28 Wedding Guests Die in Separate Road, Boat Accidents in Enugu, Kebbi

At least 28 people lost their lives over the weekend in tragic road and water accidents in Enugu State and Kebbi State, as wedding guests were returning home after attending marriage celebrations. The incidents have plunged families and communities into mourning, highlighting persistent transportation risks in Nigeria.

In Enugu State, a fatal road crash claimed 14 lives on Saturday evening. Guests from Umuahia, Abia State, who had attended a traditional marriage and wedding ceremony in Amagunze, Nkanu, Enugu State, were returning home when the Toyota Coaster bus carrying them collided head-on with a trailer on the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, near the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ozalla, and a few metres from the 4-Corner Junction.

Eyewitnesses said the crash occurred around 6:00–6:45 p.m., leaving eleven passengers dead at the scene, with several others dying later from injuries in hospitals in Enugu and Umuahia. Most of the deceased were traders from Bonny Street Market in Umuahia, who had travelled to support the groom, MacDonald Okechukwu, an indigene of Orlu, Imo State. His wife hails from Amagunze, where both the traditional marriage and wedding ceremony were held. Community leaders described the accident as horrific, with families left devastated by the sudden loss of breadwinners and friends.

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Meanwhile, in Kebbi State, another tragedy struck when a boat capsized in Gumbi village, Yauri Local Government Area. The passengers, who had accompanied a bride to her husband’s home in Gwarzo village, Ngaski LGA, were returning when the overloaded boat overturned, throwing more than 100 people into the water. Fourteen people, including 13 women and one child, died in the incident.

Governor Nasir Idris, represented at the funeral prayers by Yauri LGA Chairman Abubakar Shu’aibu, condoled with the families of the victims and urged the community to accept the tragedy as the will of God Almighty. “Nothing happens without the knowledge of our Creator. God does what He wants at the time He wants, and nobody has the right to question Him,” he said.

These separate accidents have drawn attention to road and water safety concerns in Nigeria, particularly during social events and festive periods, when large numbers of people travel long distances. Authorities and community leaders have called for increased safety measures, adherence to traffic rules, and proper regulation of water transport to prevent further tragedies.

The victims’ families and communities are now seeking urgent support for survivors and bereaved families, while mourning the loss of their loved ones in these preventable disasters.

28 Wedding Guests Die in Separate Road, Boat Accidents in Enugu, Kebbi

FG, Progressive Governors Forum Pledge ₦8bn Relief for Singer Market Fire Victims

The Federal Government (FG) and the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) have jointly donated a combined ₦8 billion in relief funds to support victims of the devastating Singer Market fire in Lagos State.

In a statement on Tuesday, government officials said the donation aims to provide emergency relief, rehabilitation support, and economic recovery assistance to affected traders and families whose businesses and sources of livelihood were destroyed by the blaze.

The fire, which broke out at the popular Singer Market in the heart of Lagos Island, reduced hundreds of shops and goods to ashes, leaving many traders — particularly small‑scale entrepreneurs — facing significant financial hardship. The market, known for its vibrant trade in textiles, electronics, and assorted merchandise, has long been a key commercial hub in Lagos State’s informal economy.

According to the Federal Government, the ₦8bn relief package will be used to provide cash grants, food aid, temporary shelter, and business rehabilitation funds to help affected victims restart their livelihoods. The authorities also noted that a portion of the funds will support medical assistance, psychosocial support services, and skills‑training programmes for displaced traders.

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Representatives from the Progressive Governors Forum said the donation reflects the collective commitment of Nigeria’s governors to stand with communities in crisis and to facilitate inclusive economic recovery at the grassroots level. Several state governors are personally overseeing the distribution of support items and coordinating with local leadership to ensure that funds reach those most in need.

Lagos State officials welcomed the intervention, stating that the relief funds would complement ongoing efforts by the state government and private donors to rebuild and rehabilitate the affected areas of Singer Market. They added that the distribution process would be transparent, inclusive, and community‑driven.

A spokesperson for the FG said the intervention underscores the government’s resolve to protect small business owners, sustain economic activities, and prevent further socio‑economic disruptions in the aftermath of the disaster.

Meanwhile, many Singer Market traders and victims have expressed gratitude for the support, while also appealing for long‑term investment and rebuilding plans to restore the market’s infrastructure and economic vibrancy.

FG, Progressive Governors Forum Pledge ₦8bn Relief for Singer Market Fire Victims

DHQ Confirms 100 US Military Personnel Arrive in Bauchi for Counter-Terrorism Training

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that approximately 100 United States military personnel have arrived at Bauchi Airfield to assist the Armed Forces of Nigeria in training, technical support, and intelligence-sharing operations aimed at enhancing the country’s capacity to combat terrorism and extremist threats.

In a statement on Monday, Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, said the deployment followed formal engagements between Nigerian and US defence officials and was executed at the request of the Federal Government. The personnel’s arrival is part of outcomes from a bilateral working group engagement between the two countries and reflects the ongoing security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.

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Major General Uba explained that the US troops are serving strictly in advisory and technical roles, focusing on joint training exercises, operational planning, and intelligence cooperation. He emphasised that they are not combat forces, and all activities are being conducted under the authority and control of the Nigerian Government, in close coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The collaboration is designed to provide specialised technical expertise to Nigerian troops, strengthening efforts to detect, deter, and neutralise extremist groups across the country. According to DHQ, the joint exercises will improve operational effectiveness, enhance interoperability, and support Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Officials stressed that the deployment demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to national security and its continued collaboration with international partners to build military capacity, safeguard communities, and protect national sovereignty. The DHQ also assured the public of transparent updates as the training and intelligence initiatives progress.

DHQ Confirms 100 US Military Personnel Arrive in Bauchi for Counter-Terrorism Training