Firefighters in Kwara State, on Thursday averted a major fire disaster at Olori town, along the new Jebba highway.

The incident occurred at about 09:08hrs, following a petrol tanker spill incident.

The accident involved a petroleum tanker with registration number OYO 45 AA, loaded with approximately 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and conveying the product from Lagos to Abuja.

According to information gathered at the scene, the tanker driver noticed a strange sound while on transit and immediately pulled over to inspect the vehicle. 

After checking and finding no obvious fault, he was about to resume his journey when the tank containing the PMS suddenly detached from the truck head, resulting in a potentially hazardous situation.

The incident occurred within a densely populated community surrounded by buildings, shops and vehicles, thereby presenting a significant risk of fire outbreak and possible loss of lives and property.

Upon arrival, the firefighters immediately commenced preventive firefighting operations by drenching the surrounding area and the PMS tanker with water to prevent any possibility of spontaneous ignition and further escalation.

The firefighters, however, successfully mitigated the immediate danger and maintained a standby operation at the scene until the PMS was safely syphoned into another empty tanker.

Chief Fire Officer of the state fire service, Alabi Muhammed, commended the professionalism and vigilance of the firefighters, emphasising that incidents involving petroleum products required immediate and coordinated intervention due to their highly flammable nature.

He further advised tanker operators and drivers transporting petroleum products to conduct thorough inspections of their vehicles before and during long-distance journeys, and to immediately alert emergency responders whenever any unusual sound, leakage, mechanical fault or other warning sign is observed.

He also urged communities and motorists to keep a safe distance from petroleum tanker incidents and avoid any activity that could generate sparks or flames around spilled petroleum products.

There was panic in Jos, Plateau State capital on Thursday when fire engulfed one of the hostels at St Louis College.

The fire incident which broke out at 6pm was said to have destroyed furniture, mattresses and other valuables.

Fortunately, the incident took place while the students were on holiday, averting possible casualties.

According to Vanguard, an eyewitness, Taiwo Olayinka, said several properties were destroyed in the affected hostel.

“An unfortunate fire gutted one of the hostels in the school. Thankfully, students are on holiday, but furniture, mattresses and other valuables are being consumed by the inferno,” the eyewitness said.

At the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire could not be immediately known and it is not clear if fire firefighters have arrested the situation.

The Benue State Police Command has rescued a newborn baby who was reportedly stolen immediately after delivery at a healthcare facility in Gboko, Gboko Local Government Area of the state, and arrested 11 suspects in connection with the incident.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Orchia Aondogwu.

He said that on August 12, 2026, at about 11 am, operatives attached to A Division, Gboko, received a complaint from one Aondofa Chia that his wife had delivered a baby at a healthcare facility in Gboko and that the newborn had gone missing shortly after birth.

Aondogwu said that upon receiving the report, police operatives immediately commenced an investigation, which led to the arrest of nine suspects for questioning and to assist in establishing the circumstances surrounding the disappearance.

He said further investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects at about 10 pm on the same day, including the principal suspect, Mrs Nguhemen Asugh, 35, who allegedly stole the newborn baby. The infant was subsequently rescued from her custody and safely reunited with the mother.

Aondogwu said that with the latest arrests, a total of 11 suspects are currently in police custody in connection with the offence. He added that investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the case, determine the roles played by all the suspects and ascertain each person’s degree of culpability.