A devastating tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Niger State has left 78 people confirmed dead, with several others injured.

The tragic event, which occurred on Saturday, has sparked widespread grief within the community and heightened concerns about road safety in the region.

Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the death toll to Channels Television, revealing that 25 individuals were injured and rushed to hospitals in Suleja, Wuse, and other nearby health facilities for medical care.

In response to the incident, the Niger State Government has issued a directive barring vehicles from the Maje axis from passing through the Dikko Bridge.

Governor Umaru Bago, who visited the site of the explosion, condemned the reckless behavior of certain drivers and stressed the importance of following safety regulations.

He also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to establish a presence in the area to ensure the enforcement of the new traffic measures.

While mourning the devastating loss of life, Governor Bago expressed relief that the explosion did not spread to nearby communities.

He urged the Federal Government to expedite the completion of the Minna-Suleja road, citing delays in the project as a contributing factor to the high rate of fatalities on the road.

The Governor praised the efforts of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Fire Service, and Road Safety, as well as other agencies involved in the evacuation and care of victims.

Medical teams from Minna hospitals are being deployed to assist in treating the injured victims currently receiving care at the Suleja General Hospital.

The explosion at Dikko Junction serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers posed by fuel tankers on Nigeria’s roads.

The incident has sparked calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent future tragedies.

Authorities are conducting an investigation into the cause of the explosion, with possible factors including mechanical failure or human error being considered.

This latest incident follows a similar tragedy in October in Jigawa State, where more than 170 lives were lost in a tanker explosion. In 2020, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reported over 1,500 fuel tanker accidents, resulting in more than 500 fatalities.

A tragic confrontation in Anambra State on Friday resulted in the death of an EFCC officer and left another critically injured after armed internet fraudsters, known as “Yahoo Boys,” opened fire on anti-graft operatives.

The officers, part of an anti-corruption mission from the EFCC’s Enugu zonal office, were targeting a group of suspected cybercriminals when they came under gunfire.

One officer was killed instantly, while the other sustained severe injuries and remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, led to the arrest of one male suspect, though his identity has not been disclosed.

The suspect has not yet confirmed whether he has legal representation.

A spokesman for the EFCC was contacted by The Gazette but had not provided further comment at the time of reporting.

Additionally, Anambra State Police declined to comment on the incident.

The deadly assault comes as EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede was revising the agency’s tactics for confronting white-collar crime, including cybercrimes.

Yahoo Boys, who were previously believed to be largely unarmed, now appear to pose a more direct threat to operatives, highlighting increasing risks in anti-graft operations.

The officer who was killed, an Assistant Superintendent, had recently passed a promotional exam.

His identity has been withheld to allow for the official notification of his family.

Internally, the tragic event has raised concerns among anti-graft agents, with some officers expressing frustration over the lack of adequate insurance and compensation for families of fallen officers.

One anonymous officer lamented, “We no longer have life insurance… the last time families received compensation was under Farida Waziri. So can we say he died for nothing?”

The ongoing crisis over the traditional stool of Ojoto community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State has escalated, with gunmen invading the area in a bid to abduct prominent individuals.

The attack, which occurred at 1 a.m. last Friday, has forced many residents to flee their homes in fear of being kidnapped or harmed.

During the invasion, one of the targets was kidnapped, but was later rescued by security operatives from the neighboring community of Oba.

The rescued victim, whose identity has been withheld, has since moved his family to a safer location to avoid further attacks from the gunmen.

The conflict over the Ojoto traditional stool has been ongoing, with the matter currently under legal deliberation at the Nnewi High Court.

Tensions flared after Gerald Mbamalu was given the staff of office by the government, despite the community’s earlier selection of Dennis Okafor for the throne.

This has led to a bitter dispute between the two factions, with one seeking legal redress.

Since the gunmen’s attack, most residents of Ojoto have abandoned their homes, with some choosing to spend the festive period elsewhere.

Others in the community are living in constant fear.

Four of the gunmen were apprehended by the Oba Vigilance group.

While the State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, was unavailable for comment, a senior police officer confirmed the incident and assured the public that an investigation was underway.

“The police are committed to protecting the lives and property of Anambra residents and will not allow criminals to take control,” the source said.

“We urge the community to let the court resolve the matter peacefully.”

In a bold move to address the rising insecurity in Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has officially launched the “Udo Ga-Achị” operation, a special security intervention aimed at combating criminal activities across the state.

The operation is backed by the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025, which establishes a robust security framework focused on a zero-tolerance policy for criminality.

Speaking at the launch, Governor Soludo emphasized the importance of security in achieving his vision for a prosperous and livable homeland.

He stressed that a secure environment is essential for the success of his administration’s ongoing reforms across various sectors.

Despite acknowledging the complex nature of criminality, including its deceptive ideologies and lucrative motives, the governor vowed to ensure that Anambra becomes the safest state in Nigeria.

Soludo revealed that the state’s approach would be both kinetic and non-kinetic, involving a combination of intelligence gathering, community participation, and modern technology.

As part of the security initiative, the governor announced the establishment of a new vigilante force called Agunechemba, aimed at tackling local insecurity at the community and local government levels.

The special operation “Udo Ga-Achị” will consist of 2,000 personnel from various security agencies, including the police, army, navy, civil defense, and the newly formed Agunechemba.

The operation will be supported by 200 vehicles and advanced surveillance technology, including AI-powered cameras and a command-and-control system.

Additionally, the governor introduced a reward system offering bounties of up to N5 million for whistleblowers who provide information leading to the arrest of criminals.

He also extended an amnesty offer to kidnappers, cultists, and other criminals, urging them to surrender and undergo rehabilitation.

Governor Soludo reiterated that the fight against crime is a collective effort and called on all citizens, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society organizations to actively participate in creating a safer Anambra.

He also announced plans to rebuild the 28 divisional police stations that were destroyed by criminals and to expand the state’s correctional facilities.

In a forward-looking statement, the governor warned that the coming months could be turbulent, as criminals may attempt to target softer areas to test the government’s resolve.

However, he assured the people of Anambra that his administration is fully committed to confronting criminality head-on and ensuring that peace and security are restored.

Late Edna Ibru, 

Edna Ibru, the wife of the first civilian governor of Delta State, Olorogun Felix Ibru, has passed away.

The head of the Ibru family, Dr. Paul Aidido Ibru, confirmed her death in a statement released on Saturday. According to Dr. Ibru, Edna, who was also a former Miss Nigeria ambassador and the first Nigerian/African to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe in 1964, passed away in London after a brief illness on Wednesday, January 15.

“Our amazing mother, Mrs. Edna Ibru passed into glory on Wednesday 15, January,” Dr. Ibru said.

“Until her death, she was full of life, and we never expected her to leave us so soon, but we cannot question the will of God in her precious life.”

Describing his late mother, Dr. Ibru called her a lover of people, a mediator, a mother to many, outrageously humorous, deeply caring, down to earth, and full of stories at all times.

The family has announced that burial arrangements will be disclosed at a later date.