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Driver Abandons Passengers in Burning Bus, Returns Only to Retrieve His Phone

On the night of October 24, 2024, a joyful trip to reunite old friends from Command Secondary School Abakaliki (CSSA) for their 40th anniversary turned into a macabre nightmare when a chartered bus from PKO Transport and Logistics, Yaba, carrying 15 alumni from the Lagos chapter collided with rock debris and caught fire just eight minutes before arriving in their hotel in Ebonyi State. 

The tragic accident, which occurred near the G-hostel junction on the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway, claimed the lives of seven passengers, five of whom were burnt beyond recognition, and several others suffered severe injuries that will have long-term consequences and trauma in their lives.

Mr. Chuks, the bus driver, reportedly abandoned his 15 passengers trapped inside the bus but later returned to save his phone as the fire continued to engulf the vehicle. 

The Incident

One of the injured survivors, Deborah Chinyere, told The Guardian that the event was “ugly.” She recounts that the driver was unfamiliar with the route, so she and a fellow passenger, Victory Onah, used Google Maps to help with directions, but unfortunately, a turn was missed.

“Victory got distracted and forgot to tell the driver to take a left turn that would have led us straight to the hotel, where the event was holding,” Chinyere said.

When the missed turn was communicated to the driver, Chinyere claimed that the driver “flared up and became angry, and he was not concentrating, asking why we had not told him in time,” but despite attempts to reassure the driver that they were still on track and not to panic, Chinyere claimed that the driver was “still angry” and began to “driving recklessly.” 

“So that was where the whole thing started. Because of his anger, he couldn’t drive carefully. He started driving so, you know, recklessly.” she stated

“He was just so pissed; I knew this because I was sitting directly at his back so I could read his countenance.” 

As the situation went south, Chinyere noted that the driver reportedly accelerated the speed limit to around 120 to 130 kilometres, which led to the bus colliding with road construction debris filled with rocks on the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway, an area that reportedly lacked appropriate warning signs about road conditions.

According to Chinyere, the impact ruptured the fuel tank, causing the bus to catch fire almost immediately. “It started with the smoke, and then within some seconds, fire came out from different angles, from the back, from the front, everywhere,” she said. 

That fire claimed the lives of five passengers who were burnt beyond recognition at the scene, while two others later succumbed to their injuries at the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki. The tragedy has left several survivors with severe burns, fractures, and emotional scars that will last for years. 

Other survivors, who spoke exclusively to The Guardian, recounted traumatic moments of fear, confusion, and disbelief, describing how the bus driver, Mr. Chuks, abandoned them  as the vehicle caught fire but later returned only to retrieve his phone, leaving many trapped inside.

d fellow commandos (a term used to refer to graduates from the school).

Dada  recalled to The Guardian that the incident was “frightening beyond words” the moment the fire started, as the bus swerved and crashed into the debris. “The driver ran into rocks, and we heard a loud noise. Then, the person behind me shouted,  ‘Fire!’  I was terrified,” Dada recalled. “I tried to open the door from my seat, but it wouldn’t budge. That’s when I started calling on the name of Jesus.”

Dada, who was seated behind the driver, said her instinct, which she attributed to God, told her to find her way out through the driver’s side of the bus.

She said, ” I moved towards the driver side of the bus because I noticed there seemed to be a way out from there. Whether I jump out or flew or what, I don’t know. I just landed on the road by the burning bus and my instinct again (which I still say it’s the voice of God) told me to leave the floor or else I’ll get burnt by the fire or the bus exploding. Stood up in pain, not knowing I had already been burnt on my face and right fingers. Stood up and moved away to the other side and saw vividly the extent of the fire, hoping all was safe but unfortunately not.”

Agnes sustained burns to her right ear, face, and fingers but was thankful to be alive. “It’s all by God’s grace. I don’t know how I made it out.”

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Metro

Jigawa tanker explosion claims 209 lives, injured 99 – Report

Hafizu Inuwa, Chairman of the Jigawa Tanker Explosion Investigation Panel, has said that 209 lives were lost and 99 others injured in the accident.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on Oct. 14, a fuel tanker exploded in Majiya town killing hundreds and injuring several others.

