Category Nigeria News

Two separate fire incidents have destroyed production facilities in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, leaving properties worth millions of naira damaged.

One of the incidents occurred late Friday night at Kunzol Multi-Sector Nigeria Limited, a yam flour and garri production factory located in the Kilanko–Agbonka area of the Ilorin South Local Government.

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It was learnt that the fire, which started at about 10:10 p.m., was triggered by heat from a furnace used during production, which later ignited combustible materials in the factory.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, the Head of Media and Publicity, Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, said the factory’s entire production area was already ablaze before firefighters arrived.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was triggered by remnants of unquenched fire, which ignited combustible materials in close proximity, leading to rapid escalation,” Adekunle said.

He added that firefighters battled the inferno and prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings, thereby averting what could have been a wider industrial disaster.

The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John, warned factory operators to ensure proper shutdown of heat sources at the close of work.

“Negligence with fire remnants remains a leading cause of avoidable industrial fires. Business premises must adopt strict fire-safety procedures,” he added.

The second incident was an early-morning fire on Saturday that gutted Unik AJ Prints, a printing facility along Opomalu Road in the Ilorin East Local Government Area.

The fire, which occurred around 3:15 a.m. according to eyewitnesses, affected a storey building housing two large halls, including printing machines, inverter units, and other production materials.

Firefighters, according to Adekunle, responded promptly despite the challenging early-morning conditions.

“Their swift and determined efforts successfully prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining structures, averting further damage in the densely built area,” he said.

Preliminary findings showed that the blaze was likely caused by a spark from the facility’s inverter system, which ignited nearby flammable materials.

Commenting on the second incident, Falade advised businesses using solar and inverter systems to install them in isolated, fire-protected environments.

“We urge residents to adopt fire-retardant materials and ensure proper installation of alternative power systems to reduce risks,” he stated.

Troops of the 3 Division Garrison/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP) have arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered a cache of weapons in Plateau State, in a major security breakthrough aimed at curbing the spread of illegal arms.

In a statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, the suspect, identified as Ishaya Musa, was arrested on Friday at the Jebbu Bassa Bypass checkpoint in Bassa Local Government Area during an intelligence-led stop and search operation under the newly launched Operation PEACE SHIELD.

Major Zhakom said the troops conducted a thorough search on the suspect and his belongings, leading to the recovery of several locally fabricated rifles, a dane gun, an expended cartridge and other materials believed to be linked to illicit weapons distribution.

“The suspect and the recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation and necessary action,” he stated.

READ ALSO: Police Take Down Kidnapper In Kwara Gun Duel, Others Escape

He emphasized that the operation reflects the commitment of JTF OPEP to restoring peace and security across Plateau and surrounding areas.

“This successful operation demonstrates our unwavering dedication to protecting law-abiding citizens and preventing the proliferation of illegal weapons,” he said.

Major Zhakom also appealed to the public for cooperation, especially as the festive season approaches.

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has confirmed that his predecessor, Willie Obiano is alive and well.

This is contrary to what the governor described as “malicious rumours and utterly false reports” circulating on social media and certain online platforms claiming that Obiano passed away in a London hospital on Friday.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, Governor Soludo categorically confirmed that he has spoken to Obiano and he is alive and well.

READ ALSO: ‘Deserved Victory,’ NGF Hails Soludo’s Re-Election As Anambra Gov

The Governor views with grave concern the reckless dissemination of such malicious rumours as wicked and irresponsible.

He strongly enjoined all media practitioners, especially online publishers, to uphold the ethics of journalism by verifying information through official channels before publication.

“The spread of unverified death rumour is not only wicked and irresponsible but also erodes public trust.

“Therefore, the Government urges the general public to disregard the trending rumours, rest assured that the former governor is alive, hale and hearty,” the statement read in part.

Fully armed security operatives from the Kwara State Police Command, in conjunction with local vigilantes, on Thursday afternoon successfully overpowered a gang of kidnappers in a gun battle in Adekanbi Village, Moro Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that one of the kidnappers was shot dead during the gun duel, while others escaped with gunshot injuries. An AK-49 rifle and 32 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the scene.

