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Hundreds feared dead in devastating Sudan landslide

Published

4 months ago

September 2, 2025

Sudanese authorities, the United Nations and aid groups scrambled Tuesday to respond to a devastating landslide in Sudan’s Darfur region that buried an entire mountain village, killing hundreds of people.

Heavy rain triggered the disaster on Sunday, flattening the village of Tarasin in the remote Jebel Marra range, the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement/Army faction which controls the area said.

UN humanitarian coordinator in Sudan Luca Renda said in a statement that “the United Nations and our humanitarian partners are mobilising to provide support to the affected population”.

Citing sources on the ground, Renda said the death toll from the landslide was believed to be between 300 and 1,000.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the full scale of the disaster remains unclear “as the impacted area is extremely hard to reach”.

The SLM faction, led by Abdulwahid al-Nur, had earlier estimated the death toll at more than 1,000 people, with only one survivor.

That survivor, according to his nephew Fath al-Rahman Ali Abdelnour, suffered multiple fractures to both legs and a serious head injury.

“He is in a coma and unable to speak,” Abdelnour told AFP from the Ugandan capital of Kampala where he lives.

Abdelnour, whose father had founded Tarasin in the 1980s, said that in addition to longtime residents, the village has also hosted around 450 people displaced by Sudan’s ongoing war between the army and rival paramilitaries.

The war, which began in April 2023, has ravaged Sudan, killing tens of thousands of people and driving millions from their homes, according to UN figures.

-‘Masses of mud’ –

SLM leader Nur told AFP via a messaging app that “masses of mud fell onto the village.”

“Our humanitarian teams and local residents are trying to retrieve the bodies, but the scale of the disaster is far greater than the resources available to us,” he said.

Images the SLM published on its website appeared to show vast swathes of the mountainside sheared away, with the village below buried under thick mud and uprooted trees.

The African Union called on “all Sudanese stakeholders to silence the guns and unite in facilitating the swift and effective delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance.”

On Monday, both the army-aligned government and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces called for humanitarian mobilisation in response to the disaster, but neither mentioned any potential ceasefire.

The SLM controls parts of the Jebel Marra range and has mostly stayed out of the war.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled into SLM-held territory to escape the violence.

Jebel Marra is a rugged volcanic range stretching about 160 kilometres (100 miles) southwest from North Darfur’s besieged state capital El-Fasher, which the RSF is pushing to capture after besieging it for more than a year.

The area, known for citrus production, is prone to landslides, particularly during the rainy season which peaks in August. A 2018 landslide in nearby Toukoli killed at least 20 people.

-‘Painful disaster’ –

The Transitional Sovereignty Council of army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan pledged to mobilise all available resources to support those affected by what it described as a “painful disaster”.

The paramilitary-backed rival government based in South Darfur state capital Nyala has issued a statement announcing aid efforts.

Mohamed Hassan al-Taayshi, the prime minister recently sworn in by RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, expressed deep sorrow, saying he had spoken directly with SLM leader Nur to assess needs on the ground.

“The lives and safety of Sudanese citizens are above any political or military considerations,” Taayshi said.

Much of Darfur — including the area where the landslide occurred — remains inaccessible to international aid organisations due to ongoing fighting, severely limiting the delivery of emergency relief.

The disaster also comes during Sudan’s rainy season, which often renders mountain roads impassable.

In Sudan’s main war zones like Darfur, infrastructure was already fragile after more than two years of fighting.

On Tuesday the army-aligned government, based in Port Sudan on the Rea Sea, announced that it would extend through the end of the year a decision to open the Adre border crossing with Chad — a critical lifeline for humanitarian aid.

The move “coincides with the disaster in Tarasin”, the Sudanese foreign ministry said in a statement.

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PHOTOS & VIDEO: Fire razes part of Ogun free trade zone, Igbesa

Published

7 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A fire outbreak has occurred at the mattress section of the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, on Sunday.

It was gathered that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The incident has reportedly caused chaos and fear among students living around the Obanla axis of the area.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, students were seen running out of their hostels as the thick smoke covered the sky.

An eyewitness, Kuwhede Vincent, a student of the Ogun State Institute of Technology, OGITECH, Igbesa, disclosed that there was a loud noise followed by smoke and fire.

Vincent said, “ It started around 8 am in the morning, we first saw smoke then fire coming from the company.

“The company is very close to my hostel but I don’t think any hostel was affected. We just carried our bag because we don’t know what can happen next”.

He noted that the fire service were on ground to curtail the fire.

Reacting to the incident, President of the Student Union Government in OGITECH, Ilo Fadilu Temitope, in a statement signed by its secretary, Moses Josephine and PRO Segbetin Sunday, and made available to called for calm among students, urging them to be vigilant, and adhere strictly to safety measures.