Sequel to this, Gov. Umar Namadi constituted a 25-member investigative panel to unravel the causes of the accident and recommend measures to avert future occurrences.

Inuwa said this during the presentation of the committee’s report on Wednesday in Dutse.

He said the accident claimed 209 lives, 38 injued persons were still on hospital admission and 61 others discharged while 167 families affected.

“It was further discovered that the inferno resulted in the destruction of properties worth millions of Naira,” he said.

Inuwa attributed the accident to a number of factors, including damaged speed-breaker and potholes located near the scene.

He said the committee also identified night driving and speeding as contributory factors to the inferno.

“The inferno was possibly ignited by combined factors, including but not limited to friction of metallic containers with hard surface or other containers, as victims were scooping the spilled fuel”.

The committee, he said, recommended regular inspection and enforcement of safety protocols by petroleum transporters and other articulated vehicles.

Others include upgrade of emergency response centres, establishment of a trauma and burns units in health facilities, as well as establishment of a road traffic control agency.

“Where the victims or their relatives are seemingly old and vulnerable, government should provide them with social protection and enroll the most vulnerable victims and their relatives into the Danmodi Care Programme,” he said.

The chairman further lauded the state government for its empathy, moral and psychological support to the affected community as well as the timely response to the disaster.

Responding, Namadi promised to implement the recommendations of the committee, to ensure safety and welfare of the citizens.

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NAFDAC uncovers warehouse with unregistered products in Lagos

NAFDAC has uncovered a warehouse with unregistered products in Lagos State

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has uncovered a warehouse in Oke-Afa, Okota, Lagos State, stocked with unregistered and expired supermarket items.

NAFDAC made this disclosure on Wednesday night in a statement it shared on its official X account.

“Acting on intelligence, a NAFDAC team raided the facility, apprehending operators offloading a 20ft container filled with unregistered carbonated drinks,” the statement read.

“A further inspection revealed over 14 rooms packed with unregistered and expired products, some of which were contaminated by rats, indicating poor storage conditions.

“The facility was placed on hold, with all operations suspended pending further investigation.”

The agency said it has invited the management to provide sourcing evidence including the Global Listing for Supermarket Items (GLSI) certificate.

It also warned of the risks posed by unregulated products, particularly as the festive season approaches.

NAFDAC has further urged consumers to remain vigilant by verifying product sources and reporting suspicious activities to its nearest office.

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Akwa Ibom approves N955b for 2025 budget

Akwa Ibom State has approved a budget of N955 billion for 2025

The Akwa Ibom State Executive Council on Wednesday in a meeting presided over by Governor Umo Eno approved a draft budget estimate of N955 billion for the 2025 fiscal year.

A breakdown of the estimate shows that while N300b is for recurrent expenditure, N655 billion is for capital projects.

The recurrent expenditure represented a 14 percent decrease from that of 2024 while the capital expenditure of N655b reflects a 13 percent increase compared to 2024.

The commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, made this known in a statement he signed.

Ememobong said the council also approved a supplementary budget of N89b for 2024 being “an augmentation of the N82.4b incorporated into the 2025 appropriation bill.”

“The meeting, chaired by the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno started with the presentation of the 2024 supplementary estimates and the draft recurrent and capital budgets for 2025 by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance,” Ememobong said.

“The supplementary budget reflects savings of N8,922,513,000 and an augmentation of N82,414,029,890, incorporated into the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

“For the 2025 draft estimates, the proposed recurrent expenditure is N300,000,000,000, representing a 14% decrease from last year, while the capital expenditure is pegged at N655,000,000,000, reflecting a 13% increase compared to 2024.”

According to the commissioner, the projected Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is N80,000,000,000, a 28% rise over the 2024 figure, adding that the council approved both estimates and directed their submission to the State House of Assembly for legislative review and further action.

He said the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, presented a report on pothole assessment and repairs, assuring that the state was on course to achieve a “no pothole” status.

In a major policy review, the council also approved the implementation of a 65-year retirement age for non-academic staff of state-owned tertiary institutions, effective 1st January 2025.

The council also approved the award of road projects across three senatorial districts in the state.

