The Edo State Task Force on Kidnapping has demolished another property belonging to Mr Karimu Audu.

Mr Audu is accused of being an informant for kidnappers in Eshioriri-Erah, Owan East.

This follows the demolition of two houses in Illeh, Esan West, and Uromi, Esan North East, linked to kidnappers operating in the state.

Mr Audu, a septuagenarian, is accused of providing information to kidnappers and offering them food and accommodation while they operated in the Owan and Esan forests.

Speaking at the scene, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security Affairs, Paul Akhere, reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on kidnapping conspiracies.

He said, “We are here because of conspiracy. He has been collaborating with kidnappers in the forest. Let this be a warning: if you see something, say something. If you conspire with criminals, your day will come, just as today is his day to face the law. ‘’

The Commander of the Edo State Task Force, Michael Anetor, affirmed the administration’s commitment to eliminating kidnapping and vowed to enforce the law without compromise.

He stated, “We are here to enforce the law. It is not my wish to see property destroyed, but peace must be restored. Kidnapping must end. Three properties have now been demolished, and this should serve as a lesson. Anyone aiding kidnappers should reconsider immediately.’’

Mr Audu, however, denied the allegations, claiming his interactions with herders were legitimate as the chairman of a community committee.

“They say I provide information to the herders, but I don’t. I’m the chairman of a six-man community committee, responsible for collecting annual payments,” he explained.

“I don’t give information to anyone; I simply carry out my committee work,” Mr Audu said.

The Peoples Democratic Party on Friday condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi Central) by the Senate.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months following allegations of improper behaviour exhibited against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The party, in a statement in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the action of the Senate leadership against Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan smacked of desperation to cover up.

It urged the Senate to redeem its image and integrity by immediately reinstating Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and ensuring an open investigation into the matter.

The PDP stated, “The hasty suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, without an open investigation into the weighty allegation of sexual harassment against the Akpabio, negated the principle of fair hearing, especially in parliamentary convention. The action also portrays the Senate as an institution that endorses, condones and offers protection to reprobacy.’’

The party added that the “excessively-harsh” six-month suspension placed on Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan translated to denying the people of Kogi Central Senatorial zone their constitutional right of being represented in the legislative body.

“It is scandalous, and amounted to gross abuse of office and violation of the fundamentals of justice and fair hearing, for Akpabio to sit as a judge in a matter in which he was the accused,” the party said.

The PDP further said the situation validated public apprehension of desperation by Mr Akpabio to suppress open legislative probe into the allegation of sexual harassment levelled against him.

It pointed out that the allegation by Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan would not be the first time Mr Akpabio was accused of sexual harassment.

The party noted, “If Senator Akpabio has nothing to hide, what Nigerians expected of him was to clear his name. He should clear his name by stepping aside, in line with established parliamentary practice, allow and submit to an open and unbiased investigation into the allegation of sexual harassment by Akpoti-Uduaghan. It is indeed a national embarrassment that the person of the Senate President and chairman of the National Assembly is being mentioned in a case of sexual harassment, which has now tarred the image and integrity of the highest lawmaking body in Nigeria. Ordinarily, under this situation, the Senate President needs no prodding to step aside for an independent investigation to clear his name.’’

A tragic tanker explosion in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State has claimed the lives of seven people, leaving one person injured.

The incident, which occurred around 6 p.m. on Tuesday in Karamin Rami village, resulted in the deaths of two men and five women.

Confirming the incident, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, stated that emergency response efforts were underway to assess the full impact of the explosion.

“The incident was a result of a tanker truck trying to manoeuvre its way due to bad roads without shoulder and falling. Its content (PMS) flew to a nearby stream where dry-season farmers were working on their rice fields.

“The tanker content came in contact with the farmers’ water pump that was pumping water and caught fire which went back to the tanker, and the explosion occurred. The inferno came back to the farmland through the already contaminated stream water and burnt some of the farmers and the whole rice field, including fruit vegetation.

