Scores escape death, six vehicles burnt in Ibadan fuel tanker explosion 

Score of commuters narrowly escaped death in Ibadan Saturday evening when a loaded petrol tanker exploded, with the fire claiming two articulated trucks, one 18-seater bus, two small commercial cabs (Micra), a tricycle and three motorcycles.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the incident occurred at 4.45pm at Iyana-Ajia along Ibadan-Ife Road.

The fully loaded tanker was said to have caught fire while its driver was attempting to switch lanes due to an ongoing road construction in the area.

The fire quickly spread, causing a devastating explosion.

The tanker was still burning, while other affected vehicles have been turned to ashes as of the time filing this report Saturday night.

The Federal Fire Service and security agencies were around to put the situation under control.

Banditry outcome of people neglected for centuries — Gumi

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has dismissed allegations that politicians are behind the rising insecurity in northern Nigeria.

In recent months, the North-West region has faced increasing banditry and violence, leading to the deaths of many, including the monarch of Gobir in Sokoto State. The unrest has sparked claims that politicians may be funding the violence for their own gain.

In 2021, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, alleged that some politicians were sponsoring the banditry seen across the country. However, in an interview with Punch, Sheikh Gumi denied these claims, stating that there is no evidence to suggest that politicians are fueling the unrest in the North.

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He said;

“This is an unintelligent allegation. No politician is sponsoring these people. We are all victims. The opposition is not even behind this. This is a natural reaction of people neglected for centuries without education.

“Now they are exposed to the world and they want education. These people are exposed to the Internet and they see how much they are deprived. They want to fight back. This act is not by anybody.”

Banditry outcome of people neglected for centuries — Gumi

152 terrorists killed, 109 arrested in 1 week – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters Friday said troops during the week killed a total of 152 terrorists and arrested 109.

The military high command also stated that the strongholds of two notorious terrorist leaders — the Sadiku enclave at Tsora Hill in Safana Local Government Area, Katsina State; and the Yusuf enclave in Yadi Forest, Giwa LG, Kaduna State, were destroyed.

The Director of Media Operations, Edward Buba, in a statement, said the troops’ achievements were an indication that the military was steadily progressing towards the goal of destroying all criminal elements.

“The war against terrorists, insurgents, violent extremists and others perpetrating insecurity in the country rages, and troops are sustaining the momentum to achieve victory. Indeed, the armed forces are steadily progressing towards the goal of destruction of all these elements.

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“Given recent events, the military learns every day and makes improvements on ways to better deal with threat situations posed by these terror groups. Troops are moving in against the terrorists and denying them freedom of action.

“During the week, troops carried out surgical operations against two prominent terrorist commanders and decimated their strongholds, namely, Sadiku enclave in Tsora Hill in Safana LGA of Katsina State and Alhaji Yusuf enclave in Yadi Forest in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State.”

“Overall, troops operations during the week resulted in 152 terrorists neutralised, 109 arrested and 91 hostages rescued,” Buba said.

He noted that during the operations against crude oil theft, products worth N795 million were recovered.

Buba urged the citizens to support the troops to win the war against insecurity in the country.

152 terrorists killed, 109 arrested in 1 week – DHQ