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A major tragedy was averted in Kogi State on Friday evening after security operatives swiftly responded to a fuel tanker accident along the Felele Expressway in Lokoja, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed.

According to Mr. Tenimu Etuku, the FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi, the incident occurred around 5 p.m. near the Crusher area when a fuel-laden truck heading to Abuja got detached from its head and rolled into a ditch.

‘Nobody was hurt or killed in the accident. The tanker driver and his assistant escaped unhurt,’ Etuku told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said FRSC officials immediately arrived at the scene and called for reinforcements from the Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and a Mobile Police unit to secure the area.

‘The security cover was necessary to prevent residents from gaining access to the tanker and attempting to scoop fuel, which could trigger a fire outbreak,’ he explained.

Etuku warned against a repeat of similar tragedies in Niger and Jigawa States, where lives were lost after people tried to scoop fuel from fallen tankers.

‘Some individuals initially attempted to scoop the fuel before our personnel arrived, but they were promptly dispersed,’ he said, adding that the site had been fully cordoned off by security agencies and community leaders.

‘The community leaders and the security agencies have agreed to ensure nobody goes into the ditch to scoop fuel,’ Etuku added.

He appealed to residents of Crusher community to resist any temptation to collect the spilled fuel, warning that such an act could result in a deadly fire disaster.

Before the flashy cars, hit singles, and the Zanku craze that swept Africa, Zlatan Ibile was just another teenager staring at a failed Mathematics and Accounting result and a future that suddenly looked uncertain.

‘I was supposed to go to university in 2011 or 2012,’ the rapper told Nandi Madida on Apple Music 1. ‘But I didn’t have my complete papers. My dad is a pastor, and I used to play drums in church, but I never thought I’d become an artiste.’

Failure, for the young Zlatan was ignition. With nothing else to lose, he followed a friend to a studio. ‘The first song I recorded was rubbish,’ he admitted with a laugh. ‘But when I played it for my siblings, they made me feel like Jay-Z that day.’

That spark turned into an obsession. Nights of scribbling rhymes replaced failed equations, and by the time he won a rap competition in his first semester at university, Zlatan’s destiny had flipped. ‘I didn’t even believe anyone could win a car through music,’ he recalled. ‘Out of 140 contestants, I won. That was when I started taking rap seriously. That moment changed my life.’

Now a household name, the ‘Symbol of Hope’ crooner says his new album speaks for every dreamer who’s been written off too early. ‘I see how my music inspires others not to give up,’ he said. ‘If I can do it, you can too.’

No fewer than 50 people were arraigned before a mobile court in Egor local government area of Edo on Saturday for allegedly violating the state environmental sanitation laws.

The defaulters were arrested at Third East Circular Road Junction, Sapele Road, Ekiosa Market, Siloko Road, Ugbowo and New Benin Market areas among others by operatives Environmental Taskforce.

The task force was led by the new Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, Mr Saidi Akintayo

Akintayo said the exercise aimed at ensuring compliance with the monthly environmental sanitation directive of the Edo Government.

The commandant, who led his management team, said the exercise also aligned with the corps’ renewed drive to support federal and state efforts toward maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment for residents.

‘A clean environment is a healthy environment. It is our collective duty as citizens to ensure that our surroundings are kept clean at all times.

‘The corps will continue to support government efforts by enforcing compliance and sensitising the public on the importance of environmental hygiene,’ he said.

During the exercise, residents and traders were seen sweeping drains, clearing refuse, and cleaning up their premises, a development that the NSCDC boss described as ‘encouraging.’

The commandant’s team later visited the local government secretariat, where he was received by the Executive Chairman, Osaro Eribo.

At the secretariat, the 50 suspected offenders were arraigned before a mobile court.

The commandant lauded the synergy among local authorities, the environmental task force, and security agencies, describing it as crucial to sustaining the gains of the exercise.

He reiterated the NSCDC’s readiness to enforce environmental laws, support public health initiatives, and maintain peace and order across Edo.

