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Abia deputy speaker clarifies fatal convoy crash

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The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Austin Meregini, has provided an official clarification regarding the death of two men in an accident involving his convoy at Obehie, Ukwa West LGA, on Sunday, August 3, 2025, along the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway.

The explanation follows a viral video that described the Deputy Speaker’s response to the bereaved family as “sad.”

The victims, identified as Ifeanyi Maduako, 45, residing in the Philippines, and Onyedi Obasi, 35, living in Gambia, were both from Ehime Mbano, Imo State. They were reportedly returning to their bases after their mother’s burial.

In a statement issued Wednesday by Grant Okeigbo of the Deputy Speaker’s Media Unit, the office clarified that the Deputy Speaker was not in the pick-up truck at the time of the accident. The vehicle, carrying the driver and two security personnel, collided with a Toyota Spider carrying the two victims.

“The Toyota Spider was reportedly driving against traffic due to the poor condition of the opposite lane. Eyewitnesses and the surviving truck driver indicated that the Spider either suffered a burst tire or brake failure, causing it to veer into the path of the pick-up truck,” the statement said.

The accident tragically claimed the lives of the two men in the Spider, while the truck driver and two policemen sustained serious injuries. The truck driver remains on life support and may require spinal surgery at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

The statement emphasised that the Deputy Speaker sent emissaries to the bereaved family the day after the accident and has been working with medical professionals to save the lives of his surviving aides. Discussions on how best to support the family are ongoing.

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“The Deputy Speaker is pained by the circulation of unverified reports on social media regarding this tragedy. He appeals to the public and media to exercise caution in reporting such sensitive matters,” the release said.

The Deputy Speaker also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, praying for the repose of their souls.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, were unsuccessful.

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PHOTOS: Police demote officer for unauthorised VIP escort duty

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The Nigeria Police Force has demoted a corporal to the rank of constable for engaging in unauthorised VIP escort duties, in violation of directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the force disclosed that CPL Suleiman Musa (F/No: 517077), attached to 45 PMF, was found escorting a VIP without the required clearance. His action was deemed a breach of the strict enforcement measures put in place to end the indiscriminate deployment of police personnel for such assignments.

According to the statement, the disciplinary action serves as a warning to other officers and reinforces the need for full compliance with operational guidelines.

The force also noted that the incident raises questions about how the unauthorised assignment came about and whether the officer acted alone.

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PHOTOS: Father, son, three others d!e in Kano well collapse and fire incident

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Tragedy struck across three local government areas of Kano State as five people, including a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives in separate incidents involving a well collapse, a fall into a well, and a house fire.

The spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

The first incident occurred in Badume Kanawa Village, Bichi Local Government Area, where three people d!ed while attempting to re-dig a well.

According to Abdullahi, the rope supporting one of the victims, identified as Sa’idu Gada, 65, snapped while he was working inside the well.

In a desperate attempt to save him, his son, Sani Isyaku, 20, entered the well but also became trapped. A third man, Yakubu Abdullahi, 60, followed with the hope of rescuing both, but he too was unable to make it out.

Fire Service personnel rescued the trio in an unconscious state, but they were later confirmed d3ad.

Their remains were handed over to DSP Kabiru Iliyasu of the Badume Police Division.

In another incident in Danbatta Local Government Area, a 10-year-old boy, Hassan Iliyasu Haruna, fell into a well and d!ed before help could reach him.

The third tragedy occurred in Badawa Layin Day in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a 10-year-old girl d!ed in a house fire on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Fire Service officials said the blaze engulfed a section of a residential building, destroying two bedrooms. The girl was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed d3ad.

Speaking on the incidents, the Director of the Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to avoid entering wells during emergencies, warning that such actions often result in additional casualties rather than successful rescues.

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He advised the public to immediately call emergency responders when accidents occur, stressing that trained personnel are better equipped to handle such situations safely.

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PHOTOS: Troops rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Benue forest

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Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation at Orokam Forest, a border area linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The operation was conducted on Friday at about 1:30 p.m., following credible intelligence from locals indicating the presence of a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.

Troops deployed in Udenu LGA swiftly mobilised to the location alongside vigilante personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch.

While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims.

14 abducted persons, who were returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend before being kidnapped, were rescued unhurt.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from two separate communities Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.

The victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Udenu Division, for onward reunification with their families.

The troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at about 7:21 p.m. without any incident.

Troops had intensified monitoring of the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.

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