A devastating rainstorm has destroyed about 100 houses in Tom Gangare community, Sopp Ward, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving many families displaced and homeless.

The incident occurred on Sunday following a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds, which also damaged health facilities, places of worship and other critical infrastructure in the community.

A resident, Mr. Bot Felix, said property worth millions of naira was destroyed during the disaster, while many residents lost their homes.

According to him, the windstorm uprooted several trees, many of which fell on residential buildings, worsening the scale of destruction across the community.

A community stakeholder, Dung Danboyi, described the incident as tragic and appealed for urgent intervention from the government and humanitarian organisations.

He expressed relief that no lives were lost but lamented that the destruction had left many households without shelter and exposed victims to severe hardship.

“The level of destruction is overwhelming. Many families have lost their homes and means of livelihood. We are appealing to government agencies, humanitarian organisations and well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of our people during this difficult time,” he said.

Danboyi called on the Plateau State Government, the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, development partners and other stakeholders to provide immediate relief materials and support to affected residents.

The Councillor representing Sopp Ward, Gwong Ibrahim, also appealed to relevant authorities to urgently intervene and cushion the impact of the disaster on victims.

He stressed the need for emergency relief assistance, noting that many affected families were struggling to secure temporary shelter and basic necessities.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Riyom Local Government Council, Sati Bature Shuwa, visited the community to assess the extent of the damage and sympathise with victims.

Shuwa assured residents that efforts would be made to facilitate assistance and support for those affected by the disaster.

He added that a comprehensive assessment would be carried out to determine the extent of the losses and pave the way for appropriate intervention by government and emergency management agencies.

Lagos State Police Command has dismissed viral social media reports alleging that armed bandits had invaded communities in Ibeju-Lekki, Imota, Oke-Afo and other parts of the state, describing the claims as false and deliberately designed to incite fear among residents.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the police said there was no security threat, invasion or coordinated attack on schools and communities anywhere in Lagos State.

“The Lagos State Police Command categorically states that the claims contained in the circulating posts are false, misleading, unfounded, and intended to create unnecessary fear, panic, and apprehension among residents,” the statement said.

The command reassured residents that schools across the state remained safe and that security agencies had maintained adequate surveillance and security presence in communities.

“There is currently no security crisis, invasion, or coordinated attack on any school or community in Ibeju-Lekki, Imota, Oke-Afo, or any other part of Lagos State,” the police stated.

The command, however, disclosed that the circulation of the false alarm had led to the death of a 24-year-old commercial motorcyclist, identified as Kulaha Ayuba.

According to the police, some youths in the community allegedly acted on unverified reports of a bandit invasion and wrongly identified Ayuba as a Fulani bandit before attacking him.

“Regrettably, the spread of this false alarm has already resulted in a tragic and avoidable loss of life. One Kulaha Ayuba, male, aged 24 years, a commercial motorcycle rider, was allegedly labelled a Fulani bandit by some youths of the community and fatally assaulted,” the statement added.

The police said Ayuba’s motorcycle was reportedly stolen, while his body was later discovered in a swamp within the community.

Following swift intervention by security operatives, 15 suspects were arrested in connection with the incident and are currently assisting with investigations.

“Following the swift Police intervention, fifteen suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently under investigation. The Command assures the public that all those found culpable will be made to face the full weight of the law,” the police said.

The command condemned the spread of unverified information capable of causing public disorder, ethnic profiling and mob violence, warning residents against sharing unconfirmed reports on social media.

“The Command condemns the deliberate dissemination of unverified information capable of causing chaos, inciting public disorder, and promoting ethnic profiling, mob action, or hatred against any group of people,” the statement noted.

The police also warned that individuals found responsible for originating or deliberately circulating false and inflammatory information capable of causing panic, ethnic tension or violence would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, urged Lagos residents to remain calm and continue their lawful activities without fear.

He encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities through official security channels rather than relying on unverified social media content.

“The Command remains fully committed to the protection of lives and property and assures all Lagosians that adequate security measures have been emplaced across the state to sustain the peace and security currently being enjoyed,” the statement added.

Five police officers accused in connection with the death of Oghenemine Ogidi, popularly known as OG Millan, were on Monday arraigned before High Court 5 sitting in Asaba, Delta State.

The defendants include ASP Usman Nuhu (42), ASP Onoloko Dauroupamo (47), ASP Okoh Kelechi (46), Inspector Goodluck Kingsley (42), and Inspector Omonigho Ahweyevu (41). The case, filed under Suit No. THC/ASB/CR/M/66C/2026, came before Justice Marshal Onome Umukoro.

The officers were ordered to be remanded at the Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre pending further proceedings in the matter, just as the court adjourned the case till June 15, 2026, for arraignment, following a request for legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

Unfortunately, the family was not informed, just as journalists were not allowed into the courtroom during the proceedings.

Family members of the 28-year-old musician allegedly killed by some policemen have lamented that the police authorities have refused to update them on developments in the case.

Speaking after the hearing, human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu described the officers’ appearance in court as a positive step toward justice.

He said the court ordered that the suspects remain in custody pending legal advice from the DPP.

“Today, they finally produced the officers in court, including the principal suspect and others. The judge ordered that they remain in custody while the DPP reviews the case,” he said.

He raised concerns that the deceased’s family had not been properly updated on developments in the case.

According to him, the family alleged that they had not been shown the autopsy report or formally briefed on the investigation.

He also claimed there were attempts to restrict public observation of the proceedings, although journalists and observers insisted on being present.

Gwamnishu further disclosed that future hearings may be conducted virtually, with the suspects appearing from the correctional facility while proceedings are followed remotely in court. He expressed hope that the legal process would move quickly so the full trial could commence.

Also speaking, a cousin of the deceased, Emuobor Alex, said the family was not adequately informed about the court sitting and only got details through unofficial sources.

He explained that family members travelled from Warri to Asaba after receiving early morning information that the matter would be heard in court.

“We were advised to contact the Commissioner of Police, but later got information from activists that the case would be heard today. We rushed down to Asaba immediately,” he said.

Alex said the family arrived at the court after proceedings had already ended, leaving them frustrated.

He appealed to the Delta State Ministry of Justice and other authorities to ensure timely communication with the family going forward.

“Our only request is to be carried along. We want to know what is happening in the case of our late brother,” he said.

Similarly, the elder brother of the deceased, Victory Ogidi, also complained about the lack of communication from the authorities handling the case.

He said the family had been relying on social media and third-party information instead of official updates.

“We lost our brother, and we should not be relying on social media to know what is happening in a case that concerns us directly,” he said.

Victory urged the Attorney-General of Delta State, the Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure transparency and regular updates for the family.

He stressed that the family was not asking for special treatment, but only to be properly informed and included in the process.