‘Our presence underscores the Corps’ unwavering commitment to protecting lives, property, and the environment.

‘We will continue to stand with the government to ensure Edo remains clean and safe for all,’ he added.

In a similar development, the Chairman of Oredo Local Government, Mr Gabriel Idusere, who joined the monitoring exercise, commended residents for their cooperation.

He, however, acknowledged public complaints about the delay in refuse evacuation.

Idusere assured that the council had put in place measures for prompt waste collection, particularly in markets and densely populated areas.

A Colombian national, Yostin Andres Mosquera, 35, has been jailed for life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years for the brutal murders and dismemberment of two men whose remains were found in London and Bristol.

Mosquera, of Scotts Road, Shepherd’s Bush, was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court after a chilling investigation by the Metropolitan Police uncovered how he murdered and butchered 71-year-old Paul Longworth and 62-year-old Albert Alfonso, who were in a long-term civil partnership, before attempting to dispose of their body parts in suitcases.

The couple were killed in their Shepherd’s Bush flat on 8 July 2024, in what detectives described as one of the most disturbing and cold-blooded murders ever investigated.

Two days later, Mosquera was seen in Bristol with two heavy suitcases leaking a red substance, claiming it was ‘oil’. Suspicious residents alerted police after witnessing him behaving oddly near the Clifton Suspension Bridge. When officers opened the cases, they discovered human remains, triggering a full-scale murder probe.

A search of the victims’ flat in Shepherd’s Bush uncovered the decapitated heads of both men stored in a chest freezer, along with the murder weapons nearby.

Detectives later pieced together a mountain of evidence showing that Mosquera planned the killings for financial gain.

He had searched online for ‘how long it takes a body to decompose,’ ‘where to strike a fatal blow,’ and even the value of the victims’ property.

He also attempted to hack into their bank accounts after the murders, unsuccessfully trying to transfer £4,000 to his own account in Colombia.

According to investigators, Mosquera had been living with the couple for about a month before the murders and was in a sexual relationship with Albert, which Paul tolerated.

On the day of the killings, Mosquera bludgeoned Paul to death with a hammer, hiding his body beneath a bed before ambushing Albert later that evening. Disturbingly, the second murder was captured on video, as cameras in Albert’s bedroom recorded Mosquera stabbing and slashing his throat during a supposed intimate encounter.

Detective Chief Inspector Ollie Stride described the murders as ‘harrowing beyond words.’ ‘Paul and Albert welcomed Mosquera into their home, only for him to betray their kindness in the most horrific way imaginable,’ Stride said.

‘This sentence ensures a dangerous and remorseless killer will never again walk free.’

Detective Inspector Neil Meade from Avon and Somerset Police called the crimes ‘truly barbaric,’ adding that Mosquera’s attempt to dispose of the remains in Bristol showed a chilling level of calculation.

‘He showed no remorse whatsoever,’ Meade said. ‘While we may never understand his motives completely, I’m grateful justice has finally been served.’

Mosquera was arrested in Bristol on 13 July 2024, just days after the murders. Despite admitting to killing Albert, he claimed it was manslaughter due to ‘loss of control’ and tried to blame Albert for Paul’s death, a defence the jury flatly rejected.

The court heard that the case left investigators and community members deeply traumatised, prompting close collaboration between police and LGBT+ support groups to handle the sensitive aftermath.

With Mosquera now behind bars for life, detectives said the 40-year minimum sentence reflects the monstrous brutality of the crime and brings a measure of closure to the victims’ loved ones.

‘Nothing can bring Paul and Albert back,’ Stride said, ‘but justice has finally caught up with the evil man who took their lives.’

Nearly eight years after the brutal killing of 24-year-old Ahmed Deen-Jah, two men have been handed life sentences after DNA evidence finally tied them to the crime.

Lekan Akinsoji, 27, of no fixed address, and Sundjata Keita, 27, of St Margaret’s Court, E12, were convicted at the Old Bailey of Ahmed’s murder, which occurred in East London in 2017.