The gang was reportedly planning a kidnap attack when the police, acting on actionable intelligence, swooped on them with the support of local vigilantes.

Police Public Relations Officer Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi confirmed the development in a press statement issued Friday evening.

READ ALSO: Troops Nab ‘Major Terrorists’ Drug Supplier In Adamawa

She said, “Acting on actionable intelligence on 13th November 2025 at about 1000hrs, police operatives and vigilante members executed a rapid tactical deployment to Adekanbi Village via Bode-Saadu, where armed bandits were sighted occupying a fortified hilltop.

“On arrival, the hostile elements initiated gunfire, prompting a swift and superior counter-engagement by the security team. The overwhelming response forced the criminals to abandon their position with suspected gunshot injuries. A post-operation sweep led to the recovery of a neutralised suspect, one AK-49 rifle, and 32 rounds of live ammunition.”

Adetoun added, “This successful operation underscores the Command’s enhanced kinetic capability and reinforced rapid-response strategy under the leadership of IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC (EFCC), on Thursday arraigned one Obinna Nwaobi, a former Head of Operations at Access Bank Nigeria Plc, on a nine-count charge bordering on forgery and criminal diversion of $510, 000, belonging to a customer of the bank.

A statement by the Commission said he was arraigned before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State.

Count seven of the charge reads: “That you, Obinna Nwaobi while being (Head of Operations) of Access Bank Nigeria Plc, Enugu branch on or about the 8th day of August, 2024 in Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, induced Access Bank Nigeria Plc to transfer a total sum of Five Hundred and Ten Thousand United States Dollars ($510, 000. 00) from LANTERN GATE NIGERIA LIMITED Access Bank Account number 0761770127 under the false pretence that Lantern Gate Nigeria Limited gave her consent and mandate for the said transfer which petence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

Count eight of the charge reads: “That you, Obinna Nwaobi while being (Head of Operations) of Access Bank Plc, Enugu branch on or about the eight day of August, 2024 in Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, knowingly forged a document to Wit: “Access Bank Domestic Fund Transfer Form “D”, dated 28th August 2024, knowing same to be false and with intent that it may be acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of Access Bank Plc and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (2) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and punishable under Section 1 (2) of the same Act”.

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges when they were read to him.

However, defence counsel, F. C. Obinna, informed the court about a bail application before it, dated October 24, 2025, and supported by an 8-paragraph affidavit.

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He adopted the same and prayed the court to admit his client to bail. Reacting to the said application, counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Mainforce Adaka Ekwu, vehemently opposed the application via an 11-paragraph counter affidavit filed on November 12, 2025.

While relying on the said counter affidavit, the prosecution urged the court to refuse the said application because “the quality of evidence we have in our proof of evidence might put fear in him and he might want to abscond”.

After listening to both parties, the court granted the defendant bail in the sum of N250 Million (Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) and three sureties in like sum. Two of the sureties shall have landed properties in Enugu State, and the papers of the said properties must be submitted to the court.

“The third surety shall be a relative of the defendant, who shall deposit evidence of tax payment for three years. The defendant and the sureties shall deposit two passports each to the court, and the defendant shall deposit his international passport and National Identification Number to the court until the determination of this case.”

The matter was adjourned to March 10, 11, and 12, 2026, for trial, while the defendant was remanded at the facility of the Nigeria Correctional Service in Enugu.

The defendant’s case started on September 11, 2024, when the Commission received a petition from Access Bank Plc, alerting the EFCC of unauthorized transfers from its customer’s account.

The Federal Government has launched major national health strategies to strengthen planning, resource allocation, service delivery performance measurement, and across the country.

The launch was announced in a communiqué issued on Friday, and signed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, following the 2025 Health Sector–Wide Joint Annual Review, Nigeria’s annual accountability forum that evaluates the performance of the health sector and guides planning, budgeting, and coordination across federal, state, and local levels.

