Prominent United States Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican lawmaker and close ally of President Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71 following a brief and sudden illness.

His office announced his death in a statement posted on its official X account early Sunday.

“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, US Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” the statement read.

It added that Graham’s family “appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”

Graham began his career in the US Congress after winning election to the House of Representatives in 1994, where he represented South Carolina.

He was elected to the United States Senate in 2002 and went on to become one of the Republican Party’s most influential lawmakers.

During his time in the Senate, Graham served on several key committees and was widely recognised for his strong views on national security, foreign policy and defence.

Although Graham was an outspoken critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, the two later developed a close political relationship.

He became one of Trump’s most trusted allies in the Senate, frequently defending the administration’s policies and playing a prominent role in debates on judicial appointments, immigration and foreign affairs.

In recent years, Graham remained one of the most influential Republican voices on issues involving Ukraine, Israel and US military engagement overseas.

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Nigerian gospel singer, Toluwanisings and his crew members have been involved in a ghastly car accident.

The accident, which involved the band’s bus and a full loaded trailer occurred on Saturday morning when the band was returning from a gospel ministration.

While attributing the accident to the devil’s plot to claim their lives, the singer stated that “the spirit of the lord raised a standard against them!.”

Sharing photos of their damaged bus in an Instagram post, Toluwanisings revealed that he survived the ghastly accident with his team.

Describing God as the only sure plug when it comes to protection, he wrote “And we survived what would have claimed our lives. My Israel will not die in the hands of pharaoh LAYELAYE. When the enemy came like a flood, the spirit of the lord raised a standard against them!

“This is how my team and I would have been totally crushed by a fully loaded trailer on our way from a ministration this morning”, he wrote.

The family of Michael Oyedokun, one of the teachers killed during the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to recover his body to enable them give him a befitting burial.

The appeal comes after the remaining abducted pupils and teachers regained their freedom following a coordinated security operation.

In a fresh statement shared on Instagram on Saturday by Oluwabukolami, who has been the family’s spokesperson, expressed gratitude over the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers but said their grief remained unresolved because Oyedokun’s body had yet to be recovered 58 days after he was killed.

“We are grateful to the government and security agencies for the safe return of the children and teachers. Every family reunited with their loved one is a reminder that hope still exists.

“But our family remains in mourning,” the statement partly read.

The slain teacher, Michael Oyedokun, who was a victim of the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State…Photo Credit: its_boukeey

The family said despite the successful rescue operation, they were still waiting for the opportunity to recover Oyedokun’s remains and give him a dignified burial.

“Fifty-eight days after Michael Olugbade Oyedokun was taken from us, we are still waiting… not for a miracle, but for the opportunity to lay him to rest,” the family said.

According to the family, the inability to recover his body has prolonged the pain and denied his wife, children and relatives the closure they desperately need.

“Every day without his body is another day his wife cannot say goodbye. Another day, his children have no grave to visit. Another day, our family is denied the dignity and closure that every human being deserves,” the statement read.

The slain teacher, Michael Oyedokun, who was a victim of the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State…Photo Credit: its_boukeey

The family appealed directly to the authorities to intensify efforts to recover the slain teacher’s body.

“We respectfully appeal to the authorities: please bring Michael’s body home.

“Help us recover his body so we can give him the honourable and befitting burial he deserves. Our grief cannot begin to heal until we can bring him home.

“Please don’t let our final goodbye remain unfinished.

“Bring Michael home,” the family said.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the family expressed mixed emotions following the rescue of the remaining abducted pupils and teachers, saying while other families were celebrating the return of their loved ones, theirs would never experience such joy.

Reacting after the victims regained their freedom on Friday, Oluwabukolami, who identified herself as Oyedokun’s niece and has served as the family’s spokesperson since the incident, congratulated the rescued victims and their families but lamented that her uncle would never return home.

“They are finally home.

“My heart rejoices with every family that has been reunited with their loved ones after weeks of pain, fear, and uncertainty. Welcome home.”

She, however, noted that the joy of other families could not erase her family’s loss.

“But as others celebrate, my family mourns.

“My uncle, Mr Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, will never come home. He was taken from us, and his life was brutally cut short. Our joy is incomplete because one chair at our table will remain empty forever.”

She concluded by paying tribute to the late teacher.

“Today, we celebrate those who returned, while remembering the one who never did.

“Rest in peace, Uncle Michael. You will never be forgotten.”

PUNCH Online reported that the Presidency confirmed the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers after 57 days in captivity, with eight suspected kidnappers arrested and several others neutralised during the operation.

The attack occurred on May 15 when gunmen invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting scores of pupils and teachers.

During the attack, Oyedokun and another teacher, Esiyan Adegboye, were killed. While Adegboye was buried on May 22 in Ogbomoso after his body was recovered, Oyedokun’s body has yet to be found. This has left his family unable to perform his burial rites, despite the rescue of the remaining victims.