescue operation, FRSC personnel recovered six motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, several animals including goats and rams, bags of maize, and a sum of N400,000.

He stated that all the victims were rushed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital Kano for urgent medical treatment, where doctors confirmed the deaths of 25 individuals.

“All the victims were immediately conveyed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital Kano for urgent medical attention. The doctors on duty confirmed 25 dead out of the victims,” Abdullahi said.

The commander advised motorists against the unsafe practice of transporting animals and goods alongside humans.

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has said the removal of fuel subsidy and devaluation of naira by President Bola Tinubu were right policies wrongly implemented.

The Professor of Political Economics said both the petrol (fuel) subsidy and defence of naira by the previous administration of ex-president, Muhammadu Buhari, and CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele was not the best policy for the country.

Moghalu said what was wrong with the execution of the removal of the fuel subsidy and suspension of naira defense against the US Dollar was that President Tinubu failed to put measures in place to cushion the effects of the policy on the citizens.

He said the President “hurriedly”, without proper planning for consequences, removed fuel subsidy. He added that the President announced the floating of the naira without monetary tightening and a substantive CBN governor.

“The petrol subsidy and the forex subsidy were unsustainable. The fact that wrongheaded execution of their removal – removing the petrol subsidy hurriedly without proper planning for consequences and alternative transport solutions for the people, and floating the exchange without first tightening monetary policy and without a substantive Central Bank of Nigeria Governor with a real plan in place — is a very different thing from whether those reforms were needed.

“The issue was, and is, competence of conception and execution. Framing and executing evidence-based public policy is a real challenge for Nigeria and many African countries. I say this because the reality of the suffering faced by Nigerians should not confuse us as to why the situation is this way. My position on the fuel subsidy and exchange rate subsidy, given our country’s fiscal realities in 2023, remains consistent and not populist,” the former CBN Deputy Governor said.

Experts have continued to question “fuel subsidy is gone” statement of President Tinubu on his inauguration day on May 29, 2023. Also questioned was the government’s decision to allow naira to gain its strength against foreign currency.

An Economist, Olayiwola Adejare Lawal, in an interview, said Nigeria’s economy being import-dependent requires subsidies to grow.

Lawal said the federal government’s decision was against the local economics of Nigeria. He said economic advice against fuel subsidy and in support of naira floating would affect Nigeria’s economy.

Moghalu, however, said if policies to incentivize productivity and exports were put on ground before the fuel subsidy removal and naira float were carried out, the policy would have been beneficial.

The President of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation Africa further said the leaders have also failed to sacrifice while asking citizens to bear the pains of necessary but poorly executed policy,

“Beyond this, executing painful reforms requires the legitimacy of shared sacrifice. That such a sacrifice on the part of the political leaders of Nigeria is absent, while asking citizens to bear the pain of necessary (although incompetently executed) reforms damages the legitimacy of the reforms.

“If it is accompanied by policies to incentive productivity and exports it would be beneficial,” he added.

Jan Vertonghen would wish he wasn’t included in Belgium’s national team squad for Euro 2024 as he helped France to end his team’s campaign in the round of 16.

Jan Vertonghen who has played 156 times and scored ten goals for the Belgium national team was arguably the most experienced player on the pitch in the France vs Belgium clash. Unfortunately for him, he left the pitch with his head covered in shame.

The scrappy first half of the round of 16 clash at the Merkur Spiel Arena ended in a 0-0 draw giving the Belgian side hope that they could come up with something tangible in the second half.

They were able to hold their own against the French side in most parts of the second half as the game was relatively balanced.

While Belgium looked good in midfield, they weren’t looking that convincing in the final third. France looked more dangerous in the final third throughout the game as they recorded 19 shots but only two were on target.

Jan Vertonghen’s woes in the game started in the 76th minute when the 37-year-old defender who currently plays for Belgian side, Anderlecht, received a yellow card for his harsh reaction against Kolo Muani.

Nine minutes later, the worst happened to him in the game when he scored an own goal that gifted unconvincing France a 1-0 win and ended Belgium’s run in the Euro 2024.

France who had masked Kylian Mbappe to bank on for 90 minutes couldn’t score a goal of their own but they wouldn’t have much to complain about as they make it to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

The Federal Ministry of Works has terminated contracts with three companies due to non-performance on the dualization of the Obajana-Benin road project.

The companies are Mothercat Ltd, Dantata & Sawoe Construction Ltd, and RCC Ltd.

In a statement on Monday by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works, Orji Uchenna, said the termination was necessary due to the inordinate delay and failure of the companies to fulfil their contractual obligations.

The Minister, David Umahi, directed engineers to take over the sites and measure the work done to facilitate the takeover from the companies.

Lagos hotel raid: EFCC operatives to face disciplinary panel over alleged assault of woman
He noted that the contracts, worth billions of naira, were awarded in 2012 but were abandoned by the contractors, leaving road users to suffer due to the deplorable condition of the road.

The Minister warned that the government will not tolerate acts of unseriousness and sabotage by contractors, stating that “going forward, all funded but non-performing contracts shall be terminated.”

