metro
Updated: How excavator man working on street drain caused Lagos mosque collapse (+ photos)
Updated: How excavator man working on street drain caused Lagos mosque collapse (+ photos)
An excavator operator working on a reconstruction of a street drain was responsible for the collapse on Sunday afternoon of a Lagos mosque, a storey-building, residents of the area have said.
Some of the residents in conjunction with rescue teams from the state were feverishly still working as of 5pm Sunday to bring out some of those trapped under the rubble.
Some trapped persons including children were earlier rescued and those injured rushed to hospitals.
The central mosque caved in after the afternoon prayer along Yusuf/Sotinoye Junction in the Papa Ajao area of Mushin.
The Lagos Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed five persons were rescued, and one dead body recovered from the totally collapsed mosque.
Chairman of the mosque, Qasim Keshinro Babatunde, said he was in the mosque when the incident happened.
He said he had complained that the space excavated was unnecessarily wide and deep and too close to the building.
“It was like a canal not a drain,” he said.
Babatunde was quoted by Muslim News as saying one person, a minor, died.
He added, “Over 20 worshippers who sustained various degrees of injuries are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals in both private and government-owned hospitals.”
An elder and resident of Yusuf Street who identified himself simply as Mr Adeyinka told Newstrends that some worshippers were still in the mosque including Islamic school pupils after the afternoon prayer when the bulldozer man digging the trench for the drain hit the building ground.
He said, “The mosque was too close to the expanded drain; it’s obviously too large. The drain was being expanded on Yusuf Street towards Ladipo Market Road.
“As the man was working in front of the mosque, I think the claw of the bulldozer had been hitting the edge of the foundation and the last strike brought the entire mosque down.
“It was after Zuhur salat (afternoon prayer) and many of the worshippers had just left the mosque, with a few people left and students of the Madrasat (Islamic school) in the upper floor.”
Another resident, Taiye Oseni, said, “Some of those trapped were brought out lifeless; many were injured and promptly rushed to nearby hospitals.
“The digging was too close to the mosque. They have asked everyone to leave the building when the work reached the spot if they knew they won’t any space at all for the structure to rest on.”
Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Femi Osanyintolu, in a statement listed the emergency responders at the scene as the LASEMA response team, the police, the Lagos State Ambulance Service, and the Lagos State Fire Service.
The PS in an updated statement later said, “Upon arrival at the scene at 01:40pm, a storey building (mosque) was found to have collapsed and preliminary investigation carried out upon arrival at the scene revealed that an excavator clearing the road recklessly hit a mosque (a storey building) by the road side which resulted in the mosque collapsing as prayer was about to commence. Four victims were immediately rushed to the hospital.
“A total of 10 people were trapped beneath the rubble. Search and Rescue of the victims trapped under the rubbles under the supervision of the PS was conducted with the aid of the Agency’s heavy duty equipment crane, Hiab and an excavator.
“One adult was retrieved dead while the others received pre-hospital care on the scene from the Agency’s Pre Hospital Care Unit. One with serious injuries was transferred to hospital.”
metro
Natasha says she won’t be forced into submission, denies apology
Natasha says she won’t be forced into submission, denies apology
Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has denied reports that she apologised to the Senate over the issue that led to her suspension.
In a statement released on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan condemned the charges as “false and misleading,” asserting that she maintains her position.
“The reports suggesting that I have apologised to the Senate and retracted my position are completely untrue. I stand firmly by my words and actions and have not issued any apology to the Senate or anyone regarding this matter,” she said.
She chastised individuals disseminating false claims, accusing them of attempting to distort the truth and misinform the public.
The senator, who was suspended following a disagreement with Senate leadership, stated that she is still devoted to defending her constituents’ rights and that some people are attempting to mislead public opinion with false remarks.
“I urge the public to disregard these rumours and publications, as they do not represent my position. My commitment remains to truth, justice, and the people I represent.”
Natasha also expressed concern over what she called a planned effort to silence her voice in the National Assembly.
