A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, narrowly escaped d+ath on Monday after his sport utility vehicle (SUV) burst into flames in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Nwuke, who represented the Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2015, was driving himself when the incident occurred along the Eastern By-pass axis of the city, specifically in front of Hypercity, while he was on his way to Trans Amadi.

Confirming the incident in a telephone conversation with LEADERSHIP, the former lawmaker expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal. “I was driving to Trans Amadi when the incident occurred. In fact, it happened in front of Hypercity on Eastern By-pass. I thank God for the gift of life. I thank God that I survived,” he said.

Reacting to the incident, Nwuke’s eldest daughter, Ebony, took to her official Facebook page to express gratitude to God for sparing her father’s life. She described the experience as a close call with death and thanked God for choosing mercy over tragedy.

She wrote that while material possessions can be replaced, life remains priceless, adding that the family’s sorrow was turned into joy through divine intervention, as they celebrated the preservation of her father’s life.

The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced a limited-time incentive aimed at encouraging undocumented migrants to voluntarily leave the country during the holiday season.

In a statement released on its website on Monday, DHS said undocumented migrants who register to self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of the year will receive a $3,000 stipend, in addition to a free flight to their home country.

The department said participants in the programme would also qualify for the forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties related to failure to depart the United States.

According to DHS, since January 2025, about 1.9 million undocumented migrants have voluntarily left the country, with tens of thousands using the CBP Home program.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the incentive had been temporarily increased during the Christmas season.

“Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program.

“During the Christmas season, the US taxpayer is so generously tripling the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally—offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year,” Noem said.

“Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return,” she added.

Guided by a Donald Trump presidential proclamation, Homeland Security established “Project Homecoming” in May 2025.

“The American people are generously offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now,” it announced. To pay for the flights and “exit bonuses,” the State Department repurposed $250 million intended to help resettle refugees.

The department described self-deportation through the CBP Home app as a fast and free process, requiring individuals to download the app and submit their information, after which DHS would arrange and cover the cost of travel.

DHS warned that undocumented migrants who fail to take advantage of the offer would face arrest and deportation, with permanent restrictions on re-entry into the United States.

The Nigeria Police Force has released Nollywood actress Doris Ogala in Lagos after rearresting her in Abuja shortly following her bail, SaharaReporters has learned.

Ogala was brought to Lagos by a police team from the Zone 2 Command.

The incident reportedly escalated when Ogala’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, attempted to document the police’s actions.

Sources said officers violently attacked Abubakar, seized his phones, and accompanied him and Ogala on a flight to Lagos.

SaharaReporters learnt that a Take It Back Movement Coordinator, Jamiu Towolawi, aka Jharmo, secured te actress’ release by getting ger bailed.

Following her release, Pastor Chris Okafor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries (also known as Grace Nation Liberation City) met with the actress and urged her to allow peace to prevail. SaharaReporters learned that Okafor appealed for reconciliation and pleaded for an end to further hostilities.

“Today, a Take It Back leader, Jamiu Towolawi, aka Jharmo, arrived at the Zone 2 command to demand Ogala’s immediate release,” a source privy to the information told SaharaReporters.

“Dramatically, Pastor Chris Okafor who was at the centre of her arrest and controversy arrived at Onikan and pleaded with her to allow peace to reign. It was obvious her arrest was instigated to bully her and upon seeing she is refusing to back down, the pastor fell flat on his knees and begged.

“The pastor spent close to an hour in a closed-door meeting with Ms. Ogala in private. They met in a secluded space devoid of third parties. After their peace meeting, the police released her to go on ‘health grounds’, with Jharmo serving as surety.”

“The police also released the two phones they had seized to Marshal Abubakar and the actress, asking that the arrest video should be deleted as they couldn’t access the phones. But the TIB coordinator rejected the condition. And police later let Ogala leave,” the source added.