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When FIFA slammed South Africa with a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player, Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers was suddenly thrown wide open. The sanction, which overturned Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 win over Lesotho into a 3-0 defeat, means Nigeria’s Super Eagles are back in contention.

Nigeria, languishing in third place, now find themselves just three points behind leaders Benin and South Africa, with two games left to play. On paper, FIFA’s helping hand offers renewed hope. Yet it is a herculean task before the Super Eagles if they are desirous of making the World Cup party after missing out at the 2022 edition held in oil-rich Qatar.

In fact, for most football Stakeholders, the Super Eagles must seize chance and gird their loins in the upcoming contests when they play away to Lesotho on October 10th before concluding the race in Uyo on October 14th .

‘My concern is not Benin or South Africa but we should watch out for Lesotho and Rwanda behind us,’ former Nigeria midfielder Friday Ekpo noted in an interview on a Lagos-based Sports radio station, Brila Fm. ‘Nigeria not being able to win back-to-back games is a big worry.

‘We need to sit back, rethink our strategy and ensure we pick up six points from our remaining fixtures. While we are busy calculating, other teams are simply focused on winning their matches.’

Ekpo’s sentiments were echoed by former Flying Eagles winger Dimeji Lawal who urged for caution rather than celebration of the misfortune that had just befell South Africa in the race to the 2026 Mundial, adding the approach of the Super Eagles in recent times does not inspired any confidence.

‘I don’t get excited about the sanction of South Africa. One thing is to get three points taken away from them, another is for us to win our remaining games. That’s the real test,’ Lawal said matter-of-factly. ‘The bottom line is: can we win the last two games?’

Former left-back Ifeanyi Udeze was more direct insisting that the Super Eagles players must be made aware of the essence of what it means to play at the FIFA World Cup while adding that the awareness of this would help the Nigerian team to know how to plan for both games:

‘Both games are must-win. The players must know their lives depend on it. Even after we win, we still need South Africa to drop points. This is not a time for complacency,’ he averred.

Equally, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic football gold medallist , Abiodun Obafemi, was even sterner in his outlook stating that the present crop of players may miss the chance to go to the World Cup if they throw this new lifeline away.

‘FIFA has given us a lifeline. If we miss this chance, this generation should forget about the World Cup. Too often, we expect our boys to rise up and they disappoint. This is a lifetime opportunity, and for many of them, it might be their last shot.’

But for erstwhile youth international Taiwo Enegwea who is currently attached as an assistant coach at Heartland Football Club of Owerri, the Super Eagles must not only win their forthcoming two matches but they must win with probably with cricket margins, adding that goal difference could be the decider if all the contending teams cancelled themselves out as being speculated.

‘We must do everything humanly possible to win the last two games, especially against Benin. A good win against them may bridge the gap. We must score goals and not just settle for slim wins,’ Enegwea noted.

Enegwa’s coaching colleague at Heartland and former U20 goalkeeper, Emeka Amadi, described the sanction against South Africa as a ‘morale booster’ for the Super Eagles, adding they must be on top of the two games to boost their chances of making it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be jointly co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.

‘It’s good news, but the important thing is to win with good goals. Goals difference may count. We still have a chance but we must take it now,’ noted Amadi, a two FIFA U-17 World Cup winner as the goalkeepers’ trainer to the Golden Eaglets class of 2013 and 2015.

Additionally, George Aluo, a board member of the NFF agreed that three points taken off South Africa should be morale booster for the Super Eagles to fight to the finishing point.

‘The decision by FIFA has thrown the group wide open,’ Aluo who doubles as the Chairman of the Nigeria national League (NNL), told NationSport, adding the Amavubi of Rwanda who are currently in fourth position can be regarded as the dark horses in the race for the Group C ticket. ‘ Now , it is possible for Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa to finish on 17 points(at the end of the qualifiers) .

‘All eyes will be on what happens between Rwanda and Benin.

‘Should Rwanda win that game and we beat Lesotho, then anything, just anything can happen at the end of the race. All the four countries Nigeria, South Africa, Benin and Rwanda are all very much in contention and I know Rwanda will fight to the end against South Africa should they beat Benin at home.’

Despite all the positives indices, Nigerian football historian and diarist, Kunle Solaja, has yet urged the rank and file of the Super Eagles to take lessons from history.