The projects included the construction of a 12.5km road spanning Ibesit-Ikot Oto-Ikot Ekpenyong-Ikot Akama-Itung-Ediene Attai-Ikot Ebak in Oruk Anam and Mkpat Enin LGAs.

Others were the construction of a 2.7km road from Nto Obio Akpan-Ikot Obong-Urua Akpan in Essien Udim LGA, and a 2km road from Ikot Uso-Udo Atan-Nto Obodem Mbiaso in Ikot Ekpene LGA.

Similarly, the construction of a 10.9km road with two 40m-span bridges spanning NSAID’s Use-Use Ikot Amama-Ibiaku Ikot Erica-Itong Nkwot Edem Edet in Ibiono Ibom and Ikono LGAs was also approved.

“Re-award of the 21.5km Ikot Ayan Ediene-Ikot Nita-Urua Naira-Ikot Nseyen-Nkwot-Nnung Ukim road, including a 45m-span bridge, in Ikono LGA,” Ememobong said.

“Construction of a 2km access road to the School of Health Technology in Etinan LGA. Construction of a 7.7km road, including State Housing Road with spur, Ikot Obiokpon/Ibong Road with spur, and Mount Zion Road with spurs in Ikot Ekpene LGA.”

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NSCDC operatives kill 50 Boko Haram members in ambush

NSCDC operatives killed over 50 Boko Haram members in an ambush in Kaduna State

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) neutralised over 50 boko haram members during a cross-fire in Kaduna State.

This is contained in a statement by the NSCDC Spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi.

He said that the incident took place on Monday evening.

Afolabi said that a special monitoring squad comprising of 80 officers and men were deployed to survey and monitor the recently vandalised national grid installation in Shiroro area of Niger state.

He said that the operatives drawn from the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad (CG SIS) were sent to assess the state of damage, conduct surveillance activities and possibly arrest and bring perpetrators to book.

He said that the team were attacked while crossing from the Shiroro axis after the surveillance and monitoring oversight of the installations.

“ From the top of a hill located at Farin-Kasa, the group opened fire upon sighting the long convoy of the NSCDC monitoring team using different sophisticated weapons.

“The NSCDC operatives in the ambush however not overwhelmed by terrorists, repelled the attack and successfully neutralized over 50 of the terrorists in the crossfire,” he said.

According to him, as at the time of filling this report, about seven operatives of the corps were currently missing.

‘Efforts are currently underway to locate them in the bush. While a few others who sustained various degrees of Injuries are currently undergoing medical treatment in a Medical facility,” he said.

Afolabi added that, the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, while awaiting the full briefing on the incident from the officers on the field described the attack as callous, unfortunate and an attack too many on security operatives who have sworn to the defence of the country.

Audi commended the courage, resilience and gallantry of the operatives in neutralising over 50 of the bandits despite the attack from the mountain top, affirming that the corps is proud of them and would never forget such unflinching commitment.

He said that the corps being the lead agency in the protection of Critical National Asset and Infrastructure (CNAI) will not be deterred by the attack but will strengthen efforts in actualising President Tinubu’s renewed hope aganda.

“The NSCDC will ensure the revival of the power sector for a stable electricity supply nationwide,” he said.

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Students stranded as transporters strike over shooting of Osun park manager

Students have been left stranded as transporters strike over the shooting of Osun State park manager, Nurudeen Iyanda a.ka Alowonle

Many students in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, did not attend their schools as commercial transporters refused to convey them and other residents to their destinations.

The transporters, mostly mini-bus drivers popularly known as Korope, shunned the roads in protest against the shooting and hospitalization of the chairman of the Osun State Park Management System, Nurudeen Iyanda, popularly known as Alowonle.

Alowonle was allegedly shot in the stomach after being arrested over a domestic issue by men of the State Police Command on Tuesday.

He was said to have been rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, for medical attention.

The state government disclosed that Alowonle had been on life support at the Intensive Care Unit of the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

Many commercial transporters have converged on the hospital premises since their chairman was rushed to the hospital and refused to work.

As a result, many school children could not go to school as transporters deserted the roads.

