JUST IN; Five persons confirmed dead in expressway lo accident

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of a female child and four male passengers in a lone road accident in Ebonyi on Friday morning.

The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Ebonyi , Daniel Asanya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki that the accident occured at the Nkalagu axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki federal highway.

Asanya said that the affected vehicle was enroute Enugu from Abakaliki and crashed at the Edema bridge, Nkalagu in Ishielu Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi.

“The commercial bus, a white coloured Toyota Hiace bus with Registration Number: RSH 231 XE; had 17 passengers on board.

“The passengers consist of 12 males, four females and one female child.

“Five persons died in the crash: four males and one female child while 12 persons were injured: eight males and four females” he said.

He noted that the crash was caused by speed violation as items recovered from the crash scene include: three phones, two personal effects on sac bags and quarter bag of rice.

“The injured were taken to Annunciation Hospital Emene Enugu for treatment while the dead have been deposited in the morgue.

“We advise drivers to always drive with caution especially with construction and maintenance work on the Enugu–Abakaliki highway.

“Drivers should also realise that roads would always be maintained and this is for public good,” he said.

Asanya also advised the construction firm handling work on the road to place “illuminating signs’ on the road to alert motorists of ongoing works. (NAN)

Reactions trail Speaker’s coment that Govt should not negotiate with Oyo abductors

Reactions have trailed the Oyo Assembly Speaker’s call for the state government not to negotiate with the Oriire abductors.

The respondents expressed their opinions in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Saturday.

NAN recalls that the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, on Wednesday, took a firm, non-negotiable stance against the bandits, calling for stronger rescue operations.

He warned that negotiations could embolden criminal elements, encourage further attacks, send the wrong signal and potentially strengthen criminal networks in the state.

Ogundoyin acknowledged the frustration, anxiety and impatience of families whose loved ones remained in captivity, but called for continued support of rescue efforts by security agencies and the state government.

According to him, the focus should remain on sustained security operations, intelligence gathering and coordinated rescue missions aimed at securing the safe release of all victims.

NAN recalls that the bandits had reportedly demanded N1 billion, two buses, and the release of their colleagues in custody, among other demands.

However, a lawyer and political analyst, Mr Oluwatobi Fatoki, warned that negotiating with kidnappers would strengthen criminal networks and undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Fatoki, a former spokesperson of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan branch, described the demands as a slap on the face of the nation.

“It is a slap on the face of the nation that is sovereign for kidnappers to be listing their demands to a government whose core constitutional responsibility is security and welfare of citizens,” Fatoki said.

He argued that paying ransom creates more victims.

“When you negotiate with kidnappers and heed their call, you allow them to do more.

“All the money they get through this crime, they reinvest into it.

“That is not the solution,” he stated.

Fatoki said the government must reassert control over security.

According to him, if the government can take charge of security architecture and combat banditry, kidnapping and terrorism headlong, there will be peace.

He, however, called for a return to indigenous security practices, saying that traditional methods have proven effective in communities.

“Nigeria is a secular state with Christians, Muslims and traditionalists; and originally, we are rooted in traditional practice.

“We have seen different traditional means of arresting armed robbers.

“Recently in Ondo State, some people, likely bandits, were arrested through traditional means; they slept off with their ammunition,” he noted.

The legal practitioner urged the government to look for and invest in genuine core traditional practitioners rather than giving N1 billion to abductors to reinvest.

“Let us turn to traditionalists who can use confirmed charms to deter crime, arrest offenders and set people free,” he said.

He added that unconventional security innovations are used globally.

“We have seen wizardry in international countries and innovations they have used for security.

“We should stop using witchcraft to do evil but use it to bring solutions and make society safer for all,” Fatoki said.

Meanwhile, Prof. Olawale Albert of the Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ibadan, said that negotiations should not be ruled out, particularly when lives were at stake.

Albert said the immediate priority should be the safe return of the abducted students and teachers, noting that a purely force-based approach could result in casualties.

He underscored the need for professionals to handle the negotiations so that they could get the victims to safety.

According to him, professional security management often combines both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.

“The first thing for us to do now is to get those children into safety, and you cannot get them into safety using kinetic methods, because there may be very expensive collateral damage.