He reckoned that Nigeria’s football history is littered with reminders of the dangers of administrative or technical errors which befell South Africa, warning that attention must also be paid to details as the Super Eagles approach the double header this month.

He noted: ‘In 1984, Shooting Stars were rocked before the second leg of the CAF Champions Cup final against Zamalek when Felix Owolabi was ruled ineligible due to accumulated yellow cards. Disorganized and demoralized, the Ibadan side lost 2-0 in Cairo and 3-0 on aggregate, missing out on Nigeria’s first Champions Cup title.

‘In 2018, during the Russia World Cup qualifiers, FIFA awarded Algeria a 3-0 win after Nigeria fielded Shehu Abdullahi despite his suspension. Though Nigeria had already qualified, the embarrassment highlighted NFF’s administrative lapses.’

He argued with clear warning : discipline and paperwork matter as much as performance on the pitch.

‘The Super Eagles now walk a fine line. Twelve players are sitting on yellow cards, including Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Any additional bookings could rule them out of the decisive final match against Benin Republic in Uyo,’ he explained.

South Africa’s costly mistake has opened the door, but walking through it depends entirely on Nigeria. The Super Eagles face Lesotho away on October 10 before hosting Benin Republic in Uyo on October 14.

Victory in both matches is non-negotiable. Discipline, tactical sharpness, and ruthless finishing will define whether the lifeline leads to redemption or regret.

As Obafemi bluntly put it: ‘If we don’t take this chance, forget about the World Cup.’

For Eric Sekou Chelle’s men and the Nigeria Football Federation, the FIFA lifeline is a reminder that fortune only favours the prepared. This time, Nigeria cannot afford to learn the hard way.

American singer, television host, and actor RuPaul recently shared a seemingly awkward yet hilarious exchange with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The moment that has since become one of the most replayed and talked about clips in late night television, thanks to RuPaul’s impeccable sense of humor and timing.

During the interview, Fallon proudly held up RuPaul’s Vanity Fair cover, eager to celebrate what he thought was a historic first.

‘This was the first time ever that a drag queen had been put on the cover of’ Fallon began.

Before he could finish, RuPaul leaned in with a sharp, mock-offended expression and repeated, ‘A drag queen?’

The tone was so pointed that Fallon immediately froze, his face draining of color as the studio fell into a stunned silence.

For several long seconds, the tension in the room was palpable.

Fallon appeared visibly nervous, unsure whether he had crossed a line.

RuPaul broke the silence and said , ‘I am the Queen of Drag!’

The audience erupted in laughter and applause as Fallon doubled over in relief, laughing and clutching his desk.

His embarrassed smile captured both the chaos and charm of the exchange, which quickly became a viral sensation across social media.

Clips of the moment circulated widely on X , TikTok, and Instagram, with fans praising RuPaul’s flawless delivery and mastery of live comedy.

One user described it as ‘a fake-out for the ages,’ while another called it ‘pure RuPaul brilliance.’

The viral clip not only highlighted RuPaul’s trademark wit and charisma but also showcased the effortless chemistry between the two stars.

What could have been an awkward misunderstanding instead turned into a perfectly orchestrated moment of late night television magic.

RuPaul’s playful response served as a reminder of why he remains one of the most commanding figures in entertainment a performer who can turn any situation into a masterclass in humor, grace, and showmanship.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday launched the ‘Flow With Confidence’ nationwide distribution of menstrual hygiene packs

The initiative was designed to support schoolgirls and promote menstrual health across the country.

At the launch of the initiative in Gombe State, Mrs. Tinubu described the intervention as vital to empowering young girls by ‘promoting knowledge, dignity, and confidence’ through improved menstrual hygiene.

In a statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady said: ‘In today’s modern world, no girl should have to miss school because of her inability to afford sanitary products.

‘It is unacceptable that our girls still continue to face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle, especially those in rural communities, who miss school days every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads.’

Mrs. Tinubu noted that many schoolgirls resort to unsafe alternatives or stay at home, causing them to lag behind academically and, in some cases, drop out of school.

She said the programme, under the Education framework of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), is meant to end this trend.

