The world’s first wooden satellite has blasted off on a SpaceX rocket, its Japanese developers said Tuesday, part of a resupply mission to the International Space Station.

Scientists at Kyoto University expect the wooden material to burn up when the device re-enters the atmosphere — potentially providing a way to avoid generating metal particles when a retired satellite returns to Earth.

These particles may negatively impact both the environment and telecommunications, the developers say.

Each side of the box-like experimental satellite, named LignoSat, measures just 10 centimetres (four inches).

It was launched on an unmanned rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Kyoto University’s Human Spaceology Center said.

The satellite, installed in a special container prepared by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, “flew into space safely,” it said in a post on X.

A spokeswoman for LignoSat’s co-developer Sumitomo Forestry told AFP the launch had been “successful”.

It “will arrive at the ISS soon, and will be released to outer space about a month later to test its strength and durability,” she said.

Data will be sent from the satellite to researchers who can check for signs of strain and determine if the satellite can withstand extreme changes in temperature.

“Satellites that are not made of metal should become mainstream,” Takao Doi, an astronaut and special professor at Kyoto University, said at a press conference earlier this year.

A two-storey building under construction on Monday collapsed in the Egbelu Mgbaraja area of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, killing one person and leaving another severely injured.

The incident, which occurred around 2 p.m. on Monday, is the second building collapse in the area within a week.

Eyewitness Jonathan Obey said the building gave way while construction workers were on the second floor, tragically claiming the life of a young man identified simply as Udeme from Akwa Ibom State.

Another worker narrowly escaped death but sustained serious injuries. Obey blamed the incident on the use of substandard materials, describing the foundation and supports as inadequate.

“When we came, we noticed that substandard materials were used in the construction. The building’s foundation was for a two-storey structure, yet low-quality rods and insufficient cement were used. The decking lacked a centre pillar and beam, which ultimately led to the collapse,” Obey explained.

In response, Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi, visited the site, ordered it sealed, and declared the developer wanted.

Bipi condemned the developer’s negligence, stating that construction was carried out without government approval and with substandard materials.

“We’ve made it clear that if you build without approval, you will face the consequences.

“This site is sealed, and the developer has been declared wanted. He must answer for using substandard materials that led to the loss of life,” Bipi said.

Continuing, Bipi warned that the government would take strong action. “This is unacceptable. We must use him as an example,” he added.

In a statement by his media aide, Emeka Idika Kalu, Bipi expressed sympathy to the victim’s family, stating that the remains would be kept at a mortuary, which would be publicly disclosed for family access.

“This incident must serve as a warning to those building without government approval,” Bipi stated.

The Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Samuel Anya, also expressed dismay over the incident, condemning the developer’s prioritization of profit over safety.

“This is heartbreaking. Not only was the building of poor quality, but it also lacked proper approval. Someone has now paid the price with his life.

“The owner and engineer responsible must be held accountable as the government prioritizes the safety of lives,” Anya said.

The Northern Senators’ Forum, on Tuesday, applauded President Bola Tinubu for showing leadership in ordering the release of minors arrested and detained during the #EndBadGovernance protests.

The chairman of the forum, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’adua, indicated this in a statement released in Abuja.

He said the president’s decision was a demonstration of his commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of Nigerian youth.

“His directive to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to expedite the release process is a welcome development.

“We appreciate the president’s show of leadership in addressing this critical issue.

“I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of leaders in the North who have worked assiduously to secure the release of these minors.

“Their dedication and advocacy have been instrumental in bringing the matter to the forefront, and we are grateful for their commitment to the welfare of our young people.

“As we move forward, I urge leaders in the North to prioritise the safety and education of our children.

“It is essential that we create an environment where they can grow and thrive, free from harm and exploitation.

“Let us work together to ensure that our youth receive the support and resources they need to become active contributors to Nigeria’s growth and development,” Mr Yar’Adua said in the statement.

Primary schools across Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, will close for a week following record-high pollution levels over the weekend.

Education officials in Punjab province announced the suspension of classes on Sunday for students up to fifth grade due to the alarming Air Quality Index (AQI).