Part of the statement reads, “The attention of the Students’ Union Government has been drawn to information reaching us regarding a fire outbreak at the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, which is in close proximity to some student hostels around the Obanla axis.

“While relevant authorities are reportedly responding to the situation, the Students’ Union deems it necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.

“In view of this, students especially those residing around Obanla axis and its environs are hereby advised to remain calm but vigilant, and to strictly observe the following safety measures: Avoid unnecessary movement towards the affected area or fire scene, stay indoors where it is safe to do so and keep doors and windows closed if there is smoke in the environment, switch off electrical appliances and gas sources as a precaution.”

As of the time of filing this report, there has not been any official statement on the cause of the incident.

When contacted by our correspondent, the Commissioner of the State’s Ministry of Environment, Ola Oresanya said, “Thanks for the information, I will work on it immediately.”

Many houses affected as fire guts Ogun Free Trade Zone pic.twitter.com/pYIjbLwGhJ

— Temitope Hassan (@temihat) January 11, 2026

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Demolition notice: Ogun communities cry out, call for Gov Abiodun’s intervention

Published

7 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

About 15 communities in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have called for the intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged plot to demolish their villages and acquire their land.

The communities include Itori Mogan, Laaki, Jaguna, Ogunu, Paashi, Kumapayi, and Abule Odo of Ijemoland among others.

According to the villagers, the community which is over 300 years was excised by former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s administration.

It was gathered that the state government, through the its Planning and Development Permit Authority, Abeokuta Metro Zonal Planning Office, served a demolition notice with service number 00047932 on the occupiers of Itori Mogan village on Friday, accusing them of contravening the Land Use Act of Ogun State for residing in Hillcrest Estate.

In the demolition notice dated January 9, 2026, the government gave the occupiers three days deadline to vacate the affected villages that fell within its acquisition.

Expressing their displeasure on Saturday, the Baale of Ogunro, Chief Olakunle Bodunde, speaking on behalf of the villages marked for demolition, lamented that the present administration is bent on taking the remaining part of the community for an estate development, while rendering members of the community homeless.

He noted that the matter was in court and despite several meetings with the government, a demolition notice was pasted on their buildings.

He said, “We have taken significant steps to address this issue. We had meetings with the government, and now the matter is in court.

“We have served them, and the government has been notified, but they are not showing up in court, and now they have come to paste demolition notices on our buildings.

“We want things to be done with due process. The court has not made a pronouncement yet.”

Also speaking, Chief Oludare Salako, the Baale of Itori Mogan, said the communities have different ancestral gods which according to him cannot be relocated, saying that forceful eviction could spell danger.

He appealed to the state governor to intervene, expressing the belief that he may not be aware of the incident.

“We want Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, as we believe he may not be aware of these alleged land grabbers in his government. We want him to look critically into the matter and stop their actions,” Salako added.

The Aro of Egbaland and Oluwo of Ijemo, High Chief Oluyinka Kufile, urged the villagers to engage in dialogue with the government and be hopeful.

“If you have a right, no government will stop you from exercising your right. So my advice is to dialogue.

“We have signed pacts with the present government on some particular land and villages. Go there, visit the office, and make inquiries. Why again are they trying to take back the land,” he said.

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Full List Of Countries Nigerians Travel To Without Visa

Published

7 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 countries worldwide without obtaining a visa in advance, according to the latest update from Visaindex.

The development significantly eases international travel for Nigerians, providing broader options for tourism, business, education and family visits.

Of the 45 destinations, 27 countries allow visa-free entry for Nigerian citizens, while the remaining operate visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) regimes. Entry conditions vary by country, but the update signals an expansion of global mobility opportunities for Nigerians.

Several African nations have adopted open-border policies aimed at boosting regional integration, trade and tourism.

The Gambia – Since 2019, the country has declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travellers, extending the policy to Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and select Baltic states.

Benin – Inspired by Rwanda, Benin lifted visa restrictions for all Africans in 2019, strengthening its position as a commercial and transit hub in West Africa.

Kenya – In October 2023, President William Ruto announced the removal of visa requirements for all African visitors to enhance trade, tourism and continental connectivity.

Rwanda – Since November 2023, Rwanda has granted visa-free entry to all Africans without fees, reinforcing its reputation as a leading tourism and conference destination.

Ghana – Ghana recently joined the visa-free league for Africans, a move expected to attract investors, tourists and business travellers as it positions itself as a regional hub.

Other Visa-Free Or Easy-Access Destinations

Nigerian passport holders can also access the following countries either visa-free, via visa-on-arrival, or through eTA arrangements:

Barbados

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire

Dominica

Fiji

Guinea