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I did not authorise closure of Lagos Independence Bridge – Umahi

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The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, on Thursday said the closure of Independence Bridge in Lagos for urgent rehabilitation of the collapsed retaining wall was made without his knowledge or authorisation.

Umahi said this while apologising to Lagos residents and President Bola Tinubu for the disruption caused by the sudden closure of the bridge on Wednesday.

Umahi who spoke when he toured the bridge in Lagos said: ” Unfortunately, when the bridge was to be closed, I was not informed. It is very unfortunate because for a bridge to be closed, especially in Lagos, as has been the tradition, I should be informed as the minister.

“We should also have studied the implication of it even in an emergency situation. We would have deployed emergency evaluation of the implication of closing the bridge.”

Umahi warned that controllers of works and engineers would face disciplinary action if such an incident would happen again.

“I use the opportunity to warn all controllers and engineers all over the country. Never you close a road or close any bridge without running through the permanent secretary, who will seek for permission from the honourable minister of works,” he said.

The minister acknowledged the efforts of Lagos State Government in managing traffic flow during the closure.

He also took responsibility for the error, saying: “I take responsibility for it, even though I did not order it, but every action by any staff of the ministry of works, I take responsibility for it.”

Umahi said that the closure, which caused significant traffic congestion, was avoidable.

He said: “If we were to do this properly, there would have been a different kind of method deployed and it wouldn’t have necessitated the total closure.”

According to him, even if closure was necessary, it would have been done in a way that it would take three days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and necessary remedial work would have been put in place.

“What we are doing now is to restore the bridge temporarily within the next three days. By Sunday, this place will be totally open.”

He added that a permanent solution would be implemented after a two-week assessment.

“Then, after two weeks, we will look at the settlements, and then we will take out three days to put the permanent structure. That is what we are going to do,” he said.

The minister emphasised the competence of the contractor handling the project, Build Well.

“Build Well is a reputable company, and they have been restoring a lot of failures on our bridges in Lagos, some of them 53 years old.

“Some bridges’ spans have been lifted, especially Eko Bridge, Marina Bridge, and even the Lagos-Ibadan Bridge. They are also intervening in all of them,” he added.

The minister also said that the design of the bridge would be varied to address the emergency situation.

He said: ” The design will be varied according to the emergency situation we have on ground, and the contractor is going to cooperate with us.”

He pledged to personally oversee the restoration efforts, saying, “I am not going until the bridge is fully restored by Sunday, we will work day and night to restore it, and then we will evaluate it.”

The bridge was initially closed on April 1 for essential maintenance and rehabilitation works, with the government planning to complete the repairs by May.

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11 more arrested over Ozoro “r@ping festival”

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The police in Delta state have arrested eleven more suspects over the sexu@l ass@ults recorded during what was described as a “r@ping festival” in Oramudu Quarters in Ozoro last Thursday, March 19.

In a statement released on Saturday, March 21, the spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, said the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) was tasked with conducting a detailed investigation into the incident.

Edafe said operatives of CP-SAT conducted a thorough analysis of available video evidence and intelligence, leading to the arrest of eleven additional suspects identified as Samson Atukpodo, Steven ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others. Edafe mentioned that these latest arrests bring the total number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the incident to fifteen (15)

“The Command reiterates that preliminary findings indicate that the unfortunate incident was perpetrated by criminal elements who exploited the situation to engage in acts of sexu@l v!olence, which are in no way representative of any legitimate cultural practice.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, condemns these acts in totality and reassures the public that the Command remains resolute in its determination to ensure that all those involved are identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Members of the public, particularly victims and witnesses, are once again encouraged to come forward with credible information that will aid ongoing investigations. The Command assures that all information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality.”the statement in part reads

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So Sad: Father Dies While Rescuing Daughter From Midnight Fire, Both Perish in Minna Tragedy (Photos)

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A father’s ultimate act of love has ended in heartbreak after a devastating midnight fire claimed both his life and that of his six-year-old daughter in Minna, Niger State, leaving a family shattered and a community in mourning.

The tragedy struck at approximately 2am on March 2, 2026, when fire broke out at the residence of Ikechukwu Michael Njoku, 45, situated within the premises of St. Andrew Anglican Church in the Sabon Gari area of Minna.

According to accounts shared on Facebook by family acquaintance Offor Oscar Onyinye, Njoku was jolted awake by the smell of smoke and the sight of flames rapidly engulfing his home. Without pause for his own safety, he plunged into the inferno to rescue his young daughter, Esther, who was trapped inside the children’s room. Though he managed to pull himself out of the blaze, little Esther did not survive — she died instantly.

Njoku himself emerged from the fire with severe burns across his body. For nearly two weeks, he clung to life, battling his injuries at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna. His struggle ended on March 16, 2026, when he succumbed to his wounds — fourteen days after he had thrown himself into the flames for his child.

His wife and three other children survived the inferno but sustained serious injuries and remain hospitalised at IBB Specialist Hospital, where they continue to fight for recovery.

Father and daughter are to be laid to rest on March 27, 2026, in their ancestral hometown of Mebiokpa Okposi Ohozara in Ebonyi State.

“In just one night, a family lost so much — a father gone, a daughter gone, and others left in pain and trauma,” Onyinye wrote in a tribute that has since resonated widely across social media, with many describing Njoku as a hero whose love for his child knew no bounds.

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I Thought It Was A Joke — Nigerian Man Recounts What He Witnessed During “R@ping Festival” In Delta (Video)

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A video making rounds on social media has triggered widespread reactions after capturing a disturbing incident reportedly occurring in Ozoro, Delta State.

According to multiple posts online, there are claims that several women have been ass@ulted in the area during what some users are describing as a local gathering.

There are also warnings being shared online advising women and girls in the area to stay indoors, with concerns that those outside may be at risk. Some posts further allege that individuals who are unaware of the situation, including visitors and students, may have been affected.

Ozoro is home to Delta State University, and many online users have expressed concern about the safety of students and residents.

The situation has triggered widespread outrage, with many calling for urgent attention, proper investigation, and protection for those in the community.

Delta state police command, SP Bright Edafe, said the police has begun arresting some of the defaulting men.

Watch the video below..

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