Schools for older students will remain open.

The move came after Lahore’s AQI skyrocketed to over 1,000, well beyond the hazardous threshold of 301, according to the air quality monitoring company IQAir.

The concentration of PM2.5 particles, a particularly harmful pollutant, reached nearly 30 times the recommended safe limit set by the World Health Organization.

Ahmad Rafay Alam, an environmental lawyer and member of Pakistan’s Climate Change Council, described the situation as “apocalyptic,” highlighting the severity of the pollution crisis.

Lahore, home to 11 million people, was ranked the second-most polluted city globally over the weekend, behind only New Delhi.

Every year, pollution worsens in the colder months, as farmers burn crop stubble, contributing to the smog that blankets the region from October to February.

Residents face serious health risks, with experts estimating that poor air quality in Pakistan’s cities shortens life expectancy by an average of two years.

In recent years, Lahore has frequently seen schools and businesses closed due to hazardous pollution levels. This year, the smog season has lingered longer than usual, according to government officials.

Officials have advised residents to stay indoors, wear masks, and avoid outdoor activities, especially for those with respiratory conditions.

Punjab’s senior minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, also suggested that smoke from crop burning in neighbouring India has contributed to Lahore’s pollution, as the city is just 15 miles from the border.

The Director General, National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been arrested for allegedly recording over 400 s*xtapes of the wives of notable people in the country.

The scandal emerged in the course of a fraud investigation against the 54-year-old Economist which resulted in the search of his house and office on impromptu notice by ANIF officials who came across several CDs that later revealed his s*xcapades with different married women.

The videos reportedly include encounters with high-profile individuals, such as his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea, the Inspector General of Police’s wife, and about 20 of the country’s ministers’ wives.

The footage, discovered in his personal office, was said to have been recorded with consent and has since been leaked online, causing a media uproar.

In a report by a local media platform, Ahora EG, since last October, Engonga has been involved in a s*xual scandal unprecedented in the history of Equatorial Guinea.

The former ANIF DG better known as “Bello” had s*xual relations with several women, some of them married, and filmed these intimate encounters.

The report read, “The most striking thing is that some scenes took place in his work office, including moments in which he is seen sleeping with a woman next to the National Flag. Based on this sexual scandal, the Executive has stated that the measure is a direct response to the acts that have affected the image of the country.

“With these new measures, the Government hopes to establish a clear precedent on the expected conduct of public officials in order to create a more respectful work environment in the public and private administration of Equatorial Guinea. For days now, erotic videos have been circulating on social media featuring Baltasar EBANG ENGONGA, better known as “Bello”, who is currently the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) and is currently imprisoned for alleged corruption issues.

“Baltasar EBANG ENGONGA is said to have filmed these scenes with the consent of the women themselves, which exonerates him from a possible crime of violation of integrity. In the videos, he is seen having unprotected s*x with several women, including those married to powerful and well-known people in the country, but also with the most “diva and influential” single women in Equatorial Guinea. Some scenes take place in hotel rooms, houses, even in the protagonist’s office at the Ministry of Finance,” it added.

However, speaking on the viral sxtapes, the Attorney General of the country, Nzang Nguema, has stressed that, although the images suggest that the women involved were not forced to participate, the law does not consider consensual sxual relations to be a crime, unless coercion or violence is proven. This highlights the importance of victims reporting situations of s*xual abuse or assault.

Nguema also emphasised that the risk is not only for the women involved but also for their partners and the wider community, adding, “The possibility of a contagious disease being spread through these s*xual interactions makes the situation even more critical.

He further pointed out that the onus is on victims to come forward in cases of rape or assault, highlighting the need for an environment where people feel safe and supported to report such incidents.

Reacting to the development on Monday, Equatorial Guinea has decided to take action by immediately suspending all officials who have had s*xual relations in the offices of the country’s ministries.

The government claimed that the decision was part of its “zero tolerance” policy towards behaviour that compromises the integrity of the public service.