Akinsoji will serve a minimum of 28 years, while Keita must serve at least 22 years behind bars.

The pair were found guilty on Thursday, 9 October, after a jury concluded they carried out a cold-blooded and unprovoked attack on Ahmed inside a convenience store near Custom House station, Newham, on 2 April 2017.

CCTV footage captured the horrifying moments leading to the murder. Ahmed was seen entering the store around 3:20 p.m. to buy a lighter, only to return moments later, pursued by a masked man. The attacker chased him around the shop before stabbing him repeatedly and fleeing the scene. Ahmed was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen, who led the investigation, described the killers’ actions as ‘cold-blooded and senseless,’ adding that their attempt to evade justice failed once modern forensic technology caught up with them.

‘I hope these sentences bring some comfort to Ahmed’s family, who have endured almost a decade of pain waiting for justice,’ she said. ‘Akinsoji and Keita thought they could escape accountability, but DNA evidence told the truth.’

The killers were initially arrested within eight days of the murder but were released under investigation as police pursued complex leads. The case went cold for years until a 2023 review uncovered crucial breakthroughs.

Investigators reanalysed phone records, which placed Keita’s mobile inside the getaway car used during the attack. The car was later discovered burnt out in Epping Forest, suggesting an attempt to destroy evidence.

Further forensic tests on a knife sheath near the scene and DNA traces found on the victim’s hand provided conclusive matches to both men.

The pair were rearrested on 25 October 2024 and subsequently charged with murder. Prosecutors told the court that the killing stemmed from ‘tit-for-tat’ gang violence, with the defendants prowling the area in a stolen vehicle in search of rival gang members.

During the trial, chilling CCTV footage showed Akinsoji ambushing Ahmed and stabbing him in cold blood while Keita waited nearby.

Following the verdict, Ahmed’s grieving father said he felt ‘overwhelmed with relief,’ thanking detectives for their persistence in securing justice for his son.

‘It has been years of anguish and mental torture,’ he said. ‘But I’m grateful that the people who took Ahmed’s life have finally been brought to justice.’

The Gombe State Government has announced the death of its Commissioner for Internal Security, retired Col. Abdullahi Bello, following a fatal road accident.

The announcement was made by Gov. Inuwa Yahaya through Ismaila Uba-Misilli, Director-General of Press Affairs, Gombe Government House.

The commissioner and his police orderly, Sergeant Adamu Husaini, lost their lives on Friday along the Malam Sidi-Gombe road.

Governor Yahaya said the late commissioner was returning from Maiduguri, Borno State, where he had attended the North East Regional Consultation on the Development of a National Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme.

‘We received the heart-breaking news with profound sadness. The late commissioner was a disciplined officer and dedicated public servant,’ the governor said.

He added that Bello brought his wealth of military experience, leadership, and patriotism into service for Gombe State, playing a vital role in consolidating the peace and security for which the state is renowned.

‘Bello will be remembered as a pillar of discipline, courage, and selfless service. He carried out his duties with unmatched diligence and a deep sense of responsibility. His demise is a monumental loss not only to his family and our government but to Gombe State and Nigeria at large.’

The governor recalled the commissioner’s significant contributions in the State Executive Council, particularly in shaping policies on internal security, inter-agency collaboration, and community safety.

‘On behalf of the government and people of Gombe State, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, his associates, and the Balanga Local Government community. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannat Firdaus.’

Gov. Yahaya also expressed sympathy for the family of the late police orderly, Husaini, describing both men as patriots who died in active service to the state and nation, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the commissioner’s driver, who sustained injuries in the crash.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has advocated for improved welfare for Nigerian doctors to enable them to remain in their home country and contribute more to the nation’s healthcare system.

The NMA said this while asserting that the current welfare package is insufficient and responsible for the mass exodus of doctors from Nigeria on the sidelines of a ‘Fitness Walk’ organised for doctors by its Osun chapter as part of activities lined up for the association’s Physicians Week.