According to her, all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will each receive 10,000 packs of disposable sanitary pads through State First Ladies and RHI coordinators, targeting vulnerable schoolgirls in rural communities.

‘Today, I will be handing over 10,000 packs of disposable sanitary pads to the First Lady of Gombe State for distribution to 10,000 deserving girls in rural communities across the state. Each beneficiary will receive a one-year supply of the pads,’ the First Lady promised.

She urged traditional rulers, religious and community leaders to ensure the supplies reach the intended beneficiaries.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, and Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, pledged federal support to scale up the initiative so that more girls in underserved areas could benefit from the initiative.

Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya hailed the First Lady for the initiative, as well as her interventions in health, agriculture, economic empowerment and education.

Mrs. Tinubu had opened the maiden Gombe State Health Summit, where she emphasised that health should be viewed as a driver of economic prosperity, social development, and national growth.

During her two-day visit to Gombe State, the First Lady was also honoured with the traditional title of Sarauniya Yakin Kumo (Queen Warrior of Kumo) by the Emir of Akko, Alhaji Umaru Muh’d Atiku, in recognition of her contributions to national development.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has declared that the Nigerian Navy has successfully curtailed piracy and maritime crime, resulting in safer waters and increased oil production.

Ogalla made the remarks on Friday during a Regimental Parade held in his honour at his alma mater, the Nigerian Military School (NMS), Zaria, where he also commissioned new projects and addressed students.

He said the Navy had achieved ‘undeniable results’ under his command, noting that Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) had not recorded a single piracy incident since 2022.

‘Our determination from the onset was clear – to turn the tide against those criminal elements bringing insecurity into our maritime environment. And I am proud to say we have achieved that. The results are evident, especially in improved oil production and the elimination of piracy in our waters,’ Ogalla stated.

He explained that piracy, oil theft, and illegal refining had long crippled Nigeria’s oil revenues and discouraged investment, but enhanced operations – including Operation Delta Sanity and joint missions with other security agencies – have reversed the trend and safeguarded critical oil infrastructure.

‘These operations have restored confidence in our maritime environment. Oil production has improved, revenues have gone up, and investors can now see Nigeria as a safer maritime hub. That is the strategic importance of the work we are doing,’ Ogalla emphasised.

He added that the fight against maritime insecurity was not only a military task but a national duty, as the protection of Nigeria’s oil assets directly impacts economic growth and national development.

‘The Nigerian Navy, by its mandate, is the guardian of our maritime environment. That means defending the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty at sea. By improving security, we are directly strengthening Nigeria’s economy, because oil is still our major source of revenue,’ the CNS noted.

Ogalla stressed that the successes were made possible by the dedication of naval personnel across formations, whose sacrifices at sea had restored sanity to Nigeria’s waters.

‘I salute the gallant officers and ratings who have put in the hard work. Without their commitment, we would not be celebrating these achievements. Their sacrifices are the foundation of the stability we now enjoy in our maritime domain,’ he added.

He urged continuous vigilance, warning that criminal elements often adapt, and security forces must stay ahead through technology, training, and intelligence-led operations.

The Naval Chief’s remarks were delivered during what he described as a ‘deeply emotional homecoming’ to NMS, where he said the foundations of his discipline and leadership were built.

‘It is with a deep sense of honour and nostalgia that I stand before you today, not just as the Chief of Naval Staff but as a proud product of this great alma mater. This noble institution shaped the foundation of my character, resilience, and leadership,’ he told the students.

Ogalla commissioned a block of six modern classrooms, each furnished with smart boards and learning aids, as part of his contribution to advancing academic excellence at the school.

‘This intervention reflects my belief that learning must evolve with the times. These facilities will equip the Boys with the tools to excel academically and to prepare for the future,’ he said.

He also inaugurated other projects and pledged to deepen collaboration between NMS and the Nigerian Navy Military School in Ikot Ntuen, Akwa Ibom, to strengthen military education.

The CNS commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General O.O. Oluyede, for renovating the Boys’ Lines and other facilities at NMS, while also applauding the Ex-Boys Association for sustaining the tradition of giving back.

For Ogalla, however, the highlight was tying the Navy’s operational victories at sea with Nigeria’s economic rebound, declaring: ‘We’ve turned the tide against pirates. We’ve improved oil production. And by doing so, we are securing Nigeria’s future.’