The Vice President of the Republic, Nguema Mangue, has pointed out that these behaviours constitute a flagrant violation of the Code of Conduct and the Public Ethics Law.

In his publication on X, he emphasized that “ethics and respect are fundamental in our Administration,” and that irresponsible attitudes that put citizen trust at risk will not be allowed.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Monday criticised what he called the United States’ “destabilising presence” after the deployment of B-52 bombers in the region.

“We have always believed that the presence of America in the region is a destabilising presence,” said Baghaei told a news conference in response to a question about the deployment, adding that it “will not deter (Iran’s) resolve to defend itself”.

The US military announced on Saturday the deployment of B-52 bombers to the Middle East as a warning to Iran which has vowed to respond to Israeli strikes on its military sites on October 26.

Israel’s attack was in retaliation for an October 1 Iranian missile barrage, itself retaliation for the killing of Iran-backed militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guards commander.

At least four soldiers were killed in the strikes which also caused “limited damage” to a few radar systems, officials said at the time. Iranian media also reported that a civilian was killed.

Baghaei said Iran’s response would be “definite and decisive”.

He added that Iran supported “all initiatives and efforts” to push for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, where Israel is at war with the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah armed groups, respectively.

Israel said its October 26 attack targeted Iran’s defence capabilities and missile production, but Tehran said its missile production remained intact.

On Monday, President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran had missiles so Israel “wouldn’t dare attack us”.

During the news conference, Baghaei said Iran’s official position against changing the nuclear doctrine and pursuing atomic weapons remained the same.

Citing a recent speech by Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Baghaei said the Islamic republic would be “equipped with everything necessary to defend” itself.

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has approved a financial bonus that is equivalent to the monthly PAYE obligation for every civil servant in the state, including local government workers.

The emergency support measure will last for at least three months, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Finance Dr. Hauwa Nuru.

“This bonus has been approved as a buffer to bridge the gap that the correct PAYE deduction may have wrought on the newly implemented mininum wage. It is meant to serve as a soothing balm as workers adjust to the PAYE that was just correctly implemented in line with the Personal Income Tax Act,” she said.

“The payment of the bonus is effective from October and will run till December 2024. This is a significant step by His Excellency to support workers.”

The statement added that workers who have not registered with the Kwara State Residents’ Registration Agency (KWSRRA) should do so immediately because anyone without it will not get the bonus for November and December.

The statement said labour unions have also agreed to a refund of the special levy deducted from workers’ salary and suspension of deductions of same until further notice.

“Governor AbdulRazaq’s directive to deliver this relief speaks volumes about his humanity and his commitment to the welfare of Kwara workforce,” Dr. Nuru stated.

The European Union delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS on Monday revealed that it funded a solar min-grid project for residents of Etomi community in Cross River State.

According to a statement by the EU, the community had been without electricity for six years.

“After six years without electricity, residents of Etomi community in Cross River State now enjoy reliable, clean, and affordable electricity through the European Union-funded solar mini-grid project. The solar project, which provides 119.5kW of electricity to over 600 households and businesses in the community, was implemented by GIZ,” the statement noted.

Inga Stefanowicz, Head of the Green and Digital Economy Section, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, explained that the grid is managed under a public-private partnership arrangement to ensure its sustainability and long-term maintenance. A private company is overseeing the operations of the grid, in partnership with the Cross River State Government.

Stefanowicz said the project is part of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and is aimed to ensure that Nigerians have access to clean, renewable, and affordable energy.

“The provision of reliable, clean, and affordable electricity for domestic and commercial use will boost the social and economic development of the people. I am also glad to say that we are taking electricity to a cocoa-producing community. This will help their farming activities and processes greatly.”

The Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Eka Williams, explained that the solar mini-grid project is an off-grid system, and expressed the conviction that it would serve the Etomi community very well. “I want to say a very big thank you to my Governor, in partnership with the EU, who has made this possible. We have a replication of this in about four communities in Etung Local Government Area.”

