The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that seven people died while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a fatal road crash along the Bauchi-Maiduguri Highway on Saturday.
The Sector Command of the FRSC in Bauchi said the accident occurred at Kajutu village in Bauchi State and involved a commercial Galaxy Sharon bus with registration number KRF 198XA and a MAN diesel tipper truck without a registration number.

According to the command, the crash happened at about 12:05 p.m. It was reported to the FRSC two minutes later, while rescue personnel arrived at the scene at 12:22 p.m.

Preliminary investigations by the corps attributed the crash to traffic signal violation and dangerous driving on a rough section of the paved road.

A total of 12 people were involved in the accident, comprising 10 adult males, one adult female and one male child. Of the number, seven adult males lost their lives, while five others; three adult males, one adult female and one male child suffered injuries.

The deceased were identified as Garba Babaji, Alkali Galadima, Aliyu Samanja, Abba Abbo, Amadu Guruza, Rabiu Baura and Ibrahim Gucho Officer.

The victims were said to be indigenes of Misau Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The FRSC said its rescue team evacuated the injured victims and the bodies of the deceased to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, where the injured are receiving treatment and the deaths were confirmed.

Items recovered from the scene included six Android phones, five keypad phones, ₦34,250 in cash, three caps, a travelling bag and a wallet.

Reacting to the tragedy, former lawmaker Senator Isah Hamma Misau expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Misau, describing the incident as heartbreaking.

He prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls, urging motorists to strictly observe traffic regulations to help prevent similar tragedies on the nation’s roads.

A blogger who claims to be the publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, Mr. Ejike Ofoegbu Experience, has apologised for publishing a series of news items in which he disparaged the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his son, Ozonna.

The blogger had published four news articles after a video of Ozonna went viral, showing him dancing to a song that called out some Nigerian politicians, including his father.

Ofoegbu claimed in one of the reports that Governor Soludo had said he disowned his son years ago and was no longer responsible for his actions.

In another report, he claimed that Ozonna granted an interview in which he said he had first disowned his father, listing several reasons for doing so.

However, in a retraction and apology video posted on his page, Ofoegbu pleaded for forgiveness, admitting that the stories were false, as none of the individuals mentioned granted any interview.

He confessed that he fabricated the stories in the hope that they would go viral, thereby increasing the popularity of his blogs and generating revenue.

He said: “I wish to offer my deepest and most sincere apology to Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, his family, and the general public.

“I publicly admit that the stories I published concerning Governor Soludo and his son were completely fake, false, fabricated, and untrue. They did not come from Governor Soludo, his son, his family, or any official representative. They were not based on any verified facts or credible source, and they should never have been presented as news.”

He further stated: “I also apologise to the people of Anambra State, readers of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, and everyone who may have seen or shared these false publications. I am committed to correcting this mistake and ensuring that such an incident does not happen again.”

Some of the headlines he published read: “Breaking News: I will arrest anyone who calls Ozo my son. He is not my son. I disowned him years ago, and he is no longer a member of the Soludo family.” 

Another read: “Just In: I Don’t Take Advice From My Father. He Was a Drunkard Who Beat My Mom When I Was Young. His Treatment of My Mother Made Me Decide Never to Take Advice From Him — ‘Soludo’s Son’ Speaks Out.”

Two other fabricated headlines read: “Breaking News: I ordered Ozo from Temu. He is Chinese-made, not my son. Even at the hospital when he was born, I asked the doctor, ‘I hope you didn’t accidentally exchange my real son.’ Ozo is from Temu,” Soludo jokingly told reporters. Another read: “Breaking News: They should organise a drinking competition between my father and Wike. I just want to see something. I’m willing to bet my life that my father would win. People don’t understand his drinking capacity.” — Ozo.

It is not yet clear whether Ofoegbu has been arrested by security operatives, as the apology message was accompanied by a video in which he appeared visibly frightened while apologising for his actions.

The Yobe State Police Command has said its operatives have arrested 14 suspected drug dealers and recovered a large quantity of illicit drugs during a coordinated raid on criminal hideouts in Jakusko Local Government Area.

According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the operation targeted drug joints at Buduwa Market in Jakusko LGA as part of the command’s sustained efforts to crack down on criminal activities across the state.

The suspects, arrested while allegedly engaging in the sale, consumption and abuse of illicit drugs, include Hamisu Umar, 20; Usman Wakili, 25; Aliyu Mohammed, 20; Hassan Ali, 35; Dudduwa Dorsha, 27; Adamu Hussaini, 27; Sale Adamu, 27; and Adamu Umaru, 25.

Others are Babaru Hassan, 28; Dangi Maikudi, 22; Hassan Audu, 29; Abubakar Usman, 29; Ahmadu Waziri, 23;  and Daudu Yusuf, 20.

“Items recovered from them include over 300 sachets and packages of various illicit drugs such as Tramadol, Vega tablets, Indian hemp, and other prohibited and controlled substances.

“Investigation is ongoing and the suspects are assisting with useful information to facilitate the arrest of other members of the criminal network.

“They will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigation,” the command noted.

In the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Yobe State Command, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, directed all area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical commanders to intensify raids on identified criminal hideouts and black spots across the state.

CP Jibrin reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and substance abuse, noting that the menace remains a major catalyst for violent crimes and other criminal activities.