Tanker fire: President Tinubu sends high-level delegation to Jigawa

Published

9 months ago

October 16, 2024

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to lead a Federal Government delegation to Jigawa in response to Tuesday night inferno in Majia town, which claimed over 100 lives.

The government delegation will comprise the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali; Corps Marshall of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Shehu Mohammed; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North West), Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai.

Disclosing this in a statement on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that while in Jigawa, the delegation will visit the scene of the incident to assess the situation and visit injured persons in the hospital.

According to him, Tinubu further directs that emergency aid, including medical supplies, food, and shelter, be extended to the 50 victims receiving treatment and others affected by the fire.

“The President, with a heavy heart, joins the Vice President in extending his deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this devastating incident.

“He expresses his heartfelt prayers and support to the government and people of Jigawa during this time of tragic loss and grief.

“He prays for divine comfort for the bereaved families and the peaceful repose for the souls of the departed,” the statement read in part.

Onanuga added that Tinubu reassured the nation that the Federal Government, in collaboration with states, is committed to the swift and comprehensive review of fuel transportation safety protocols across the country.

He restated his directive to the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) to strengthen night travel measures, such as increased patrols, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, and other highway safety mechanisms.

He said those found responsible for breaches of safety standards will be held accountable, reaffirming the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring such incidents do not recur.

Seven dead, 41 injured in Bauchi highway crash

Published

6 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

At least seven people have lost their lives in a fatal crash along the Alkaleri–Gombe Federal Highway, while 41 others sustained serious injuries.

The tragic incident was disclosed in an updated First Information Report, FIR, from the RS12.13 Alkaleri Unit Command of the Bauchi State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, made available to Ekwutosblog.

According to the report, the crash occurred around 3:00 p.m. at Kirfi Junction and involved a commercial DAF trailer. All seven deceased were adult males.

The lone crash was attributed to a mechanical fault, specifically, a structural failure in which the head of the trailer detached from its body while in motion.

A total of 48 people were involved in the incident, including 38 adult males and 10 male children. Of these, 41 sustained varying degrees of injuries, 25 adult males and 16 male children, while seven adult males died at the scene.

FRSC personnel were said to have responded to the distress call at 3:02 p.m. and arrived at the scene by 3:50 p.m., marking a 48-minute response time.

The injured were transported to the General Hospital in Alkaleri, with some later referred to the Specialist Hospital in Bauchi for advanced care. The remains of the deceased were deposited in the morgue before being handed over to their families for burial.

The rescue operation was led by DRC H.Y. Danjuma on behalf of the Unit Commander.

In the wake of the tragedy, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, paid a condolence visit to Kirfi Local Government Area on Friday. During the visit, he announced a N50 million relief package for the victims and their families.

According to the governor, each bereaved family will receive N2 million, while those still receiving treatment in hospital will be given N1 million each. Victims who have been discharged will receive N500,000 each.

He added that additional support would be provided through the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA.

Governor Mohammed described the accident as deeply painful, especially given the loss of many young lives.

The governor condemned the practice of transporting over 200 people in a single truck, calling it highly irresponsible and unacceptable.

Suspected gunmen kill brother of village Imam, one other in Niger

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Suspected bandits have attacked Kulho and Maikade villages in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, killing two residents and injuring others.

According to a post by security analyst, Bakatsine on X on Thursday, the attack happened late Wednesday night when armed men stormed the two neighbouring villages.

One of the victims was identified as Alhaji Yahaya, the brother of the Imam of Kulho village. The Imam was also injured during the attack but survived.

Another victim, Alhaji Bello Maikade, a respected community member in Maikade village, was also killed during the incident.

“Yesterday night, bandits stormed Kulho and Maikade villages in Mashegu LGA, Niger State. They killed Alhaji Yahaya, the brother of Kulho’s Imam (who was injured but survived) and also murdered Alhaji Bello Maikade,” Bakatsine wrote.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.

Sex worker dies in Ondo brothel altercation

Published

4 days ago

June 30, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested three people over the death of a commercial sex worker at a brothel in Akure.

One of the suspects had sought the services of the deceased but demanded a refund of his N15,000 following the alleged failure of the sex worker to satisfy his desire.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, the incident occurred at the weekend in a popular brothel in the Cathedral area of Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Ayanlade stated that during a sexual activity with one of the suspects, the sex worker complained of tiredness, which infuriated the customer. This then escalated into a heated altercation between the manager of the brothel, the deceased, and the suspect, as well as friends he had invited to help retrieve the money initially paid for the services.

The police spokesperson said: “At approximately 10 am on June 29, the manager of the brothel reported to the station under the jurisdiction of A Division that there had been a violent altercation between a sex worker and a male customer earlier that morning. The disagreement began when the sex worker reportedly complained of sudden weakness during an encounter and could no longer continue providing the agreed services.

“The police acted swiftly and professionally; while the victim was being rushed to a nearby hospital in the Lafe area, officers at the scene simultaneously effected the arrest of three suspects involved in the incident. The victim was later referred to the Police Hospital in Akure but was, unfortunately, declared dead on arrival by a medical officer. Her body has since been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital morgue for autopsy.”