A resident of the Etomi community, John Okpa, expressed excitement, as his community had been without electricity for over six years. He said, “Residents of the Etomi community are happy because the EU has provided us with electricity after six years of darkness. We are grateful to them, and pray that God continues to bless them.”

Another resident of the Etomi community, Precious Jeremiah, revealed that for seven years, she used a generator to run her hair-styling business. This, according to her, comes at a high cost of fueling, repairing, and servicing the generator. “Before the installation of the solar plant, I managed my business using a generator. The cost of fueling the generator is very expensive.

“Since the installation of the solar plant, my customers can come into my shop to get their hair done and enjoy a cool and clean atmosphere devoid of generator smoke and noise. Also, I can make enough profit to take care of my household, including paying for the school fees of my children,” she said.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs refutes reports claiming that Nigerians in Libya are being arrested and harassed as a result of the decision of the Confederation of African Football, CAF which indicted the Libyan Football Federation for their ill-treatment of the Nigerian team and officials while in Libya for a Nations Cup Qualifying Match

A statement by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eche Abu-Obe clarifies that Nigerians in Libya are going about their daily activities, devoid of any form of harassment by Libyan Authorities.

The statement says that this is contrary to a publication in the Punch newspaper on the 3rd of November, 2024.

Also, the statement reaffirms Government’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of its citizens anywhere in the world which is a top priority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

A mysterious Ibadan man whose name is yet unknown had confessed to killing over 70 women for ritual purposes in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

The man popularly called ‘Mistina Orobo’ born in the Foko area of Ibadan who claimed to have now become a pastor said the number is not part of the people he had been hired to kill and had eaten in his life.

He revealed this on a popular socialist, Yinka Ayefele’s radio station, Fresh FM’s programme titled, “Opeyemi” in Ibadan on Saturday.

According to him, the blood of the women was needed to renew his mystical power, and their bodies were eaten after the needed blood had been taken.

“My idol takes about 73 to 76 women for over seven years. These women are always gotten from the club or other popular places. When I eat people, it is purposely to renew the voodoo in my body. Sometimes, when I’m shot, it won’t penetrate, even when I’m hacked, the machete breaks. The sweetest human parts are tongue, palm, and foot.”

“I also work for bank managers, politicians, and some other rich men. I’m very popular among them. When I first worked with a bank manager, it was one wealthy man that we killed and the info was supplied in the bank.

“The only person who was left to sign refused to sign, we visited him, made him sign, and killed him aftermath. I charge up to N50 to N80 million to get people killed and we always work as a team. I taught some people to work, some as highway or armed robbers and I usually get my fair share,” he added.

The man also narrated the roles he and his boys played during elections in Oyo State while soliciting that his identity be kept away from the public until it was time for him to reveal it.

Responding to questions on his early beginning, the mysterious man confessed to eating sacrifices since the age of nine as the son of an herbalist and how he became a hired assassin.

“As a child of an herbalist, I always eat sacrifices in seven different junctions, this was what fortified me before I grew up to become a dreaded hired assassin and sometimes, highway robber.”

However, sharing the story of how he turned a new leaf, the man said he met Jesus in his dream after he attempted to avenge people who earlier fought with him.

He noted, “I had been killed before but I woke up because of the idol I had at home. The day I went to retaliate those people who fought and killed me. When we got to the first person, I had a change of mind. When we got to the house of the other one, he was drunk, and my boy was about to unleash on him when I begged that he should be spared, since then, I have been sympathetic and have left the wayward life. Now, God has taken over my life.

“I am now in a seminary. I spent four years learning to be a prophet. I am not ready to establish a church, I just want people to know my terrible story. I had sold all three houses and cars I bought while engaging in these acts. I met Jesus in my dream.”

He also stressed that a former lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Temitope Olatoye (a.k.a. Sugar) died because he was in Ghana at that time if not it would have been averted, adding that he had always informed Sugar of the dangers looming.

Sugar died on March 9, 2019, in the Intensive Care Unit of the University College Hospital, after suffering bullet wounds in the head from shots of suspected political thugs in the Lalupon area of Ibadan.

