metro
30 missing in Edo station kidnap, kids freed, ‘Itakpe-Warri train operations not affected’
Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, has said the attack on Ekehen train station in the Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State will not affect the Itapkpe-Warri train service.
This came as indication emerged that over 30 persons including the train station manager were abducted Saturday evening by gunmen who attacked the station.
Okhiria told newsmen on Sunday that despite the attack, the Warri-Itakpe train service would continue operations, adding that additional security measures would be deployed.
He said investigation had commenced to ascertain the number of passengers involved and other details.
Some gunmen attacked the train station on Saturday evening and abducted scores of travellers who were waiting to board the train to Warri.
Minister of Transportation, Mua’zu Sambo, visited the affected train station in the early hours of Sunday to confirm the situation.
He condemned the attack on innocent citizens, describing it as despicable and utterly barbaric.
Meanwhile about 30 people including some personnel of the NRC are believed to have fallen victims of the Saturday’s kidnap.
Vanguard quoted the Liaison officer to the local government area, Best Oseh, as saying security agencies and paramilitary organisations were combing the forests in the area to get more clues.
He said, “As I speak, people are in the field all over the place, vigilantes, security agencies and other people, everybody is concerned but we have to be careful with what we divulge so that we won’t jeopardize the processes we are doing.
“As for the category of people kidnapped, some of them are from Igueben while others are passengers from other places. As for the number, for now, we are looking at over 30 but we can only give a comprehensive number when preliminary investigations are concluded.”
A resident of the area, Comrade Odia Benson, said the abductors released two kids who were with them while a woman reportedly escaped.
He said some workers of the NRC including the station manager and ticket clerk were among those abducted.
He said, “The train normally arrives by 5pm so as at about 20 minutes to 5pm, the bandits just came through the bush path and invaded the place. They took away the station manager, the booking clerk and about 29 other passengers made up of males and females.
“As I speak with you, the Deputy Governor just left the place about an hour ago, the Commissioner of Police and his men are here; the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army Commander is here; the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) is here and many paramilitary organisations’representatives: the DPO Igueben and his men, the Esan Akatakpa Security Network, the hunters association have been in the forest since last night doing bush combing. We are hoping that by the end of today, they will be rescued.
“The railway station is in the forest, there is no security, no police, no vigilante and they are at the mercy of God. The station is in Igeueben town, just about 1.2km away from Igueben General Hospital.
“The kidnappers released two children, it is believed that they felt the children will slow down their movement. They dropped them at an abandoned petrol station, they called the family of the mother of the children that they should go and pick up the children from the place they dropped them off. One woman also escaped with her little baby. The woman escaped and found herself in Opoji, which is in the Esan Central local government Area.”
Minister of Transportation, in a statement signed by his Director, Press and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike, assured Nigerians the security agencies were making efforts to ensure the rescue of all the kidnapped persons.
The statement read, “The Public is hereby reassured that the security Agencies are making efforts to rescue the kidnapped Train passengers.
“The Nigeria Police is on the trail of the criminals and have mobilised with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers. The government is saddened by this unpleasant development and assures of its prompt response to the ugly situation.”
metro
Social Media Star Peller Arrested in Lagos for Live-Streamed Car Crash
Social Media Star Peller Arrested in Lagos for Live-Streamed Car Crash
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested popular social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, following a viral video showing him driving recklessly and crashing his vehicle during a live-stream.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the arrest comes after public outrage over the dangerous road crash, which occurred on Sunday, December 14, 2025. The police described Peller’s actions as life-threatening, endangering both himself and other road users.
“The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained Habeeb Hamzat aka ‘PELLER’ for further investigation, following the viral video in which he was seen driving recklessly, resulting in a dangerous accident while live-streaming,” the statement partly read.
READ ALSO:
- Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration
- Former PM Turnbull Tells Netanyahu to “Stay Out of Australian Politics” After Hanukkah Attack
- WWE superstar John Cena retires from wrestling
The incident is now under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), with the outcome to be made public. The suspect is expected to face charges in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Olohundare Jimoh, warned social media influencers and members of the public against using online platforms to engage in reckless or unlawful behaviour. “Such lawlessness will not be tolerated, and the full weight of the law will be applied on any offender,” he stated.
The crash has reignited debate over the rising trend of risky stunts by content creators, with many Nigerians calling for stricter enforcement to curb similar incidents.
Authorities continue to emphasize road safety, urging all drivers to comply with traffic regulations and warning that anyone endangering lives on the state’s roads, regardless of social status or online influence, will face prosecution.
This latest incident highlights the urgent need for responsible social media usage, public safety awareness, and stronger law enforcement against dangerous behaviour on Nigerian roads.