The communiqué stated that the launch of national products and strategies forms an integrated ecosystem that helps improve planning, resource allocation, performance measurement, and service delivery.

The products and strategies include “the data Plans, Tools & Reports (Health Sector Strategic Blueprint, National Health Facility Registry, National Health Management Information System Assessment, Multi-Source Data Analytics and Triangulation, Larval Source Management) to strengthen data quality, visibility and coordination; the National Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care Facility Readiness Assessment Report, providing Nigeria’s most comprehensive evaluation of emergency obstetric and newborn capacity; the Climate and Health National Adaptation Plan, advancing resilience against climate-driven health risks.

“The Second National Action Plan for Health Security, strengthening outbreak preparedness and response; the Nigeria Collaborative Action Strategy, integrating campaigns under ‘One Plan. One Campaign. One Frontline,’ and the Mini-DHS Framework, enabling annual, high-fidelity outcome measurement to track progress toward National Health Sector Renewal and Investment Initiative goals.”

The three-day meeting, chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, alongside the Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, convened nearly 1,000 participants representing federal and state governments, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, the private sector, civil society, academia, and the media.

According to the communiqué, this represented a two-fold increase from the 450 participants in 2024.

It noted that the 2025 review was held after state-level JARs for the first time, describing the development as evidence of “Nigeria’s deepening commitment to the NHSRII Compact and to the Sector-wide approach principles of One Plan, One Budget, One Report, and One Conversation.”

It highlighted the official signing of the UHC Compact Addendum, expanding the Compact to private sector actors, LGAs, traditional institutions, and other ministries; integrating emerging health sector priorities; responding to global health financing shifts; and strengthening accountability through clearer “Ask-and-Offer” frameworks.

It also said five NHSRII Spotlight Sessions showcased progress and opportunities across the 13 priority areas, including early gains in maternal and neonatal mortality reduction under the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives; improvements in PHC functionality, emergency referral systems and social health insurance uptake; advancements in local manufacturing, regulation and pooled procurement; strengthened health security via surveillance, laboratories and emergency operations; and governance and financing transitions in preparation for evolving donor landscapes.

It added that key digital tools were showcased, including the Basic Health Care Provision Fund digital platform, the national e-learning system enabling free training for frontline health workers, and PHC revitalisation dashboards providing real-time facility readiness and service delivery visibility; the SAVE MAMA from Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transportation; and the National Health Insurance Act digital platform for claims.

The review hosted a flagship exhibition and learning showcase with over 45 abstracts and exhibits and convened an interactive People’s Pulse Town Hall to elevate citizens’ perspectives and strengthen transparent feedback between Nigerians and health leaders.

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The communiqué also highlighted a first-of-its-kind open dialogue on corruption and fiduciary risk using the BHCPF as a case study, producing clear actions to strengthen transparency and accountability.

After reviewing performance and sector challenges, participants agreed on resolutions for 2026, including measures to improve transparency, data quality, health financing, PHC functionality, and maternal and reproductive health outcomes.

Among these resolutions is a commitment to operationalise the UHC Compact Addendum by the first quarter of 2026 and to adopt biometric verification across all primary health centres and health insurance platforms to eliminate ghost workers, strengthen attendance management, and enhance HRH transparency and performance.

On immunisation and commodities, the communiqué stated, “Nigeria committed to the full release of its counterpart for vaccines procurement and meeting its obligations in the revised accountability framework.”

The council also resolved to expand health insurance coverage, with a target of enrolling five million Nigerians, including one million more vulnerable citizens, by the end of 2026.

It further detailed actions to enhance local manufacturing by transitioning at least 20 priority commodities to local production, with five new manufacturing plants operational by 2026, and strengthening state and LGA systems to improve readiness, accountability, and emergency response.

It concluded with commitments to institute data-guided monitoring and fund allocation and to optimise state-level investments, particularly to unlock the Nigeria Primary Health Care Provision Strengthening Programme (HOPE-PHC) incentives and strengthen frontline service delivery.