“Seven lives were lost with one person injured. The names of the deaths are Rafiatu Sahabi, Ramlat Shehu, Rashida Abdullahi, Raliya Abdulrahaman, Zainab Ahmed, Zuwaira Idrisu, and Maryam A Nura. Maimuna Isah is the injured person. Meanwhile, the injured woman has been receiving treatment at Saho Rami Primary Health Care.”

The federal government has directed all relevant agencies to take “immediate and decisive steps” to meet the requirements set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as part of efforts to remove Nigeria from the grey list.

The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, issued this directive on Friday during a meeting in Abuja with key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for strengthening Nigeria’s financial integrity.

Some of the agencies present at the meeting include the NFIU, EFCC, Immigration and others.

“We recognize the importance of exiting the grey list, not only for our national interest but also for the global community’s confidence in our financial systems,” she said.

“All hands must therefore be on deck to ensure the realization of these objectives.”

She said that the government is committed to addressing deficiencies in Nigeria’s Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.

According to her, the target is to exit the FATF grey list by the second quarter of 2025, a move expected to boost investor confidence and create new economic opportunities.

“We are working tirelessly to address the remaining deficiencies in our AML/CFT regime, and we are confident that our efforts will yield positive results,” the Minister assured.

Dr. Uzoka-Anite further stressed that Nigeria’s commitment to international financial standards is unwavering.

“We are committed to implementing the necessary reforms to safeguard Nigeria’s financial integrity and foster global confidence in our economy,” she stated.

The Minister also assured of the government’s stance on transparency and cooperation in the ongoing reforms.

“We are confident that our collective efforts will yield positive results and further strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global economy, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration.”

The FATF grey list includes countries under increased monitoring due to concerns about their AML/CFT measures. Exiting the list requires significant regulatory and institutional reforms to align with international best practices.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has mourned the passing of “a patriot, statesman”, Adedoyin Ajibike Okupe, who died on Friday, March 7.

According to Abiodun, Okupe was a principled leader who played a vital role in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Abiodun has also visited the country home of the former presidential spokesperson at Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State to sign the condolence register.

Doyin Okupe, former presidential spokesman and estranged ally of Peter Obi, is dead.

He died on Friday. Mr Okupe was 72.

Prior to his demise, the politician had a colourful, often controversial, political career.

He was former President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesman and an ex-member of the Peoples Democratic Party.

In the 2023 presidential election, Mr Okupe sided with Mr Obi, a former Anambra governor by joining the Labour Party.

Details later…

The police command in Edo has detained eight suspects in connection with the alleged killing of a site engineer, Efe Ogbeide, during the leadership crisis in the Obazagbon community of Benin.

The command’s spokesman, Moses Yamu, confirmed the development to journalists on Thursday.

Yamu identified Joshua Edo, the chairman of the community youths, as the prime suspect. Other suspects are Obayuwana Happy, Uhunwangho Everest, Chidera Umeh, Simon Benjamin, Odion Adagbonyin, Kennedy Ohro, and Osayi Adagbonyin.

Mr Yamu said the suspects were caught by operatives of the Iyekogba Division’s Operation Rescue and Anti-Kidnapping Unit at different locations.

According to him, the crisis stemmed from disputes over the positions of chairman and traditional leader (Okiaghele), resulting in multiple deaths and the destruction of property worth millions of naira.

He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Betty Isokpan, condemned the violence and vowed that all the culprits will face the full weight of the law.

“She assured residents that security agencies remain committed to safeguarding their lives and property.”

The killing of Mr Ogbeide sparked outrage among civil society groups.

The Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities and the Edo State Civil Society Organisations staged a protest on Tuesday.

The groups, led by NAPVID executive director Melody Omosha, decried the brutal murder of the victim, who they described as a hardworking site engineer.

According to Ms Omosha, the deceased, who was deaf, may not have heard warnings before the attack.

The groups called for justice and better protection for persons with disabilities in the state.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has approved the appointment of Isaac Zeb-Obipi as the new vice-chancellor of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt.

Mr Fubara announced this on Thursday. He said the appointment was with immediate effect.