Social Media Star Peller Arrested in Lagos for Live-Streamed Car Crash
metro
Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration
Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration
LAGOS — Prominent human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of 10 soldiers accused of killing three police officers in Taraba State, as well as 400 alleged terrorism financiers whose cases were reportedly abandoned under the previous administration.
In his petition, Falana accused former AGF Abubakar Malami, SAN, of deliberately shielding the suspects from justice despite “overwhelming evidence.” Copies of the petition were also sent to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
“The withdrawal of terrorism charges against these soldiers and the failure to prosecute hundreds of terror financiers amount to a grave abuse of prosecutorial powers and a betrayal of public trust,” Falana said.
READ ALSO:
- Former PM Turnbull Tells Netanyahu to “Stay Out of Australian Politics” After Hanukkah Attack
- WWE superstar John Cena retires from wrestling
- FIFA Introduces $60 “Supporter Entry Tier” Tickets Amid 2026 World Cup Pricing Backlash
Falana recalled that in August 2019, 10 soldiers led by an Army Captain ambushed and killed three police officers in Jalingo, Taraba State, after they had arrested notorious kidnapper Bala Hamisu, also known as Wadume. Although the soldiers were initially charged with terrorism offences at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the case was abruptly terminated after Malami entered a nolle prosequi, which Falana described as unconstitutional.
He noted that while the United Arab Emirates convicted six Nigerians for financing Boko Haram—two sentenced to life imprisonment and four jailed for 10 years—Nigerian authorities failed to bring a single financier to justice.
Falana accused Malami of failing to prosecute the 400 suspected terrorism financiers arrested after investigations by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and Department of State Services (DSS), despite assurances that trials would commence after a judicial workers’ strike.
“The case files of these suspected financiers are reportedly still in the Office of the Attorney-General, while many of the suspects have regained their freedom. Nigeria cannot win the war against terrorism while protecting those who finance and execute it. The era of impunity must end,” Falana added.
Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration
metro
Updated: Nationwide Electricity faces threat as Gas Companies Cut Supplies
Updated: Nationwide Electricity faces threat as Gas Companies Cut Supplies
Nigerians may experience power shortages this Yuletide as gas-to-power debt issues disrupt electricity generation across the country.
Gas companies have begun cutting supplies to thermal power plants over unpaid debts, forcing electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to reduce daily power supply.
On Tuesday, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) informed customers across the South-East that low system frequency, caused by gas supply constraints, had necessitated load shedding by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). EEDC subsidiaries affected include MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra, and EastLand.
Similarly, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that poor generation and allocation from generation companies (GenCos) were causing load shedding in its franchise areas.
READ ALSO:
- Tinubu Holds Consultation with Labour Leaders Amid Nationwide Protest Threats
- Trump Adds Nigeria to List of Countries Facing US Entry Restrictions Over Security Concerns
- Dangote–NMDPRA Conflict: House Launches Investigation to Stabilize Petrol Supply
The Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) confirmed that gas producers had started cutting supply due to outstanding debts owed by the government, despite a recent approval of N185 billion by the Federal Government for payment of arrears to gas suppliers, announced on December 4, 2025, by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) further disclosed that gas pipeline vandalism in the upstream network has worsened the situation, causing reduced output from gas-fired power plants and a decline in national grid generation capacity. Emergency measures, including increased hydroelectric dispatch and voltage control interventions, have been activated to maintain system stability.
With over 80 per cent of grid-connected power plants relying on natural gas, the sector remains highly vulnerable to gas supply disruptions, raising fears of sustained power outages during the festive season unless liquidity issues and infrastructure vulnerabilities are urgently addressed.
The current development signals a critical need for government intervention, stakeholder coordination, and investment in gas infrastructure to prevent widespread electricity shortages across Nigeria.
Nationwide Electricity faces threat as Gas Companies Cut Supplies
-
Business3 days agoNigeria FX Market: Dollar Demand Surges, Naira Slides Slightly in Festive Season
-
Politics3 days agoAshimolowo Casts Doubt on Obi’s Northern Support as Opposition Coalition Wobbles
-
metro3 days agoEnd Biafra Agitation, Tinubu Has Integrated Ndigbo Into National Development — Umahi
-
Politics3 days agoPeter Obi Poised to Dump Labour Party as Leadership Crisis Worsens
-
International3 days ago(UPDATED) Sydney Bondi Shooting: Anti-Semitic Attack Leaves 16 Dead, 40 Injured
-
News17 hours agoTrump Adds Nigeria to List of Countries Facing US Entry Restrictions Over Security Concerns
-
News2 days agoTinubu’s Emergency Declaration Gets Supreme Court Backing in Landmark Judgment
-
metro2 days agoRetired General Alleges Terror Financiers Were Freed Under Buhari Government