This move is seen as a bold step by the Renewed Hope administration to address the country’s infrastructure challenges.

“We will not condone any act that will hinder our progress. We are determined to change the narrative of Nigeria’s road infrastructure”, Umahi said.

The terminated contracts include Contract No. 6136 with Mothercat Ltd for the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section II (Okene-Auchi) in Kogi/Edo State; Contract No. 6137 with Dantata & Sawoe Construction Ltd for the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section III (Auchi-Ehor) in Edo State; Contract No. 6138 with RCC Ltd for the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section IV (Ehor-Benin) in Edo State.

The multimillion Naira Zungeru Hydro Electricity Dam in Niger state has been hit by an explosion.

The Dam which is yet to be officially commissioned by the Federal government is the fourth located in the state coming after Jebba, Kainji and Shiroro.

Our Correspondent reliably gathered that the explosion occurred early morning of today.
The real cause of the explosion is yet unknown.

A dependable source from the area who confirmed the incident to our Correspondent however said that several of the workers on duty sustained various degrees of injuries and are being attended to at different hospitals close by while those seriously affected are said to have been rushed to Minna, the state capital for more medical attention.

“We saw a foreigner,(Chinese) who is a worker who had severe injuries being ferried to Minna for further medical attention but we cannot say the exact number of staff injured but they are many,” the source added.

Besides the human injuries, the explosion was said to have affected some installations at the Dam.
The implication of the explosion on power supply generally across the country is not yet known.
Details later.

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, has announced that it has fixed the date to conduct local government elections in the state for October 5.

The Commission, on Monday, released its guidelines in view of the conduct of the council elections in the state.

This was coming as the police in the state have maintained the occupation of the local government area council secretariats following the leadership crisis rocking the councils.

Following the expiration of the tenure of the elected chairmen and councillors of the 23 LGAs, the governor of the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, inaugurated Caretaker Committees pending the conduct of council elections.

However, the development had sparked protests by the outgone chairmen loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.

They are insisting that the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly had extended their tenure by six months in the repealed Local Government Administration law of the state.

However, RSIEC met with the leaders of political parties and major stakeholders in the state, over conducting the elections.

The Ogun So-Safe Corps has apprehended three suspects for buying stolen transformer armoured cables worth N9.8m in OPIC Estate, Agbara, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state.

According to a statement issued by the State Commander, Soji Ganzallo, through the office of the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf, the suspects – Mansirina Usman (27), Janadu Ahyarn (20), and Husseni Abdullahi (20) – were arrested on Thursday, around 7pm.

Ganzallo said the arrest was made possible by the corps’ surveillance team, who acted on a tip-off that the stolen cables were being sold in the area.

“Before the arrest, information reached the corps that unknown thieves had vandalised and stolen transformer armoured cables worth N9.8m.

“The Area Commander, Assistant Commander Adeosun Adeniyi, and his team were tasked with bringing the perpetrators to justice within 48 hours,” the statement read.

Ganzallo explained that the suspects confessed to buying the stolen cables from Mustapha and one other person identified as Minister, who are currently at large.

“Usman bought 30kg of cable for N300,000, Ahyarn bought 25kg for N250,000, and Abdullahi bought 20kg for N200,000.

“The suspects had in their possession four off-cut armoured cables, N18,850 in cash, three Android phones, two wristwatches, and two unmarked TVS motorcycles,” it was added.

The three suspects and the items recovered have been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force, Agbara Divisional Headquarters for further investigation and likely prosecution.

Ganzallo commended the surveillance team for their swift action and reiterated the cops’ commitment to combating criminal activities in the state.

A 19-year-old lady has been arrested for conniving with her boyfriend to kidnap an elderly man in Edo state. 

Parading the suspect before newsmen, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, said the lady who claims to be an undergraduate went with other members of the gang to the pastor's house and tricked him into opening his gate after feigning she was crying and is a wife to a member of his church.

‘’She was crying that she needed help from the pastor that they should please open the gate for her and that she is the wife of one of the church members. That is the lie she told the pastor. As soon as the pastor opened the door for her, other members of the kidnapping group hijacked the pastor at gunpoint and took the man away.''

The Commissioner cautioned parents to watch their children and wards and monitor what they do and the kind of friendships they keep.

‘’She saw one of the suspects giving the gun to her boyfriend. According to her, it was her boyfriend who lured her into this criminal activity. It is quite unfortunate that a 19-year-old girl! People should be careful''.

When interrogated, the suspect feigned ignorance of the crime and claimed she was forced to be part of the criminal activity.

No fewer than 20 travellers along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway were reportedly abducted by some gunmen at about 8 pm on Sunday while one of the victims was shot in the knee.

The gunmen were said to have ambushed the travellers between Sagamu Area Command of the Nigeria Police and Ilisan township.

The Chairman of Ilisan Development Council, Wemmy Osude, confirmed this to PUNCH Online.

Osude said one of the victims of the attack who is a resident of Ilisan Remo was already receiving medical attention at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital.

