The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has reported that two people died and nine others were injured in a multiple-vehicle crash involving 11 vehicles along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway on Wednesday.

The confirmation was given by the Enugu State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Franklin Agbakoba, shortly after operatives concluded rescue efforts at the accident scene.

According to Agbakoba, the crash involved 30 occupants, 26 males and four females, with nine men sustaining injuries.

The incident occurred at about 11:45 am on the Port Harcourt-bound lane of the expressway, specifically around the New Garki area.

The collision involved a total of 11 vehicles,  four trucks, two trailers, a Toyota Sienna, a tipper, a Hiace bus, a mini-bus and a Jeep.

Agbakoba stated that FRSC officers from the Ozalla Unit Command arrived at the scene within 10 minutes to begin rescue operations.

They were later joined by personnel from nearby units and other security agencies.

Injured victims were transported by the FRSC Zebra 32 Ambulance team to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, and the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ozalla. Tow teams from the FRSC and the Enugu State Traffic Management Authority (ESTMA) also worked swiftly to clear the road.

The rescue effort was coordinated by the Ozalla Unit Commander, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ozalla, and military personnel.

Agbakoba attributed the crash to several factors, including speeding, route violation, and loss of control.

A major fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday, December 3, 2025, destroying large sections of the popular Jabi Wood Market in Abuja’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and leaving goods worth millions of naira in ruins.

According to eyewitnesses, the blaze began just before dawn, quickly spreading through clusters of shops as thick smoke filled the sky.

Traders and nearby residents scrambled to rescue what they could before the flames consumed their structures.

Firefighters from both the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service arrived promptly following distress calls.

Emergency teams worked for hours to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining properties.

An official of the FCT Fire Service confirmed that no casualties had been reported as at press time, noting that investigators have launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the incident.

Devastated traders described losing machines, timber, building materials, and completed woodwork items.

They appealed to the government for immediate relief to enable them to restart their businesses.

Authorities, meanwhile, said they would carry out a comprehensive assessment of the damage and urged market operators to strictly follow fire safety protocols to avoid similar disasters in the future.

Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Lokoja have successfully rescued six people abducted from the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The victims, which included the pastor and his wife, were kidnapped by gunmen last Sunday.

In a statement, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, said the rescue operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping and banditry in Kogi.

“During a coordinated search and rescue mission across the Ejiba and Saminaka Forest axis, troops, supported by the Nigeria Police helicopter, intercepted the victims. The operation is part of intensified air and ground offensives to eliminate criminal activities and enhance security in the region,” he said.

Lt. Abdullahi added that five of the rescued individuals have been debriefed and reunited with their families in Egbe and Ejiba, while the sixth victim is receiving medical attention due to injuries sustained before the rescue.

“The rescued persons were found in a stable condition and were released by the bandits due to sustained pressure from our troops during joint operations,” he said.

The brigade assured the public of its continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stating, “Troops will continue to dominate forests and known hideouts to deny criminals any freedom of action.”

Meanwhile, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, reaffirmed the state government’s zero-tolerance stance on negotiating with criminals.

Speaking on a live programme, he said, “The government will never engage in discussions or ransom deals with kidnappers. Kogi has both the will and capacity to confront criminal networks.”

Fanwo also acknowledged a recent gun battle between kidnappers and military operatives that resulted in the death of two civilians.

“We regret the loss of lives, but the intensity of the security response sent a strong message to the assailants,” he said, emphasizing that the government would continue deploying a comprehensive security strategy to protect residents and neutralize threats.

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested Oluchukwu Anyaoku after a video circulated online showing him allegedly threatening violence and vowing to destroy police stations in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area.

In a statement on Wednesday, police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said the suspect was traced, apprehended, and taken into custody for questioning.

Officers also recovered a firearm and a cutlass in his possession.

“The Anambra State Police Command acted swiftly after intercepting the viral video,” Ikenga said.

“The suspect has been arrested, and preliminary observations suggest he may need professional medical evaluation. Appropriate procedures are being followed in this regard.”

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for a thorough investigation and review of evidence.

This comes shortly after the arrest of Emmanuel Osuigwe, a suspected member of a proscribed secessionist group, by police in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo LGA.

Osuigwe was apprehended during an intelligence-led operation on November 30 after escaping from a criminal hideout in Ukpor, Nnewi South LGA.

Police confirmed that the arrests are part of heightened security operations across the state ordered by Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu.

Akwa Ibom State has been ranked the cleanest state in Nigeria for 2025, achieving an overall cleanliness score of 79 percent, according to the State of the Nigerian Environment (STONE) 2025 report.

Mr. Ene Owoh, National Coordinator of Clean-Up Nigeria and Secretary of the National Technical Study Group (NTSG), said the state won the Unbroken Green Crystal Trophy and Medal of Service for the eighth consecutive year, from 2018 to 2025.

“Ebonyi and Enugu States closely followed Akwa Ibom, ranking second and third with 65 percent and 56 percent respectively,” Owoh added.

The STONE 2025 study evaluated all Nigerian states using a combination of physical inspections (20%) and satellite imagery data (80%), assessing variables such as street and road cleanliness, vegetation and drainage control, waste management services, public opinion, and hygiene awareness among citizens.

Other regional cleanliness champions include:

• South-South: Akwa Ibom – 79%
• South-East: Enugu – 65%
• South-West: Lagos – 48%
• North-East: Bauchi – 50%
• North-Central: Plateau – 52%
• North-West: Kaduna – 35%

The nine states with the highest cleanliness ratings in 2025 are Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River, Anambra, Lagos, and the FCT.

Despite these achievements, the report highlighted areas of concern: the health of sanitation workers declined from 31% in 2024 to 28% in 2025, while sanitation-related diseases increased from 29% to 43%.

Hygiene practices among citizens also dropped from 36% to 32%. Open defecation, although reduced from 24% to 19%, remains a significant challenge, with Nigeria still ranking second globally for open defecation.

Owoh called on all levels of government to increase funding for waste management, promote public toilet construction, and integrate health and environmental education in schools.

He also commended Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for her green initiative and urged the federal government to adopt a comprehensive green agenda focusing on urban and environmental sustainability, energy research, and resource management.