The Commandant of NMS, Brigadier General Owoicho Ejiga, described Ogalla’s visit as ‘a historic milestone,’ noting that it would inspire the students and further cement the legacy of excellence the school has maintained since its establishment in 1954.

Ejiga said the commissioned projects, alongside other interventions by Ex-Boys and military leadership, would continue to transform NMS into a modern centre of discipline, patriotism, and academic excellence.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has threatened legal action against Eze Chikamnayo, also known as Iyierioba Chikamnayo, for ‘defamatory and malicious’ publications against him.

In an October 2 letter signed by his counsel, Dr. Sonny Ajala (SAN), Otti demanded a written retraction, public apology, and compensation of N100 billion from Chikamnayo.

The governor accused the former commissioner of persistently publishing libellous posts on his Facebook page, ‘Iyierioba Chikamnayo.’

Among the publications were those titled ‘Alex Otthief is a confirmed criminal and disaster!’ (September 22, 2025), ‘Fighting Promax!!!!’ (September 21, 2025), ‘Old or new Abia?’ (September 14, 2025), ‘Sabbath Message’ (September 13, 2025), and ‘Alex Otthief is a confirmed criminal and congenital liar = looting governor!’ (August 15, 2025).

Ajala, of Deeplaw Associates, said the posts were targeted at Otti, noting ‘our client, for the avoidance of doubt, is the only governor and chief executive of a state in the 36 states of Nigeria who bears the name Alex Chioma Otti. Thus, no effort is required by the public to link all your spiteful, false and defamatory attacks to him.’

He said Otti is a man of integrity with a distinguished career in banking, where he rose to managing director/chief executive of Diamond Bank Plc before entering politics.

The letter said Otti noticed the Facebook posts on September 29, while in Abuja for the conferment of SAN on the attorney-general.

Ajala said Otti ‘denies your malicious defamatory materials,’ emphasising that the governor has no criminal indictment or conviction by any court of law. He added that the posts inflicted ‘mental torture, depression, denigration, and brutal destruction of his reputation built over decades.’

The governor is demanding a written retraction of the posts on the same Facebook page and in four national newspapers. He is also seeking a written public apology on the same page, compensation of N100 billion, and an undertaking to desist from such poswts.

The letter warned that failure to comply in seven days would leave Otti with no option but to seek redress in court.

Former presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, has refuted claims by former President Goodluck Jonathan that his successor, late President Muhammadu Buhari, was once nominated by the Boko Haram terrorist group to negotiate on their behalf.

Reacting to Jonathan’s comments at the public presentation of a book by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (Rtd), in Abuja on Friday, Shehu described the statement as misleading.

He said if Jonathan’s remarks were intended as a campaign message for a possible 2027 presidential run, then ‘he is making a false start.’

According to Shehu, neither Boko Haram’s founding leader, Muhammed Yusuf, nor his successor, Abubakar Shekau, ever nominated Buhari for mediation.

Instead, he noted, Shekau consistently denounced and threatened Buhari, given their opposing ideologies.

He recalled that in 2014, Buhari narrowly escaped a bomb attack by Boko Haram in Kaduna, which left some of his aides injured.

‘Buhari’s campaigns focused on fighting Boko Haram and restoring security to Nigeria whenever he became president, putting him in direct opposition to the terrorist group’s leaders,’ Shehu said.

Shehu further explained that Buhari himself had denied knowledge of any such nomination when the issue surfaced in 2011.

Citing a statement at the time by then Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) secretary, Buba Galadima, he recalled that Buhari dismissed the report as ‘just speculation’ since nobody had contacted him directly.

Buhari, Shehu said, maintained then that as a patriotic Nigerian, he would only continue to pray for peace in the country.

The former spokesman clarified that the confusion arose after a Boko Haram faction, possibly sponsored by Buhari’s political opponents, staged a press conference in Maiduguri through one Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, who claimed the sect preferred Buhari and other northern elders, including the late Shettima Ali Monguno and Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, to mediate.

Abdulaziz’s claims, Shehu stressed, were swiftly disowned by Shekau’s loyalists, who said he had no mandate to speak for the group.

