Goods Worth N100m Lost as CNG Vehicle Explodes, Triggers Fire in Ibadan

IBADAN, Nigeria – A midnight fire has gutted at least 20 shops at the NIPOST Shopping Complex in the Dugbe area of Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying goods estimated to be worth over ₦100 million. The tragic incident has left traders counting their losses and raised serious concerns about safety in one of Ibadan’s busiest commercial districts.

The incident reportedly occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday after a Lexus sedan, driven by a suspected drunk driver, crashed into a shop along the Dugbe–Iyaganku axis. According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was traveling from the Queen’s Cinema area towards Iyaganku when the driver allegedly lost control due to excessive speed and suspected alcohol consumption.

The car reportedly rammed into a giant billboard in front of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) station, somersaulted several times, and split into two parts. The rear section of the vehicle, which contained a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tank and back tyres, rolled into the nearby NIPOST Shopping Complex and exploded on impact, igniting a massive fire that rapidly spread to adjoining shops.

The Oyo State Fire Services Agency confirmed receiving a distress call at exactly 11:37 p.m. on Saturday, prompting an immediate response from firefighters led by Chief Fire Superintendent Adedeji. Personnel from both the Oyo State Fire Services Agency and the Federal Fire Service worked together to extinguish the blaze, preventing it from spreading to the General Post Office and other adjoining commercial buildings in the area.

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Eyewitnesses said the blaze escalated rapidly due to the nature of goods stored in the affected shops, which included stationery materials, computer sets, photocopiers, clothing items, and other valuable goods. The highly combustible nature of some of these items made it difficult for early intervention efforts to contain the flames before significant damage was done.

Despite the severity of the accident and the ensuing fire, no casualties were recorded, and the two occupants of the Lexus reportedly escaped without injuries. Sources claimed the occupants were suspected internet fraudsters heading to a nightclub on the Ring Road axis at the time of the incident.

The billboard destroyed in the crash reportedly bore campaign messages of Hon. Adedeji Dhokrullahi Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) , and Hon. Adebukola Ajaja of the Accord Party, both aspirants for the Oyo South Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

When journalists visited the scene at about 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, security personnel and firefighters were still working to completely extinguish the flames and secure the affected area. One of the affected traders, Mr. Kingsley Chioma, lamented the losses suffered by shop owners and disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Iyaganku Police Station had assured victims that efforts were underway to arrest the driver responsible for the incident.

The Oyo State Fire Services Agency commended officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Iyaganku Divisional Headquarters, for providing adequate security throughout the operation and confirmed that no casualties were recorded in the incident.

The tragedy has left shop owners and residents in shock, with many describing the destruction as a devastating blow to commercial activities in the busy Dugbe business district, one of Ibadan’s busiest commercial hubs. Authorities are expected to carry out a full assessment of the incident to determine the exact extent of damage and investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and subsequent fire.

Goods Worth N100m Lost as CNG Vehicle Explodes, Triggers Fire in Ibadan

Court Strikes Down National Assembly’s ₦110bn SUV, Allowance Spending

LAGOS, Nigeria – A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has nullified the National Assembly’s ₦110 billion expenditure on luxury SUVs and support allowances for lawmakers, ruling that the spending violated Nigeria’s Public Procurement Act, breached constitutional provisions on conflict of interest, and failed basic standards of transparency and accountability.

Delivering judgment on May 6, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, Justice Yellim Bogoro voided ₦40 billion used to purchase 465 bulletproof sport utility vehicles and another ₦70 billion paid as support allowances to lawmakers elected in 2023. The ruling followed a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) , a leading anti-corruption and human rights advocacy group.

Justice Bogoro held that the National Assembly failed to provide any evidence of competitive bidding, value-for-money assessments, or compliance with Section 57(4) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 — which requires that public procurement be guided by economy, efficiency, and the public interest. The judge ruled that the procurement was “arbitrary, disproportionate and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards.” The court also found that the spending violated paragraph 1, Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (Code of Conduct for Public Officers), which prohibits public officers from placing themselves in situations of conflict of interest or abusing office for personal benefit.

In one of the most striking observations in the judgment, Justice Bogoro stated that the beneficiaries of the expenditure — the lawmakers themselves — were the same officials who approved the spending. He declared that “this constitutes a case of self-dealing and conflict of interest.” The judge further noted that the expenditure violated the oath of office taken by public officers under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which demands that public office not be used for personal enrichment.

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Justice Bogoro took judicial notice of Nigeria’s prevailing economic hardship, including high inflation, unemployment, and widespread poverty. “In this context, the allocation of ₦110 billion for the benefit of lawmakers demonstrates a failure to prioritise national interest and undermines the fiduciary duty owed to the Nigerian people,” the judgment read.