The news of his attack spread within minutes, with some insinuating that he died on the spot.

The Australian government announced on Monday that Australia has scrapped a satellite communications system being developed for the military.

Lockheed Martin Australia was awarded the tender to build a Defiance-owned and operated Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite communications system in 2023.

When the tender was awarded, the government said that it was a “multi-billion-dollar” project that would deliver Australia’s first sovereign-controlled satellite communication system over the Indo-Pacific ocean regions.

However, the Australian defence ministry said that the acceleration in space technologies and evolving threats in space meant a single-orbit GEO-based satellite communications system would no longer meet priorities.

The ministry said in a statement that instead of a single-orbit solution, defence must instead prioritise a multi-orbit capability, increasing resilience for the Australian Defence Force.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Australian broadcaster ABC that the country’s defence budget was increasing, but his government was prioritising its purchases.

‘‘We’re busy prioritising all of our purchases when it comes to defence assets; we’ve got a considerable increase in our defence budget and we’ll make sure all of the decisions that we make are in our national interest,’’ he said conclusively.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja division, on Monday, overturned the conviction of the Umar Danladi tribunal, which found a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, guilty of false asset declaration.

The appellate court in a judgment, discharged and acquitted Onnoghen from the conviction delivered against him by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The conviction, which was delivered on April 18, 2019, was dismissed following the resolution of the issues that led to his trial and conviction.

Justice Abba Mohammed, who predicated the judgment on the terms of settlement by the Federal Government and Onnoghen, ordered that the four bank accounts previously ordered to be forfeited be returned to him.

The terms of the settlement read, “The Appellant herein was charged at the Code of Conduct Tribuna (CCT), on six counts dated January 11, 2019, to which he pleaded not guilty;

“The tribunal before the commencement of trial, heard and granted an ex-parte application seeking for an order for the appellant to step aside as the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, and for the President to swear in the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, thereby removing the appellant from office.

“The appellant before and during the trial, raised objections challenging the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), to hear and determine the matter same having not been brought by due process of the law, as the appellant being a judicial officer, ought to have been reported to the National Judicial Council first; whose findings and recommendations would determine the action(s) to be taken against him.

“The appellant also filed an application asking the chairman of the code of conduct tribunal to recuse himself from the proceedings because of the biased conduct he exhibited during the proceedings. The parties herein have expressed a collective desire to settle the appeals out of court.”

The statement continued, “Pursuant to the above, it is hereby agreed by the parties as follows: That the respondent concedes the appeals in the following terms:

“That the three appeals namely: (1) CA/A/375c/2019 (2) CA/A/376c/2019 and (3) CA/A/377c/2019 be consolidated for the purpose of hearing and settlement herein.

“That in relation to appeal nos: CA/A/375c/2019 and CA/A/376c/2019, it is settled that the code of conduct tribunal lacks jurisdiction to try and convict the appellant (a judicial officer) without first resorting to the National Judicial Council (NJC) in accordance with the following decisions: FRN vs NGANJIWA (2022) 17 NWLR (Pt.1860) 407 @ 468; NGANJIWA vs FRN (2018) 4 NWLR (Pt.1609) 301; OPENE vs NJC (2011) LPELR-4795 (CA).

“Secondly, that the tribunal lacks jurisdiction to have tried and convicted the appellant even after the appellant had tendered his voluntary retirement letter and same was accepted unconditionally by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” among others.

The court added that the terms of the settlement were voluntarily entered into by the parties.

On Saturday night, a devastating fire engulfed and destroyed electronic broadcasting equipment worth millions at three radio stations in Aba, Abia State. The affected stations, Enyimba 94.3 FM, Rose 101.9 FM, and Legend 98.3 FM, are located off Margret Avenue along the PZ axis of Aba-Owerri Road in Aba North Local Government Area. Though independently operated, these stations share a common building, which intensified the damage.

The Abia State Fire Service quickly intervened, preventing the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings. However, reports indicate that all broadcasting equipment in the stations was destroyed, leaving the stations temporarily out of service. Thankfully, no lives were lost.