Some schools around Ilesa Garage, Ataoja, and Old Garage areas were shut down as tension enveloped the areas.

The acting Police Public Relations Officer for the Osun Command, Emmanuel Giwa-Alade, claimed that Alowonle was shot while trying to escape from custody.

Giwa-Alade explained that Iyanda had initially been arrested alongside some associates on Monday over allegations of murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms, and malicious damage.

The Osun State Government had raised alarm over what it described as “the shooting to near death in police custody” of Alowonle, over “a domestic matter.”

A statement by Kolapo Alimi, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment in the state, on Tuesday night called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr. Moses Lohor, the Head of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, accusing him of a willful act of attempted murder.

“We demand police impartiality and commitment to the rule of law without fixation on partisan considerations,” Alimi had said.

In another statement on Wednesday morning, Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, quoted Governor Ademola Adeleke calling for peace and particularly pleading with transport workers statewide not to take laws into their own hands and allow state and federal authorities to address the issue for justice to prevail.

The governor noted that he had spoken to the Inspector General of Police and that immediate actions had been directed by the police authorities to bring to book those who shot the State Park Management System chairman.

“I call on Osun transport workers to maintain peace and not to take laws into their own hands. I have acted on this sad incident. I spoke with the police chief and I had a closed-door meeting with the Commissioner of Police. Justice will be served.

“We will not allow agents of violence to destroy the peace and stability of our dear state. Do not be provoked to violence. Go about your normal duties while we handle this serious threat to the peace of our state,” the governor was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, following the fatal shooting of Alowonle, the statement noted that the Inspector General of Police has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Head of the Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Osun State, Moses Lohor, and members of his team for alleged attempted murder.

The statement disclosed that Lohor’s arrest order was confirmed by the Special Adviser to Adeleke on Security, Samuel Ojo, after a closed-door meeting between the governor and the State Commissioner of Police.

“Moses Lohor had shot Mr. Alowonle in the abdomen at the police station after his arrest over a domestic brawl with a neighbor. The park chairman is currently on life support at the Intensive Care Unit of the Osun State Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

“Mr. Ojo narrated that the police authorities frowned upon Moses’ conduct as unprofessional, illegal, unauthorized, and against the operational code, noting that Moses and his men are about to be moved to Abuja this morning.

“We can confirm that the police authorities at the highest level have acted decisively on this matter. A clear punitive directive was issued by the IG. The governor has directed we follow up to ensure that justice is served,” the statement said.

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Four Nigerian Students in UK Sentenced to Jail for Violence

Four Nigerian Students in UK Sentenced to Jail for Violence

Four Nigerian students in the UK have received prison sentences for participating in a brutal knife altercation in Leicester.

The event reportedly took place on November 4, 2021, on New Park Street, resulting in one victim sustaining several stab injuries.

Leicester City Police uncovered the perpetrators using CCTV recordings, mobile phone tracking, and help from the public.

After a six-week trial that ended in October, the court delivered the verdicts on November 14.

A comprehensive report was shared on the Leicester police website last Thursday.

The students—Destiny Ojo, Habib Lawal, Ridwanulahi Raheem, and Joshua Davies-Ero—all in their early 20s, were handed sentences varying between two and seven years.

Destiny Ojo received a seven-year prison term for charges of violent disorder, attempted grievous bodily harm, and grievous bodily harm with intent.

Lawal was sentenced to five years for related offences, while Raheem received a three-year term for violent conduct and carrying a knife.

Davies-Ero was handed a two-year sentence for his involvement in violent conduct.

Justin Asamoah, a 22-year-old fifth defendant, admitted to possessing a knife and is scheduled for sentencing on November 22.

A Leicester Police spokesperson reportedly praised the public for their support during the investigation and emphasized the importance of addressing violent actions to maintain community safety.

Detective Constable Sean Downey, commenting on the case, said, “This incident underscores the grave dangers of violent disorder. It is fortunate that the injuries sustained were not more severe or fatal. This could have been a very different investigation.”

He added, “We thank everyone who supported the investigation. As a force, our priority is public safety. Violent behaviour will not be tolerated in our communities, and we will continue to take decisive action against offenders.”

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