Category Nigeria News

Barely a day after the attack of some chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State, including Peter Obi, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata, has narrated how the incident happened.

Akpata, former Edo State governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), said he and Obi separately received intelligence reports on Tuesday warning that the venue of their political event in Benin City would soon come under attack.

“I was in harm’s way, there’s no doubt. I was alongside other people. We were in harm’s way yesterday in Benin,” he said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

“Thankfully, due to the efforts of some of the security personnel who were there, I think what could have been a very dastardly event was averted yesterday.”

READ ALSO: Obi, ADC, Akpata Criticise APC Govt After Attack In Edo

“Peter Obi and I received information separately from reliable sources that the venue we were at would soon come under attack by unknown persons,” Olumide Akpata recounts the attack on Obi, John Oyegun, and other ADC chieftains in Edo State.#PoliticsToday pic.twitter.com/NDAbyTXFcj

According to the lawyer-turned politician, LP members in Edo State had gathered to formally move into ADC at the party Secretariat on Ogbelaka Street in Benin City for a ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m.

He explained that as the programme progressed, intelligence from reliable sources suggested the venue could soon be attacked.

“We got information as the event proceeded from sources that are usually reliable that the venue would very soon come under attack from some unknown persons.

“I received that information separately. Mr. Obi received that information… and we were advised to speed up the event… to avert what those persons thought would be a crisis,” he said.

Akpata described the venue as “a very tight building, narrow building, and even a stampede would be dangerous,” adding that the street “is densely populated.”

He stated that the event was hurriedly concluded, and leaders were ushered out.

“We told them that, listen, because of this development, come to Chief Oyegun’s house. We would address the press there.

“This was a decision taken on the fly because… things had changed. We didn’t have time to do any press [briefing]. Anything could have happened,” he said.

Shortly after they left, he said, armed men attacked the secretariat. He disclosed that his cousin narrowly escaped being hit by a bullet.

“We started getting calls that as soon as we left the secretariat on Ogbelaka Street, some guys actually showed up and attacked the venue, attacked people,” he said.

Since the incident, the Edo State Government has asked the police to investigate the matter.

The Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund on Wednesday met with officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), raising concerns over examination charges, system failures, and access to tertiary education, particularly for students in rural communities.

During the session, Senator Amos Yohanna (PDP/Adamawa North) faulted what he described as mounting financial burdens on students amid prevailing economic hardship.

Yohanna questioned the justification for the fees the board is charging candidates, noting that many families are struggling with poverty.

Lawmakers also highlighted recent technical challenges experienced by candidates while attempting to log into JAMB’s portal, asking the board to outline measures being taken to make the system more seamless and user-friendly for prospective students.

The Committee Chairman, Mohammed Dandutse (APC/Katsina South), urged JAMB to improve coordination within the tertiary admission process, underpinning that each year, students encounter difficulties securing admission into universities and other higher institutions due to a lack of synergy among stakeholders.

According to the committee chair, ensuring that revenue generated by the board is fully remitted to the Federation Account in line with government financial regulations to guarantee sustainability is paramount.

Other lawmakers drew attention to the plight of students in rural communities, noting that many lack adequate access to registration and examination facilities.

READ ALSO: JAMB Announces Sale Of 2026 UTME, Direct Entry Forms

Lawmakers also queried the board over its increased budget allocation, reportedly rising to over a billion naira. They sought clarification on whether the increase was intended for staff recruitment and requested details of the proposed expenditure framework.

In response, JAMB officials disclosed that additional Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres would be established nationwide to ease access challenges, particularly for candidates in underserved areas.

The board also revealed that about one million candidates are expected to participate in the 2025 admission cycle, representing a significant increase in enrollment figures.

President Bola Tinubu has charged the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to tackle banditry, terrorism, and other security challenges plaguing the nation.

The President issued the directive on Wednesday during Disu’s decoration as the Acting IGP, following the retirement of Kayode Egbetokun.

“Nigeria is challenged with banditry, terrorism, and other criminal activities. You will be part of the thinking and innovation to overcome them,” the President was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

President Tinubu said Disu’s appointment comes at a critical moment, urging him to rebuild public confidence in the police’s capacity to do their job in collaboration with other security forces.

President Tinubu urged Disu to advance the security pillars of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He expressed confidence in the Acting IGP’s discipline, operational experience, and leadership capacity.

“I made this decision for you to assume this responsibility. I know your record. I saw the dedication you exhibited while you were in Lagos when I was governor.

“Lead firmly but fairly, demand professionalism at every level, and ensure that the safety of lives and property remains our highest priority. It’s a daunting challenge. I know you can do it. You have my word, you have my full support,” the President added.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Decorates Tunji Disu As Acting IGP

The president reaffirmed his belief that Nigeria would prevail under a committed leadership.

Tinubu also asked Disu to use his wealth of experience to restore peace and strengthen security nationwide, assuring the nation’s top cop of his administration’s full support.

Before his appointment, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.

He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police last year.

Before then, he served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and was later deployed by Egbetokun to Abuja as Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory.

The former AIG is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a former head of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force, a position previously held by Abba Kyari.

Tunji Disu was born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos Island and enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992.

The Coroner sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court has adjourned till April 14, 2026, the commencement of the inquiry into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr. Ivara Esege.

Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed the date on Wednesday when the matter came up before the court.

When the case was called, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, announced appearance for the family, while Adebola Rahman appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of Lagos State.