Enyimba TV and Radio Limited, the parent company of the three stations, stated that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire. According to a staff member, the blaze allegedly started in the television section of the mother station before spreading to the sister radio stations.

In response to the incident, the management announced a temporary shutdown to assess the extent of the damage and implement precautionary measures to prevent future occurrences. Meanwhile, an Abia State Fire Service official urged owners of large companies and factories to equip their premises with fire extinguishers and hydrants to help control potential fires swiftly.

All is set for the final phase of the 2024 Beach volleyball star tour in Bauchi City, Bauchi State.

According to DCP Stephen Hasso (RTD), Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, 24 teams will compete for the grand prize from November 11 to 18 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.

Hasso commended Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, for approving the hosting of this significant event.

He noted that the state was fortunate to host the tour following Engineer Musa Nimrod’s appointment as President of the CAVB Beach Volleyball Commission.

“It is a new beginning for beach volleyball in Nigeria, as Bauchi State will host the final phase of the 2024 National Beach Volleyball Star/Open Tour, thanks to Musa Nimrod’s leadership in Africa,” Hasso stated.

He urged beach volleyball enthusiasts from the North Central and North East regions to come to Bauchi in large numbers and witness the excitement of top-level competition.

Additionally, he revealed that the commission aims to make beach volleyball more attractive to individuals and private investors, encouraging further investment in the sport.

President Bola Tinubu will, today (Monday), November 4, swear in seven new ministers into his cabinet.

His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, revealed this on Sunday via his X account.

The ceremony will be held at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

Onanuga said, “President Bola Tinubu will swear in the new seven ministers tomorrow Monday.

“The ministers are Dr Nentawe Yilwatda – Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi – Minister of Labour and Employment; Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu – Minister of State Foreign Affairs.

Others are Dr Jumoke Oduwole – Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (Trade and Investment), Idi Mukhtar Maiha – Minister of Livestock Development; Yusuf Abdullahi Ata – Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development and Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad – Minister of State Education.

“The Senate cleared the ministers last week.”

In a major cabinet reshuffle on October 23, Tinubu approved the re-assignment of 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios, discharged five others and nominated seven new ministers for onward transmission to the Senate for confirmation.

On October 31, the Senate confirmed all seven nominees after screening.

A police officer attached to the Otuocha Area Command in Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State, has shot and killed an unidentified male commercial bus driver.

It was gathered that the officer shot the deceased during an altercation over the payment of a N100 bribe to the security operatives at a checkpoint in the area.

A source, a commercial driver near the scene identified only as Kamtochukwu, told journalists that the incident occurred on Saturday, 2 November 2024.

The source said, “The young man was shot dead during an altercation between him and the police officers over the payment of a N100 bribe. During the argument, one of the police officers quickly pulled the trigger and shot him dead.

“The young man was also a commercial vehicle operator, and his vehicle was just ahead of mine in the queue a few metres from the checkpoint. We were waiting in the queue at the checkpoint when we suddenly heard the sound of a gunshot.

“The incident caused chaos and panic as some youths in the area mobilised against the police action before they eventually drove off from the scene.”

Reacting to inquiries, the spokesperson for the state police command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command is aware of the incident and that the situation is under control.

“The police officer involved has been identified as Inspector Sani Suleiman. He has been disarmed and detained for further investigations and internal disciplinary procedures,” Ikenga said.

The scourge of bribery and extortion among police officers in Nigeria is a longstanding issue that has led to deep-seated mistrust between the public and law enforcement.

Despite efforts to curb this menace, recent incidents continue to highlight the state of corruption within the Nigerian police force.

For example, in January 2023, a viral video showed a police officer in Lagos State openly demanding bribes from motorists during a stop-and-search operation. The officer, later identified through his badge number, was seen negotiating amounts with drivers and pocketing the cash.

South African police said on Sunday that 225 illegal miners had been arrested after being forced out of an abandoned mine shaft due to a lack of food and water.

The miners, known locally as “zama zamas” (“those who try” in Zulu), resurfaced from a mine in Orkney, a gold mining town in the Klerksdorp district of North West Province.