The new VC took over from Nlerum Okogbule, who was appointed by former Governor Nyesom Wike on March 5, 2020.

Mr Zeb-Obipi is a professor of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management and was the director of the university’s Information and Communication Technology Centre before his latest appointment.

The president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, has called for religious harmony as he joined the Muslim faithful to break their Ramadan fast (Iftar) on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Okoh joined worshippers at the Al-Habibiyya Mosque for the Iftar and the feeding of about 2,300 fasting Muslims. He stressed the need for peace and unity among Nigerians.

He commended the leadership of Al-Habibiyya Islamic Society for the initiative, noting that such gestures would help promote religious tolerance and understanding in the country.

“We are basically the same (Muslims and Christians), and we must find a way to make things work together in this country.

“So, to those wondering what the president of CAN is doing in a mosque, I say this — I have come here, and I will come again.

“It is an opportunity to learn and share. I urge every Nigerian to understand other religions so we can grow in mutual respect, understanding, and peace,” he said.

Earlier, the National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyya Mosque, Sheik Fuad Adeyemi, said the feeding programme is organised every Ramadan to support the less privileged, regardless of religious belief.

He explained that inviting other faith-based organisations and dignitaries was aimed at fostering understanding, peace, and unity among Nigerians.

“We should recognise what unites us as human beings and as people destined to share the same environment.

“That is why we do what we do. We believe that, by God’s infinite mercy, the little we contribute will be blessed,” he said.

The event was attended by Islamic and Christian clerics, CAN representatives, faith-based organisations, and traditional rulers.

Operatives of the Lagos State Police have arrested two Pakistani Nationals identified as Roman Gull, and Aftab Ahmad, for allegedly orchestrating a kidnapping ring that targeted a 48-year-old Pakistani man in Ikeja.

The suspects, along with five accomplices, lured the victim from Kano State with a fraudulent job offer for a chef position.

Upon his arrival in Lagos, they abducted him and demanded a ₦50 million ransom from his employer.

This was made known via a statement by the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Thursday, March 06.

The statement reads: “In strict compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM that all Police Commands should stamp out kidnapping and other violent crimes throughout the country, the Lagos State Police Command has made a huge success in the busting and arrest of two vicious and notorious Pakistanis who specialize in kidnapping people for ransom.

“A distress call was received at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday, March 05, 2025 about the kidnap of a 48-year-old Pakistani within Ikeja. Anticrime patrol of the Division was swiftly deployed, leading to the rescue of the victim and arrest of two of the captors, Roman Gull ‘m’ and Aftab Ahmad ‘m’ aged 19 and 28 respectively, both Pakistanis while five other Pakistanis escaped.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the two arrested suspects and five others lured the victim to Lagos from his base in Kano under the pretext that they had a job for him as a chef. The suspects booked the victim’s flight to Lagos and lodged him in a hotel on February 28, 2025. The next day, the seven suspects visited the victim, overpowered him, tied his hands and legs, and sent a message to his boss in Kano to pay the sum of Fifty Million Naira ransom for his release or else he would be killed. The boss paid One Million Naira three days later to buy time and thereafter alerted the Police.

“Recovered from the suspects are their operational vehicle, a grey coloured Toyota Camry salon car, the victim’s Two Thousand Dollars cash, three ATM cards, green card, driver’s license and NIN slip. Furthermore, concerted efforts are on to arrest the fleeing suspects and arraign them in court on conclusion of investigation into the case. Meanwhile, the rescued victim is in good condition and has established contact with his family.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, while commending officers and men of Ikeja Division for a job well done, wishes to assure residents and visitors to Lagos State of the total commitment of the Command to their safety and security at all times.”

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has been suspended from all legislative activities for six months.

The Senate had earlier proposed a six-month suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following a probe by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.

The investigation concluded that she had “totally violated” Senate regulations.

This followed her confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over sitting arrangements.

Natasha’s suspension is set to last for six months.

However, the senator will not be allowed within the premises of the National Assembly while her suspension lasts. Additionally, her security details will be withdrawn.

