Category Nigeria News

The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed that six persons lost their lives following an explosion caused by a suspected Improvised Explosive Device in Gwabro village of the Tangaza Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, Ahmad Rufai, confirmed the casualty figures but did not give any further details.

Giving a vivid account of what transpired, an eyewitness, who simply gave his name as Hashimu, said the sad incident happened Sunday afternoon during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

Hashimu, who said as it’s the tradition, people especially, youths usually go from village to village to visit relatives and pay Salah homage, added that it was while on the trip that they encountered the ugly blast.

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An aide to the Tangaza LG Chairman, Garzali Raka, confirmed that those killed by the explosion have been buried according to Islamic rites.

Other sources in the village alleged that the explosive might have been planted by the Lakurawa terrorists that have been tormenting residents in the villages of Tangaza and Gudu local councils.

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that the case involving the killing of a 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Godwin Akpakpan, has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.

A spokesperson for the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to Channels Television on Monday.

SP Iringe-Koko said the police are working in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure justice is served.

“(The) case has been transferred to SCID for discrete investigation and a panel has been set up by the military with a representative of all service commanders in attendance on the matter,” she said.

The student, a Computer Science undergraduate, was reportedly shot dead by a security operative in an off-campus incident.

In reaction, the University of Port Harcourt has demanded a thorough investigation into the killing.

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In a statement signed by a university spokesman Dr Sam Kpenu, the institution expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss and described Akpakpan as a “bonafide member of our academic community.”

“The University is actively engaging with relevant security authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. We expect that a thorough investigation will be conducted and that appropriate actions will be taken in line with justice and the rule of law,” the statement read.

The university also urged students and staff to remain calm and allow the investigation process to proceed without interference.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this very difficult time,” the statement continued while reaffirming the management’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all students and staff.

Senator Remi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, led the distribution of 10,000 professional kits to midwives and nurses in the South-East geopolitical zone of the country, as part of efforts to enhance healthcare delivery across Nigeria.

The event, held in Enugu State, marked the final phase of a nationwide distribution of kits to midwives under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a programme aimed at strengthening frontline healthcare support.

“I am delighted to be in Enugu State to officially flag off the distribution of 10,000 professional kits to midwives in the South-East states—namely Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo—with Enugu being the chief host today,” she said.

She said the kits, which include branded scrubs and pairs of crocs, are part of a broader plan to equip midwives for effective delivery.

“This event is to complement the ongoing Federal Government training exercise for 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide. I have been told that 60,470 workers have already completed their training,” she noted.

According to her, the RHI has so far procured 60,000 branded scrubs and 60,000 pairs of crocs.

“Since the initial launch in January 2025, we have distributed 50,000 scrubs and 50,000 pairs of Crocs to five geopolitical zones—namely North Central, North East, North West, South-South and the South-West.

“Today, we are in Enugu to distribute the remaining 10,000 each of the Crocs and scrubs,” she added.

She also revealed that the project has been made possible through the “generous support of an anonymous global partner, dedicated to improving health outcomes for our citizens”.

In addition to the kit distribution, Mrs Tinubu announced a grant to support women petty traders in the state. “In the spirit of today’s event, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be presenting an additional grant of ₦50 million to the First Lady of Enugu State, with the sum of ₦50,000 each to support 1,000 women petty traders in Enugu State to recapitalise their existing businesses,” she revealed.

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Mrs Tinubu further disclosed plans to launch a new health campaign on Tuesday. “Tomorrow I’ll be launching the Free-to-Shine triple elimination campaign for HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and Hepatitis here in Enugu State.

“This initiative aims to promote healthier mothers, reduce new HIV infections amongst women of reproductive age, eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, and provide treatment to children born with HIV,” she said.

She noted that since its inception in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has provided targeted interventions in agriculture, economic empowerment, education, health and social investment to uplift families across Nigeria.

“The RHI recognises that the demands of the health profession require not only skill and compassion but also the right tools and kits to encourage our midwives as they serve others.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project Nigeria has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to withdraw the threat to shut down 34 foreign embassies in Abuja over ground rent debts.

The group’s reaction followed recent revelations by the FCTA that at least 34 embassies in Abuja owe rents for as far back as 2014.

Among the embassies listed are those of Ghana, Thailand, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Russia, Philippines, Netherlands, Turkey, Guinea, Ireland, Uganda, Iraq, Zambia, Tanzania, Germany, DR Congo, Venezuela, Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt, Chad, India, Sudan, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the European Union, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, China, and South Africa.

SERAP, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, warned that allowing Wike to carry out the threat would violate international law and diplomatic conventions.

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The group said, “President Tinubu should urgently caution and direct the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to immediately withdraw the threat to close down 34 embassies in Abuja.

“Article 22, paragraph 1, of the Vienna Convention states that ‘the premises of the mission shall be inviolable’.

“Article 22, paragraph 3, sets out that ‘the premises of the mission, their furnishings and other property thereon and the means of transport of the mission shall be immune from search, requisition, attachment or execution’”.

In a directive issued on May 26, Wike had ordered enforcement action on 4,794 properties with unpaid rents ranging from 10 to 43 years.