The National Assembly had argued that the court lacked jurisdiction based on legislative autonomy and the separation of powers doctrine. Justice Bogoro rejected this defense, holding that “the doctrine of separation of powers does not operate as a shield for illegality. The court is concerned with the legality and constitutionality of legislative spending.” The court also dismissed the argument that the case had become academic because the funds had already been spent, stating that the matter raised significant constitutional questions and issues of public accountability that remain live and justiciable.

Justice Bogoro ordered Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to ensure that all future procurements and expenditures by the National Assembly comply strictly with due process requirements and are guided by the principles of transparency, accountability, and value for money. No order was made for refund of the already-spent funds, as SERAP had primarily sought declaratory reliefs and injunctions against future violations.

Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, described the judgment as “a major victory for transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public resources in Nigeria.” The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) called the ruling “courageous and historic,” adding that it reaffirms that “no arm of government, regardless of its constitutional status, is above the law or exempt from public scrutiny.” Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana welcomed the judgment, stating that “it has been confirmed that the decision of members of the executive and legislature to live in obscene opulence while the people are forced to live in poverty cannot be justified.” Falana urged the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to review the judgment and enforce constitutional provisions regulating the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members.

The judgment is expected to intensify public debate over legislative spending and reinforce growing calls for greater accountability in the management of public funds across all arms of government. Legal experts say the ruling sets a strong precedent that judicial review can extend to the internal spending decisions of the legislature where constitutionality, procurement compliance, and conflict of interest are in question.

Court Strikes Down National Assembly’s ₦110bn SUV, Allowance Spending

I Wept for Kidnapped Oriire Pupils Before My Daughter Was Abducted— Adelabu’s Mother

Mrs. Olufunmilayo Adelabu, mother of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has shared an emotional account of how she wept over the plight of abducted schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, only for her own daughter and twin grandsons to be kidnapped the following day.

The elderly woman made the revelation in a viral video circulated on social media following the safe rescue of her daughter, Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, and her 12-year-old twin sons.

The victims were abducted by armed gunmen in Ibadan on June 3, 2026, while Mrs. Adegoke was reportedly taking her children to school. Their abduction sparked widespread concern across Oyo State and beyond, with family members, religious groups and well-wishers calling for their immediate release.

Reliving the painful experience, Mrs. Adelabu said she had been deeply disturbed by reports of the abduction of schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area, which occurred shortly before her family’s ordeal.

According to her, she was moved to tears after watching videos and reports about the kidnapped pupils and teachers, never imagining that a similar tragedy would soon affect her own family.

“A day before my children’s incident, I wept bitterly when I saw those children on the phone, without knowing it would happen to me too the following day,” she said.

Speaking with visible relief after the rescue operation, Mrs. Adelabu expressed gratitude to God for preserving the lives of her daughter and grandsons.

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“Olaide, Peter’s mother, is my daughter, my last born. I am very happy, very happy. I give thanks to God for the mercy bestowed upon me.

“That I cried and saw helpers, and saw that my children were rescued unhurt; that my children came home in peace, and I can see all three of them. I thank all those involved in ensuring they were released,” she added.

The Adelabu family kidnapping attracted national attention, with security agencies launching an intensive search operation to locate the victims and apprehend the abductors.

After several days in captivity, the victims regained their freedom on Saturday night following an intelligence-led operation by security operatives. Authorities disclosed that the rescue mission led to the neutralisation of two suspected kidnappers, while efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the criminal gang.

Despite celebrating the safe return of her loved ones, Mrs. Adelabu said her thoughts remain with the Oriire abducted pupils and teachers who are still being held captive.

She offered prayers for their safe return and urged Nigerians not to forget families whose relatives remain in the hands of kidnappers.

“May God release them from captivity. I prayed for them too, just as I prayed for my children over the past five days. The God who freed my children from bondage will free others too. None of them will die there. They will all come home safely,” she said.

She also called for divine intervention to address Nigeria’s growing insecurity and rising cases of kidnapping in Nigeria.

“God will help stop such occurrences in Nigeria. God will help the government and Nigeria,” she prayed.

The rescue of Mrs. Adegoke and her children comes amid increasing concerns over the spread of kidnapping and insecurity in Oyo State and other parts of the country. Security experts have repeatedly urged authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering and community policing efforts to curb the activities of criminal gangs targeting schools, travellers and residents.

As celebrations continue within the Adelabu family, attention remains focused on the fate of other victims still in captivity, particularly the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire, whose families continue to await their safe return.

I Wept for Kidnapped Oriire Pupils Before My Daughter Was Abducted— Adelabu’s Mother