However, in a viral video after her suspension, Senator Natasha said, “This injustice will not be sustained,” before her microphone was yanked off.

Natasha had on Monday failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Rules, and Code of Conduct who invited Natasha.

Two teachers at Ibru College, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, were caught on camera engaging in a physical fight inside the staff room.

The video which was shared on Facebook by Nkeiru Udoh Ogosi on Wednesday was captioned, “Two ,teachers fighting in Ibru College Agbara-Otor in Delta State. What a shameful act. I wonder what they are impacting on the children.”

The video which has since gone viral video shows two male teachers attacking each other while their colleagues screamed and made frantic calls.

Students and other staff members were also seen peering through the windows to witness the altercation. Despite multiple attempts to separate them, the two male teachers continued their brawl.

The altercation is said to have occurred on Wednesday, March 6, 2025. Though the reason behind the clash remains unclear.

Many have condemned the teachers’ behavior, calling it an embarrassing display and a poor example for students who look up to them for guidance and discipline.

Brig. Gen. Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu has officially assumed duty as the 23rd Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, taking over from Brigadier General YD Ahmed.

The handing-over ceremony, which took place at the NYSC Headquarters in Abuja, marked a new chapter for the scheme as Nafiu pledged to leverage his extensive military and peacekeeping experience to advance the goals of the NYSC.

This was stated in a release shared on the agency’s X and Facebook pages on Thursday.

“Nafiu, a seasoned artillery officer and member of the 47 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, previously served as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General OO Oluyede, and his predecessor, the late Lt. General TA Lagbaja, CFR.

“He holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,” the statement read.

In his inaugural address, Nafiu highlighted his commitment to the scheme’s mandate of fostering national unity and youth development.

“I am honoured to lead this noble institution at a time when the role of our youth in national integration and development has never been more critical,” he stated.

“My administration will focus on enhancing the welfare, security, and professional development of corps members across the country.”
Drawing from his vast experience in peacekeeping missions with the United Nations in Liberia, Sudan, and South Sudan, Nafiu expressed his readiness to strengthen the scheme’s management and operational efficiency.

“My diverse exposure to multicultural environments and organisational policy formulation will guide my leadership approach,” he added.

“General Nafiu’s impressive military career includes serving as a United Nations Military Observer in Sudan, where he played a key role in monitoring the South Sudan Independence Referendum in 2011, and as a Staff Officer in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

“His leadership journey also saw him command artillery regiments multiple times, including in the North-East theatre of operations,” the statement further noted.

According to the release, he is expected to bring a blend of strategic foresight and practical leadership to the NYSC, leveraging his background in critical and systems thinking to implement policies that enhance the scheme’s impact on national development.

As the new Director-General settles into his role, the NYSC community and stakeholders are optimistic that his tenure will usher in a new era of progress and transformation for the scheme, the release concluded.

Armed military men Thursday morning stormed the Ikeja Electric headquarters, brutalising civilians and destroying the property of the power company.

The power firm had disconnected a logistics base of the Nigerian Air Force for failing to pay a multimillion-naira debt.

The armed officers from the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base in Ikeja, at about 7:40 a.m., invaded the company’s head office at Alausa in Lagos, abducting the Ikeja DisCo CEO Folake Soeta after brutalising the workers.

Another set of military men were reported to have launched an onslaught on IKEDC’s branch in Ago Palace Way, Okota.

NAF and IKEDC could not be immediately reached for comments.

Viral videos captured the armed men, forcing several employees of the power company to go on their knees.

Meanwhile, the police command in Lagos has denied any involvement in the violent raid.

“The police were not involved in that incident. Meanwhile, normalcy has returned to the area, and the police are on the ground to ensure that the restored normalcy is maintained,” Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s spokesman, told Peoples Gazette.

The Sam Ethnan Air Force Base has been without power for two weeks following its disconnection by the energy firm over a multimillion-naira debt. An agreement was reached for NAF to pay IKEDC a monthly sum of ₦60 million to ensure a daily electricity supply of 10 to 12 hours to the base.

