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.

BLOOD BETRAYAL! Two Sisters, a Civil Defence Officer and an Immigration Officer, Busted for Kidnapping Their Own Brother for ₦30M Ransom!

Published

2 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

In a jaw-dropping twist that has left Nigerians in shock, two sisters, Juliet Chukwu (a Civil Defence officer) and Ngozi Nancy Chukwu (an Immigration officer) — have been arrested by the Anti-Cult Squad of Enugu State Police Command for allegedly masterminding the kidnap of their own elder brother, Mr. Friday Chukwu, and a company official, Engr. Igwe Denis Chibueze.

It all started in May when Mr. Friday Chukwu was abducted along the Enugu-PH Express Road. Reports allege that the family paid a ransom of ₦30 million for his release, not knowing his own sisters were behind it.

But the story didn’t end there…

On July 14th, Engr. Igwe Denis Chibueze, CLO of China Oriental Quarry Company, was also kidnapped in a similar fashion, with a ₦10 million ransom demand. A swift operation by security personnel traced the suspects to a hotel where they were caught red-handed splitting ransom money.

Further investigations revealed the sisters had been linked to multiple criminal cases in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State — including staged kidnappings, pipeline vandalism, looting of rail lines, and alleged collaboration with Fulani herders to terrorize local communities.

From uniform to underworld — who can you really trust these days?

Plateau attacks: ‘Soldiers supporting Fulani militias to attack us’ – Community leader alleges

Published

6 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

A community leader in Jebbu Binde village of Ta-Hoss District in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, where gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias attacked on Monday killing over 30 people, has accused the military of supporting the bandits.

The community leader, Rev Davou Musa, who is the Chairman of the Regional Church Council (RCC) of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Riyom, made the allegation while addressing Governor Caleb Mutfwang during his visit to the community for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage and to condole with the victims.

While addressing the Governor, Rev Musa revealed that the armed assailants would not have found it so easy to invade the community in large numbers and operate for hours despite military operatives stationed only 200 meters away, if they did not have the backing of the soldiers.

According to the RCC Chairman, despite repeated and frantic calls for help, the military refused to come to their aid and refused to intervene to prevent the carnage, with no arrests made in the aftermath.

He blamed the military for failing in its duty to protect the people and accused the personnel of complicity by shielding the attackers and called on the federal government to withdraw the special military task force deployed in the community since they cannot protect the people.

“I have told the GOC in clear terms and I’m repeating it to your hearing that his (GOC) men are busy supporting the Fulani, even in grazing and farmland destruction,” Musa said.

“The assailants found it easy to invade the community and operated for hours and the soldiers who were stationed only 200 meters away refused to come to our aid despite frantic calls made to them.

“The heinous attack claimed innocent lives, left many others injured, and resulted in the destruction of homes, including a church. Food items belonging to villagers were also looted by the attackers, compounding the tragedy,” he alleged.

Musa also alleged that the soldiers were compromised and more concerned with protecting Fulani cattle than human lives.

“Is it not clear that the military is protecting and shielding the attackers? When Fulani herders are victims of cattle theft, the security forces respond swiftly, deploying multiple Hilux vehicles loaded with armed personnel to investigate and apprehend suspects.

“Conversely, attacks on villages resulting in loss of human life often receive a slower and less robust response. This disparity in security deployment has continued to raise concerns about prioritization and protection of human lives.

‘It is now glaring that the military is compromised and are more concerned with protecting our attackers instead of our people and our communities,” Rev Musa claimed.

Okigwe in Crisis: Governor Uzodimma’s Silence Amidst Rising Insecurity

Published

7 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Okigwe, a small peaceful town in Imo State, is gripped by fear and uncertainty following a series of alarming incidents. On July 10, 2025, approximately 40 shops were razed down along the Okigwe express roundabout in a suspected arson attack.

Eyewitnesses reported that individuals in police uniforms poured fuel on the shops and set them ablaze, with gunshots fired to scare away onlookers. The gunfire persisted until the next morning, resulting in millions of naira in losses.

Despite the town being heavily surveilled by security forces, including soldiers, none intervened to stop the arson or apprehend the perpetrators.

According to Ekwutosblog security presence only became apparent the following morning, when personnel surrounded the burnt shops, allegedly to prevent people from taking pictures.

This incident is the latest in a string of security breaches in Okigwe. Just weeks ago, armed men attacked villages around the town, killing 24 people, mostly returning from a wake-keeping.

The attacks have sparked widespread concern, with many believing that security agents are complicit in the violence.

Residents are now living in fear, with kidnappings, murders, and disappearances occurring daily. Despite the increased security presence, not a single kidnapper or killer has been arrested.

The people of Okigwe are crying out for answers, and the silence from Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration has only added to their frustration.

Questions linger: What is happening in Okigwe? Why has Governor Uzodimma remained silent on these incidents? And when will the people of Okigwe be safe again?