At the time, CPC’s publicity secretary, the late Rotimi Fashekun, had also lambasted the Jonathan administration and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for exploiting the alleged nomination for political gain.

Fashekun described it as ‘the latest gambit in the desire of the corrupt PDP-led government to divert attention from the massive looting of the people’s common patrimony.’

Fashekun insisted that Buhari had never been linked to any insurgency, portraying him as a ‘quintessential patriot’ while accusing the PDP government itself of complicity in Nigeria’s insecurity.

He cited Jonathan’s own admission that Boko Haram had infiltrated his government, a point echoed by then National Security Adviser, the late General Andrew Azazi, as well as revelations by the State Security Service (SSS).

‘Jonathan’s latest comments revive a long-debunked narrative and fail to recognize the true record of Buhari’s opposition to Boko Haram. To win in 2027, Dr. Jonathan should look for a better story to tell Nigerians,’ he concluded.

Nigeria spent $2.86 billion on external debt servicing in the first eight months of 2025, new figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have shown. This accounted for 69.1 per cent of total foreign payments of $4.14 billion during the period.

Comparatively, the country spent $3.06 billion on debt in the same period of 2024, representing 70.7 per cent of total foreign payments of $4.33 billion. The data revealed that although Nigeria reduced its absolute debt service bill by about $198 million (6.49%) year-on-year, debt repayments still dominate its external obligations.

Essentially, for every $10 that left Nigeria between January and August 2025, nearly $7 went towards servicing debt. Monthly data showed significant fluctuations, reflecting the structure of Nigeria’s loan obligations. In January 2025, the country paid $540.67 million on debt, slightly lower than $560.52 million in January 2024.

By February, payments dropped further to $276.73 million, before surging to $632.36 million in March, more than double the $276.17 million recorded in March 2024. April remained high at $557.79 million compared with $215.20 million a year earlier, while May recorded a sharp fall to $230.92 million, down by $623.45 million from the $854.37 million in May 2024.

In June, the figure climbed modestly to $143.39 million, almost triple the $50.82 million recorded a year earlier. July slipped again to $179.95 million, representing a two-thirds decline compared with the $542.5 million of July 2024. By August, payments recovered to $302.3 million, slightly higher than the $279.95 million recorded a year earlier.

The month-on-month changes in 2025 underline the erratic nature of Nigeria’s debt service obligations. From January to February, payments fell by nearly 49 per cent , then spiked by 129 per cent in March before dropping by 12 per cent in April. May saw a steep decline of 59 per cent relative to April, June fell further by 38 per cent before mild rebounds in July and August.

In 2025, 69.1 per cent of all foreign outflows in the first eight months were used to service debt. In the same period of 2024, the share was even higher at 70.7 per cent . This showed that debt service obligations consistently consume at least seven out of every ten dollars Nigeria spends on international payments.

This trend raises important concerns. First, it places pressure on the country’s foreign reserves, especially in months of heavy outflows such as March 2025, when $632.36 million went to debt servicing. Second, it reduces Nigeria’s ability to allocate scarce foreign exchange to essential imports and capital goods that could support domestic production. Third, it exposes fiscal vulnerability because debt obligations are non-discretionary, meaning the government cannot defer or avoid them without severe consequences.

Genre-bending singer and songwriter Nissi has released a powerful new track titled ‘Motivate’, featuring Nigerian rap heavyweight Olamide. The single dropped today, October 3, 2025, on all major streaming platforms.

Blending Afrobeats and hip-hop, Motivate carries a strong message of ambition, resilience, and determination. Nissi’s soulful vocals uplift and inspire, while Olamide delivers his signature lyrical energy, reminding listeners that setbacks are only stepping stones to greater comebacks.

With its infectious rhythm and empowering lyrics, the track is crafted to energize both the dancefloor and everyday hustles. The collaboration marks a milestone in Nissi’s artistic journey, bridging musical styles and fanbases for a record that feels both timely and motivational.

Motivate by Nissi featuring Olamide is available now for streaming and sharing worldwide.

The incentives awarded to companies under the NNPCL’s Tax Credit Scheme for road construction were terminated due to delays and poor delivery, Works Minister David Umahi said yesterday.

The minister said this while inspecting the Benin-Warri dual carriageway bypass in Edo State.

