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Ogun Tanker Explosion: How Grandma, Granddaughter Die, Hoodlums Attack Firemen

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Tragedy struck on Sunday at Lafenwa Market when a fuel-laden tanker exploded, killing a woman and her grandchild.

The explosion occurred at a failed portion of the railway on the Lafenwa-Ojurin-Ayetoro Road in the Abeokuta-North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The tanker, loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), overturned when its axle broke, as it started spilling its content on the road.

Our correspondent gathered that the accident occurred around 4.45am on Sunday while the tanker driver was inbound Rounder from Oju-Irin, Lafenwa.

Pandemonium, however, broke out a few hours after the incident when some traders and hoodlums in the market began scooping fuel from the fallen tanker.

Attempts by the police to stop the action reportedly angered the hoodlums, who allegedly ignited a fire that triggered the explosion.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the police shot two people while controlling the situation.

Aside from the two people killed in the explosion, scores of shops in the market were also burnt.

A few other shops were reportedly looted by the hoodlums.

Five men of the state fire service were allegedly beaten to a pulp for not arriving early to save lives and property.

The Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Babatunde Akinbiyi, while confirming the incident, lamented that some residents went to the scene, scooped fuel and engaged in “other unwholesome act which regrettably sparked off the fire that engulfed the whole area.”

“Two lives were lost in the unfortunate inferno, a grandmother and grandchild, while property worth millions of naira was also destroyed,” Akinbiyi added.

He explained that the corpses were deposited in the morgue of the General Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta.

Akinbiyi said the mob vandalised two patrol vans belonging to the TRACE Divisional Command, Abeokuta, and two heavy-duty vehicles belonging to the federal and state fire services.

The TRACE spokesman noted that some personnel were also assaulted during the rescue operation.

When our correspondent visited the scene of the incident, he saw the remains of the two victims.

The Operational Commander of the Fire Service, Ogun State, who simply identified himself as Ilesanmi, said the agency received a call around 8am that a tanker fell.

Ilesanmi said he immediately deployed his men in the scene.

“Unfortunately, the hoodlums didn’t allow us to perform our duty. They attacked our vehicle; the vehicle was damaged and all my men brutalised.

“As I’m talking to you, they are nowhere to be found because they have to look for an alternative road to escape for their lives.

“I was at the scene; it is not that someone told me. I came in my private vehicle. It was because I didn’t wear the uniform. If not, they would have attacked me also,” he added.

Asked if the attack was due to the late arrival of his men, Ilesanmi said, “The fire service did not get there late. The reason is this: anytime there are issues like this, they will like to vandalise shops. That’s their target. Their target is not to complement our effort.

“Five of my officers, including the driver, and all vehicle windscreens, were vandalised.”

The Director, Ogun State Emergency Management Agency, Ige Olufolarin, also confirmed the attack, lamenting that the officials were hindered by hoodlums.

He said, “Their target was to actually loot the stores around the area and that was why we were there to guard against such.”

An eyewitness, Saburi Agbabiaka, said the incident happened while he was taking a passenger to Rounder.

He said, “But around 6am when I got here, I saw that the security personnel had taken over everywhere.  In just a few minutes, I observed that the fire became uncontrollable and expanded and it even killed a mother and her child.

“What I observed was that those boys got angry because a lot of things were damaged.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said five suspects were arrested.

Oyeyemi said the police had cordoned off the area to avoid loss of lives, but the hoodlums sabotaged the effort.

While denying that the police shot two people during the incident, he accused the hoodlums of igniting fire from the market, which engulfed the area.

“Five suspects have been arrested and they will be charged to court,” he added.

The Punch

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Review Your New Visa Rules, Tinubu’s Govt Urges U.S.

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The Federal government has responded to the United States’ recent visa rules that reduce how long Nigerian visitors can stay in the United States and limit them to one entry per visa by calling on Washington to reconsider its new visa policy.

The U.S. Department of State had recently updated its non-immigrant visa policy for several countries, including Nigeria, on Tuesday.

Under the new rule, most non-diplomatic and non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be valid for only three months and allow just a single entry into the United States.

The changes took effect immediately.In a notice published on its website, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria state: “Those U.S. non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity. We wish to underscore, that as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity. You can view the latest information on visa reciprocity schedules for all countries at travel.state.gov.

“The Federal government responded to this by describing the new US directive as “misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect” that ought to govern bilateral engagements between friendly nations in a statement released on Wednesday through Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson.

The Federal government said it views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries.

“The attention of the Federal government of Nigeria has been drawn to the recent decision by the United States Government to revise its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens, limiting the validity of non-immigrant visas including B1/B2, F and J categories to three months with single entry,” it stated.

“The Federal government views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries. The decision appears misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that should guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations.”

It also claimed that this restriction places a disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers, students seeking academic opportunities, professionals engaging in legitimate business, families visiting loved ones, and individuals contributing to cultural and educational exchanges.

