A devastating gas explosion in Sabon Wuse, Tafa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, has left traders and residents counting their losses after fire engulfed several shops, vehicles, and food supplies.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the incident on Sunday, noting that while there were no reported casualties, the scale of destruction was extensive.

According to witnesses, the explosion occurred around 11 p.m. on Saturday when a gas tanker was offloading at a local filling station.

The resulting blast sent shockwaves across the town, causing panic among residents as flames spread rapidly.

Musa Aliyu, a resident, described the scene as terrifying.

“The fire was so intense that its flames could be seen from different parts of town. People ran out of their homes in fear. We thank Allah that no one was injured, but the destruction is enormous,” he said.

The fire reached a nearby petrol station, engulfing shops and parked vehicles before firefighters could bring it under control. By the time emergency responders arrived, much of the damage had already been done.

In response to the disaster, residents have called on authorities to enforce stricter safety regulations at gas and petrol stations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, has been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Owerri, Imo State.

His whereabouts remain unknown since the incident occurred on Saturday, February 8, 2025.

According to a statement released by the Igbo National Council (INC) and signed by its president, Chilos Godsent, the abduction took place around 7:00 pm at Works Layout in Owerri.

“On Saturday, 8th February 2025, at about 7:00pm, we heard the sad news that gunmen dressed in black and numbering up to seven arrived on a Sienna and a Lexus SUV and forcefully arrested the President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) – Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka in a Neo Mafia Gestapo manner at Works Layout Owerri Imo State.”

Since his abduction, all attempts by members of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, his family, and associates to reach him have been unsuccessful.

His mobile phones were switched off immediately after the incident, raising further concerns about his safety.

“Since this sad news, attempts by teeming Members of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Family members, Friends, and Associates to reach him through his Mobile lines to ascertain his way about have failed because all his Mobile lines were switched off immediately the ugly incident took place.”

In response, the Igbo National Council has called on the Nigerian Police Force in Imo State to take urgent action to uncover the identities of the assailants and ensure Igboayaka’s safe return.

“On the foregoing, the Igbo National Council (INC) wish to call on the Leadership of the Nigerian Police Force Imo State Command to immediately swing to action to determine the identity of the gunmen that forcefully took the President of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) – Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka captive on the evening of Saturday 8th February 2025 in Owerri Metropolis and thus make same Public.”

The INC further expressed deep concern over the situation, noting that the incident has left his supporters, relatives, and the wider Igbo community in distress.

“The Igbo National Council INC notes that his followers, family, friends, and associates have been thrown into confusion since the ugly incident and would like to know his way soonest.”

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has demanded the immediate release of popular TikToker, Olumide Ogunsanwo, also known as SeaKing, who was arrested and arraigned in court for criticizing the cleric on social media.

Adeboye also distanced himself from the arrest, stating that he had no knowledge of the incident or the individuals responsible for it.

SeaKing was taken into custody in December 2024 after posting a video in which he criticized Adeboye for instructing his congregation to embark on a 100-day fast for Nigeria.

In the post, the TikToker described the directive as “stupid,” sparking outrage among some religious followers.

The arrest was reportedly initiated by the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, a religious group that petitioned the Lagos State Police Command, leading to SeaKing’s detention. The case quickly gained widespread attention, with many social media users condemning the arrest.

However, in a viral video seen by DAILY GAZETTE on Saturday, Adeboye clarified that he had no hand in the matter and had no connection to those who initiated the arrest.

“I heard that there was someone who lambasted me thoroughly because I asked my people to fast for 100 days. I didn’t ask him o. I didn’t even ask anybody who is not a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to fast—only my children. But God said that it would happen. I was told that some people got so angry, and they went and arrested the fellow. Haaa! Release him. He is fulfilling prophecy,” Adeboye stated.

In a YouTube video posted on Friday, the leader of the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, James Adama, acknowledged that the group was behind SeaKing’s arrest.

He justified the move as a necessary step to curb cyber harassment against respected religious leaders.

“I was simply disturbed to come across a recent video in which an individual identified as 32-year-old Ogunsanwo Olumide launched a vicious verbal assault on Pastor E.A. Adeboye.

In a shocking display of disrespect and defiance, Mr. Ogunsanwo branded Pastor Adeboye as a very stupid person and a fool, alleging that he had instructed his congregation to engage in a 100-day fast.

“This brazen act of verbal harassment is not only reprehensible but also strikes at the heart of our cultural norms and values. It undermines the crucial principle of respect for elders, which is deeply embedded in our society, and threatens to erode the very foundation of our moral framework.

“This is to inform the general public that Ogunsanwo has been arrested and will be charged in court for his unprovoked, distasteful, and disrespectful insult directed at the revered Christian leader. The Concerned Christian Youth Forum is behind his arrest,” Adama declared.

One of SeaKing’s legal representatives, Deji Adeyanju, praised Adeboye’s stance on the matter and vowed to take legal action against those responsible for the arrest.

“That is how pastors should behave. Any pastor who arrests someone for insulting or criticising him is an unbeliever. But the Nigerian police are jobless. How can someone file a petition when he is not even the one defamed? We will advise SeaKing to sue the person who wrote the petition because he had no legal standing to do so in the first place,” Adeyanju said.