“When the children and their teachers are out, then other options can be explored in dealing with the kidnappers,” he said.

Also, Prof. Nelson Fashina, the National Deputy Director of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), said the country was facing a broader security crisis requiring urgent intervention.

Fashina described existing government approaches as insufficient and called for stronger collaboration with community-based security structures.

He, however, did not directly endorse or oppose negotiations, but stressed the need for more effective responses to insecurity.

The Oyo State Secretary of the Labour Party, Mr Fatai Ojetunde, described the Speaker’s position as one probably influenced by personal distance from the situation.

According to Ojetunde, families of the victims would naturally support every legitimate effort, including negotiations, to secure the release of their loved ones.

“Nigerians generally are plagued with selfish interests, and people only act when issues concern them.

“Families of the victims would want everything done for the rescue of their loved ones, including negotiation,” he said.

Ojetunde, however, noted that the ransom reportedly demanded by the kidnappers appeared excessive and might be difficult for any state government to meet. (NAN)

Our votes are for President Tinubu says Enugu State Gov ahead of 2027

The Enugu East Senatorial Zone on Saturday declared support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Peter Mbah in the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was made during the Enugu East Senatorial Zone solidarity rally tagged “Ofu Obi Rally for Tinubu and Mbah”, held at the Okpara Square, Enugu.

The zone, comprising Enugu East, Enugu North, Enugu South, Isi-Uzo, Nkanu East and Nkanu West Local Government Areas, also donated N300 million to support Mbah’s re-election.

The motion adopting Tinubu as the preferred presidential candidate for a second term was moved by the senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District, Sen. Kelvin Chukwu, and seconded by Mr Nnolim Nnaji, member representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency.

Similarly, the motion endorsing Mbah for a second term was moved by Mr Iloabuchi Aniagu, member representing Nkanu West State Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, and seconded by Mr Anthony Mbah, member representing Nkanu East State Constituency.

Speaking at the rally, former Senate President, Sen. Ken Nnamani, described Mbah as a visionary leader with a strong capacity for implementation.

Nnamani said transformative leadership and investment in education were critical to development, citing China’s rise as an example of how visionary governance could change the fortunes of a people.

He commended Mbah’s Smart Green Schools initiative and urged residents to support the governor’s development agenda.

According to him, Mbah has demonstrated the qualities of a leader with clear vision and the ability to execute policies effectively.

Also speaking, former Governor of old Anambra State, Sen. Jim Nwobodo, said Mbah deserved another term to consolidate the gains of his administration.

“We have no other governorship candidate in Nkanuland and Enugu State other than Peter Mbah. He must complete another four years in office,” Nwobodo said.

The Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said members of the State Executive Council and political appointees remained firmly behind the governor.

He said the rally represented only a fraction of the support Mbah enjoyed across the state and expressed confidence that Enugu would become one of Nigeria’s leading states under his leadership.

On behalf of members of the House of Representatives from the zone, Nnaji said the endorsement was based on performance and good governance.

“We are here not because Peter Mbah is our brother. We are here to celebrate performance, good governance and transformational leadership,” he said.

Nnaji also urged eligible voters to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 elections.

Earlier, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Chief Okey Ogbodo, called for unity among party faithful and stakeholders across the state.

He urged supporters to remain peaceful, focused and committed to translating the growing support for Tinubu and Mbah into electoral victory in 2027.

According to him, Enugu State has benefited from Mbah’s strategic alignment with the Federal Government and his commitment to progressive leadership.

Responding, Mbah expressed gratitude to the people of Enugu East Senatorial Zone for the endorsement, describing it as a vote of confidence in his administration.

The governor recalled that his administration came into office with a vision to transform Enugu State and create opportunities for future generations.

Mbah highlighted key achievements of his administration, including the establishment of Smart Green Schools, reforms in primary healthcare, development of modern transport infrastructure, procurement of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and the revitalisation of public facilities.

He also announced plans to introduce free school feeding in public schools by September 2026.

The governor thanked the people for their overwhelming support and urged them to sustain the momentum by supporting continuity in 2027.

Mbah advised voters to remain vigilant and make informed choices during the elections.

The rally featured cultural displays from the five local government areas that made up the senatorial zone. (NAN)