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)

JUST IN: Federal Government to install CCTV camera on highway

The Federal Government has announced plans to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras along the Mararaba-Keffi Road, to enhance highway security and real-time monitoring of road activities.
The Minister of Works,David Umahi made this known on Saturday, while inspecting the road project.
Umahi said the initiative was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to integrate technology into road infrastructure and strengthen security along major transportation corridors.
According to the minister, the Mararaba-Keffi Road project will serve as a model for future highway security programmes across the country.
“This project is going to be a pilot project as directed by the President.
“He wants all our routes to have CCTV, and so, we have embedded CCTV programme in this project.
“We want to build observation section where we will do our CCTV, just like second Niger Bridge.
“We are reviving the highway security, safety which is a department in the police section,” he said.
Umahi explained that the project would include solar-powered lighting, surveillance infrastructure and observation facilities that would enable security agencies to monitor road activities in real time.
The minister disclosed that the federal government was working with the Nigeria Police Force to revive the Highway Patrol and Safety Unit.
He added that CCTV systems and rapid-response mechanisms would help combat insecurity and improve emergency response on highways.
“When we install CCTV and solar lights on our roads, security personnel will be able to monitor activities remotely, and response time to incidents will be significantly reduced,” he said.
Umahi also used the occasion to commend indigenous construction company, JRB Construction Limited for its performance on the project, describing the company as one of Nigeria’s most reliable local contractors.
He revealed that JRB was handling approximately 40 kilometres of the road and had already completed about 21 kilometres of binder course within eight months despite funding challenges.
“I have consistently maintained that JRB is one of the best indigenous contractors in the country because of the quality of its works.
“The equipment it possessed and its commitment to partnering with the federal government have stand the company out,” the minister stated.
According to him, the contractor mobilised to the site and commenced work before receiving payment, helping to prevent further delays on the project.
Umahi warned that the government would soon begin reviewing the performance of contractors handling federal road projects, regardless of whether they were indigenous or foreign firms.
He said contractors who failed to invest resources, mobilise equipment and demonstrate commitment to project delivery would no longer be tolerated.
“We are going to identify those contractors who are genuine partners in progress and those who simply wait for mobilisation funds before doing any work,” he said.
Umahi also ordered repairs of damaged sections of existing pavement to ease traffic congestion and improve road conditions for motorists pending the completion of the reconstruction work.
“We must address the potholes and failed sections first because they affect the daily lives of road users.
“Reducing travel delays and improving safety is just as important as constructing new roads,” he said.
The minister expressed concern over the removal and disposal of milled asphalt materials from project sites, insisting that such materials should be recycled and reused in road construction.
Umahi also issued a strong warning to officials of the Ministry of Works, saying directors and project supervisors would be held accountable for failure to implement approved directives.
He stressed that public officials must take responsibility for project delivery and ensure that the federal government’s infrastructure agenda achieves its intended objectives.
“The President has provided the support and resources required for us to succeed.
“Every official must play his or her role because nation-building is the responsibility of all of us,” he said. (NAN)(