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Natasha sympathises with Anthony Joshua, demands highway reforms

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The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday sympathised with world-renowned boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, following a tragic road accident that claimed the lives of two of his friends who travelled to Nigeria with him.

The fatal crash, which occurred around midday on Monday along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, involved a Toyota Lexus jeep conveying Joshua and three other passengers.

The two occupants of the vehicle who died in the crash were later identified as Ayodele Kelvin Olu, a 36-year-old Nigerian-British citizen, and Gami Sina, a 36-year-old British citizen.

In a condolence message released on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the incident as “heart-wrenching and unacceptable,” lamenting the continued loss of lives on Nigerian highways due to poor safety enforcement and weak emergency response systems.

She said, “My heart goes out to Anthony Joshua at this very painful time.

“Losing two close friends in such a tragic manner is devastating. I pray that God grants him strength and comfort, and that the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”

Beyond expressing sympathy, the senator used the incident to renew her call for decisive national action on road safety, stressing that preventable accidents continue to claim lives across the country.

“Nigerian highways have become corridors of sorrow. This tragedy once again reminds us that road safety in Nigeria is not optional; it is a matter of life and death,” she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Federal Road Safety Corps to intensify enforcement of existing traffic and safety regulations, warning that weak compliance and lax monitoring have contributed significantly to fatal crashes nationwide.

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“Rules without enforcement are meaningless. The Federal Road Safety Corps must be empowered and compelled to fully enforce road safety regulations across all highways in Nigeria, without fear or favour,” she said.

The lawmaker also called on the Federal Government to establish properly equipped vehicle rest-in stations and lay-bys along major highways to reduce fatigue-related accidents, particularly among long-distance drivers.

“No driver should be forced to drive endlessly without a safe place to rest. Well-equipped vehicle rest stations must be deliberately created across our highways to reduce exhaustion-induced crashes,” Akpoti-Uduaghan noted.

In addition, she advocated for the creation of a dedicated Highway Emergency Rescue Team, equipped with ambulances, trauma care units, and rapid-response personnel to attend to accident victims in real-time.

“Many lives are lost not only because of accidents but because help does not arrive on time.

“Nigeria urgently needs a functional highway emergency rescue system that can respond within minutes, not hours,” she said.

The senator urged policymakers to treat road safety as a national emergency, stressing that sustained reforms would save thousands of lives annually.

“This tragedy should not be another headline we forget tomorrow. It must be a turning point for serious highway safety reforms in Nigeria,” she added.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s condolence message came barely 24 hours after a senior British diplomat visited Joshua at the Lagos hospital where he was receiving treatment.

The Deputy Head of Mission of the British High Commission, Simon Field, paid a visit following the fatal accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

Following the accident, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also visited the hospital in Lagos where Joshua was receiving medical attention.

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Both governors were said to have remained at the facility for several hours to monitor the situation and ensure that the boxer received appropriate care.

President Bola Tinubu was also briefed on the accident.

According to the Ogun State Government, the President spoke separately with Joshua, his mother and Abiodun, during which he conveyed his sympathies and condolences.

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Ramadan: Adamawa gov relaxes night-time restriction on tricycles

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The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has approved a review of the existing restriction on the operations of commercial tricycles, known as Keke NAPEP, in parts of the state for the 2026 Ramadan period.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Friday.

The statement said the restriction, which previously ran from 10pm to 5am would now commence an hour later.

“Under the revised directive, the restriction which previously ran from 10pm to 5am will now commence from 11p to 5am daily throughout the 2026 Ramadan period.

“The review takes immediate effect,” the statement read.

The government explained that the adjustment was introduced to ease movement for Muslim faithful during the holy month.

“The adjustment is intended to allow Muslim faithful attend late-night tafsir sessions with ease during the holy month,” it added.

The statement recalled that the Adamawa State Government had, in February 2021, imposed restrictions on the movement of tricycles and motorcycles through the Adamawa State Restriction of Movement of Tricycles/Motorcycles Executive Order No. 1 of 2021, as part of measures to strengthen public safety and security.

It noted that the latest review reflects the administration’s effort to balance religious observance with security considerations.

“The present review is therefore informed by the Government’s commitment to supporting religious observance, while maintaining the gains recorded in peace and security across the state,” the statement said.

Fintiri also directed security agencies to intensify patrols across the affected local government areas.

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“Governor Fintiri has accordingly directed security agencies to intensify patrols, particularly within Yola North, Yola South and Girei, through the deployment of additional personnel to safeguard lives and property.

“He warned that any breach of the law will be dealt with decisively,” the statement added.

The governor further appealed to residents to act responsibly and avoid actions that could undermine the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state.

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DSS to arraign El-Rufai Feb 25 over alleged cybercrime, security breach

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The Department of State Services (DSS) will on February 25 arraign former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on alleged cybercrime and breach of national security

LIB had earlier reported that the DSS on Monday, February 16, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the court papers, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, “admitted during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.”

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

In count two, the ex-governor was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, stated during the interview that he knew and related with a certain individual who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count three alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety and national security and instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications.

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The DSS said the ex-governor by his own comment during the live interview committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”

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Mob besieges Benin FRSC office

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The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has praised the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Force for their swift and decisive response during the recent attack on the Benin Toll Gate Unit Command Office.

The attack occurred on Thursday at the RS5.12 Benin Toll Gate Unit on the Benin–Lagos Expressway, following a crash involving two trucks, the statement said.

One truck driver died in the accident, while FRSC personnel sustained critical injuries, with one officer later succumbing despite urgent medical attention.

“In the aftermath of the crash, an angry mob besieged and vandalised the Unit Command formation. However, the prompt response by security agencies helped to restore order and prevent further escalation,” Mohammed said in a statement issued on Friday by the FRSC spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in Abuja.

The Corps Marshal condemned the attack on FRSC personnel and facilities as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable,” emphasising that the operatives were on lawful duty to save lives.

He also commiserated with the families of the deceased driver, the fallen officer, and the entire FRSC workforce.

Mohammed has ordered a comprehensive investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and the circumstances that led to the mob action.

He assured the public that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.

The FRSC boss reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to ensuring safer roads for all Nigerians and called on the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of its activities.

(NAN)

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