Regarding the next steps following Adeboye’s public statement, Adeyanju added, “It all depends on the police. You know the Nigeria police have a penchant for impunity and senselessness. But we will review Adeboye’s video and take it from there.”

The accredited youth and leaders of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) host communities have petitioned Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, over alleged land grabbing by agents of the state government.

In their petition, the communities also claimed that their appointed attorney, Chief Sam Anokam, was facing death threats from what they described as “the cult of land grabbers,” urging the governor to provide him with protection.

The petition, signed by representatives from Avu, Obinze, Umuanunu, Ihiagwa Ancient Kingdom, Dindi Ihiagwa, Umuoma Nekede, Eziobodo, Eziokwele, Emeabiam, Okolochi, and Obibi-Ezena, accused certain state government agents of encroaching on their ancestral lands along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.

The communities detailed the efforts of their attorney, Chief Sam Anokam, a professional estate manager, in securing the excision of their land from FUTO’s control.

According to them, Anokam’s intervention played a crucial role in securing the approval of former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, for the return of approximately 1,267 hectares of land to the host communities in 2020.

The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed three officers for misconduct, conspiracy, extortion, and abduction.

The dismissed personnel, identified as Sergeant Jonas Nnamdi (Force No. 501356), Corporal James Daniel (Force No. 511844), and Corporal Ifeanyi Emeka, were attached to the Aba Area Command, the Department of Operations in Umuahia, and the Eziama Police Divisional Headquarters in Aba, respectively.

Confirming their dismissal, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Maureen Chinaka, stated that the officers were removed after undergoing administrative disciplinary procedures.

She emphasized that the action aligns with the vision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to eliminate corrupt elements within the force.

Chinaka further revealed that some of their civilian accomplices were apprehended during an operation led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Abayi, also known as the World Bank Police Station, CSP Basil Iheanacho, on January 29.

Recovered items from the dismissed officers included an electric baton, an assault rifle, and a Beretta pistol.

“They were found to have conspired and hired a minibus, which they used to ‘abduct’ civilians along Port Harcourt Expressway, threaten and extort them, and later demand extra money from their families for their release,” Chinaka stated.

Following an orderly room trial, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Abia State, Danladi Isa, approved their dismissal.

“An investigation/orderly room trial was initiated by the Command, and the investigation confirmed their involvement in the unprofessional conduct which is prejudicial to discipline and unbecoming of officers of the Nigeria Police Force, leading to their dismissal.”

“Their official accoutrements have been retrieved by the Command’s Provost, and they cease to be members of the force.”

Chinaka also disclosed that the dismissed officers have been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for prosecution alongside their civilian co-conspirators.

Reaffirming the command’s commitment to professionalism, the Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, stated:

“The Commissioner of Police Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, reaffirms the command’s zero tolerance for corruption and other unprofessional conduct, emphasizing that discipline and professionalism are the bedrock of the Nigeria Police Force.”

“He assured the public that the command will not condone the activities of bad eggs in the force and that the command under his leadership remains committed to the vision of the Inspector General of Police in ensuring a professionally competent, service-driven, rule-of-law-compliant, and people-friendly police force,” Chinaka concluded.

The Citizens Whistleblowers Coalition (CWC), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has expressed strong opposition to an injunctive order issued by a London court that prevents Nigerian companies from pursuing legal action against MSC Mediterranean Company S.A. (MSC) in Nigerian courts.

The injunction, dated December 29, 2024, was issued by Hon. Mrs. Justice Dias of the High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts of England and Wales, Commercial Court (KBD).

According to the court order, “until the return date or further order, the defendants shall not commence, bring, continue or prosecute any claims, actions or proceedings relating to the disputes against the Claimants (or against ‘Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.’) in any court or tribunal, including without limitation any court or tribunal in Nigeria, except in the Courts of England and Wales.”

Furthermore, the order stated that the defendants must not “oppose any application made by the claimants to stay the Nigerian proceedings or to adjourn any hearing or procedural deadline in the Nigerian proceedings.”

It also prohibited any legal action that seeks to “restrain or require termination of or impose sanctions upon or otherwise interfere with the first claimant’s pursuit of its claims before this court in relation to the disputes.”

Reacting to the development, CWC, through a press statement signed by its Head of Research and Monitoring, Nafiu Ibrahim, criticized the injunction, warning that it effectively prevents Nigerian companies from litigating admiralty matters involving MSC in their home country.

The NGO pointed out that MSC was arguing in the London court that it could not be sued in Nigeria for infractions committed during shipping operations within the country.

It explained that in the suit filed in London (Suit No: CL-2024-000700), MSC is claiming that its terms of engagement contain an exclusive jurisdiction clause that grants the High Court in London sole authority over disputes arising from shipping services provided to Nigerians and Nigerian companies in Nigeria.

CWC described the move as an infringement on Nigeria’s judicial sovereignty and called for urgent legal and diplomatic intervention to protect the rights of Nigerian businesses.