Category Nigeria News

The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has demanded strict compliance with safety standards for all modes of transportation in the nation, including air, road, rail, and maritime, while cautioning that continued non-compliance could endanger lives and reduce transportation efficiency.

Abdullahi Babanya, the Bureau’s director of transport investigations, expressed concern over recurring violations of safety compliance and certification procedures during a speech on Tuesday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief program.

His support comes in the wake of so many recent accidents in the transportation industry, particularly reoccurring boat accidents, which have claimed several lives.

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He emphasized that before operations are approved, transport authorities, particularly the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), must make sure all equipment and personnel adhere to safety standards.

The regulator is NCAA. It establishes the standards, certifies the equipment, and certifies the airworthiness of the aircraft and other flight navigation systems, Babanya said.

He explained that the NSIB works closely with organizations like the NCAA to monitor the implementation of safety recommendations and operates independently to investigate accidents involving transportation. The Bureau reviews and updates the recommendations where errors are made to ensure better outcomes.

When there are gaps in implementation, he continued, “We revisit safety recommendations, assess their effectiveness, and broaden their scope where necessary to improve overall safety.”

Babanya also disclosed that the Bureau regularly audits all sectors of the transportation industry to prevent repeat incidents and maintain constant control.

The NSIB is preparing to release new safety frameworks for the rail, maritime, and road sectors as part of its expansion plans. Effective accident investigations, in Babanya’s opinion, require well-defined rules and procedures.

He said, “We’re developing safety protocols and procedures that govern how accident investigations are conducted across all transport modes.”

He stated that the NSIB is now expanding its capabilities in other industries and has the capacity to investigate air accidents. This includes hiring more staff, expanding its lab for materials science, and installing data recorders for road traffic monitoring.

Dr. Sani Shinkafi, the head of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, has vehemently condemned the recent murder of more than 35 kidnapped victims by armed bandits in the state’s Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area.

The former head of the committee, Shinkafi, addressed journalists in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, and demanded that the government be prosecuted for killings of bandits in the state. He also criticized the Federal Government for breaking its constitutional obligation to protect lives and property.

He narrated how the bandits executed the victims who had been taken from Banga village in February despite receiving ransom from some of their relatives.

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The bandit kingpin imposed a ransom of N1 million per head, and only 18 relatives were able to pay, he said, adding that 53 of the innocent people who were kidnapped since February had already been done.

Shinkafi claimed that the victims’ accounts of being released showed horrifying crimes by kidnappers while they were being held captive.

“One of the bandits who was released informed the community that the other people had been brutally murdered.”

They were not murdered by bandits, but you carried your relation and killed him by yourself, two people who fought against the bandits’ demands and were immediately shot dead.

One newborn was brutally murdered while three women gave birth in captivity, according to Shinkafi’s harrowing tale.

One of the three women who gave birth to the child was crying, and the bandits complained that the baby was disturbing them after the three women had delivered the baby. The baby was smashed head-on by them as they pulled him out, held his legs, and slammed into a rock. His skull disintegrated, and the mother suffered a serious heart attack and passed away within thirty minutes.

Bello Turji, the notorious bandits’ leader, is accused of attempts by federal authorities to broker peace with Shinkafi, which raised other serious issues.

He claimed that higher authorities had issued orders to the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to stop its efforts to capture Turji.

According to Shinkafi, “The civilian JTF were on the verge of hand-to-hand arresting Turji, and the governor at the top had ordered the governor to put an end to the conflict,” Turji said.

Additionally, he further revealed that a committee led by an Bauchi State senator was allegedly having a peaceful conversation with Turji inside his hideout.

Senator Buba, a member of the Bauchi state’s Senate, traveled to Shinkafi, and he also traveled to our Emir. The Emir called me and confirmed to me that this committee had visited our Emirate, met Turji in his hideout, and agreed to meet him.

“After that visit, Turji released parts 1 and 2 of two videos exhorting other armed bandit groups to embrace peace. What are the methods, how do they embrace peace, and what are their tactics? He inquired.

Dauda Lawal, the governor of Zamfara State, was therefore instructed by Shinkafi to resist any pressure from bandits, under the pretext that previous peace efforts had been unsuccessful.

There is no need for the governor to engage in any peace talks with bandits because they are unreliable, untrustworthy, betrayers and blood lickers, as we hereby request.

Bello Matawalle and Abdulaziz Yari’s previous government negotiated with bandits, but negotiations have failed to produce any agreements.

Governor Umaru Bago has approved a housing initiative for internally displaced people (IDPs) as part of the New Niger Development Agenda’s Improved Livelihood pillar.

When finished, the pilot phase, which is located in Gurusu, will offer more than just shelter. It provides access to schools, healthcare, and essential infrastructure, as well as permanent homes, support for its livelihood, psychosocial services, and a path to full reintegration.

By giving the welfare of internally displaced people (IDPs) a top priority, Governor Bago is launching people-centered initiatives.

READ ALSO: FG To Start A 250-unit Housing Estate In 12 States

Housing Estates to be rolled out by the FG

Meanwhile, the federal government claims to be building 250 Renewed Hope estates in 12 states across the country’s six geopolitical zones through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Ahmed Dangiwa, the minister of housing and urban development, made the remarks in Kano on Friday during a visit to the Renewed Hope City and Estate in Lambu, Kano State.