However, a reliable source said the prolonged power outage compromised the base’s safety and security and confirmed the base had consistently kept to its part of the bargain.

According to the source, his concern is about the operational warehouse housing high-calibre armaments, which are reportedly at risk due to rising temperatures caused by the failure of the cooling systems.

The source said NAF paid up to N60 million in excess for the bill in November, and there were no returns or any accounting for the balance.

Bishop Alfred ‘Lahojah’ Ogunnusi of the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church has apologised over the tongue-to-tongue anointing ritual he conducted.

A viral video had captured the cleric performing the ritual with a younger bishop.

The ritual elicited flurry of reactions with many expressing shock and disapproval over the action.

Lahojah, while defending his action in another live video, said: “I thank God that everything that happened occurred while I was still alive and not after I was gone.

“The work of God will not be destroyed through me, and everything I do is biblical. I don’t do anything that is not biblical. Since I have been practising this, the Bible has been my guide, and I have done everything through the blood of Jesus.

“Please look at Genesis 48:10, which says: ‘Now Israel’s eyesight was poor because of old age; he could hardly see. Joseph brought his sons to him, and his father kissed them, embraced them, and advised them.’ Can you hear me now? That’s it! This is not from my knowledge but from God.”

But in what appears to be u-turn, the cleric in another live video monitored by The Nation, apologised to the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church and the Christian community.

He said: “My name is Eminence Baba Aladura Alfred Oluwasegun Okikiola Ogunnusi, also known as Lahojah.

“Please don’t be angry. Everyone who believes what I did was wrong, please forgive me.

“I seek forgiveness. What happened in the viral video was what I did, and I led the session. I greet all pastors and Christians and ask them to forgive and not be angry.”

The Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church, in its earlier reaction to the controversial tongue-to-tongue anointing and Ogunnusi’s defence, distanced itself from his action.

The church condemned the act in a statement titled ‘Vexatious Anointing of a Bishop by a Self-Acclaimed Church Leader: Our View’.

They described it as disturbing, labelling Ogunnusi’s actions despicable before God and man.

The Nigerian Air Force has taken delivery of the Air Mobile First Aid Unit, a cutting-edge medical facility to strengthen efficient response to medical emergencies.

The German Technical Advisory Group set up the unit under a bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Germany.

The chief of defence staff, Christopher Musa, described the event as special to the fight against insurgency and other criminals in the country.

He said the Nigerian Armed Forces benefited immensely from the agreement, especially the Equipment Aid Programme.

Mr Musa said that the EAP covered the Medical Emergency Project at Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, the mechatronics project at AFEME, the Counter Improvised Explosive Devices at NASME, and the Reconnaissance Wing Project at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, among other projects.

The defence chief said the unit would strengthen medical emergencies, as it would provide emergency treatment, including minor surgeries to injured personnel to save lives.

Mr Musa said, “The unit can be deployed for a maximum of 72 hours to any part of the country and consists of a triage, theatre and a recovery ward.

“This project involves setup training, implementation and construction of molecular medical treatment facility for operation in order to ensure immediate and rapid medical support to personnel of the AFN.”

He said that under the agreement, several personnel had been trained in Aero Medical Emergency, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, and provision of medical utility vehicles for Teams A and B.

According to him, it also involves the provision of medical tentages and the construction of a training hall, among others.

Mr Musa thanked the German government’s laudable efforts and assured that the Nigerian Air Force would put the facility to optimal benefit.

The Federal Road Safety Corps has appealed to the Nigerian public to comply with traffic laws and regulations to reduce the high rate of crashes on the roads.

The FRSC spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide, said Thursday in Abuja, that public support and cooperation were essential in ensuring a safe and secure motoring environment.

Mr Ogungbemide, who expressed concern over the high rate of casualties on Nigerian roads, attributed it to impunity and disregard for traffic laws.

He disclosed that the corps had recorded a high number of crashes and fatalities resulting from reckless driving, overloading, and mix loading.