He said, “Information reaching me right now confirmed a kidnapping incident between the Area Command and Ilisan City Gate (formerly Delabo).

“A resident of Ilisan (name unconfirmed) was reportedly shot in the knee and is receiving medical attention at Babcock Teaching Hospital.

“Other victims were taken into the bush. While waiting for additional information, please contact your loved ones who may be plying that road at about this time to be cautious.”

Osude said that he had spoken to the resident of the town who was being treated at Babcock University Teaching Hospital and he was said to be in stable condition.

He added, “I have spoken to the Sagamu Area Commander about this incident, and hopefully, we trust that all the security agents will go after these criminals and rescue these people.”

This incident was preceded by the recent abduction of two others and the murder of Prof Yinka Olomojobi of Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, at the Ajadeh Event Centre, along Iperu-Sagamu Road, Iperu Remo, in the Ikenne Local Government area.

Olomojobi was a professor of human rights and gender law.

Efforts to get the reaction of the spokesperson for Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, were unsuccessful as calls put across to her line did not connect.

No fewer than 20 travellers along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway were reportedly abducted by some gunmen at about 8 pm on Sunday while one of the victims was shot in the knee.

The gunmen were said to have ambushed the travellers between Sagamu Area Command of the Nigeria Police and Ilisan township. 

The Chairman of Ilisan Development Council, Wemmy Osude, confirmed this to PUNCH Online.

Osude said one of the victims of the attack who is a resident of Ilisan Remo was already receiving medical attention at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital.

He said, “Information reaching me right now confirmed a kidnapping incident between the Area Command and Ilisan City Gate (formerly Delabo).

“A resident of Ilisan (name unconfirmed) was reportedly shot in the knee and is receiving medical attention at Babcock Teaching Hospital.

“Other victims were taken into the bush. While waiting for additional information, please contact your loved ones who may be plying that road at about this time to be cautious.”

Osude said that he had spoken to the resident of the town who was being treated at Babcock University Teaching Hospital and he was said to be in stable condition.

He added, “I have spoken to the Sagamu Area Commander about this incident, and hopefully, we trust that all the security agents will go after these criminals and rescue these people.”

This incident was preceded by the recent abduction of two others and the murder of Prof Yinka Olomojobi of Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, at the Ajadeh Event Centre, along Iperu-Sagamu Road, Iperu Remo, in the Ikenne Local Government area.

Olomojobi was a professor of human rights and gender law.

Confirming the abduction in a statement on Monday, the state Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, said the kidnappers trailed a man to a rough patch of the road and blocked the victim’s vehicle before forcing him into their van.

Odutola said, “A group of armed individuals, without definite number, in their unregistered Venza Toyota car, trailed a man in his Toyota RAV4 Jeep, grey colour with license plate number – Lagos – AGL-16-JE, to a rough patch of the road, and blocked the victim’s vehicle.

“The criminals fired four rounds of ammunition believed to be from an AK-47 into the driver’s back tyre and another shot into the front tyre. Immediately, the hoodlums alighted from their vehicle and forced the driver of the Toyota Rav 4 into their waiting Venza Jeep, and sped off towards Ijebu-Ode.

“During the incident, the hoodlums also shot at the driver of a Toyota Camry car, black colour, with license plate number – Lagos – AAA-04-JB, inflicting injury on his left leg as he attempted a U-turn. Additionally, a bus driver travelling from Abuja to Lagos in the Ilisan area was stopped by criminals who smashed his bus’s windshield and took his mobile phone after warning him to be cautious as he was not their target.”

The police boss stated that the “injured driver has been promptly taken to Babcock University Teaching Hospital in Ilisan for treatment and is currently responding to treatment.”

She added that there was no casualty during the incident, noting that two vehicles were damaged.

“No lives were lost but the two vehicles damaged by the fleeing suspects have been towed to the station.”

She said the Commissioner of Police has been briefed and has detailed the Anti Kidnapping unit to take up the investigation.

Rep James Faleke (Ikeja Federal Constituency) has called on Nigerians to treat the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country with the same level of seriousness they applied to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Faleke made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently reported that 53 deaths due to cholera had been recorded in the country.

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, stated that the Federal Government had activated the National Emergency Operation Centre for cholera.

Idris said, “As of June 24, 2024, 1,528 suspected cases and 53 deaths were recorded across 31 states and 107 LGAs with a case fatality rate of 3.5 percent since the beginning of the year.”

Reacting, Faleke said Nigerians should do more to curb the cholera outbreak.

“Every Nigerian needs to be careful; our attitude to cleanliness matters,” he said.

Faleke urged Nigerians to be more cautious about what they eat and drink.

“The way we took COVID-19 seriously is the way we should take this cholera outbreak.

“Cholera has killed many people. We expected that, in this modern age, we should not be experiencing an outbreak of cholera in Nigeria.

“However, it has come; so, we have to deal with it. People should be more careful with what they eat and drink.

“There are many fake products out there. Stop consuming fake products. You don’t have to drink just anything; take clean water,” he advised.