Metro
Fuel Tanker inferno leaves 38 burnt, 12 dead in Cross River
No fewer than 38 persons were severely affected after a fuel tanker burst into flames in Ndem community, Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, on Wednesday.
The tanker, said to have fallen into a nearby river during transloading operations, ignited a fire that engulfed dozens of residents at the scene.
Eyewitnesses said many victims sustained severe burns, with at least 12 persons confirmed dead as of press time. Several of the deceased were reportedly burnt beyond recognition.
An eyewitness, Anthony Ekeni, said he counted about 38 victims at the scene, including 12 lifeless bodies.
Among those feared dead are the Chairman of the Ogoja Truckers Association and a recently promoted Assistant Superintendent of Police, whose identity had yet to be confirmed.
Emergency response agencies are yet to issue an official statement at the time of filing this report.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the corpses of the deceased had been evacuated and released to the appropriate authorities and families, including the Hausa Muslim community for burial in line with Islamic rites.
Eitokpah said the police received news of the incident with deep grief, adding that the Divisional Traffic Officer in Ogoja and patrol teams were immediately deployed to the scene to secure the area and manage traffic.
“The scene was cordoned off to prevent further casualties, while efforts were made in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to rescue trapped victims and evacuate the injured to the General Hospital, Ogoja, for treatment,” he said.
He added that reinforcements were later deployed to contain the fire, ensure public safety and prevent further escalation, while access to the affected area was restricted.
The police spokesman further disclosed that an investigation had commenced to determine both the remote and immediate causes of the incident, particularly the circumstances surrounding the transloading process that triggered the explosion.
Metro
Kebbi: Police dismiss rumours of school closure over insecurity
The Kebbi State Police Command has dismissed rumours claiming that schools in the state have been closed due to insecurity, describing the reports as false.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, made the clarification in a statement issued on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi while responding to claims of school closures, kidnappings and the withdrawal of pupils by parents.
According to him, there is no truth to the speculation, stressing that academic activities are continuing as scheduled across the state.
Usman noted that students have recently resumed for the new term, while graduating students are safely sitting for the Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE, in various centres across Kebbi.
He added that the state’s school calendar remains under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and has not been disrupted by security concerns.
The police spokesperson further said security agencies, in collaboration with vigilante groups, have continued to carry out intelligence-led operations across the state to maintain peace and protect residents.
He maintained that recent arrests and the neutralisation of criminal elements demonstrate the effectiveness of the ongoing security efforts and urged the public to disregard unfounded rumours capable of causing panic.
Metro
Delta: Police rescue kidnap victim, arrest suspected armed robbers
Delta State Police Command has rescued a kidnap victim, arrested suspected armed robbers and recovered firearm and hard drugs.
The Command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad (SAKU) successfully rescued a kidnap victim unhurt without the payment of ransom following a coordinated intelligence-led operation.
The operation was launched the operation following information received by the Command on 11 June 2026 regarding the kidnap of a male victim by armed men at Okpanam on 10 June 2026.
Acting swiftly on the report, operatives deployed intelligence assets and commenced a strategic operation aimed at locating the victim and apprehending the perpetrators
Edafe Bright, the commands spoke person confirmed the victim was rescued unhurt, debriefed, and reunited with his family as efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the fleeing suspects, while investigation into the incident continues.
As pressure mounted on the kidnappers through sustained intelligence gathering and operational deployment, the suspects abandoned the victim and fled from their hideout” Bright said
In a separate development, operatives of the Distress 01 Patrol Team attached to the Department of Operations, while on routine motorised patrol on 12 June 2026 at about 1230hrs in Asaba, intercepted a tricycle conveying three occupants.
The suspects were subjected to a search, during which one locally fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered.
The suspects, identified as Ewendeze De-Grace (19), Eruweghene Amede (20), and Chukwuemeka Arinze (21), were immediately arrested.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of the Aro Bagger Confraternity while the suspects and the recovered firearm are in custody while investigation is ongoing.
Again, in the continued efforts to curb drug-related crimes, operatives of the Kwale Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected drug distribution point in Kwale on 10 June 2026.
Upon sighting the operatives, two male suspects fled the premises, while one female suspect, identified as Ananyi Vivian, aged 45 years, was arrested.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the premises were being used for illicit drug-related activities.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted being aware of the illegal activities taking place at the location.
Bright also said investigation is ongoing, and concerted efforts are being made to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring all persons connected with the operation of the illicit drug point to justice
Metro
Ogun police arrest driver, guarantor for vehicle theft, foil smuggling attempt
Operatives attached to the Idiroko Division of the Ogun State Police Command have foiled a cross-border vehicle trafficking attempt, arrested two suspects and recovered a stolen 28-seater Toyota Coaster bus belonging to a company.
The suspects, Seun Lawal, 46, and Ademola Oriyomi, 38, were arrested on Friday.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the bus was declared stolen from Lagos.
He noted that Seun, the company’s driver, and his guarantor, Ademola, conspired to steal and smuggle the bus into the Benin Republic.
The statement reads: “The operation was based on credible intelligence received at about 11:00 p.m. on June 12, 2026, indicating that the suspects had positioned the said vehicle at the Babaloke area of Idiroko and were preparing to move it across the international border under false pretence.
“Acting swiftly on the information, CSP Adejuwon Ariyo mobilised and led a surveillance team to the location, where operatives intercepted the suspects in the course of executing the cross-border movement.”
According to the police spokesperson, the operatives demobilised the vehicle by shooting one of its tyres, effectively immobilising it and preventing its escape across the border.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that Seun Lawal, a driver, conspired with Ademola Oriyomi, his guarantor, to steal and sell the vehicle in the Benin Republic. The suspects admitted that the proceeds were intended to facilitate their relocation after the illegal transaction,” he added.
Babaseyi stated that the suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue to uncover possible links to broader cross-border vehicle theft syndicates.
Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the professionalism, vigilance and tactical precision of CSP Adejuwon Ariyo and the operatives of the Idiroko Division.
The CP reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to proactive policing, strengthened border security operations and sustained efforts aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action within Ogun State and its border corridors.
Meanwhile, he urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
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