The government also said it understands that every country has the right to make its own immigration rules, but it hopes the U.S. will “reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities.”

It also added that diplomatic engagements are ongoing, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to pursuing a resolution that reflects fairness and upholds the values of mutual interest.

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Sick Female Inmate on Death Row: NGO Calls on Ekiti Gov, Others for Assistance

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By Eric Elezuo

A group, Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation (CJMR), has called on the governor of Ekiti State, Abiodun Oyebanji, and other well meaning Nigerians, to come to the aid of a female inmate at the Ibara Custodial Centre, Rashidat Abdul, who is reported to be in critical health condition, and needs urgent medical attention.

The deteriorating health of the said inmate, was reported by officers at the Custodial Centre to the Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation (CJMR), a grassroots organization focusing on human rights and access to justice for those deprived of their rights on death row and in detention.

Speaking with The Boss, the Coordinator of the group, Hezekiah Deboboye Olujobi said, “Upon seeing the woman’s health condition during our visit to Ibara, we pleaded that she be transferred to a hospital where she could receive the necessary medical care. Despite concerns about the financial burden, we took this step of faith to save her life. She is now admitted to Ogun State Hospital, Abeokuta.”

Narrating the genesis of the inmate’s ordeal, Olujobi added that “Rashidat Abdul was sentenced to death by the Ado Ekiti State High Court. She appealed the judgment, but her appeal was unsuccessful. The court convicted the entire family based solely on the testimony of one individual relying on third-party information, without the presence of the alleged witness in court. It is also important to note that her son had just sat for his WAEC examination before their arrest.

“We submitted appeals to the Ekiti State Board of Mercy in September last year and again in March 2025, but these pleas have yet to receive the attention of the Ekiti State Governor. We have conducted a thorough review of the court records, including the brief of argument before the Court of Appeal, and we can see the innocence of this woman and her husband. While the appeal is still pending before the Supreme Court, we are appealing to the human and Christian conscience of the Attorney General of Ekiti State, Hon. Dayo Apata, to look into this case. God delights in true justice and mercy; God hates oppression, so must we.

“The critical state of this woman’s health calls for urgent attention from concerned individuals in Nigeria and abroad. The officer in the prison maintains transparency in this matter, and we are committed to doing the same.

“This morning, 9/7/2025, I received a message from the officer informing us that the funds we deposited have been exhausted. There is an urgent need to purchase injections costing ₦10,000 each daily, conduct X-rays and a series of tests from time to time, engage a caregiver and physiotherapist, provide feeding, and buy supplements to aid her recovery. Additionally, payment for the hospital bed space is required.”

The group therefore, is appealing to the governor of Ekiti State, Oyebanji and other well meaning Nigerians to come to the woman’s aid so as to preserve her life.

“We kindly ask for your support to respond to this urgent call. Although Rashidat is a Muslim, our service to humanity transcends religion.

“We understand that some who have been deceived in the past may find it difficult to trust those genuinely committed to serving others, and those involved in fraudulent activities may be reluctant to support genuine efforts.

“However, this is the very mission our Lord Jesus Christ has called us to fulfill. We earnestly seek your support.

“Thank you for your kindness and generosity,” Olujobi pleaded on behalf of Rashidat and the group.

For donations and more information, please visit the website: [https://www.cjmr.com.ng](https://www.cjmr.com.ng)

Account Details:
Centre for Justice Mercy and Reconciliation
Zenith Bank
Account Number: 1012189729
Phone: 08030488093

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Atiku Debunks Reports of Meeting Where He Refused to Step Down for Southern Candidate

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has debunked reports that he had a meeting where he was said to have rejected calls to step down for a southern candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The Atiku Media Office debunked the report in a statement on Tuesday, describing it as delusional and a distraction.

“In response to recent inquiries from journalists and concerned Nigerians regarding a phantom meeting where His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, was said to have ‘rejected calls to step down for a southern candidate,’ we are compelled to set the record straight in the strongest possible terms,” the statement read.

“There was no such meeting. Atiku Abubakar was never in attendance. The entire story is a malicious fabrication — pure fiction cooked up in the propaganda kitchens of the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) regime. It is not only false; it is laughably desperate.”

The Atiku Media Office said the report is nothing but a diversionary tactic — an attempt by a faltering administration to sow discord within the opposition ranks and derail the momentum gained by the successful unveiling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the coalition’s political vehicle.

“Let it be known: No amount of propaganda, planted stories, or faceless briefings will fracture the resolve of the opposition coalition. We are united, focused, and determined to rescue Nigeria from the clutches of this rudderless government,” it added.

“We want to remind the ruling party that Nigerians have already embraced the ADC as the most credible and viable opposition platform ahead of 2027.

“The massive and growing support that the ADC continues to enjoy across the country is not just encouraging – it is a clear signal that the Tinubu administration is living on borrowed time.”

The Atiku Media Office also called on Nigerians and the media to treat the so-called statement with the contempt it deserves, saying it bears no attribution, no credibility, and no truth.

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