He also said that advanced countries being celebrated for their development did not achieve their status without the support and cooperation of their citizens.

He noted that these countries have well-developed systems and laws in place, which were strictly enforced and complied with by their citizens.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to replicate the same level of development and safety on its roads with citizens complying with traffic laws and regulations.

Mr Ogungbemide also said compliance with traffic laws was crucial in preventing crashes and saving lives, emphasising that the laws were in place to ensure harmony, security, and safety.

The FRSC spokesman also cautioned against “mix loading” and overloading, which he said could lead to crashes and fatalities.

Mr Ogungbemide, however, said the corps would continue to enforce traffic laws and regulations and urged the public to cooperate with its personnel.

He appealed to the public to support the FRSC’s efforts to ensure safety on Nigerian roads, adding that it helps the corps in achieving its goal of reducing crashes and fatalities on the nation’s roads.

Authorities in the United States have arrested and charged a Nigerian national who was accused of defrauding Americans in a sprawling benefits scheme.

An indictment unsealed Wednesday said Matthew Abiodun Akande, based in Mexico, was the ringleader of a syndicate that used the personal identifying information of Americans to request about $8.1 million in social benefits from the government. At least $1.3 million was received by Mr Akande, who appeared preliminarily in a Boston, Massachusetts, court on Wednesday.

Mr Akande, 36, was arrested at London Heathrow on October 24, 2024, and his extradition was completed with his transfer to Boston on March 5, U.S. prosecutors said.

He used “fraudulent phishing emails to be sent to five Massachusetts tax preparation firms,” prosecutors said.

“The emails purported to be from a prospective client seeking the tax preparation firms’ services but in truth were used to trick the firms into downloading remote access trojan malicious software (RAT malware), including malware known as Warzone RAT,” they added.

Officials said Mr Akande “allegedly used the RAT malware to obtain the PII and prior year tax information of the tax preparation firms’ clients.”

Stolen funds were transferred to Mexico, with authorities identifying at least “1,000 fraudulent tax returns seeking over $8.1 million in fraudulent tax refunds over approximately five years,” adding that the fraudsters “successfully obtained over $1.3 million in fraudulent tax refunds.”

His co-conspirator, Kehinde Oyetunji, another Nigerian national, had previously been charged and sentenced to prison over his role in the vast scheme, which authorities said was carried out between June 2016 and June 2021.

Mr Akande faces several counts of stealing government funds and identity theft. He was summarily remanded in prison pending the appointment of an attorney and trial.

The case comes amid a flurry of high-profile prosecutions of internet fraudsters of Nigerian origin in the U.S. A senior Nigerian politician and a monarch were charged in separate fraud cases in recent weeks.

A yet-to-be-ascertained number of persons was feared dead after a truck conveying a 40-feet container on Tuesday crashed into a shuttle bus, tricycles and pedestrians at the Idemili Junction, near Oba, in the Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The state spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps, Margaret Onabe, confirmed the accident, but said she was still awaiting a detailed report from officers at the scene.

Mrs Onabe said that she would provide updates as soon as possible.

It was gathered that the truck experienced brake failure, while descending a hill, causing the driver to lose control and crash into the shuttle bus, tricycles and other vehicles.

“It crashed into some tricycles loading passengers at the junction and a shuttle bus, trapping people underneath the container, including bystanders waiting for vehicles,” an eyewitness said.

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that its forces demolished the houses of two Palestinians who killed seven people in an attack in Tel Aviv last year.

Videos have shown troops detonating explosives in the homes located in Hebron, a Palestinian city in the south of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Seven people were killed and several more injured in the attack by two men at a light rail station in Jaffa, in the south of Tel Aviv, in October.

One of the assailants was armed with an assault rifle and the other with a knife.

The two men were shot dead.

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in the Gaza Strip, claimed responsibility.

The demolition of the family homes of Palestinians accused of attacks against Israelis was controversial, with rights organisations decrying the practice as collective punishment.

Israel, however, argues it is an effective deterrent.