Umahi, who was accompanied by Governor Monday Okpebholo, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the continuation of all road projects under the scheme, despite the stoppage.

Acknowledging funding challenges following the termination, the minister recounted how Okpebholo was contacted to take over the first 23 kilometres of the road.

‘The contract was terminated after months of delay and poor work. We appealed to Governor Okpebholo to take over the first 23 kilometres, which he promptly awarded to CBC. The quality of their work is commendable,’ Umahi said.

The minister urged the governor to extend his intervention to an additional nine kilometres, applauding his willingness to collaborate with the Federal Government.

In 2021, the NNPCL launched the first phase of funding road projects with N621.24 billion for 21 roads across the six geopolitical zones.

The affected roads included Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa/Bokani Junction Road (sections I and II) in Kwara and Niger states; the Suleja-Minna Road, and emergency repairs on the Mokwa-Makera-Tegina toward the Kaduna state boundary.

The Nation recalls that in 2023, the NNPCL got approval to invest N1.9 trillion in the reconstruction of 44 federal roads, including the East-West Road, the Port Harcourt-Onne Junction upgrade, the Eket bypass, and the construction of the Nembe-Brass Road in Bayelsa State.

Commenting on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, Umahi said President Tinubu had approved that 100-kilometre stretch of the highway should pass through Edo State.

The minister said Edo was not originally included in the highway’s alignment.

Other states benefiting from the project include Lagos (100 km), Ogun and Ondo (82 km), Akwa Ibom (65 km), and Cross River (27 km).

He said: ‘Mr. President has directed that 100 kilometres by two lanes of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway must now pass through Edo. This is a special gift to the people of Edo.

‘The President, impressed by your governor’s commitment to infrastructure, insisted that the state must benefit.’

Umahi said the President was focused on delivering durable roads designed with reinforced concrete technology to last between 50 and 100 years, despite criticism from some quarters.

The minister decried the appalling condition of federal roads in Edo State inherited by the Tinubu administration, describing them as tragic and unacceptable.

He hailed President Tinubu for his swift intervention and commitment to reversing decades of infrastructural decay across the country.

According to him, no motorist could travel 100 kilometres on federal roads nationwide without encountering major challenges.

‘President Tinubu met an overwhelming situation in terms of roads and bridges. You can’t travel 100 kilometres on federal roads without encountering serious difficulties. But the President is showing resolve, and Nigerians are already commending his efforts,’ said Umahi.

Okpebholo said he intervened because he was disturbed by the sight of multiple accidents and stranded motorists.

‘I almost wept when I saw the number of vehicles, including trailers, that had broken down or fallen on this road. The situation demands urgent action, and I am glad the Minister has joined us to push for solutions.

‘We are determined to fix this road. If I do my part and the Federal Government does its part, nobody will criticise the President. For our people to trust us, we must act. With more contractors on site, this project can be delivered on schedule,’ he said.

A petrol tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) overturned and went up in flames along the Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway, destroying three vehicles, including a truck and a towing van parked by the roadside.

The incident, which occurred around 1 a.m. on Friday at the PMB expressway corridor of the Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Sagamu interchange, also damaged a solar power light panel and an electricity cable supplying Mowe town and its environs.

Fire service operatives from Nestlé, Ogun State Fire Service, FRSC, police, NSCDC, TRACE, and Amotekun were deployed to battle the blaze, carry out rescue operations, and redirect traffic.

TRACE spokesperson Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the accident, said casualty details were not yet available as operations were ongoing. He attributed the crash to excessive speeding.

He said, ‘The case of an inferno caused by a 33,000 fuel-laden tanker which fell on its side, dispensing its content in the wee hours of today, around 0100hrs (1 am), Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Sagam/Interchange stretch of the PMB Expressway due to excessive speed and loss of control has been reported.

‘The effect of the unfortunate incident also extended to the burning of a truck and a tow vehicle along the roadside, as well as the destruction of a solar power light panel and a PHCN cable supplying electricity to Mowe and environs.

‘Though the casualty figures cannot be ascertained presently, rescue/emergency services made up of TRACE, Ogun State and Nestle PLC Fire Service, FRSC, and the Police are still on the ground to restore normalcy and orderliness after quenching the fire and decantation process.’