The Chairman of NMA in Osun, Dr Adeniyi Fashanu, told journalists at the event organised in Osogbo that improved welfare will discourage frequent emigration popularly dubbed ‘japa syndrome’ by medical doctors from Nigeria.

He added that an improved welfare for doctors in Nigeria would foster a return of those of them already resident abroad.

Fashanu explained that the Physicians Week is a period to celebrate and appreciate doctors for their service to humanity, which he claimed was not being sufficiently recognised.

‘Doctors save lives, they respond to emergencies and help in the prevention of diseases.

‘They also help in formulating and advising government in making policies that will improve the health care system of the society.

‘However, the welfare of doctors is ‘below bar’ in Nigeria, and this is why we are advocating for improved welfare package for our doctors,’ he said.

In his remarks, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the UniOsun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Dr Babatunde Afolabi, noted that doctors had made several demands on government.

He commended the state government for what it had done and was still doing for doctors in the state, but said that more was required to remedy their shortage in Osun.

‘I want to say that the present government has been very magnanimous to doctors, they have assisted us in a very big way, taking care of our needs.

‘There are still a lot of things that we are lacking as doctors, and we place our demands before the government, in terms of manpower, increasing availability of doctors in the state and at large.

‘This is our country, it is our nation and a nation can only boast of being healthy if its doctors are ‘healthy’, he said

Afolabi said that ideally, the number of doctors in Nigeria was far below the standard of the World Health Organisation, which is why many doctors are being overworked.

‘We have had instances where doctors, after work, collapse with cardiac arrest and die,’ he said

He appealed to government to look towards employment of more doctors, and making their welfare paramount.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin Can Island Command, has intercepted two containers of imported vehicles used to hide illegal drugs worth over ?5.3 billion.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, announced the seizure in Lagos on Friday, saying it was part of the command’s efforts to strengthen intelligence-led border operations.

He said the first container, numbered HLXU8500072, arrived from Montreal, Canada, and was intercepted on September 4 after intelligence checks.

A joint examination revealed 156 packets of Colorado Indica (78kg) and 1.2kg of Hashish Oil concealed inside four cars.

The second container, numbered FANU312876/9, was seized on October 24 following another intelligence tip.

It contained 2,081 packages of Cannabis Indica (1,093kg) and eight packages of Crystal Methamphetamine (8kg), also hidden inside vehicles.

According to Customs valuation reports, the total value of the drugs is ?5.304 billion.

Onyeka said the seized items have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

He praised the cooperation of the NDLEA, Navy, Police, and other agencies involved in the operation, adding that the command remains committed to enforcing Nigeria’s laws and trade regulations.

The NDLEA Tin Can Commander, Daniel Onyishi, who received the items, commended Customs for its vigilance and professionalism, promising a thorough investigation and lawful disposal of the seized drugs.

Reno Omokri has slammed former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s claim that Nigeria’s underdeveloped states remain poor because they lack ports like Lagos, calling it ‘a total fallacy.’

Obi had argued that federal infrastructure investments favour Lagos while strategic ports in Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne remain underfunded, claiming that proper development could create jobs and lift millions out of poverty.

But Omokri fired back, pointing out that Lagos’ Lekki Deep Sea Port was built entirely by the Lagos State Government with private partners, not the Federal Government.

He added that federal funds were actually concentrated more heavily on ports outside Lagos, citing the Nigerian Ports Authority’s 2025 budget which prioritizes Calabar, Warri, and Burutu.

‘Lagos built its port without the Federal Government, and private investors like Aliko Dangote are already building Nigeria’s largest deep-sea port,’ Omokri said.

‘If Ondo, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River can also develop ports independently, blaming the federal government is nonsense.’

Omokri also highlighted Obi’s record in Anambra, pointing to questionable spending choices, including a beer brewery and hundreds of vehicles for traditional rulers, while critical infrastructure like schools, universities, and ports remained unbuilt.

‘The truth is undeniable: bad leadership, not lack of ports, is why some states lag behind Lagos,’ Omokri concluded.