Nelson Ugwuagbo

A 33,000-litre tanker carrying diesel overturned on Friday morning along the Onitsha-Awka-Enugu Expressway near the Army Gate in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The incident, which occurred around 7:05 a.m., happened as the driver attempted to turn into a filling station. Reports indicate that the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to spill some of its contents before emergency responders arrived.

The accident led to the closure of the Awka-bound lane, with traffic diverted to the Onitsha-bound lane, resulting in heavy congestion.

Firefighters from the Anambra State Fire Service arrived promptly and sprayed chemical foam compound to prevent a fire outbreak. Despite their efforts, some residents were seen scooping spilled diesel from gutters, while security operatives struggled to control the situation and manage traffic.

As of the time of filing this report, the resulting gridlock had extended from the Army Gate to the MCC axis of the expressway.

Confirming the incident, State Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa stated that the tanker began rolling backward while attempting to discharge its contents at the filling station.

“The driver, according to the owner, failed to engage the handbrake. The vehicle rolled backward, and the driver, in an attempt to jump out, sustained a head injury. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Fortunately, no lives were lost,” Chiketa said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) spokesperson in Anambra, Margaret Onabe, confirmed that personnel had been deployed to the scene to manage traffic flow.

Suspected bandits attacked a mosque in Bushe community, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, abducting at least 10 worshippers, including the Imam.

Eyewitnesses told Reporters that the assailants stormed the mosque on Thursday morning while worshippers were performing the early morning Subhi prayer.

Residents reported that the gunmen had been terrorizing the community despite the presence of security operatives. However, they acknowledged that the swift intervention of Nigerian Army troops helped limit the extent of the attack.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the incident on Friday. Spokesman Ahmed Rufai stated that security agencies were actively working to rescue the abducted victims.

A member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing the Sabon Birni B Constituency also verified the attack and commended security operatives for their prompt response.

Suspected pirates on Thursday hijacked a passenger boat carrying 20 travelers along the Bonny-Okrika waterways in Rivers State.

The Bonny Local Government Council confirmed the incident, stating that nine passengers had been rescued while efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining 11.

Bonny LG Chairman, Anengi Claude-Wilcox, disclosed that the rescue operation was conducted in collaboration with security agencies. In a statement by her media aide, Boma Waribor, she noted that the boat driver violated safety regulations by taking a prohibited route at Kilometer 10.

“Security briefing at the disposal of the Executive Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, indicates that a passenger boat comprising 20 persons en route Bonny was intercepted this afternoon by sea pirates around the precincts of Isaka in Okrika Local Government Area,” the statement read.

It further assured that security operatives had intensified efforts to rescue the remaining passengers.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Union Workers of Nigeria (MUWN), Rivers State chapter, expressed concern over the persistent pirate attacks in the region.

The Chairman of MUWN, Rivers Commercial District, Isreal Wariboko, lamented the increasing attacks despite efforts by the state government to curb them.

“These criminals monitor security movements and strike when the area is vulnerable,” Wariboko said. “Sometimes security is stationed in one area, and they attack another. As long as they remain in the mangrove, these incidents will continue to happen.”

He called for enhanced security presence along the waterways and confirmed that the latest attack had been reported to the police.

“You will recall that after our protest and the donation of gunboats by the Governor, pirate attacks reduced. However, they have now devised new strategies,” he added.

Wariboko stated that the marine police were handling the situation while the union had deployed search teams to assist in the rescue efforts.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has proposed the death penalty for individuals involved in drug peddling.

NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that only severe penalties would deter drug peddlers, particularly when their actions result in the deaths of children.

Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Adeyeye cited an incident where counterfeit children’s medicine was discovered in the market.

“Somebody bought children’s medicine for N13,000, while another person was selling it for about N3,000 in the same mall,” she said. “That raised an alarm. When we tested it in our Kaduna lab, there was nothing inside that medicine. So, I want the death penalty.”

She emphasized that harmful drugs could be as deadly as a weapon. “You don’t need to put a gun to a child’s head to kill them. Just give them bad medicine,” Adeyeye added.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has closed its case before the Edo State governorship election tribunal without calling a witness.

INEC’s legal counsel formally moved to close the case, a motion accepted by the tribunal. The Commission will rely solely on cross-examinations and legal arguments presented by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Monday Okpebholo’s legal team.