He noted that a provision is also being finalized to stop the remaining 24 states from constructing the same project in order to provide Nigerians with affordable housing.

The government is also planning to build seven Renewed Hope Cities, one for each geopolitical zone and the FCT, while the announcement to launch the takeoff in the last four of north east, north central, south south, and south east is expected, according to the statement.

Dangiwa assured the Kano Renewed Hope Estate contractors that the issues will be resolved soon by praising the progress of the work so far.

The Minister and the team also inspected Renewed Hope City, one of the Kano 2000 units, for PPP financing.

In response to the protests in Ghana, human rights activist and activist Malcolm Omirhobo has urged Nigerians living abroad to show humility, particularly in the host African nations.

Omirhobo made this claim on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, reacting to some Ghanaians’ ongoing protests, who claim that Nigerians are to blame for the rise in crime rates in their nation.

He characterized the situation as depressing, and he warned that it might spawn xenophobic hostility toward foreigners.

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“This issue needs to be handled by the appropriate authorities to prevent it from getting out of hand.” It’s unfortunate that Africans behaved in this manner when we should be uniting, he said.

He urged both the governments of Nigeria and Ghana to resolve the dispute diplomatically and quickly.

He remarked that “both governments need to sit down with the necessary diplomats, and that action must be taken very urgently to safeguard lives and property before the situation escalates.”

Omirhobo also urged the Nigerians to join the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

The NIDCOM should go there and investigate the situation and make an effort to stop it before it escalates, he added.

Omirhobo cited some of the potential causes of the protests in his commentary on the attitudes of some foreign Nigerians.

He continued, “I believe that many Nigerians lack emotional intelligence.” For instance, I believe that the oppressive nature of Nigeria is one of the causes of Ghanaians’ protests. It might not be in a negative way.

“See, even in America, there are white men getting paid to clean Nigerian toilets. The best cars are driven by Nigerians. We put in a lot of effort. We are special. That is accurate. Even the white man is aware that Nigerians are perceived as fierce competitors everywhere. They are regarded as diligent. They are living there to their best, and they occasionally have their host’s prejudices dissipated.

Omirhobo argued that Nigerians should show more respect for their hosts.

Nigerians should try to be humble and respect our host community, I’m trying to say. They are unhappy because an Ibo traditional ruler has been installed in Ghana, which is said to be in charge of the market and a lot of other things.

More than 10,000 trucks have been registered, according to the Lagos State government, with more onboarding as of August 1, 2025, as the E-Call Up System will start to be implemented along the Lekki-Epe Corridor.

The enforcement came after several months of strategic planning, stakeholder involvement, and public awareness, according to a statement released on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Transportation said in a statement that key stakeholders had been engaged and had taken important recommendations, that the park usage fee had been lowered from 12 to 10 000, and that seven truck park facilities had been fully stocked and ready to operate in preparation for this rollout.

In collaboration with E-Call Up Technologies, the Ministry has conducted a familiarization exercise throughout the designated parks to ensure a smooth transition.

Truck drivers receive free system testing and practical instruction on registration and operating procedures as part of the initiative.

READ ALSO: Italy Starts a WhatsApp investigation into the use of artificial intelligence.

It aims to improve operator compliance, ease traffic congestion, and reduce illegal parking.

The outcome is anticipated to significantly improve traffic flow, safeguard road infrastructure, boost public safety, and spur regional economic activity.

Six people have died in Zangwan Maje, Jigawa State, in a tragic canoe accident, and two are still missing.

The incident took place on Sunday, July 27, 2025, when a canoe carrying 15 children from a Jejin Gunka farm back to their village capsized due to flooding, strong winds, and overloading, according to a press release from the Jigawa State Police Command on Tuesday.

Seven children were saved alive, according to the police, and six bodies had been found as of Tuesday morning. The two missing children are still at large, despite efforts.

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The rescued people were identified as Sakina Sule (11) and Rukayya Abdullahi (9), Ibrahim Garba (12), Fatima Yusuf (10), Suwaiba Yahaya (20), Rukayya Saleh (18), Jawahira Samaila (10), and Fatima Yusuf (11).

The bodies recovered include Hare Abdullahi (12), Halima Ma’azu (12), Nasiba Yahya (15), Saima Yusuf (25), Amina Sule (11), and Saiya Abdullahi (18). A doctor confirmed the death of all of them.

The canoe operator fled the scene after the accident, according to SP Shi’isu Lawan Adam, the public relations officer for Jigawa State Police. He stated that “efforts are being made to locate, apprehend, and ultimately prosecute him in court as a deterrent to others.”

The Zangwan Maje community as well as the bereaved families and the Commissioner of Police, CP Dahiru Muhammad, expressed their condolences over the incident.

This unfortunate event has deeply sadden us. I advise all riverine residents to avoid nighttime excursions, steer clear of canoe overloads, and always wear life jackets,” CP Muhammad said.

The incident was described as heartbreaking by locals who spoke with this reporter. Elder in the community, Malam Garba Maje, declared, “We are in mourning. Our sons and daughters were here. Our small village would never have been the scene of such a tragedy.