Cheluchi Onyemelukwe of Health Ethics and Law Consulting represented Atlantis Hospital, while another counsel represented Euracare.

In a preliminary meeting with the parties, Magistrate Adetunji stated that the court received an application from the Chief Coroner of Lagos State following a request by the Attorney-General of the state that an inquest be conducted.

She said that the Lagos State Government also considers itself bereaved.

“The Lagos State Government is also bereaved; that is why the Attorney-General has taken this step. It is not just the family of the deceased that is affected,” she said.

READ ALSO: Chimamanda Adichie Loses 21-Month-Old Son

The magistrate further explained that the preliminary session was to determine whether a formal inquest would proceed.

She directed all parties to file their witness statements before the next adjourned date and cautioned them to approach the proceedings carefully, stressing that the court’s goal was to determine the cause of the incident.

Autopsy

Magistrate Adetunji also said that an autopsy is generally the starting point in every inquest.

“For every inquest, the starting point is that there must be an autopsy done to give us a professional report,” she said.

Pinheiro urged the court to proceed with the hearing, stating that the parents maintain that the child’s death was unnatural and occurred during medical intervention.

He said the family would present evidence alleging gross medical negligence, possible overdose, wrongful prescription, improper administration of propofol, and wrongful diagnosis.

According to him, the family plans to call five independent medical professionals, including an anesthesiologist, a paediatric anaesthesia specialist, a radiologist, an intensivist, as well as the child’s father, who is also a medical doctor.

Pinheiro also urged the court to direct Euracare to preserve all physical and electronic evidence from January 6, 2026, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, emergency equipment logs, internal communications, and morbidity and mortality reviews.

Hearing

He suggested that Euracare should open the hearing, followed by the family, and then Atlantis Hospital.

The magistrate agreed that Euracare would proceed first, but ruled that the family would present its case next, followed by Atlantis.

Earlier, Onyemelukwe told the court that Atlantis would present its account of events.

She stated that she only became aware of the court appearance on Tuesday after receiving a letter.

Rahman, representing the Attorney-General, said that following news of the child’s death, the Lagos AG applied for an inquest.

“Since all the parties are here, we would be asking the court to open the hearing. We pray this court to commence with the hearing,” he said.

The court will reconvene on April 14, 2026, to commence the substantive hearing.

Alleged Medical Negligence

Nkanu Adichie died on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos.

The child was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness.

While arrangements were being made to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States, Atlantis referred him to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line.

However, the child passed following the procedures.

His parents have alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with his death.

In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, issued by the law firm led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Adichie and her husband accused Euracare, its anesthesiologist, and other attending medical personnel of breaching the duty of care owed to their son.

The notice stated that the child, born on March 25, 2024, was referred to Euracare on January 6, 2026, for diagnostic and preparatory procedures ahead of an emergency medical evacuation to the United States, where a specialist team was reportedly on standby.

The procedures reportedly included an echocardiogram, brain MRI, and the insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter.

Lumbar puncture, Intravenous sedation using propofol was also said to have been administered.

The parents alleged that the child developed sudden and severe complications while being transported to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory after the MRI.

The notice raised concerns about cumulative dosing of propofol in a critically ill child, inadequate airway protection during deep sedation, failure to ensure continuous physiological monitoring, and transfer without supplemental oxygen or adequate monitoring.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has arrived at the State House, Abuja, for his official decoration ceremony.

Disu was seen entering the Presidential Villa at about 3 p.m., ahead of the event where he is expected to be formally adorned with his new rank.

Acting IGP Disu Arrives Aso Rock Villa For Decoration pic.twitter.com/uXDiB26VTy

His appointment follows the resignation of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, whose departure from office was confirmed by the Presidency on Tuesday.

In a statement issued the same day, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Bola Tinubu accepted Egbetokun’s resignation after he submitted a letter citing pressing family reasons.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Appoints Tunji Disu As Acting Inspector-General Of Police

Until his appointment, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos. He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police last year.

Before then, he served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and was later deployed by Egbetokun to Abuja as Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory.

Disu is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a former head of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force, a position previously held by Abba Kyari.

Two separate midnight fire outbreaks have destroyed shops and goods in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The incidents occurred at Nwafor Plaza, off Oby Okoli Avenue by UNIZIK Junction, Okpuno Road, and at Igiligi Lane, off Godwill Junction, Okpuno — all in Awka South Local Government Area.

The first fire broke out shortly after 11 p.m. on Tuesday at Nwafor Plaza, while the second was reported after midnight at Igiligi Lane. No casualties were recorded in either incident, but property and goods worth millions of naira were destroyed.

Eyewitnesses said the Nwafor Plaza fire began shortly after electricity was restored, with smoke seen rising from a corner of the building before the flames escalated rapidly.

READ ALSO: FAAN Contains Fire Outbreak At MMIA Terminal One, Says Normalcy Restored

Residents and neighbours made efforts to contain the blaze, but several shops — including those stocked with textile materials — were already affected before firefighters arrived. In total, at least four shops were razed across both locations. The cause of the Igiligi Lane fire remains under investigation.

The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed a prompt response to both distress calls. According to the Media and Publicity Unit of the Fire Service, led by Chukwudi Chiketa, emergency calls were received at 11:08 p.m. and 12:08 a.m., prompting the immediate deployment of firefighting crews.

The fires were successfully contained, preventing further spread to adjoining buildings, and operations concluded before 1:30 a.m.