The case stems from a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which challenged the election results, alleging widespread irregularities and vote manipulation by INEC.

Citing the 2022 Electoral Act, the PDP’s legal team focused primarily on documentary evidence rather than oral testimony. The petition relies on key provisions of the Act, including Section 137, which gives precedence to documentary evidence, and Section 73(2), which mandates the nullification of results in polling units where ballot paper and BVAS serial numbers were not pre-recorded.

The tribunal has admitted critical BVAS machines into evidence. PDP witnesses, including local government agents and an expert witness (PW12), have testified, alleging systemic manipulation during the collation of results.

With INEC closing its case, the tribunal will now proceed with further arguments and deliberations.

In a significant move, the House of Representatives has proposed the creation of 31 new states, aiming to address longstanding demands for increased representation and autonomy among various regions. This proposal, if enacted, would reshape the nation’s political landscape, potentially enhancing administrative efficiency and fostering regional development.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu who presided over plenary on Thursday read a letter from the committee containing the proposed states.

If approved, this will increase the number of states in Nigeria to 67.

The proposed states are as follows:

1. Aba State: Carved out from the current Abia State, focusing on the commercial hub of Aba.
2. Adada State: To be created from the present Enugu State, emphasizing the Adada region.
3. Amana State: Proposed from parts of present-day Adamawa State.
4. Anioma State: To be formed from the current Delta State, focusing on the Anioma region.
5. Apa State: Carved out from the existing Benue State.
6. Bayajida State: Proposed from parts of the current Katsina State.
7. Etiti State: To be created from regions within the current South-East geopolitical zone.
8. Gurara State: Proposed from parts of the present Niger State.
9. Ijebu State: To be formed from the current Ogun State, focusing on the Ijebu region.
10. Kainji State: Carved out from areas around the Kainji region.
11. Katagum State: Proposed from parts of the existing Bauchi State.
12. Katsina-Ala State: To be created from regions within the current Benue State.
13. Kurmi State: Proposed from parts of the present Taraba State.
14. New Oyo State: To be formed from the current Oyo State, focusing on new administrative boundaries.
15. Njaba State: Carved out from areas within the current Imo State.
16. Nupe State: Proposed from regions inhabited by the Nupe people.
17. Ogoja State: To be created from parts of the present Cross River State.
18. Oil River State: Proposed from areas within the Niger Delta region.
19. Okun State: To be formed from regions within the current Kogi State.
20. Ose State: Carved out from parts of the existing Ondo State.
21. Savannah State: Proposed from regions within the current Borno State.
22. Sokoto State: To be created from parts of the present Sokoto State, focusing on new administrative boundaries.
23. Torogbene State: Proposed from areas within the Ijaw regions.
24. Warri State: To be formed from the current Delta State, focusing on the Warri region.
25. Yamaltu State: Carved out from parts of the existing Gombe State.
26. Zaria State: Proposed from regions within the current Kaduna State.
27. Zuru State: To be created from parts of the present Kebbi State.
28. Gongola State: Proposed from regions within the current Adamawa and Taraba States.
29. Mambilla State: To be formed from the Mambilla Plateau region.
30. Yewa State: Carved out from parts of the existing Ogun State.
31. Ijaw State: Proposed from regions predominantly inhabited by the Ijaw people

President Bola Tinubu has approved an increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Mannir Bature, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos. He said the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has been directed to formally present the approval to the Council on Establishment through the Office of the Head of Service for finalization.

The policy shift was conveyed during a high-level meeting between the NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, and key stakeholders, including the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU). Discussions focused on the welfare of healthcare professionals and ongoing reforms in the sector.

Bature stated that the minister confirmed the approval of arrears from the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), with secured funds set for disbursement soon. Additionally, Tinubu approved corrections to consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) following the implementation of the new minimum wage.

The government has also approved new tariffs for healthcare service providers, particularly benefiting members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), to enhance financial sustainability in the sector.

Prof. Pate expressed appreciation for the patience and collaboration of stakeholders and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare workers’ welfare. He emphasized that strengthening Nigeria’s health sector requires collective efforts.

The NMA has long advocated for extending the retirement age to address brain drain, facilitate knowledge transfer, and enhance healthcare delivery.