She stated, “This is not just about me; it is about the integrity of our democracy. I will not be intimidated or forced into submission through false narratives.
Natasha urged Nigerians to be careful of misinformation, adding that any official statement from her would come only from her verified channels.
“I appreciate the support and solidarity of my people. Rest assured, I will continue to fight for what is right and just.”
Following her suspension from the Senate, some have advocated for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall.
The recall effort came after she was suspended from the Senate following a heated debate with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements.
She also accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and has subsequently taken her case to local and international media outlets, as well as the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Natasha says she won’t be forced into submission, denies apology
metro
UNIOSUN mourns as 5 students die in auto crash
UNIOSUN mourns as 5 students die in auto crash
A tragic auto accident on the Ikire-Ibadan expressway has claimed the lives of five students from Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo.
The fatal crash, which occurred on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Balogun Area of Ikire, involved a luxurious bus traveling from Ibadan and an 18-passenger bus from Osogbo. Reports indicate that both vehicles collided head-on, resulting in multiple casualties.
In addition to the UNIOSUN students, five other individuals also lost their lives in the horrific accident, bringing the total death toll to ten.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the cause of the crash, but emergency responders were on the scene to provide assistance.
A statement released by the Institution’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, stated that reports from the Nigerian Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), that the accident was caused by the head-on collision of the two buses, leading to a severe impact that claimed the lives of several passengers.
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“Our University Management, upon receiving this distressing news, swiftly dispatched a team to the scene to identify and support any of our students involved in the accident.
“Regrettably, we confirm the loss of the following students; Olagbemide Dotun, a 200-level student of Software Engineering, Suleiman Farouq, a 400-level student of Law, Ogundare Pelumi, a 300-level student of Public Health, Ogundare Elijah, a 100-level student of Mechanical Engineering and Olawuyi Mary, a 200-level student of Nursing.
“However, one of our students, Olagbemide Damilola, a 200-level student of Medicine and Surgery, survived the accident and is currently receiving medical attention.
“Osun State University is working closely with the relevant authorities to gather more details on the circumstances surrounding the accident. We are also providing necessary moral and logistical support to the bereaved families, including funeral arrangements for the deceased students.
“This tragic loss has deeply shaken our University community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the deceased. We urge our students, staff, and the entire university community to remain calm and supportive during this difficult time”, he said.
UNIOSUN mourns as 5 students die in auto crash
metro
Rivers HoS resigns, new SSG named
Rivers HoS resigns, new SSG named
Rivers Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has announced the resignation of the Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, describing the development as sad.
The Administrator appreciated the immense contributions of Nwaeke in the short period he served the administration and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Ibas said in the interim, Dr Iyingi Brown, Permanent Secretary Welfare, Office of the Head of Service had been appointed in acting capacity until the emergence of a new Head of Service.
While congratulating her on her appointment, Ibas assured the people of Rivers of his commitment to neutrality, peace and stability.
Ibas also announced the appointment of Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG).
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He said his appointment followed careful consideration of his credentials, extensive experience, and performance during rigorous selection process.
“Prof. Worika’s distinguished career spans academia, international legal practice, and high-level policy advisory roles, making him uniquely qualified to support the Administrator in the onerous task of achieving Mr President’s mandate. His appointment takes immediate effect,” Ibas said.
He added that Worika’s appointment reflected his commitment to harnessing the great human capital of the Rivers’ people to work with him to achieve the much-needed peace, stability and security.
Worika, who hails from Okirika, Rivers State, is a globally recognised scholar, legal expert and administrator with a track record in public service and institutional leadership.
He holds a Ph.D. in International Environmental and Comparative Petroleum Law & Policy from the University of Dundee, United Kingdom, and has performed roles across academia, international organizations, and government advisory capacities.
He is the Director of the Centre for Advanced Law Research at Rivers State University and served as Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Port Harcourt.
Rivers HoS resigns, new SSG named
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