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Niger tanker explosion death toll rises to 39, 60 injured

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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says at least 39 persons died, with more than 60 injured, after a petrol tanker exploded in Niger state.

On Tuesday, a petrol tanker exploded in the Essa community, along the Agaie–Bida road, Katcha LGA of the state.

The explosion occurred after the tanker tumbled, with residents reportedly scooping petrol at the scene.

In a statement, NEMA said “upon receiving the distress report, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, immediately directed the Head of NEMA Minna Operations Office, Mr. Hussaini Isah, to activate the rescue team and deploy to the scene to support the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and other responders in rescue operations”.

“The explosion, which happened around 3:45 p.m. along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road, claimed 39 lives and left over 60 persons with severe burns, including men, women, and children,” the agency said.

While commiserating with the victims and families affected, Umar advised “members of the public to desist from scooping fuel from accident tankers, stressing that such acts have repeatedly led to avoidable loss of lives”.

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She also advised residents and motorists to steer clear of accident scenes and promptly report such incidents to emergency agencies for professional handling.

Niger state governor, Umar Bago, said it is “disheartening” that residents “continued to approach a fallen tanker to scoop its contents despite several sensitisations on the danger of such action”.

This is not the first time locals would be killed while scooping from a fuel-laden tanker.

Most of the victims were trying to scoop petrol from the tanker after it tipped over.

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NDLEA nabs 75-year-old grandpa, intercepts illicit drugs in multi-state crackdown

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted huge quantities of illicit drugs, while arresting several suspects in coordinated operations across multiple states, as part of a nationwide crackdown.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, in a statement on Sunday, said operatives  intercepted large consignments of opioids concealed in a truck carrying building materials from Anambra to Taraba state.

The truck was intercepted at Nukkai Timber Shade in Jalingo on June 6 following intelligence reports.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 320,840 capsules of tramadol, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 rohypnol tablets and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup concealed beneath the cargo.

One Buhari Abdullahi, a 22-year-old suspect, was subsequently arrested in connection with the seizure.

In Ebonyi state, NDLEA said its operatives arrested a 75-year-old grandfather identified as Okebe Samuel at Okposi, and recovered 300 grammes of skunk from him.

The agency said the suspect sold the substance in retail sachets to young people in the community.

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NDLEA also reported the arrest of  Chioma Okeke, a 32-year-old woman, during a raid on a drug enclave in Umulolo, Orlu, Imo state, where officers recovered eight kilogrammes of skunk.

It added that the agency arrested four suspected traffickers, including three women, during operations at identified drug hotspots in Benin City, Edo state, on June 2.

The suspects were identified as Chioma Igba, 24; Precious Ozomah, 22; Anita Abraham, 21; and Henry Okey, 43.

According to the agency, various quantities of skunk, loud, methamphetamine, lolorado and swinol were recovered from the suspects.

In Kano state, NDLEA operatives arrested 19-year-old Saifullahi Lawan at Kafi area of Madobi on June 4 with 40 blocks of skunk weighing 38 kilogrammes.

The agency also said operatives in Gombe arrested 28-year-old Ugwu Sabastine Ifebuchi near Dantiti Plaza in the Tumfure area of the state on June 1 with 15,000 capsules of tramadol.

Beyond enforcement operations, NDLEA said it continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign in schools across the country, including institutions in Oyo, Lagos, Anambra and Kano states.

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Buba Marwa, chairman and chief executive officer of NDLEA, commended officers involved in the operations and reiterated the agency’s commitment to disrupting drug supply networks nationwide.

Marwa said the agency would continue to target drug traffickers regardless of age, gender or methods used to conceal illicit substances.

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Kidnappers of retired Major General release video, demand cows, members’ release

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The abductors of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife has released a video of the couple in captivity.

It would be recalled that the couple were abducted along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, near Zakin Baure village.

In the four-minute video circulated on social media on Saturday, the wife of the retired general was seen conveying the abductors’ demands.

The demands included the release of three of their members identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock allegedly seized from them.

According to her account, two of the detained individuals were arrested in Jikamshi while the third was arrested in Kano.

She also appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to facilitate compliance with the demands to secure their release.

The retired general, who spoke briefly in the video, called for efforts to ensure peace, adding that the abductors had expressed interest in dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

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The notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Muhammad, who operates in parts of Katsina State, had reportedly established communication with the family of the retired general, according to a report by Daily Trust.

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Police uncover gun factory in Yobe, arrest seven suspects

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Operatives of the Yobe state command of the Nigeria Police Force have uncovered an illegal firearms fabrication factory in Potiskum, Yobe State.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, in a press statement, confirmed that seven suspects were arrested as part of the renewed strategies of the Commissioner of Police aimed at combating crime and criminality across the state.

“On June 2, 2026, at about 1800hrs, acting on credible intelligence, the Potiskum Area Command led a coordinated raid in collaboration with the Divisional Police Headquarters following reports that some blacksmiths were engaged in the illegal fabrication of Dane guns and other firearms.

“Police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene, a blacksmith workshop located at Tasha Adua along Danchuwa Road, Potiskum. During the operation, seven suspects were arrested, and the following exhibits recovered,” the state read in part.

Abdulkarim added that fabricated pistols, 24 muzzle pipes, nine gun butts, four unserviceable Dane guns, one filing machine, and one sharp cutlass were recovered.

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He said that the suspects are currently undergoing thorough investigation with a view to identifying their collaborators, possible buyers, and the intended use of the fabricated firearms.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, has directed officers handling the case to intensify investigation, identify other illegal firearms fabrication centres within the area, and assess the level of security threat posed by such criminal activities.

“The Command further advises members of the public to refrain from allowing their premises or facilities to be used for unlawful activities, including the fabrication of dangerous weapons.

“Residents are urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or other security agencies,” the statement added.

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