Connect with us

Trending

Fire kills 94 people after fuel tanker crash in Nigeria

Published

on

Afuel tanker exploded overnight in northern Nigeria as it was surrounded by a crowd of people who had rushed to the scene of an accident to collect leaking petrol.

At least 94 people were burnt to death as fire engulfed the overturned vehicle, which had crashed, the police told the BBC.

Fifty others injured in the explosion have been taken to hospital in the nearby town of Ringim in Jigawa state and are in a critical condition.

Officers had warned people not to approach the tanker after the accident late on Tuesday night, but they were unable to contain the growing crowd, police spokesman Lawal Shiisu Adam said.

“We tried our best to stop people going to the vehicle to get petrol but despite cordoning the area we were overpowered and as people were scooping fuel, fire erupted,” he told the BBC.

The crash happened in the town of Majia in the northern state of Jigawa at around 23:30 local time (22:30 GMT), he said.

“The fuel tanker was coming from Kano and heading to Nguru in Yobe state when the driver lost control of the vehicle.”

The driver, who was not injured, has been taken into custody while the police conduct an investigation.

A distressing video has been shared on social media showing the moments after the fire erupted.

“Fire service and other emergency units rushed to the scene to help after the incident,” Mr Adam said.

Many of the victims were burnt beyond recognition. The bodies have been covered by tree branches to shield them from onlookers.

A mass burial was planned for later on Wednesday, Mr Adam said.

Fuel tanker explosions and accidents are common in Nigeria – often caused by the poor state of roads and badly maintained vehicles.

In September, 59 people died in Nigeria’s Niger state after a fuel tanker collided with a lorry carrying passengers and cattle.

You may also be interested in:

 

Trending

Court Jails Nine Chinese for Cyber-terrorism, Internet Fraud

Published

on

 

Justice D. E.Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, July 7, 2025, convicted and sentenced nine Chinese to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

The convicts are Qin Xiao Yong, Luo Mao Yang, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi (a.k.a Wan Jin Ping), Zhang Juan, Li de Wen, Fun Min, Tan Ming.

They are among the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 19, 2024, in Lagos during a sting operation tagged ‘Eagle Flush Operation’ conducted by EFCC operatives.

They were subsequently arraigned on a separate one -count charge of cyber- terrorism and internet fraud in February 2025 by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

 

The charge reads: “ That you, Qin Xiao Yong, Luo Mao Yang, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi (a.k.a Wan Jin Ping), Zhang Juan, Li de Wen, Fun Min, Tan Ming, sometime in December, 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: cause to be accessed computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.”

They initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charge preferred against them.

However, at Monday’s sitting, they changed their “not guilty plea” to “guilty.”

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, R.A. Abdulrasheed, prayed the court to convict them accordingly.

Consequently, Justice Osiagor convicted and sentenced each of the defendants to one year imprisonment starting from the date of arrest on December 10, 2025, with a fine in the sum of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00).

The judge also directed the Comptroller General of Immigration to ensure that the convicts are repatriated to their country of origin within seven days.

The judge further ordered that the mobile phones, computers, laptop computers and routers seized from them at the time of arrest be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

Continue Reading

Trending

Cult initiation: Anambra Police vow clampdown on illegal gatherings, warn hoteliers

Published

on

Police in Anambra State has said that it will not allow any illegal gathering in the state.

This is coming as there have been reports that July 7 every year is used for the recruitment of new members in the Neo-Black Movement of Africa, a secret cult.

In a press release by the state police command, which was signed and distributed to journalists by the spokesperson of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, he said that the command had deployed operatives to various parts of the state.

“The Commissioner of Police Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu has ordered a clampdown on any unlawful gathering in the State.

“This follows the security intelligence-led policing and community information that suggests that the Neo-Black Movement of Africa may use today 7th of July 2025 to execute plans that could lead to serious public disorder, including cult initiations and reprisals against rival cult groups in the State,” he stated.

He said a squad in the command, Schools Protection Squad (SPS) designed to protect schools, students, and institutional infrastructure had been deployed to all parts of the state.

He also urged hoteliers, lounge owners, and operators of studio apartments, to refuse their facilities for hosting any gatherings associated with cult groups or any related activities.

Ikenga said: “The CP noted that these criminal activities happen within student-populated areas, and stepped up the security deployment with the School Protection Squad directing the Operatives of the Command to be on the offensive.

“The Security deployment also involves covert operations with operatives at the Motor/Keke parks and identified spots to nip in the bud any untoward situation.

“Given the above, the Command urges the public to remain vigilant and to immediately report any suspicious activities, gatherings, or threats to the Police as the Command remains dedicated to a peaceful and secure environment for everyone in the State.”

Continue Reading

Trending

Burial plans announced for Sylvester Oromoni’s mum, three years after son’s controversial death

Published

on

 

Burial plans have been announced for late Evangelist Mrs Rosemary Oromoni, the mother of Sylvester Oromoni Jr, the Dowen College student who died under controversial circumstances in 2021 after he was allegedly bullied by fellow students.

Mrs Oromoni died in November 2024, three years after her son’s tragic death. Reports say she battled depression and high blood pressure following the loss of her son and the long legal fight that followed.

Her son, Sylvester, became the centre of national attention after his death in November 2021. His family claimed he was beaten and forced to drink a toxic substance by seniors at Dowen College, Lagos. The school denied the claims, saying he got injured while playing football.

The case dragged for years with multiple autopsies giving conflicting reports. While an earlier autopsy suggested chemical poisoning, a Lagos coroner later ruled that Sylvester died of natural causes from sepsis. The students accused were eventually cleared, and no one was held responsible.

The Oromoni family, unhappy with the outcome, refused to bury their son for over two years. He was eventually laid to rest in Warri in January 2024. Just months later, his mother passed away.

Continue Reading

Trending