A police spokesperson told AFP on Sunday that the men had been arrested.

They were forced out “as a result of starvation and dehydration”, police said, after security agencies blocked routes used by their accomplices to deliver food and water to the mine.

Police added that they were still monitoring the abandoned mine shafts “as more and more illegal miners resurface”.

“These 225 illegal miners are part of others believed to be hundreds if not a thousand illegal miners who are stuck underground,” a statement issued late on Saturday said.

The Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources has sealed off Messrs Charterhouse for environmental violations.

Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, made this known on his X handle on Sunday.

Mr Wahab said it was sealed over alleged illegal reclamation of wetland and construction without requisite drainage clearance and wetland permit.

He said the enforcement operatives from the ministry’s wetland and conservation department sealed Messrs Charterhouse after being served a stop work order.

“This property around Ogombo in Eti-Osa Local Government was sealed off over an illegal reclamation of wetland and construction without requisite drainage clearance and wetland permit.

“The ministry had earlier served a stop-work order on August 15 on Messrs Charterhouse and the adjourning properties.

“This stop work order was for causing wetland loss and degradation, biodiversity loss, desecration of the buffer zone holding excess water and prevent flooding,” he said.

A recent Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2023-24 report reveals significant insights into Nigeria’s ongoing fight against malaria, highlighting progress and persistent challenges.

The NDHS survey made available to journalists on Sunday in Abuja said malaria remained a serious health concern in the country, especially affecting vulnerable populations, with the latest data showing key trends in prevention, treatment, and public awareness.

The survey indicates a marked increase in household ownership of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), a primary method of malaria prevention, especially in rural areas where ownership rates outpace urban regions.

“Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) has also seen an uptick, though disparities remain based on region and socioeconomic status.

“Meanwhile, media exposure to malaria messages has effectively reached a substantial portion of the population, underscoring the impact of awareness campaigns,” the survey said.

Despite these achievements, the survey said critical issues remained.

“Access to healthcare, especially for children with fever, is inconsistent, with many cases lacking diagnostic testing; geographic and economic factors contribute to unequal healthcare access, particularly in underserved regions,” it said.

Additionally, the survey said that while more Nigerians were aware of malaria prevention, many remained inconsistent in using preventive measures.

It said the threat of drug-resistant malaria strains also posed a potential setback to treatment efficacy, necessitating ongoing research and adaptation.

To sustain momentum and achieve lasting results, experts suggested strengthening primary healthcare systems, particularly rural areas, to improve access to diagnostics, treatment, and preventive services.

Olayinka Umar-Farouk, deputy project director of Risk Communication at Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria, recommended enhanced community engagement through education campaigns and increased distribution of ITNs and IPTp in high-risk areas.

She said the survey’s findings suggested that while Nigeria had made commendable progress, there were still challenges to overcome in the fight against malaria.

Emergency forces in Spain were able to rescue a woman trapped inside a car alongside the dead body of her sister-in-law for three days following the deadly flash floods in Spain, where the death toll has now climbed slightly to 211.

Police in the municipality of Moncada shared a video on social media platform X on Saturday showing the President of Valencia’s civil defence, Martín Pérez, delivering the news of the woman’s rescue to employees amid applause.

The woman is said to have been trapped in the vehicle in the municipality of Benetússer, south of the city of Valencia, for three days alongside the body of her sister-in-law, news agency Europapress reported citing the local Las Provincias newspaper.

Rescue workers heard her screaming as they towed away cars stuck in a tunnel.

The woman was taken for a medical examination, but no further details about her state were initially known.

At least 211 people were killed in Tuesday’s storms and floods in Spain’s southern and eastern regions, most of them in the Valencia region, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Saturday after a meeting about response to the disaster.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said earlier on Saturday that he expected the number to continue rising as rescue teams continued to conduct searches in the hardest-hit areas.

There are fears that many more people will be found dead in cars swept away by the torrential rains that flooded towns and caused rivers to burst their banks earlier this week.